R3 Agenda

7:00 AM: Registration

Location: Texas Pre-function

7:30 AM - 10:00 AM: Closed Board Meeting (NAESCO Board Only) - Breakfast included

Location: Republic A/B/C & Terrace

10:15 AM - 11:45 AM: Partnership Forum

Location: Texas D/E/F

12:00 PM - 1:30 PM: Lunch (Open to All) - Sponsorship Available!

Location: Texas D/E/F

1:30 PM - 2:30 PM: Session 1A: Overview of City Use of ESCO Services

Cities across the country are leveraging ESCO partnerships to modernize infrastructure, reduce operating costs, and advance energy efficiency goals. This session will provide an overview of the municipal market and how energy savings performance contracting and other ESCO services are being utilized to address municipalities' needs. Presenters will highlight successful projects, lessons learned, and opportunities for future collaboration. 

Location: Texas A/B, fl. 4

• Courtney Jenkins, CEO, Opterra Energy Services (moderator)
• Lewis Kuhlman, Environmental & Sustainability Planner, City of La Crosse, WI
• Charles K. McGinnis, Vice President of Sustainable Infrastructure/Energy Solutions, Johnson Controls North America

2:30 PM - 3:00 PM: Session 1B: M&V: Assuring the ESCO Project Works as Intended

Measurement & Verification (M&V) is often treated as an optional component of energy and infrastructure projects, despite its critical role in validating performance and savings. This session will explore why M&V should be included in every project, from ensuring energy savings and operational benefits are achieved to providing transparency and accountability throughout the project lifecycle.  

Location: Texas A/B, fl. 4

• Cliff Braddock, Director, Business Development & Preconstruction Design, Metco Engineering (moderator)
• Rachel Hartley, M&V Account Executive, Power TakeOff
• Dr. Christine Walker, Senior Energy Advisor, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

3:00 PM - 3:30 PM: Break - Sponsored by MaxLite!

Location: Texas D/E/F

3:30 PM - 4:00 PM: Session 1C: Where does the ESCO industry go after the One Big Beautiful Bill

The legislative sunset of expanded federal tax incentives under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) and recent Section 179D changes have forced the ESCO industry to rapidly recalibrate. This session will explore what incentives and tax benefits remain available and how ESCOs can adjust their business strategies accordingly. 

Location: Texas A/B, fl. 4

• Josh Howes, CEO, Walker Blue, LLC (moderator)
• Scott Stogsdill, Director of Green Energy Incentives, Ryan, LLC

4:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Session 1D: Challenges of the Electric Grid: Data Centers and Electrification - Oh My!

The rapid growth of data centers and widespread electrification initiatives are creating new demands on an already strained electric grid. This session will examine the challenges utilities, facility owners, and ESCOs face as energy consumption patterns shift. Presenters will explore strategies for improving resilience, managing peak demand, integrating distributed energy resources, and supporting grid reliability in an increasingly electrified economy. 

Location: Texas A/B, fl. 4

• Michael Davey, President, Energy Efficient Investments, Inc. (moderator)
• Molly Connors, Policy Analyst-Manager, New England Power Generators Association

5:30 PM - 8:30 PM: Main Reception: Dave & Busters (Open to All)

Location: 849 E Commerce St, Ste 740, San Antonio, TX 78205

Sponsored by:

7:00 AM: Registration

Location: Texas Pre-function

7:30 AM - 8:00 AM: Breakfast (Open to All) - Sponsored by ESPEN!

Location: Texas D/E/F & Corr, fl. 4

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM: Member Meeting

Location: Texas A/B, fl. 4

9:00 AM - 9:30 AM: Session 2A: KEYNOTE: How Changes in the School Market are Unfolding - Sponsored by Kyotherm

School districts are at a critical crossroads, facing aging facilities, growing deferred maintenance backlogs, and persistent budget constraints. As infrastructure needs continue to outpace available funding, many districts are being forced to make difficult decisions about how to modernize their facilities while maintaining safe, healthy, and effective learning environments. This keynote session will examine the key trends shaping the K-12 market, explore how districts are prioritizing facility investments, and discuss strategies for addressing pressing infrastructure challenges. 

Location: Texas A/B, fl. 4

• Dr. Brandon T. Payne, Executive Director, National Council on School Facilities

9:30 AM - 10:00 AM: Session 2B: A Market Opportunity for ESCOs: Charter Schools

Charter schools represent a growing segment of the education market with unique facility and financing needs. This session will explore how ESCOs can deliver value through energy efficiency, facility modernization, and performance contracting solutions tailored to charter school environments. Presenters will discuss market dynamics, funding considerations, and successful project examples. 

Location: Texas A/B, fl. 4

• Ryan Terry, Vice President of Business Development, Navitas (moderator)
• Ken Detina, Business Development, Veregy
• Megan Elder, Vice President, Public Finance Investment Banking group, D.A. Davidson
• Kevin Humphrey, Superintendent, Guajome Schools

10:00 AM - 10:30 AM: Session 2C: Important Industry News from Capitol Hill

Legislative and regulatory actions are influencing the environment in which ESCOs operate, creating both challenges and opportunities for the industry. This session will provide an update on key ESPC-related developments from Capitol Hill and federal agencies, including legislation, rulemaking, and advocacy initiatives that could influence project delivery, financing, and market growth.  

Location: Texas A/B, fl. 4

• Natasha Shah, Senior Vice President of Government Strategy, NAESCO
• Kate Lynch, Founder and President, Verity Strategies

10:30 AM - 11:00 AM: Break - Sponsored by Insulators Labor Management Cooperative Trust! 

Location: Texas D/E/F

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Session 2D: How ESCOs are improving County Buildings Nationwide

County facilities serve as the backbone of essential public services, yet many courthouses, public safety buildings, and administrative facilities are aging, inefficient, and in need of significant investment to remain functional and effective. Counties are turning to ESCOs as strategic partners to help identify, finance, and implement critical facility improvements. This session will examine the current state of county infrastructure and the challenges and opportunities driving modernization efforts. 

Location: Texas A/B, fl. 4

• Ron Allan Go-Aco, Energy Program Manager, Sacramento County

12:00 PM - 1:30 PM: Awards Luncheon (Open to All) - Sponsored by Redaptive!

Location: Texas C, fl. 4

1:30 PM - 2:30 PM: Session 3A: What does the Market Look Like from the State Energy Office?

State Energy Offices are instrumental in administering public-sector energy programs and advancing state energy priorities. Through comprehensive planning, stakeholder engagement, and collaboration with national organizations, they help shape policies and programs that influence energy investment and implementation. This session will provide a state-level perspective on market conditions, program priorities, and emerging opportunities. 

Location: Texas A/B, fl. 4

• Tyler Stafford, Director of Business Development, Ameresco (moderator)
• Sam Cramer, Senior Program Director, NASEO
• Brittney VanCuran, Senior Program Manager of Commercial Building Decarbonization, Colorado Energy Office

2:30 PM - 3:00 PM: Session 3B: Buy, Sell, Trade: Mergers and Acquisitions in the ESCO industry

Consolidation and strategic acquisitions continue to reshape the energy services marketplace. This session will explore current M&A trends, valuation drivers, integration challenges, and the factors motivating buyers and sellers. Industry experts will discuss how transactions are influencing competition, capabilities, and growth across the ESCO sector. 

Location: Texas A/B, fl. 4

• Bhakti Raicha, Vice President, Mergers and Acquisitions, SitelogIQ (moderator)
• Andrew Henderson, Managing Director, Energy Transition, FMI

3:00 PM - 3:30 PM: Break - Sponsored by NASEO!

Location: Texas D/E/F

3:30 PM - 4:15 PM: Session 3C: How Recruiting Strategies can help the ESCO Market

Workforce development remains one of the industry's greatest challenges and opportunities. This session will examine innovative recruiting, retention, and talent development strategies that can help address labor shortages and build the next generation of energy services professionals.  

• Charles K. McGinnis, Vice President of Sustainable Infrastructure/Energy Solutions, Johnson Controls North America (moderator)
• Scott Brownholtz, President, Brownholtz & Associates
• Lewis Lines, Vice President, JD Ross Energy
• Michael Nenni, Owner, Nenni & Associates

Location: Texas A/B, fl. 4

4:15 PM - 5:00 PM: Session 3D: Is there opportunity for ESCOs in the Energy as a Service Market?

The Energy as a Service (EaaS) market continues to evolve as customers seek solutions that deliver long-term value, operational certainty, and flexibility. This session will explore how the market is changing, where opportunities are emerging, and whether ESCOs are positioned to capture a larger share of this growing space. Speakers will discuss customer demand, market drivers, and how ESCO capabilities can align with the EaaS model. 

Location: Texas A/B, fl. 4

• Steve Smith, Vice President, Federal Business Unit, Energy Systems Group (moderator)
• Steve Farber, Chief Development Officer, Redaptive Inc.
• Joe Gill, Program Manager, Allumia
• Wes Walker, CEO, Veregy

5:30 PM - 7:00 PM: Closing Reception: Buckhorn Saloon & Museum (Open to All) - Sponsorship Available!

Location: Toepperwein Room, 318 E. Houston Street, San Antonio TX 78205