Meet Our R3 2026 Speakers
Speakers represent several facets of the energy services industry, bringing a wide range of expertise, experience, and perspectives. We are privileged to bring this distinguished group together to share their insights.
More speakers will be announced soon!
Ron Allan Go-Aco
Energy Program Manager, Sacramento County
Thursday, November 19 - Session 2D: How ESCOs are improving County Buildings Nationwide
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Ron gained extensive expertise in the field of energy efficiency, renewables, energy management, energy financing, and sustainability throughout almost 3 decades of his cross-functional energy & sustainability leadership experience. His consistently progressive professional work experience in the operations & management of ESCOs enabled him to implement energy savings performance contracts (ESPCs) in Asia.
He began his career as an energy efficiency specialist for an electric utility Demand-Side Management office before embarking on key roles in various types of ESCOs in the Philippines, including a 7-year stint with the Honeywell group as Engineering Director. Before migrating to the US in 2016, he also consulted for the International Finance Corporation (a member of the World Bank group), the United Nations Industrial Development Organization and Econoler, a Canadian firm that developed a book entitled “World ESCO Outlook”.
Ron is a LEED Accredited Professional, a Certified Energy Manager, a Certified Measurement & Verification Professional, a Sustainability Facility Professional, and Certified Renewable Energy Technology Screen Expert.
Cliff Braddock
Director, Business Development & Preconstruction Design, Metco EngineeringWednesday, November 18 - Session 1B: M&V: Assuring the ESCO Project Works as Intended
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Cliff Braddock leads business development and preconstruction design for Metco Engineering, developing energy infrastructure that reduces costs and maintains critical operations when the electric grid fails. His experience spans electric and gas utilities, district energy, CHP, microgrids, solar PV, battery storage, and energy efficiency, including ESPC and guaranteed-savings projects. He integrates resilient power, thermal energy, utility strategy, and life-cycle economics to deliver reliable, financeable energy solutions for institutional and public-sector facilities. Cliff holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Louisiana Tech University, an MBA from Louisiana State University, and is a Lifetime Member of ASHRAE.
Scott Brownholtz
President, Brownholtz & AssociatesThursday, November 19 - Session 3C: How Recruiting Strategies can help the ESCO Market
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Scott is the President of Brownholtz & Associates, where he manages the firm’s competitive energy and Private Equity practice. Since 1997, he has taken a disciplined approach to providing recruiting solutions and advisory services to clients in both the demand-side infrastructure markets and supply-side commodity markets. Scott is the most trusted voice in out space, actively addressing recruiting, labor and compensation topics at conferences and forums throughout North America. He has been quoted in the Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, DNV/KEMA, Retail Energy Foresight and other industry media outlets.
Scott earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Georgia and holds an MS degree in Career Counseling from Sacramento State University. He is a former Board member of Power Association of Northern California and is an active member of the NAESCO, Energy Services Coalition, Association of Energy Engineers, and the American Water Works Association.
Ken Detina
Business Development, Veregy
Thursday, November 19 - Session 2B: A Market Opportunity for ESCOs: Charter Schools
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Ken Detina is an energy services professional with nearly 30 years of experience in the ESCo industry. His expertise includes energy infrastructure, facility planning, performance contracting, design-build delivery, funding strategies, and complex project development. Ken is also a member of NAESCO and has spent his career helping public-sector and commercial organizations develop practical, financially viable infrastructure solutions.
Eric Duran
Managing Director, D.A. Davidson, Public Finance Division of Investment Banking
Thursday, November 19 - Session 2B: A Market Opportunity for ESCOs: Charter Schools
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ERIC J. DURAN is a Managing Director at D.A. Davidson in the Public Finance Division of Investment Banking. Mr. Duran has more than 27 years of investment banking experience and has been a senior leader within D.A. Davidson’s nationally recognized Charter School Finance practice since joining the firm in 2004. He has served as Charter Team Leader since November 2012, overseeing the growth and continued success of the platform, which provides comprehensive financial advisory and bond financing services to charter school operators nationwide. Mr. Duran has been a client-facing banker at D.A. Davidson for 22 years.
Mr. Duran has served as senior banker on many of the firm’s most significant charter school financings, including the $125,105,000 non-rated Build NYC bond financing for the Family Life Academy Charter School Project in 2020 and the $70,355,000 expansion financing for Liberty Common School in 2024.
Mr. Duran earned a Bachelor of Arts from Colorado College and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Pittsburgh. He is a Woodrow Wilson Fellow and a former Presidential Management Intern. He currently serves on the Colorado College Board of Trustees. His prior board service includes the Colorado League of Charter Schools, the Denver Public Library Commission, and the Denver Health & Hospitals Authority. He also previously served as Treasurer of the Colorado Municipal Bond Dealers Association.
Steve Farber
Chief Development Officer, RedaptiveThursday, November 18 - Session 3D: Is there opportunity for ESCOs in the Energy as a Service Market?
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Steve Farber is Chief Development Officer at Redaptive, where he leads strategic partnerships, channel sales, REIT sales, and international expansion. Since joining in 2016, he has helped shape Redaptive’s growth and market presence.
Redaptive enables Fortune 500 companies and other large organizations to advance their decarbonization goals while streamlining both operating and capital spend through innovative funding structures and turnkey Energy-as-a-Service solutions.
Before Redaptive, Steve worked in private equity and began his career in investment banking at Lehman Brothers and Barclays.
Drew Franyo
Director of Building Envelope Development, Applied Energy Savings SystemsTuesday, November 17 - Pre-Session B: Less Common ESCO Energy Conservation Measures: How to Prioritize Their Inclusion in ProjectsRead Bio
Drew Franyo is the Director of Building Envelope Development at Applied Energy Savings Systems bringing over 16 years of hands-on experience in building performance assessment. A certified building analyst, Drew has evaluated more than 95 million square feet of municipal, federal, and commercial facilities.
His work focuses on identifying envelope deficiencies that impact energy performance, durability, and occupant comfort, and translating field data into actionable, performance-driven solutions.
Troy Geanopulos
CEO, The Efficiency Network (TEN)
Tuesday, November 17 - Pre-Session A: Benefits of ESCO Procurement Models: Turnkey or Individual Services
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As CEO of The Efficiency Network (TEN), Troy leads the company’s business strategy and oversees its highly experienced management team. With 30 years of industry experience, Troy helps maintain TEN’s competitive market position while driving the delivery of high-quality energy and building infrastructure projects. TEN, a Duquesne Light Holdings company, is headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA.
Joe Gill
Program Manager, AllumiaThursday, November 19 - Session 3D: Is there Opportunity for ESCOs in the Energy as a Service Market?
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Joe Gill is an energy efficiency professional, Certified Energy Manager, and entrepreneur with over 15 years of experience developing and delivering utility energy programs. He currently serves as a Project Developer with Allumia, where he works with utilities, contractors, and customers to develop energy projects and expand participation in efficiency programs. His background includes extensive experience in trade ally engagement, project development, sustainability, and program implementation.
Joe holds both an MBA in Sustainable Business and an MS in Technology from Appalachian State University. In addition to his work in the energy industry, he is a longtime entrepreneur and small-business owner, bringing a practical business perspective to his work.
Rachel Hartley
M&V Account Executive, Power TakeOffWednesday, November 18 - Session 1B: M&V: Assuring the ESCO Project Works as IntendedRead Bio
Rachel Hartley is an M&V Account Executive at Power TakeOff, where she partners directly with ESCOs, EAAS firms and utilities to simplify, automate, and modernize Measurement & Verification workflows. A certified PMVA and CMVP, Rachel specializes in delivering SaaS-based M&V software and professional services that turn complex data into transparent, defensible savings.
Serving as a trusted advisor on IPMVP and ASHRAE Guideline 14 best practices, she bridges the gap between technical econometric modeling and executive decision-making—helping ESCO partners de-risk projects, streamline performance evaluations, and maximize project value.
Andrew Henderson
Managing Director, Energy TransitionThursday, November 18 - Session 3B: Buy, Sell, Trade: Mergers and Acquisitions in the ESCO Industry
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Andrew Henderson is a managing director in the energy transition practice. He specializes in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) advisory services and capital formation for energy transition companies. His practices include energy efficiency and energy services companies, building optimization, distributed energy resources, energy management, utility demand-side management, smart grids and other energy transition-focused businesses.
Before coming to FMI, Andrew worked with UBS in its technology, media and telecommunications investment banking group in New York. He also was a senior consultant for Ernst & Young focused on risk assessment and process improvement advisory for clients across all sectors.
Josh Howes
CEO, Walker Blue, LLCWednesday, November 18 - Session 1C: Where does the ESCO industry go after Open Back Better Act
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Josh Howes is the CEO of Walker Blue, LLC, a national leader in energy tax incentives and energy engineering. He is a Professional Engineer licensed in all 50 states and has worked in the energy tax code since 2011, first providing energy modeling services and Section 179D certifications and later founding the firm in 2013 around building energy tax incentives.
Walker's Blue's largest practice today is the Investment Tax Credit, supported by work in domestic content, prevailing wage and apprenticeship compliance, and Section 179D certifications. Beyond setting firm direction, Josh continues to provide oversight and subject matter expertise on ITC and Section 179D studies and stays directly involved with clients.
Courtney Jenkins
CEO, Opterra Energy ServicesWednesday, November 18 - Session 1A: Overview of City Use of ESCO Services
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Courtney Jenkins serves as CEO of Opterra Energy Services, a U.S. market leader in engineering, financing, and implementing transformative energy and sustainability solutions. Following Opterra’s acquisition of NORESCO in 2026, Courtney leads approximately 750 professionals, building on a collective track record spanning more than 19,000 facilities, 880 MW of distributed energy assets, and more than $8 billion in energy savings delivered for customers nationwide.
Throughout her career, Courtney has focused on advancing complex infrastructure and energy solutions that strengthen the resilience, efficiency, and sustainability of communities and institutions. Her experience includes more than $2 billion of public-sector projects encompassing distributed renewables, microgrids, energy efficiency, and critical infrastructure for customers nationwide. Previously, she held commercial, operational, and strategic leadership roles with ENGIE and Chevron’s clean-tech division.
In addition to serving on Opterra’s Board of Directors, Courtney serves on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Energy Services Companies (NAESCO), the leading advocacy organization for the U.S. energy services industry. She has been recognized by the Silicon Valley Business Journal as one of its Top 100 Women of Influence and by the San Francisco Business Times as one of its Most Influential Women in Bay Area Business.
Courtney holds an A.B. with honors from Brown University and an M.Sc. with first-class distinction from the University of Oxford.
Lewis Kuhlman
Environmental & Sustainability Planner, City of LaCrosse, WI
Wednesday, November 18 - Session 1A: Overview of City Use of ESCO Services
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Lewis Kuhlman, AICP, earned a master’s degree in urban and regional planning from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities with a focus on environmental planning. Since 2012, he has worked as an urban planner for the City of La Crosse, WI, and lead the passage of a Climate Action Plan in 2023. He projected managed the City’s energy saving performance contract beginning in 2018, which included four phases and twelve facilities.
Michael Nenni
Owner, Nenni & Associates
Thursday, November 19 - Session 3C: How Recruiting Strategies can help the ESCO Market
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Michael Nenni is the owner of Nenni & Associates, a retained executive search firm serving the Energy Services industry. For more than 30 years, he has helped companies, from start-ups to Fortune 100 clients, identify and develop leadership, strengthen their employment brands, refine corporate culture, and improve overall performance. Known as a relational leader with a gift for spotting people's innate strengths, Michael is a trusted partner across the industry.
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James Patrides
Senior Mechanical Insulation Specialist, Heat & Frost Insulators Labor Management Cooperative TrustTuesday, November 17 - Pre-Session B: Less Common ESCO Energy Conservation Measures: How to Prioritize Their Inclusion in ProjectsRead Bio
Jim Petrides has over 30 years of experience working with clients in Healthcare, Energy Management, Government, and Nuclear, in both public and private markets throughout North America.
Jim’s extensive education includes a BA in Safety & Environmental Health & Education with multiple certifications & licenses across the US, including those in Construction & Energy Management. His certifications include CEM, CEA, CTII, and CIEA.
During his career, he has performed thousands of energy audits, including Mechanical Insulation Systems and Building Envelope Audits, while serving as President of multiple Mechanical Insulation Companies.
Currently, Jim Petrides serves as a Senior Mechanical Insulation Specialist for the Heat & Frost Insulators Labor Management Cooperative Trust.
Harry Rahman
Founder, CEO of ProLayersTuesday, November 17 - Pre-Session B: Less Common ESCO Energy Conservation Measures: How to Prioritize Their Inclusion in Projects
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Harry Rahman is the Founder and CEO of ProLayers, specializing in high-performance window film solutions for the building envelope. With more than 25 years of industry experience, Harry has focused his career on improving existing glazing systems through energy-efficient retrofit technologies.
A former Vice President of the International Window Film Association (IWFA) and a University of Houston graduate, Harry is a frequent speaker on building envelope performance, energy efficiency, glazing retrofits, energy modeling, and ROI.
Throughout his career, Harry has worked with architects, ESCOs, energy engineers, facility managers, and building owners to address solar heat gain, energy consumption, glare, UV exposure, and occupant comfort. He has developed retrofit programs across the Americas, Europe, and Asia and consulted on product selection and energy modeling for major commercial projects.
His project experience includes work involving Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, Princeton University, the State of Texas, and Marriott.
Harry founded ProLayers to provide technically driven window film solutions that help improve existing building envelopes, reduce energy consumption, enhance occupant comfort, and deliver measurable financial returns.
Bhakti Raicha
Vice President of Mergers and Acquisitions, SitelogIQThursday, November 19 - Session 3B: Buy, Sell, Trade: Mergers and Acquisitions in the ESCO industry
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Bhakti Raicha is Vice President of Mergers and Acquisitions at SitelogIQ, where she leads the company’s M&A strategy and execution. She has completed transactions representing more than $1 billion in enterprise value across her career. Previously, she held corporate development (M&A) and finance leadership roles at Ecolab.
Natasha Shah
Senior Vice President of Government Strategy, NAESCOThursday, November 19 - Session 2C: Important Industry News from Capitol Hill
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Natasha Shah is the Senior Vice President of Government Strategy, responsible for implementation and strategy working with the ESCO industry on advocacy, legislation, and industry-related matters at the National Association of Energy Service Companies (NAESCO).
Natasha has over 27 years of experience working in development and execution of energy efficiency and performance contracting, most recently serving as the Senior Vice President and General Manager at NORESCO. In addition, she served as chair of NAESCO’s board of directors from 2015-2018.
Natasha holds a Bachelor of Science in Biomechanical Engineering from Louisiana State University.
Steve Smith
Vice President, Federal Business Unit, Energy Systems Group (ESG)Wednesday, November 19 - Session 3D: Is there opportunity for ESCOs in the Energy as a Service Market?
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Steve has over 20 years of experience in the energy performance contracting industry and has background expertise in industrial building science, energy management, and project financing. As a Vice President for ESG’s Federal Business Unit (FBU), Steve oversees all business activity for the Federal Business.
Steve administers over a team of business development professionals, engineering professionals, construction management professionals, administrative staff, and other personnel. He is also responsible for all of ESG’s enduring service projects. He and his team of managers supervise the development of energy savings performance contracts (ESPCs) and utility energy service contracts (UESCs) in support of the federal government’s energy conservation, electrification, carbon reduction and infrastructure modernization needs.
Steve received his MBA from Baldwin Wallace University and his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Dayton.
Scott Stogsdill
Director of Green Energy Tax Incentives, Ryan, LLCWednesday, November 18 - Session 1C: Where does the ESCO industry go after the Open Back Better Act
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At Ryan, LLC, Scott leads the tax consulting practice for Energy Incentives (IRC 48-series Investment Tax Credit and IRC 45-series Production Credit) and Energy Efficiency Studies (IRC 179D & 45L). Previously, Scott was a principal in a national accounting firm where he was the geographic leader for the California-based tax incentives team. He spent his early career in a law firm environment as a tax controversy and litigation attorney for tax incentives under scrutiny with the IRS, California FTB, and other state taxing authorities. Scott has experience representing clients in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, architecture, and material science.
Dr. Christine Walker
Senior Energy Advisor, Pacific Northwest National LaboratoryWednesday, November 18 - Session 1B: M&V: Assuring the ESCO Projects Works as Intended
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Dr. Christine Walker, an advisor at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, provides technical and analytical support to federal agencies through the Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP), specializing in engineering and economic evaluation of ESPC and UESC projects. She is an expert in Measurement & Verification (M&V), a certified PMVA and CMVP, reviewing M&V plans and performance-period reports and contributing to key FEMP resources, including updates to the FEMP M&V Guidelines for performance-based service contracts.
Dr. Walker develops integrated energy, water, and resiliency solutions that improve performance and deliver long-term cost savings across federal facilities. She holds a PhD from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, an MBA and MS in Business Analytics from Indiana University, and advanced degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Architecture from the University of Illinois. She is a licensed Professional Engineer in multiple states.
Wes Walker
CEO, Veregy
Thursday, November 19 - Session 3D: Is there opportunity for ESCOs in the Energy as a Service Market?
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Wes Walker is CEO of Veregy, a national energy services company focused on accelerating the energy transition in the United States. He has over twenty years of experience in the energy and sustainability industry, including executive leadership roles at a multi-national ESCO, an electrical and water contracting company and one of the nation’s largest electrical utility companies.
Wes holds a Master of Business Administration with a focus on finance from Illinois State University and a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Purdue University. Additionally, he is the Board Chair with the National Association of Energy Service Companies (NAESCO.org) and a former Board member with the Alliance to Save Energy (ase.org).
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