Meet the Speakers!
In order of participation on the conference agenda.
Chris LaRoe
Chair, IPPNY Board of Directors
Director of Regulatory Affairs
Brookfield Renewable
As the Director of Regulatory Affairs with Brookfield Renewable, LaRoe is responsible for creating strategies relating to existing and potential future wholesale energy market rules and public policy initiatives. He also tracks and participates in the New York Independent System Operator stakeholder process, New York State Public Service Commission and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission proceedings, and New York State legislative and administrative efforts that establish policies, laws, and market rules impacting Brookfield Renewable.
Rich Dewey
President & CEO
NYISO
Mr. Dewey joined the NYISO in 2000 and has held several pivotal executive roles in Product and Project Management, Strategic Software Development and Quality Assurance. Previously, he spent several years in IT and Network Services for Husky Injection Molding Systems and Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation. He earned a B.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Clarkson University, a M.S. in Computer Engineering from Syracuse University, and is a graduate of Harvard Business School’s General Management Program.
Gavin J. Donohue (Moderator)
President & CEO
IPPNY
Mr. Donohue joined IPPNY in 2001 as the Executive Director and was appointed President and CEO of the association in May of 2003. While at IPPNY, Mr. Donohue has been a vocal proponent of improving New York energy policy and increasing competition in the state’s energy markets. He has been active on a variety of issues before the New York Independent System Operator, the New York Public Service Commission and both state and federal legislatures.
In 2019, Mr. Donohue was named the first appointment to the New York State Climate Action Council, a 22-member body created in statute under the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. The Council is charged with developing a plan to reach New York State’s greenhouse gas emission reduction goals by 2050.
Todd Snitchler
President & CEO
Electric Power Supply Association
As the Electric Power Supply Association (EPSA)’s president and CEO, Todd Snitchler represents companies that own competitive power generation assets and advocates for policies that focus on achieving and maintaining well-functioning and properly regulated competitive wholesale electricity markets.
Prior to joining EPSA, Todd served as the Vice President of Market Development at the American Petroleum Institute where he worked with industry, government, and customer stakeholders to promote increased demand for and continued availability of our nation’s abundant and clean natural gas resources.
Prior to that, Mr. Snitchler was a principal for Vorys Advisors, LLC in Ohio where he led the government affairs efforts in the energy and utility space where he represented competitive suppliers and independent power producers and developers. In that role he established strong relationships in Ohio and nationally with policy makers and industry participants supportive of competitive markets.
Mr. Snitchler previously served as chairman of both the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio and the Ohio Power Siting Board. He was elected twice to represent the 50th House District in Stark County, Ohio.
Dan Dolan
President
New England Power Generators Association
Dan Dolan has served as President of the New England Power Generators Association (NEPGA) since the fall of 2011. NEPGA is the trade association representing 80% of the installed generation capacity in New England, approximately 25,000 megawatts. As President he is the principal spokesperson and oversees all activities for the largest trade association representing competitive electric generating companies in New England. Dolan leads a staff that represents the membership on electricity market rules development and expansion of wholesale electric competition and is a frequent speaker at legislative and regulatory hearings as well at industry conferences.
Dolan had previously worked at the Electric Power Supply Association (EPSA), the national trade association representing competitive power suppliers, including generators and marketers. He departed as Vice President of Policy Research & Communications where he was responsible for coordinating research, reports, studies and analysis as well as directing communications and state advocacy for the organization. Dolan also oversaw the development of energy trading policy including spearheading EPSA’s activities in the development and implementation of the Dodd-Frank Wall St. Reform Act.
Laura Chappelle
Partner
Potomac Law Group
Laura Chappelle’s practice focuses on regulatory and legal policy issues involving state and federal energy sectors. She has more than 25 years of experience in state, wholesale and regional energy issues. Laura previously served as a chairman and commissioner with the Michigan Public Service Commission from 2000 – 2007. Prior to that, she was deputy legal counsel and regulatory policy advisor to Michigan Governor John Engler, assistant legal counsel for Michigan Speaker of the House Paul Hillegonds, and a regulatory policy advisor and legal counsel for both the Michigan House and Senate.
Ms. Chappelle represents clients before the Michigan Public Service Commission, including energy suppliers and marketers, independent power producers, manufacturers, agricultural processors, public entities and institutions, and trade associations representing competitive power supply and business interests. She is also active in state energy matters in both PJM and MISO, as well as representing clients before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”).
Rich Barlette (Moderator)
Director, State Government Affairs
Constellation Energy
Marc Nichol
Executive Director
Nuclear Energy Institute
Patrick White
Research Director
Nuclear Innovation Alliance
Patrick White is the Research Director of the Nuclear Innovation Alliance where he leads NIA’s research as well as analysis-based stakeholder and policymaker engagement and education. His technical background includes expertise in advanced reactor licensing strategies, regulatory modernization at the NRC, nuclear fuel cycles, and nuclear system safety.
Patrick has completed his PhD in Nuclear Science and Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) with his doctoral thesis on licensing methods and regulatory frameworks for commercial fusion technology. He was a graduate researcher on the 2018 MIT "Future of Nuclear Energy in a Carbon-Constrained World” study, co-authoring report sections on licensing issues related to advanced nuclear reactor deployment. He subsequently received his M.S. in Nuclear Science and Engineering from MIT in 2019 with his thesis research on advanced reactor regulatory pathways.
Phil Church
County Administrator
Oswego County
Richard Bratton (Moderator)
Director, Market Policy and Regulatory Affairs
IPPNY
Mike DeSocio
Founder/CEO
Luminary Energy
Jay Goodman
Partner
Couch White
Jay assists clients before the New York State Public Service Commission, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority and the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection in matters involving utilities and electric system operators. This work includes administrative proceedings regarding the development of wholesale electricity market rules and energy rates and regulatory policies, and advising on energy policies intended to promote renewable energy, electric storage, distributed energy resources, and electric vehicles.
Prior to joining Couch White, Jay worked for the New York State Department of Public Service as an Assistant Counsel. Jay subsequently served as the Manager of Regulatory Affairs for the New York Power Authority.
Adam Evans
Utility Analyst, Wholesale Markets
Department of Public Service
Chris Casey
Utility Regulatory Directory, New York Climate & Energy
National Resources Defense Council
Christopher Casey is the Utility Regulatory Director for New York at the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). He advocates for advancing climate and clean energy policy priorities in New York State, the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO), and before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). His work focuses on NYISO wholesale power markets, electric and gas system planning, and decarbonizing the electric and building sectors. Before joining NRDC, Chris practiced as an energy attorney at a law firm in New Jersey, served as Assistant Attorney General to the Washington State Utilities and Transportation Commission, and worked at a public power utility. He holds a Juris Doctor and a Master’s in Environmental Law and Policy from Vermont Law School and a bachelor’s degree from Bates College.
Keynote
Shannon Maher Bañaga, Esq.
Senior Managing Director
FTI Consulting
Shannon Maher Bañaga leads the Power & Utilities work within FTI's Energy & Natural Resources sector in the Strategic Communications segment. She provides senior counsel for energy clients in the public and government affairs arena, including direct advocacy, issues management, crisis communications, and stakeholder engagement. She served as the Spokesperson for the Partnership for Clean Energy Investment advocating for the inclusion of direct pay in the Inflation Reduction Act.
Prior to joining FTI, Ms. Bañaga was the Director of Federal Affairs for TECO Energy/Emera Inc. and was responsible for formulating and executing the company’s U.S. federal affairs strategy including natural disasters, environment, tax, trade, markets, national security and other energy regulatory issues within Congress and the Administration.
Preceding TECO, Ms. Bañaga was the Senior Manager, Public Policy and Governmental Affairs, for PSEG where she worked with stakeholders throughout Washington D.C. to formulate and advocate PSEG's position on environmental & energy policy issues involving the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and other federal statutes. During her time at PSEG, Bañaga was recognized by the D.C. Circuit on issues involving Clean Air Act, reliability, and capacity markets.
Before her tenure in the utility industry, Ms. Bañaga represented energy companies, state commissions, and quasi-governmental organizations while she was with the law firm Husch Blackwell LLP.
Ms. Bañaga began her career at the Department of Energy working on energy and environmental matters primarily involving nuclear waste. Subsequently, she joined the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s Office of Enforcement as an Attorney-Advisor where she investigated violations of the Federal Power Act, Natural Gas Act, Natural Gas Policy Act, Interstate Commerce Act and the Commission’s regulations.
Managing Director
FTI Consulting
Robert Kaineg is an energy economist specializing in providing business planning, asset transaction, and legal dispute services for energy clients. His work often involves policy and market analysis, project evaluation, market forecasting, as well as facilitating decision making and supporting communications.
As a business advisor, Robert supports decision making and strategy development through a structured process that involves scenario planning and financial evaluation of potential investment decisions, policy and market analysis, and market forecasting. Mr. Kaineg has experience delivering complex analysis to an executive-level audience and facilitating decision making in a board setting and with public stakeholders, including regulators.
Mr. Kaineg has provided expert testimony and supported litigation and arbitration matters related to electricity purchase agreements, fuel supply contracts, and markets for electric capacity. Outside his work in the North American energy sector, has supported a German government agency in its arbitration related to electricity markets in the EU.
Robert helps clients evaluate their GHG emissions and exposure to climate-related risks and opportunities. He works with clients to develop strategies that achieve both financial and ESG targets in the face of uncertain policy and market conditions.
Mr. Kaineg works with producers, consumers, and marketers of energy in addition to banks, private equity, regulators, NGOs, and government agencies. He has provided buy-side and sell-side transaction, procurement process, and auction support to clients engaged in the sale of electric and gas utilities as well as generation and transmission infrastructure in Mid-Atlantic, Midwest and in the Pacific Northwest. Robert also has supported long-term resource planning for both gas and electric utilities through fundamental analysis of commodity markets, environmental compliance costs, production cost modeling, and financial evaluation of specific candidate projects.
Robert has led the development of two electric utilities’ integrated resource plans and supported many others as a subject matter expert. He has worked with the World Bank and government agencies in Japan, Mexico, Norway, and Ukraine in matters related to CO2 markets and low carbon development strategies.
Host
The Capitol Pressroom
David has hosted The Capitol Pressroom since the end of 2019 and is also the host of WCNY’s public affairs television program CONNECT NY.
He previously served as Capitol reporter for the Albany Times Union, where he was also host of the Capitol Confidential podcast. Lombardo’s work in podcasting and data visualization has been recognized by the New York Associated Press Association. He was named to Albany 40 Under 40 Rising Stars by City & State New York.
Ryan Silva
Executive Director
Economic Development Council
Ryan M. Silva has served as Executive Director of the New York State Economic Development Council (NYSEDC) since August of 2017. Ryan has helped NYSEDC achieve several landmark policy development wins including passage of The New York State Green Chips Act and the Federal CHIPs and Science Act, the creation of the Fast NY (Shovel Ready) Program, reauthorization of $250 Million for the RESTORE New York Program, the development of the $100 Million New York Forward Program, and creation of an emergency loan/grant program for Industrial Development Agencies (IDAs) during the pandemic. Under his leadership, the NYSEDC has increase operational revenue by 120%, doubled its staff, launched several new educational programs, and positioned the organization to help coordinate and lead New York’s industry attraction efforts.
Prior to joining the NYSEDC, Ryan served as Vice President of Regional Economic Development for Empire State Development (ESD) and Deputy Director of the Regional Economic Development Council (REDC) Initiative for Governor Andrew Cuomo. He oversaw and helped develop several economic development policies and programs including the Upstate Revitalization Initiative (URI) and the Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI). During his tenure at ESD, the REDCs awarded over $2.5 billion to more than 2,000 projects. Ryan began his professional career at the Rensselaer County Regional Chamber of Commerce, growing membership and launching several new initiatives, including the Economic Development Partnership (EDP).
Ryan has been recognized for his professional achievements throughout his career, most recently being appointed to the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) Board of Directors in September of 2022. He was also appointed to Governor Kathy Hochul’s Prison Redevelopment Commission in May of 2022. Ryan was recognized by Development Counsellors International (DCI) as a Top 40 under 40 awardee and City and State’s Upstate Power 100 in 2021. He was also recognized as a City and State 40 under 40 Rising Star in 2018, an Albany Business Review 40 under 40 honoree, and the recipient of the Capital District YMCAs Presidents Award, in 2016. Ryan was appointed to Governor Andrew M. Cuomo's Health Benefit Exchange Regional Advisory Committee in 2012. He has been honored with the American Chamber of Commerce Executives Lifetime Achievement Award, receiving the Gold Level in 2010, Silver Level in 2007, and the Bronze Level in 2006 for membership growth and development. Ryan currently serves as co-chair for the New York State Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Board of Advisors.
An active and involved community member, currently serves on the Greenbush Youth Soccer Club Board of Directors and the Greenbush YMCA Board of Advisors. He has served on the Capital District YMCA Board of Directors and was Board Chair of the Troy YMCA from 2014-2016. He was a member of The College of Saint Rose Board of Associates and the Huether School of Business Advisory Board.
Zach G. Smith
Vice President, System and Resource Planning
NYISO
Zach Smith is responsible for the oversight and implementation of system planning and strategic initiatives for the New York State transmission system. These include ensuring a reliable electric grid for the future, identifying economic opportunities for transmission investment beneficial to ratepayers, and implementation of system upgrades to enable public policies. Mr. Smith also oversees the interconnection process through which renewable resources and other new generation technologies reliably connect to the New York State electric grid.
Since joining the NYISO in 2004, Mr. Smith has spearheaded numerous renewable integration and transmission planning initiatives through key positions of increasing responsibility, and he actively represents the NYISO on interregional coordination committees including as Chair of the Eastern Interconnection Planning Collaborative (EIPC).
Thomas Huang
Program Manager
GlobalFoundries
Nicole Pavia
Director, Clean Energy Infrastructure
Clean Air Task Force
Joseph DeRosa is a Partner at the lobbying and government relations firm Bolton-St. Johns (“BSJ”) and has over fifteen years of experience implementing and shaping clean energy policy in New York State. As lead of the energy practice at BSJ and member of their Albany-based lobbying team, he works diligently to advance the business priorities of market-leading clients before key decision makers in the Executive Chamber, NYS Legislature, state agencies, and local governments, focusing primarily in the areas of clean energy, cannabis, transportation, technology and procurement.
While at BSJ, Joseph has won major legislative, budget and procurement victories, including: codifying clean energy deployment goals in the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA); winning three competitive contracts to develop 3.3 GWs of offshore wind; standardizing the tax assessment methodology for solar and wind projects; helping to secure millions of dollars to transform the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal into the largest offshore wind port in the US; securing $1 million to create a program to develop hydrogen fueling stations for zero-emission, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles; and winning one of the first five medical marijuana licenses in NYS. In June 2016, he was recognized by City & State Magazine as an “Albany 40 Under 40 Rising Star” and has since been featured on their 100 Most Responsible New Yorkers List in 2022, and the Energy & Environment Power 100 List from 2019 – 2023.
Prior to joining BSJ, Joseph served over six years as lead Project Manager for residential financing at the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), focusing on market transformation initiatives in the energy efficiency and renewable energy industries. While at NYSERDA, he was responsible for the development, management and reporting functions associated with several financing products spanning the residential, multifamily and small business/not-for-profit sectors, including the Green Jobs-Green New York loan portfolio valued at over $70 million, and the Residential Loan Fund, valued at over $100 million.
Jerry Goodenough
Vice President, Project Management
Beowulf E&D
