Leadership Perspectives on Climate/Grid Resilience  

Admiral Dennis McGinn is a strategic advisor for the public and private sectors defining the intersection of energy, environment, and national security. He served as Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Energy, Installations and Environment from 2013 to 2017 leading the transformation of naval installations toward greater mission resiliency though energy efficiency, renewable energy, microgrids, and information technology. Admiral McGinn served on active duty in the United States Navy for 35 years and is a former President of the American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) where he led efforts to define and communicate the economic, security and environmental benefits of renewable energy. He presently serves on the on the board of trustees for RMI and on the board of directors of the Electric Power Research Institute and the Willdan Group. He is a strategic advisor to the Edison Electric Institute, COHO, and Lee Enterprise Consulting.

Steve Kiesner is the Senior Director of National Customer Solutions for the Edison Electric Institute (EEI). At EEI, Steve runs its National Key Accounts Program, which works to enhance opportunities and the overall business environment between EEI members and their large, multi-site national customers, including large chains, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), and technology companies. The program also serves as a clearinghouse of information about the industry to national customers. Under Steve's leadership, EEI serves as the platform for its members and multi-site national customers to engage one other: conduct business, develop mutually beneficial business models and approaches, and discuss important policy issues. Steve is also responsible for federal government and DoD customer issues, including energy resiliency, federal contracting, and efficiency.

Dr. Nicholas Judson's group focuses on Department of Defense (DoD) tactical energy systems, DoD installation energy systems, domestic energy resilience, advanced energy technologies, and the cyber security of control systems. He leads teams focusing on resilience of DoD missions to natural and man-made disruptions of critical infrastructure, especially energy, water, and the control systems that operate them. This is partly done through analysis, planning, and execution of exercises for the DoD to identify gaps in capabilities, and to develop technical solutions. He is a technical advisor for the ESTCP Energy and Water Program and the ESTCP Climate Resilience Program within the DoD, helping guide strategy as well as research and development projects to increase military capabilities for energy resilience and to minimize the impacts of climate change. He received his Ph.D. in Microbiology and Molecular Genetics from Harvard University and his A.B. in Biochemistry from Columbia University.

Earl Collins has served as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Cordia since July 2022. Earl brings a wealth of experience to his current position, having worked in various capacities across engineering, construction, operations, and maintenance for the power, industrial, and renewable energy sectors. His dedication and strategic leadership have been evident throughout his career. Prior to joining Cordia, Earl played a pivotal role in the growth of a key operating division of a Fortune 500 infrastructure engineering and construction company. Under his guidance, the division's revenue skyrocketed from $200 million to an impressive $2.5 billion through a combination of organic growth and strategic acquisitions. Earl earned a Bachelor of Science in Construction Engineering from Iowa State University in 1991 and has a distinguished military background, having earned an Officer commission through the Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps.