Michael Ahern has over 30 years of experience in leading development, engineering, construction, operation, and management of industrial and energy systems. This includes operational oversight of businesses in the industrial and energy fields, with a specific focus on district systems over the last fifteen years. At Ever-Green, he leads the development and advancement of mission-based campus and community energy and utility systems that achieve clients’ strategic goals. Ahern holds a BS in Business Finance from the University of Notre Dame, with an International Business Minor.

Rob Neimeier, Client & Market Officer at Ramboll – Rob Neimeier has 33 years of consulting experience including program and project management for public and private higher education, public agencies, and municipalities with energy reduction and climate action goals. He works with many State University of New York (SUNY) campuses to develop and implement energy master plans focused on decarbonization and transitioning from fossil fuels to alternative low carbon energy supply technologies to align with the New York State Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA). Rob also works with NYSERDA on Thermal Energy Network Potential in NYS and the NYS Department of Public Service (DPS) on efforts related to the Utility Thermal Energy Network and Jobs Act.

Will Cleveland is a principal at Reshape Infrastructure Strategies, where his work includes supporting clients with contract negotiation, financial and business case analysis, pricing and tariff development, strategic planning, and utility regulation. 

Neeraj Raghuram is a Senior Engineer at Enwave with over 10 years of experience in the district energy industry. He has played a key technical role in several large-scale projects, including the Etobicoke Civic Centre and Lakeview district energy projects. Neeraj’s expertise spans across the design, development, and implementation of advanced district energy systems, contributing to sustainable and efficient energy solutions for district energy.

Brian Urlaub is the Director of Geothermal Operations for Salas O’Brien, where he oversees all aspects of projects from management and design to procurement, installation, and commissioning. As head of Salas O’Brien’s mixed-use and residential district system practice, he is part of a leadership group that has completed more than 450 geothermal projects to date, providing over 90,000 tons of system capacity. Urlaub began his career in the field, installing and servicing systems, acquiring an invaluable breadth of knowledge about site conditions and impact on budget and schedule. He is a member of the board of directors of IGSHPA, serving as vice chairman, and is past president of the Wisconsin Geothermal Association, past member of the Board of Directors of the Minnesota Geothermal Heat Pump Association, and past Advisory Council member of IGHSPA.

Michael Ahern has over 30 years of experience in leading development, engineering, construction, operation, and management of industrial and energy systems. This includes operational oversight of businesses in the industrial and energy fields, with a specific focus on district systems over the last fifteen years. At Ever-Green, he leads the development and advancement of mission-based campus and community energy and utility systems that achieve clients’ strategic goals. Ahern holds a BS in Business Finance from the University of Notre Dame, with an International Business Minor.

Rob Neimeier, Client & Market Officer at Ramboll – Rob Neimeier has 33 years of consulting experience including program and project management for public and private higher education, public agencies, and municipalities with energy reduction and climate action goals. He works with many State University of New York (SUNY) campuses to develop and implement energy master plans focused on decarbonization and transitioning from fossil fuels to alternative low carbon energy supply technologies to align with the New York State Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA). Rob also works with NYSERDA on Thermal Energy Network Potential in NYS and the NYS Department of Public Service (DPS) on efforts related to the Utility Thermal Energy Network and Jobs Act.

Juliet Simpson is a research engineer at NREL in the Thermal Energy Systems group. She has experience modeling thermal-fluid systems and performing techno-economic analyses for geothermal energy, district energy networks, long-duration energy storage, and hybrid renewable systems. Juliet’s current focus is modeling system-level and nation-wide thermal energy networks for efficient heating and cooling. Juliet received her PhD in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from the University of Virginia and her BS in Mechanical Engineering from NC State University.

Saqib Khattak, M.Eng, P. Eng has over 30 years experience in electrical engineering, with a focus in power systems, smart grid operation and analysis, protection and control, and power network optimization. Solutions-oriented consultant and analytical with history of success contributing to reliable Protection and Control design, distribution system design, generation, microgrid and logic control design.

Mitchel has 5 years of engineering experience, offering comprehensive support across various projects. His expertise spans multiple domains, including substation upgrades, backup power systems and system assessments. Mitchel excels in coordinating, inspecting and commissioning critical infrastructure, verifying compliance with code requirements and providing solutions for efficient operations. 

Mark Spurr has been a district energy consultant since 1985 and has played a key role in the growth of District Energy in the U.S. and the Middle East. He advises utilities, cities and universities regarding creation of new thermal energy businesses, district energy system design, economic analysis, energy infrastructure and decarbonization master planning, rate design and due diligence review for asset acquisitions or sales. Current work focuses on design of new low-to-no carbon greenfield systems and on decarbonization of existing district energy systems.

In addition to serving many private and public sector clients, since 1990 Mark has also served as Legislative Director of the International District Energy Association, where he is responsible for developing and advocating policies, legislation and regulations to encourage the expansion of district energy systems. Mark is IDEA’s point person on the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 and has extensive knowledge of the IRA incentives and related proposed regulations.

Mark has led the development of international design guidance documents relating to conversion and connection of buildings for district energy service, design of district cooling systems, and integration of waste heat recovery and renewable energy in sustainable energy systems.

Scot A. Ramsey, an accomplished executive leader and mechanical engineer, boasts extensive experience in city government operations and healthcare facility management. As a Facilities Consultant for the City of Rochester, Minnesota, he has spearheaded the creation of a 100% renewable Thermal Energy Network, emphasizing his dedication to sustainability and strategic innovation.

Scot's professional achievements are complemented by his civic engagement and educational background, holding a Master of Arts in Healthcare Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering.

Michael Ahern has over 30 years of experience in leading development, engineering, construction, operation, and management of industrial and energy systems. This includes operational oversight of businesses in the industrial and energy fields, with a specific focus on district systems over the last fifteen years. At Ever-Green, he leads the development and advancement of mission-based campus and community energy and utility systems that achieve clients’ strategic goals. Ahern holds a BS in Business Finance from the University of Notre Dame, with an International Business Minor.

Michael Ahern has over 30 years of experience in leading development, engineering, construction, operation, and management of industrial and energy systems. This includes operational oversight of businesses in the industrial and energy fields, with a specific focus on district systems over the last fifteen years. At Ever-Green, he leads the development and advancement of mission-based campus and community energy and utility systems that achieve clients’ strategic goals. Ahern holds a BS in Business Finance from the University of Notre Dame, with an International Business Minor.

Head, Public Policy & External Affairs
wayne.Barnett@cordiaenergy.com

Mr. Barnett support Cordia’s core business across the US and advance the company’s and individual project interests. He leads initiatives that build and execute brand awareness, strengthen marketing and communications, raise corporate visibility, foster strategic partnerships, and expand relationships with policymakers, energy infrastructure industry leaders, and other influencers and stakeholders. With a focus on public policy, advocate for sound regulatory frameworks and policies that align with Cordia’s objectives and promote sustainable energy infrastructure development.
Mr. Barnett has over 24 years of experience in the energy infrastructure and finance sectors including taxable and tax-exempt capital markets, public finance banking, integrated facility management (IFM), demand side energy efficiency, thermal district, and distributed energy. He is a member of the corporate Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Committee and Co-Chair of the BIPOC Employees Resource Group.

Wayne holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from Montreat College and a graduate certificate in economic development from the University of Pennsylvania's Fels Institute of Government.

Prior to joining Cordia, Mr. Barnett has had strategic roles with Aramark, Constellation, NW Financial Group and Wells Fargo Bank.

Gerard is a Principal with Reshape Infrastructure Strategies, an development and advisory firm based in Vancouver, BC that operates across North America. He is a Professional Engineer (non-practising) with a Master’s degree in Clean Energy Engineering. Gerard has twenty years of experience in green buildings and district energy/thermal energy networks. He supports energy utilities, master plan developers, campuses, and municipalities to accelerate the energy transition. 125%

Rob Neimeier, Client & Market Officer at Ramboll – Rob Neimeier has 33 years of consulting experience including program and project management for public and private higher education, public agencies, and municipalities with energy reduction and climate action goals. He works with many State University of New York (SUNY) campuses to develop and implement energy master plans focused on decarbonization and transitioning from fossil fuels to alternative low carbon energy supply technologies to align with the New York State Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA). Rob also works with NYSERDA on Thermal Energy Network Potential in NYS and the NYS Department of Public Service (DPS) on efforts related to the Utility Thermal Energy Network and Jobs Act.

Mark Spurr has been a district energy consultant since 1985 and has played a key role in the growth of District Energy in the U.S. and the Middle East. He advises utilities, cities and universities regarding creation of new thermal energy businesses, district energy system design, economic analysis, energy infrastructure and decarbonization master planning, rate design and due diligence review for asset acquisitions or sales. Current work focuses on design of new low-to-no carbon greenfield systems and on decarbonization of existing district energy systems.

In addition to serving many private and public sector clients, since 1990 Mark has also served as Legislative Director of the International District Energy Association, where he is responsible for developing and advocating policies, legislation and regulations to encourage the expansion of district energy systems. Mark is IDEA’s point person on the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 and has extensive knowledge of the IRA incentives and related proposed regulations.

Mark has led the development of international design guidance documents relating to conversion and connection of buildings for district energy service, design of district cooling systems, and integration of waste heat recovery and renewable energy in sustainable energy systems.