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Energy Infrastructure Advisory Council

About the Advisory Council

The Energy Infrastructure Advisory Council (EIAC) will help shape the agenda of the 2025 Emerging Issues Forum. This includes providing input on forum content and, importantly, drafting recommendations on how we can best support communities in their efforts to create a sustainable pipeline of energy workers, support energy affordability for their residents, and accommodate the infrastructure investments needed to provide reliable, affordable and resilient electricity. The recommendations will be featured at the forum and attendee feedback will be solicited. Following the forum, a final set of recommendations will be disseminated to key leaders at the state, regional and local levels.

Strategies for Strengthening Our Energy Infrastructure

The EIAC has released their draft recommendations to help communities address energy challenges and take advantage of opportunities in workforce development, affordability and community infrastructure investments. Take a look at the recommendations and share your feedback!

Advisory Council Members

Members
Conitsha Barnes, State Energy Policy Director, Duke Energy
Kimley Blanks, Business Recruitment Manager, Economic Development Partnership of NC
Thad Culley, Director, Regulatory Policy, Sunrun
Stephanie Deese, Executive Director, NC Association of Workforce Development Boards
Andrea DeSantis, Assistant Secretary for Workforce Solutions, NC Department of Commerce
Ken Dulaney, Industry Liaison, FREEDM Systems Center, NCSU
Nelle Hotchkiss, Chief Operating Officer, NC Association of Electric Cooperatives
Steve Kalland, Executive Director, NC Clean Energy Technology Center
Kevin Leonard, Executive Director, NC Association of County Commissioners
Mozine Lowe, Executive Director, Center for Energy Education
Dana Magliola, Sr. Director, Infrastructure Competitiveness, NC Chamber Foundation
Todd Roth, State Director of Skilled Trades and Work-Based Learning, NC Community College System
Jamie Russell, Director, Appalachian Energy Center
Caroline Sullivan, Executive Director, NC Business Committee for Education
Kristie VanAuken, Former Special Advisor, Workforce Engagement, Division of State Superintendent, NC Department of Public Instruction
Julie White, Deputy Secretary for Multimodal Transportation, NC Department of Transportation
Claire Williamson, Senior Energy Policy Advocate, NC Justice Center
Deb Wojcik, Executive Director, Research Triangle Cleantech Cluster
Patrick Woodie, President & CEO, NC Rural Center