Alliance to Save Energy names five new board members
Five new members were named to the Alliance to Save Energy’s Board of Directors last week, strengthening the organization’s leadership with extensive experience with the energy industry across all sectors.
The newly-elected members include Greg Bergtold, business advocacy director, The Dow Chemical Company; Ashok Gupta, senior energy economist, Climate & Clean Energy Program, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC); John Haarlow, chief executive officer and general manager, Snohomish County Public Utility District; Melanie Kenderdine, principal, Energy Futures Initiative; and Christopher Womack, executive vice president and president of external affairs, Southern Company.
“Our biggest strength is the people we bring to the energy efficiency policy table together, and these new leaders make us even stronger. These are folks who’ve led different parts of the energy efficiency economy for years or even decades, and we’re grateful to have their expertise and vision for the future,” said Jason Hartke, president of the Alliance, a nonprofit alliance of business, government, environmental and consumer leaders working to expand the economy while using less energy.
At Dow Chemicals, Bergtold specializes in advocacy and policy strategies, building code development, trade organization leadership, new business development, construction engineering, energy efficiency, sustainability in design, and portfolio management.
“I am honored to be appointed to the Alliance to Save Energy’s Board of Directors. The Alliance has always played a pivotal role in making significant positive impacts toward addressing one of the world’s most critical challenges: energy use,” Bergtold said.
Gupta focuses on policies relating to global warming, energy efficiency, renewables, sustainable building design, smart growth, and transportation at the NRDC. He replaces Elizabeth Noll on the board.
“I am so very pleased to join the Board of the Alliance. Energy efficiency is the cornerstone for achieving global environmental and public health goals while boosting economic growth and jobs,” Gupta said.
Haarlow joined Snohomish County Public Utility District in 2017 as assistant general manager of distribution and engineering and was promoted to CEO and general manager in October 2018. He succeeds Jim West on the board.
“We’re pleased to help advance the mission of the Alliance since it supports our efforts to become the utility of the future and supports utilities across the country,” Haarlow said.
Kenderdine served as the energy counselor to the secretary the Department of Energy from 2013 to 2017 and director of the Office of Energy Policy and Systems Analysis.
“It is an honor to join the Board of the Alliance to Save Energy, an organization that I have admired and whose mission I have strongly supported for decades, both as a government official and as a private citizen,” Kenderdine said.
Womack directs the Southern Company’s public policy strategies and oversees federal and state governmental and regulatory affairs, corporate communication initiatives, and other external engagements. Womack replaces departing board member Bruce Edelston.
“I am delighted to be joining the Board of the Alliance to Save Energy and look forward to working on its important mission, including transportation electrification,” Womack said.
