David Azhocar
INNIO Waukesha Engine
David Azhocar has over ten years of experience working with energy technology, including reciprocating engines, fuel cells, turbines, battery energy storage systems, and nuclear reactors. His diverse experience includes power plant operations, maintenance, commercial strategy, and new product development. He is currently the lead product line manager at INNIO Waukesha Engine, where he is responsible for the global product growth strategy of the power generation portfolio of engines, generator sets, control panels, and switchgear. His most recent experience is with mobile and distributed power generation in the Oil and Gas industry. David is a Navy submarine veteran. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Operations Research from the United States Naval Academy and is an MBA student at the University of Tennessee.
Robert "Benny" Benavidez
Schneider Electric
Benny started his career with ASCO Power Technologies in 2013 as part of the sales development program. With experience in sales, marketing, and strategy, he specializes in Emergency Standby Power Systems, focusing on industry education regarding codes, product applications, and electrical design.
Currently, Benny is concentrated on the renewables sector, emphasizing the adoption of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) for emergency standby or islanded applications. By staying attuned to market trends and fostering channel partnerships, he effectively utilizes Schneider Electric’s resources to meet the growing demand for resilient and sustainable energy solutions. His commitment to innovation and collaboration drives his contributions to the industry.
Robin Bisht
Duke Energy
Dr. Robin Bisht is a Senior Electrical Engineer on the Battery Energy Storage and Microgrids Team at Duke Energy. His role involves the design and implementation of utility-scale energy storage, and solar plus storage projects. He brings in six valuable years of experience being in the front end of energy storage system design and deployment. Dr. Bisht received his B.Tech. from VNIT India and his M.S. and Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from UNC Charlotte. During his time at UNC Charlotte, his research centered around developing supervisory controllers for inverter-based microgrids to enhance power management strategies. Dr. Bisht has authored multiple journal and conference publications and has a patent in the field of energy storage.
Cameron Brooks
Think Microgrid
Cameron is the Executive Director of Think Microgrid, a membership coalition that represents the microgrid industry in critical policy, legislative and regulatory discussions at the federal and state level across the country. Cameron Brooks is also the President of E9 Insight, an advisory firm focused on the US utility industry and the policy landscape surrounding it. E9’s clients include a wide range of technology companies, advocacy coalitions and government agencies, including Department of Energy and national labs. Cameron has deep experience in regulatory engagement, business development and policy strategy, including a strong focus on distributed energy technologies and open market design. Cameron has served in executive roles with multiple clean energy companies and non-profits. Based in Boulder, Colorado, Cameron holds a B.A. from Yale University and an MBA from Cornell.
Chuck "Chim Chim" Dockery
Schneider Electric
Chuck “Chim Chim” Dockery leads Schneider Electric Federal’s Department of the Navy account portfolio for the West Coast and Pacific. In his role, Chuck leads a dedicated and matrixed team that is committed to provide Schneider Electric’s technologies and integrated energy solutions to the Navy and Marine Corps.
Chuck understands the missions, challenges, and critical energy priorities of the Navy and Marine Corps from his 29+ years of service in the Marine Corps. That understanding allows him to lead a Schneider Electric Federal team that is committed to provide resilient, efficient, and sustainable digital energy solutions in both installation and operational environments. His responsibilities include managing a portfolio of installation infrastructure that encompasses secure energy solutions, power products/systems, digital power solutions, intelligent infrastructure, software solutions, microgrid technology and electric vehicle charging stations.
As an advocate for the Navy and Marine Corps, Chuck understands the need for affordable and integrated holistic energy solutions that ensures the services’ continuity of operations. In addition to program management, execution, and customer satisfaction, he provides operational and maintenance consulting specific to the Department of the Navy’s energy resiliency and climate goals.
Chuck joined Schneider Electric Federal after serving over 29 years in the Marine Corps as an F/A-18D Weapons Systems Officer with multiple combat and overseas deployments. Chuck’s penultimate assignment was as the Commanding Officer of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar where he commissioned and proved the operational capability of Schneider Electric’s microgrid.
Chuck graduated from the United States Naval Academy with a degree in General Engineering in 1994. He also holds a Master of Arts in Strategy and Policy from the University of New South Wales (Australia) and a Masters in Strategic Science from the United States Army War College. In his spare time he is a board member of Kimonos for Kai, a non-profit aimed at eliminating teen and pre-teen suicide. He also trains Brazilian jiu-jitsu – very poorly.
Aaron Jagdfeld
Generac
Aaron P. Jagdfeld is Generac’s Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. As the company’s third CEO since its inception in 1959, Mr. Jagdfeld has led Generac’s transformation from a manufacturer of backup generators and engine powered products into a global energy technology company with a strategy to Power A Smarter World.
Mr. Jagdfeld became President in 2007, was appointed CEO in 2008, and named Chairman in 2016. Under his leadership, Generac has rapidly grown to a $4 billion company with a diversified portfolio of energy products and solutions serving
consumers, communities, and businesses around the world. While Generac is still recognized as the market leader in U.S. home standby power, Mr. Jagdfeld has played a pivotal role in expanding the company into a global designer and manufacturer of energy technology solutions and other power products including clean energy, connected devices and industrial solutions.
Prior to becoming Chairman, President and CEO, Mr. Jagdfeld worked in a variety of operational roles at Generac. He started at the company in 1994 in the finance department and was appointed Chief Financial Officer in 2002. Before joining Generac, Mr. Jagdfeld worked in the audit practice of the Milwaukee office of Deloitte & Touche. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
Mr. Jagdfeld is a member of the board of directors at the Hillman Group, a leading North American provider of complete hardware solutions, and Milwaukee World Festival, Inc., a non-profit organization that is responsible for producing the Summerfest music festival on the shores of Lake Michigan in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Joe Kendall
Schneider Electric
Joe is a Florida transplant originally from the Philadelphia/South Jersey area. While attending college at Drexel University, he worked as a chemical plant maintenance engineer, specializing in process automation controls. After acquiring his BSEE in 2015, Joe was hired as a PCS Application Engineer at ASCO Power Technologies in Florham Park, NJ, where he supported ASCO’s Paralleling Switchgear division. In the midst of 2017 Hurricane Irma’s aftermath, Joe moved to Orlando where he began working as a Field Sales Engineer. Having observed the profound impacts of the Category 4 storm, Joe decided to focus his career on the continuous enhancement of standby and emergency power systems. Over the past seven years, Joe has made substantial power design contributions on several high-profile projects in Florida and beyond. Recently married, Joe happily resides in Maitland, FL with his wife, Jessie. He enjoys a multitude of hobbies such as playing piano and working on his motorcycle.
George Langton
UL Solutions
International Regulatory & Compliance Engineer with over forty years of experience in developing and maintaining safety programs, quality assurance, process improvement, configuration management, development of test datasheets/configuration tracking documentation, and cost management.
2016 – Present: Standards Demonstrated leadership: Chairperson ISO TC 192 Gas Turbines, 2020 – Present: US TAG Chairperson SAE ISO TC 70 Gas Turbines, UL Technical lead nationally & internationally for engine generator applications.
2010 – Present: UL safety & compliance Evaluate alternative / renewable energy and power generation system designs, conduct product testing, and assist with new and innovative design construction evaluations for safety standards compliance.
2005 – Present: Standards development contributor & test procedure development: UL/ULC 6200, UL/ULC 2200, UL 1004-1, -4, -9, ISO 19372, ISO EN 21789, and ISO 8528 series.
7 years Industry design safety, manufacturing experience (2004 – 2010: Genset Manufacturing Compliance engineer for design, research & development, safety, utility interconnection, and national/international regulatory safety.
20 years of application experience (1984 – 2004): Technician engineering and design for the US Navy hovercraft (LCAC), shipboard power & propulsion (CG50, FF14, 43), operator power plant (marine mini-grid/microgrid) applications.
Mark McNeff
RCT Power USA
Mark has a decade of experience in the power and energy industry having worked in technical sales and application engineering for several global manufacturers including Schneider Electric, Moxa Americas, and EPC Power. With the last 4 years being dedicated to renewable energy, specifically the energy storage market, he brings a strong background of both the technical and commercial aspects of BESS projects. Currently he is working in aiding customers to bring behind the meter energy storage projects to fruition, providing insights into the benefits of battery systems, and promoting the RCT Power solutions in the market.
Mike Murray
Ageto Energy
Mike Murray is Founder and COO at Ageto Energy. Founded in 2017, Ageto Energy's mission is to accelerate the adoption of renewable energy by simplifying the integration and controls of renewable power systems. On August 1, 2024, Ageto was acquired by Generac Power Systems Inc., with the team being integrated into the Microgrid Solutions group.
Ageto has deployed the Ageto ARC Microgrid Controller, a robust and reliable, energy resource agnostic energy management system (EMS), to over 50 operating hybrid microgrid projects. The projects are maximizing renewable energy utilization by coordinating, dispatching, and monitoring a diverse range of energy resources.
Prior to founding Ageto Energy, Mike was the Director of Microgrid Business Development at a software company where he grew their microgrid market. Before that, Mike was the Global Key Account manager at DEIF genset controls company where he worked closely with a major OEM to support and expand sales.
Mike spent the first eight years of his career at Caterpillar working in product and customer support in the mining industry.
Mike has a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the Missouri University of Science and Technology.
Jon Pinney
Buckeye Power Sales
After exiting service from The Army, Jon was hired as an entry-level field service technician at Buckeye Power Sales in 1989. Jon is an EGSA-certified Journeyman technician and a Kohler Level II certified technician. Jon Returned to BPS in 2003 as a senior technician. Shortly after, he started developing a training program for the new entry-level technicians. In 2005 Jon was promoted to Service Manager of the Twinsburg (Cleveland) branch. His commitment to training the next generation of technicians is now an even higher priority. In 2022 he became the Learning and Development Manager for BPS. Of the 40 years Jon has been in the generator industry, over 27 years has been with Buckeye Power Sales.
Jon sits on the Advisory Board of Ohio Technical College in Cleveland and is heavily involved with their Generator training program. Jon is also the Chairman of the EGSA Education Committee.
Thomas Popik
Resilient Societies
Thomas S. Popik, Chairman and President of the Foundation for Resilient Societies. Mr. Popik leads this nonprofit that advocates for reliable and resilient electric grids. He has appeared before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the Canadian Parliament, and the legislatures of multiple U.S. states and has been quoted in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Bloomberg, Politico, The Economist, Reuters, Newsweek, Marketplace, and USA Today. His published work on electric grids includes articles in Foreign Affairs, "Ukraine’s Coming Electricity Crisis," and the Journal of Critical Infrastructure Policy, "The 2021 Texas Blackouts: Causes, Consequences, and Cures." Mr. Popik holds a Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School and a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from MIT.
Christopher Pye
ComAp
Christopher Pye is a seasoned professional with a strong passion for advancing the transition to sustainable energy systems. With extensive experience in hybrid microgrids, renewable energy integration and engineering management, Christopher has dedicated his career to making energy more accessible, reliable, and environmentally responsible. He is currently the Segment Manager for Hybrid Microgrids at ComAp, where he plays a key role in driving the company’s global strategy to support the integration of renewable and traditional energy sources for more cost-effective, reliable, and sustainable power systems.
Christopher’s work is motivated by his experiences with Pacific Island communities, where he saw firsthand the transformative impact of reliable, renewable energy on local economies, health, and overall quality of life. This insight drives his focus on hybrid microgrids, which combine solar, wind, storage and traditional energy sources to provide sustainable power while not compromising on reliability and energy security.
Christopher holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from The University of Queensland, and dual Bachelor’s degrees in Engineering (Electrical, Electronics, and Communications) and Applied Science (Mathematics) from Queensland University of Technology. He is a Registered Practising Engineer of Queensland (RPEQ) and a Chartered Engineer (CPEng).
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Mariano Rojas
Cummins Inc.
Mariano is a Senior Sales Application Engineer with Cummins Sales and Service North America – based in Orlando, FL. He has been part of the Cummins family since 2006 and has held roles as Switchgear Systems Engineer, Regional Sales Manager, Power Generation Sales Engineer, and Business Development Manager.
Mariano holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineer from The City College of New York. He is an active member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the Independent Alliance of the Electrical Industry (IAEI), and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
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Michael Sanford
Cummins Inc.
Michael serves as Cummins Business Development Manager for North America within the New Energy Solutions organization while also managing Federal and state energy policy related to microgrids and distributed energy resources. He has over 12 years of experience in the power generation industry having started his career with MTU Onsite Energy in 2012 and joining Cummins in 2014.
Michael has served Cummins in a variety of roles including having led the North America Sales Application Engineering organization, launching the Technical Marketing business function and most recently served as the US Energy Policy Manager and Product Strategy and Sales Enablement Leader for Cummins Sales and Service, North America. Mike also serves the Electrical Generating Systems Association (EGSA) as an Executive Director and is actively engaged in a number of energy trade organizations.
Sam Silverstein
Accountability Institute
Sam Silverstein is a globally recognized authority on accountability and leadership, committed to helping individuals and organizations achieve exceptional success. As the founder of The Accountability Institute™, he works with leaders to build stronger accountability and cultivate impactful organizational cultures. The author of 12 books, including The Accountability Advantage and Non-Negotiable, Sam has been named one of the World’s Top Organizational Culture Professionals by Global Gurus. A former executive and business owner, he now partners with companies, government agencies, and entrepreneurs worldwide to enhance engagement, productivity, and growth through transformative leadership practices.
Zolaikha Strong
Generac
Zolaikha Strong is a government affairs executive specializing in energy policy and resiliency solutions. As Senior Director of Policy & Regulatory Affairs at Generac Power Systems, she leads federal and state policy initiatives to advance distributed energy solutions, including residential and commercial batteries, generators, microinverters, electric vehicle chargers, smart thermostats, and grid modernization technologies. Zolaikha plays a key role in securing government funding, streamlining regulatory processes, and driving market adoption of resilient energy systems. With a career spanning leadership roles in energy advocacy, she has successfully secured over millions in federal funding including grants and tax credits, for grid resilience and clean energy investments. A recognized industry thought leader, she engages with policymakers, federal agencies, and industry stakeholders to shape policies that enhance energy reliability and sustainability. Her expertise has been featured in major media outlets and industry publications.
Previously, she was the Head of US Government Affairs at Last Energy, Vice President of Legislative Affairs for the National Hydropower Association, North American Clean Energy Lead for the Copper Alliance. She focused a significant time in her career on all transmission related issues as the Manager of Federal Regulatory Affairs for Edison Electric Institute and worked at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in the Office of Energy Markets and Rates as an Energy Industry Analyst.
Zolaikha received a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs and Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration in Finance from Seton Hall University.
Craig Szot
MN8 Energy
Craig Szot is a Senior Manager at MN8 Energy (formerly known as Goldman Sachs Renewable Power), where he leads business development initiatives focused on Battery Storage and Microgrids. In this role, Craig is responsible for originating investment opportunities for both behind-the-meter (BTM) and front-of-the-meter (FTM) battery storage assets, while also leading MN8's strategy for Microgrid and Long-Duration Energy Storage (LDES) ventures.
Before joining MN8 Energy, Craig held various technical sales roles at Schneider Electric supporting specifiers, contractors, and end-users across the entire Square D product line. He ultimately served as a Microgrid Solutions Architect, where he was instrumental in designing and delivering the switchgear and control systems associated with numerous first-of-a-kind microgrid projects within the Commercial & Industrial (C&I) and MUSH (Municipalities, Universities, Schools, and Hospitals) sectors.
Craig holds a B.S. in Electrical & Computer Engineering from Rowan University and an M.S. in Sustainability Management from Columbia University in the City of New York. He is a certified Engineer-in-Training (EIT), holds a Series 3 certification with the National Futures Association, and has previously held certifications as a Certified Energy Manager (CEM) and a LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP BD+C).
Danielle Taylor
VMC Group
Danielle Taylor is the Vice President of Business Development at VMC Group, where she leads strategic initiatives to expand the company’s presence in emerging markets, with a particular focus on California and the West Coast. Since joining VMC Group in 2004, Ms. Taylor has held progressive roles including Estimator, Sales Engineer, Regional Sales Manager, and Senior National Sales Manager, giving her a comprehensive understanding of the construction and manufacturing industries.
Ms. Taylor earned her degree in Mechanical Engineering from Rutgers University and brings over two decades of experience spanning general construction management, mechanical contracting, estimating, and manufacturing—specifically in vibration and shock control. Her project portfolio includes work across the pharmaceutical, laboratory, and healthcare sectors, where her technical insight and cross-functional expertise consistently add value.
A recognized leader in the field, Ms. Taylor developed VMC Group’s commercial construction sales strategy and internal training programs for International Building Code (IBC) compliance. Her approach combines technical rigor with a deep understanding of client needs, making her a trusted resource and speaker on topics related to construction standards and risk mitigation.
Ian Walch
Enchanted Rock
Ian Walch is a seasoned energy industry professional with over 15 years of experience. As the Strategic Partnerships and Solutions Lead at Enchanted Rock, he is driving the expansion of the company’s reach and offerings nationwide.
Prior to joining Enchanted Rock, Ian served as the Demand Response Sales Lead at Centrica Business Solutions U.S., overseeing client relationships across multiple Independent System Operators (ISOs). His previous experience also includes a significant tenure at Constellation Energy, where he played a pivotal role in developing and selling a diverse range of energy solutions, from renewable energy to traditional power and gas agreements.
Ian holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Bentley University and an MBA from Northeastern University.
Laura Williams
Generac
Laura, a mechanical engineering graduate of North Carolina State University, started her energy career in industrial energy efficiency. After pivoting to the realm of distributed energy, she found her passion in accelerating microgrid deployment.
Laura has spent the last four years working in microgrid controls, with a heavy focus on application engineering. She is a proponent of up-front due diligence and early-stage project engineering efforts to create success-ready microgrid design that meets customer needs, while avoiding the unnecessary complexities that can bog a project down. She has been lucky enough to learn many lessons through her extensive experience in complex multi-asset systems, which she aims to share through her work as an educator.
Laura started her microgrid career with Ageto Energy in 2021 and now works to support the Industrial BESS and Microgrid group at Generac.
