Speakers - '23

Rob began his career in electrical engineering in 1988 when he first joined Nova Scotia Power. Over the course of his nearly 30-year career, Rob has held senior management and leadership positions across the Emera companies.
In 2018, Rob was appointed CEO of Emera Technologies Inc., a new Emera company that will capitalize on business opportunities and develop new technologies related to energy transformation.
Prior to this, Rob led Emera’s integration with TECO Energy, which Emera acquired in July 2016. His earlier leadership positions at Emera include Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Emera Inc., President and Chief Executive Officer at Nova Scotia Power, and President and Chief Operating Officer of Bangor Hydro Electric Company (now part of Emera Maine).

CHAIRMAN OF THE SOLAR APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM & CHAIR OF FLASEIA'S EDUCATION COMMITTEE

Currently, a M.Sc. degree holder in the field of Clinical Psychology, and a returning graduate student for a Master of Science degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, with Capella University. American Counseling Association student member, as well a member of Capella University’s prestigious counseling chapter, Chi Upsilon Chi of Chi Sigma Iota. Broad career and educational professional, who has worked with varied diverse organizations to create and support comprehensive occupational training programs within the fields of IT, Healthcare, Electrical Linework, and Solar Energy. Cultivated community partnerships and relationships to expand workforce education, for St. Petersburg College, through the development and sustainment of state-registered apprenticeship programs.

Greg Burns works as a financial specialist for Greentech Renewables. He has experience with third party ownership aspects, such as PPAs and leases. He primarily works in the solar loan lending space. Additionally, Greg has over a decade of experience in business development roles in the steel industry.

Heaven Campbell is the Florida Program Director of Solar United Neighbors. She works to help Floridians go solar, join together and fight for their energy rights! She is passionate about energy equity, moving our state forward in energy policy and connecting solar enthusiasts. She is a FL native, Osprey and Gator and enjoys spending time in nature with her dogs and family. Connect with her at heaven@solarunitedneighbors.org.

Nathan Charles is Principal field application engineer at Enphase Energy. He is passionate about delivering great products that improve lifestyles and mitigate one of the greatest problems of this generation. Nathan has over has over 20 years of experience with energy technology and applications starting with the 2001 American Solar Challenge solar car race. His education includes a Masters in Sustainable Engineering from Villanova University with a focus on energy access technologies and optimization. He currently resides in Lancaster, PA.

Lex Ford is the President of Climate First Bank, the nation's first climate-focused bank. Before Climate First Bank, Ford was Senior Vice President and Commercial Banker at Seacoast Bank and Senior Vice President and Wingman to the Chairman at First GREEN Bank. For his leadership within the local community, Ford was recognized by the Orlando Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 Awards in 2017.

Board Secretary

Board Treasurer

Board 1st Vice President

Eric is the dynamic founder of The Goal Guide, Inc., a globally recognized training and coaching organization specializing in sales, leadership, communication, and mindset. A former US Marine, Eric embarked on his sales career in the technology industry, selling office equipment to local businesses, where he quickly stood out in a competitive industry. Eric's exceptional leadership skills were recognized by Capitol Office Solutions, a Xerox company, who promptly recruited him to a leadership position. Under his guidance, the team exceeded revenue goals, and Eric was subsequently appointed as Director of Sales for DCA Imaging Systems, a local office technology provider near Washington, DC. After achieving tremendous success with DCA, Eric decided to share his expertise with others and founded The Goal Guide, providing coaching and training services to entrepreneurs and sales organizations worldwide. He has helped countless businesses achieve remarkable growth and exceed revenue targets, earning a reputation as a trusted advisor and mentor. Eric also works with individuals who feel “stuck” and helps them break free from their self-limiting beliefs and achieve their next versions of themselves. Eric is a prolific author, with his latest book, "B2B Sales Secrets," and is the host of the highly acclaimed podcast, "Lead Sell Grow - The Human Experience." He resides in Lakewood Ranch, FL, with his amazing wife and business partner, Julia, and their two boys, Max and Mikey.

Board President

Julia Pyper is vice president of public affairs at GoodLeap, a leading financial technology company focused on accelerating the deployment of sustainable home solutions. She also supports the non-profit organization GivePower, which develops clean water and clean energy systems in communities around the world. Julia is a nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council think tank and host of Political Climate, a podcast presented by Canary Media and the USC Schwarzenegger Institute. She recently served as the inaugural Storyteller in Residence for cleantech startup accelerator New Energy Nexus. Previously, Julia was a senior editor for Greentech Media, where she covered the global energy transition. Prior to that, she reported for E&E News, where she conducted several international projects, including in Haiti, Germany, and India. Her writing has also been published in HuffPost, Scientific American, and The New York Times.

Heather Reams is the President of Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions (CRES), a right-of center non-profit organization based in Washington, D.C. that engages policymakers and the public about responsible, conservative solutions to address our nation’s energy, economic, and environmental security while increasing America’s competitive edge. She has led the CRES team since 2016 and oversees the core activities of the organization, ensuring the successful expansion of conservative clean energy policies across the nation.
Heather has been Chair of National Clean Energy Week since 2017. She is a Western Caucus Foundation advisory board member and serves on the board of directors for the American Conservative Coalition. She is a frequent commentator on the politics and policy of clean energy and the environment having been featured on MSNBC, NPR, and Newsmax TV, and in The Washington Post, Washington Examiner, Politico, Newsweek, Time, Roll Call, The Hill, Morning Consult, and The Atlantic, among others. She is a regular contributor to Real Clear Energy.
Heather has nearly three decades of experience in public affairs and advocacy and has held a number of senior nonprofit positions. Prior to her non-profit work, she spent a decade at several top D.C.-based public affairs firms. She started her career as a staffer in the offices of Senator Bob Smith (R-NH) and Congressman Gerald Weller (R-IL11), and earlier as an intern for Senator Slade Gorton (R-WA) while pursuing her degree. A graduate of the University of Washington with a degree in Political Science, Heather is active in Republican local and state affairs in her home state of Virginia, where she resides with her husband, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel, and their two school-aged children.

Harold Ruckpaul is Director, Distributed Energy Resources for Eaton Corporation’s Electrical Engineering Services & Systems (EESS) business unit. His responsibilities include supporting the strategic growth and global deployment of microgrid, Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) and Energy- Transition-related activities for the EESS division. He has 36 years of technical, operational and sales management experience, implementing power systems solutions to primary market segments globally.

RRyan P. Scordato, Esq., is a Shareholder at Lowndes, a multi-discipline law firm headquartered in Orlando, Florida. A seasoned, business-focused attorney, Mr. Scordato is intimately familiar with the Florida marketplace and the construction industry. He assists owners, developers, contractors, design professionals and subcontractors with a variety of construction issues, including breach of contract, delay, latent defects, differing site conditions, indemnity and warranty. He also counsels clients on issues related to construction claims of lien and surety bond claims, as well as other areas of commercial litigation and business law. Recognized by The Best Lawyers in America and as a Florida Super Lawyers Rising Star for his work, Mr. Scordato received his undergraduate degree from the University of Connecticut, where he was a four-year member of the men’s lacrosse team. He then obtained his Juris Doctorate degree from the Louisiana State University Paul M. Hebert Law Center.

Diane Seavers is a Workforce Development professional with over 25 years of experience serving in many roles in the workforce delivery system. She presently serves as the Apprenticeship Navigator for CareerSource Suncoast. CareerSource Suncoast is a private, non-profit organization, with a diverse Board of Directors, state-designated provider of workforce services for Manatee and Sarasota Counties with its primary focus to help businesses grow by offering proven solutions for talent recruitment and development. Ms. Seavers role involves building and expanding registered apprenticeship programs as well as helping navigate career seekers to apprenticeship opportunities. Previously, Ms. Seavers worked in New Jersey and served as the Chief Operations Officer for the Workforce Development Board of Middlesex County and Office of Career Opportunity overseeing workforce policy development and implementing federal and state Department of Labor workforce development grants.

Jen Szaro currently serves as President and CEO for the Association of Energy Services (AESP) a not-for-profit organization serving nearly 5,000 members throughout North America with a mission focused on facilitating the transition to a more resilient and integrated energy sector through workforce development, collaboration, and thought leadership. She also currently serves as Vice Chair of Drive Electric Florida and an Advisory Board Member for the Florida Solar Energy Center and the University of Central Florida College of Engineering and Computer Science. Prior to her current role, Jen held key leadership positions with the Smart Electric Power Alliance, Orlando Utilities Commission, and the Florida Solar Energy Center.

Douglas is Principal Manager of Business Development, focusing on solar, battery storage and microgrid development on the Distributed Energy Solutions team at Enel North America. With over 30 years of finance experience and 12 years in the renewable energy space, Doug has helped clients across North America achieve their goals related sustainability, resiliency and economic efficiency.