Rodney Andrews, Associate Vice President for Research, University of Kentucky and Director, UK Center for Applied Energy Research
Rodney Andrews is Director of the Center for Applied Energy Research and Senior Associate Vice President for Research at the University of Kentucky. He is a Professor of Chemical Engineering. Dr. Andrews has been Director of UK CAER since 2007. His research interests include conversion processes for coal and biomass, carbon fiber and composites, activated carbon materials, and synthesis and application of carbon nanomaterials. Dr. Andrews has directed major multi-university and industry-academic collaborative projects. He is Chair of the Executive Council of the American Carbon Society and served as the society’s 2011 Graffin Lecturer. He was appointed to the National Coal Council in 2014 and served on the Science Advisory Board of the US Environmental Protection Agency from 2018-2021. Dr. Andrews is Program Director of Kentucky NSF EPSCoR, a statewide initiative to increase research infrastructure within the Commonwealth. Dr. Andrews received his Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering from Michigan State University and his PhD in chemical engineering from the University of Kentucky. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in Kentucky.
Michelle Bloodworth, President and CEO, America's Power
Michelle Bloodworth is president and CEO of America’s Power, a national trade organization that represents the U.S. coal fleet and its supply chain. Ms. Bloodworth’s career has been spent working with energy organizations focused on utility, electric markets, regulatory policies and state affairs including as a vice president at America’s Natural Gas Alliance and at Alabama Gas. She also previously served as executive director of External Affairs for the Midcontinent Independent System Operator.
John Cox, Director, Public Affairs, Kentucky Chamber
A native of Lexington, John Cox joined the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce in December 2019 as a manager of public affairs, and was promoted to the role of director of public affairs in 2021. Beyond general business issues, John’s focus at the Chamber includes infrastructure, healthcare and Kentucky’s signature distilling and equine industries. Prior to joining the Kentucky Chamber, John served in the role of communications director for the Kentucky Tourism, Arts, and Heritage Cabinet (2018-2019) and for the Kentucky Senate Majority Caucus (2014-2018).
John Crockett, President, LG&E and KU Energy LLC
John R. Crockett III is president and chief development officer of LG&E and KU, which serves nearly 1.3 million customers in Kentucky and Virginia. Louisville Gas and Electric and Kentucky Utilities provide electricity and natural gas service and operate about 7,500 megawatts of power generation.Crockett was named to his position in October 2021. As president and chief development officer, he is responsible for all matters of LG&E and KU Energy and is focused on state and federal government affairs, rates and regulatory strategy, local communications, stakeholder engagement and driving economic development and growth in our communities. He serves as a key leader in the PPL organization.
Crockett joined LG&E and KU in January 2018, serving as the company’s general counsel, chief compliance officer and corporate secretary. In addition to his responsibilities for the company’s Legal and Corporate Compliance departments, he also oversaw local, state and federal External Affairs, and Federal Regulatory and Policy. Prior to joining LG&E and KU, Crockett served nine years as the chairman of Frost Brown Todd, a firm with more than 500 lawyers in mid-America. At Frost Brown Todd, Crockett was responsible for driving the firm’s growth and strategic planning, merger opportunities, and ancillary and new business ventures. During his 27-year tenure at the firm, Crockett focused primarily in the areas of commercial litigation, products liability and mass tort litigation, and has been honored by his peers in “The Best Lawyers in America®” for his work on commercial litigation and mass tort litigation/class actions from 2008 to 2018.
In private practice, he represented LG&E and KU for many years in claims associated with the company’s electric and gas operations. Crockett earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a Juris Doctor from the University of Kentucky. Crockett is highly involved in the community and currently is a trustee of the Gheens Foundation and a board member of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, Greater Louisville Inc., the Speed Art Museum and the Baptist Hospital Foundation. Crockett was honored by his peers in “The Best Lawyers in America®” for his work on commercial litigation and mass tort litigation/class actions from 2008 to 2018.
Kevin Dobbs, President, Kentucky/Mid-State Division, Atmos Energy
Kevin Dobbs was named President of Atmos Energy Kentucky/Mid-States division in April 2017. Previously, Dobbs served for ten years as vice president of operations for the Northern Region of the Kentucky/Mid-States Division. A Franklin, KY native, Dobbs began his career with Atmos Energy in 1985 first as an apprentice then later as supervisor and operations manager for the company’s operations in Kentucky. Dobbs holds a bachelor’s degree in Biology and Biophysics from Western Kentucky University.
Gregory Dutton, Attorney, Frost Brown Todd LLP
Greg has broad experience in environmental and administrative law and co-leads the firm’s Renewables Energy Industry Team. His practice focuses on environmental compliance and litigation, utility regulation, and energy law. He has represented clients in federal and state litigation involving the Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, and Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). Greg is particularly experienced in matters concerning wastewater discharge permitting, Louisville Metro Air Pollution Control District (APCD) permitting and enforcement defense, and landfill permitting and enforcement defense. Additionally, Greg regularly counsels clients on developing and siting solar projects. Greg has practiced extensively before the Kentucky Electric Generation and Transmission Siting Board (Siting Board) and the Kentucky Public Service Commission (PSC). Greg is currently processing Kentucky’s first solar project proposed to be sited on reclaimed coal mines. Additionally, Greg is working with clients to site projects on farmlands throughout Kentucky. Greg’s PSC experience includes appearances on behalf of a local water utility, a local gas utility, a local sewer utility, a nationwide energy company, the Commonwealth of Kentucky, the City of Louisville, and two state-wide business associations.
Ken Gish, Member, Stites & Harbison PLLC
Ken is a member of the Environmental, Natural Resources and Energy Service Group and Business & Finance Service Group where he assists corporate and institutional clients in meeting sustainability goals through renewable energy purchases. Ken also advises clients in the energy industry, routinely representing the firm’s utility clients in matters before the Kentucky Public Service Commission, as well as assisting renewable energy developers in all aspects of project development including negotiating offtake agreements, permitting and financing transactions. He counsels the firm’s clients in all stages of the permitting process from application to appeals before administrative bodies and in state and federal court. Ken also assists clients in managing regulatory compliance matters arising from federal, state and local laws. Ken previously practiced in the Charlotte and Seattle offices of K&L Gates, LLP. Prior to entering law school, Ken served as a watch and division officer on USS San Juan (SSN-751), a nuclear-powered fast attack submarine.
Rebecca Goodman, Secretary, Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet
Rebecca Goodman was appointed as the state’s top environmental officer in December 2019 by Governor Andy Beshear. Secretary Goodman has spent more than four decades in service to the Commonwealth. She most recently advocated on behalf of Kentucky utility ratepayers as the executive director of the Office of Rate Intervention within the Office of the Attorney General. Through her work on both state and federal cases, Secretary Goodman regularly dealt with social and environmental justice issues that frequently involved low income, disadvantaged and residential customer needs. She has served as general counsel for the Kentucky Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, the Kentucky Executive Branch Ethics Commission and the Kentucky Electric Generation and Transmission Siting Board. Secretary Goodman also has served as the executive director of the Office of Legal Services at the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet after beginning her career as a staff attorney for the Kentucky Public Service Commission. Secretary Goodman earned her Juris Doctor from Salmon P. Chase College of Law, and her Bachelor of Science, Business Administration, Magna Cum Laude, from Kentucky State University.
Chris Guith, Senior Vice President, Global Energy Institute, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Christopher Guith is the senior vice president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Global Energy Institute. He leads the Institute’s efforts to build support for meaningful energy and environmental action nationally and internationally through policy development, education, and advocacy. The Institute has attracted grassroots advocates across the nation supporting its efforts to capitalize on America’s tremendous energy promise. Guith offers expertise on an array of energy and environmental issues. He educates policymakers, businesses, energy stakeholders, coalitions, and the public about the importance of a diversified energy portfolio and how it can ensure an efficient, reliable, prosperous, and secure energy future. He also leverages his broad energy expertise as a spokesperson with local, state, and national media. Guith travels frequently to speak to stakeholder groups, raising awareness of the impact of policy decisions on America’s energy future and encouraging groups to share their perspectives with policymakers. In addition, he consults with state and local chambers of commerce and business groups, advising them how to quantify the importance of safe, reliable American energy to their businesses, as well as how to amplify that message when communicating with energy decision makers.
Timothy J. Hagerty, Partner, Frost Brown Todd LLP
Tim Hagerty is a partner in the Louisville, Kentucky office of Frost Brown Todd LLP, where he concentrates his practice in environmental, natural resources, and land use law. He has over twenty-eight years of experience counseling clients concerning the requirements of the Clean Water Act, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, and related federal and state environmental and resource review requirements. He spends much of his time assisting clients in the electric utility industry, especially with regard to the regulation and management of coal combustion residuals (CCR) and wastewater discharges from electric generating facilities. Hagerty also has extensive experience advising clients in the metals and chemical manufacturing industries, in coal mining and oil and gas exploration, and in the transportation sector, and he is the former President of the Energy and Mineral Law Foundation. Hagerty’s practice includes regulatory counseling, permit and enforcement defense litigation, and transactional support. Hagerty is a graduate of the Yale Law School and the University of Louisville.
Angie Hatton, Vice Chairman, Kentucky Public Service Commission
Angie was born and raised in Whitesburg, Kentucky. She graduated from Eastern Kentucky University, worked as a newspaper reporter in Frankfort a few years, and then received her juris doctorate degree from the University of Kentucky College of Law. She is admitted to the Kentucky and Federal U.S. District Court bars and serves as Vice President of the Letcher County Bar Association. She now has practiced law for 17 years, holding the positions of Trial Commissioner for two years and Assistant County Attorney for eight years along with an ongoing private practice that has been focused mainly in Family Law. Her family’s living has been made primarily from coal mining or trucking on both sides of the family going back at least three generations. She is the proud mother of two children and has been elected four times to the Site-Based Decision Making Counsel at their school as parent representative. She has also served on numerous non-profit boards and community groups.
Justin Maierhofer, Regional Executive, North Region, TVA
Justin Maierhofer is Regional Vice President of the Tennessee Valley Authority’s North region, which spans TVA’s service territory in middle Tennessee and Kentucky. In this role, Justin is responsible for developing engagement strategies with local power companies, directly-served industries, public officials, and community non-profit organizations. He is honored to lead a team that is committed to providing exceptional service for stakeholders. Justin has spent over 25 years working at the intersection of policy, politics and the energy industry both in our nation’s capital and the Tennessee Valley. During Justin’s 21-year career at TVA he has served in key leadership roles, including vice president of Government Relations and as Chief of Staff for 3 TVA CEOs. Early in his career, Maierhofer served in both the executive and legislative branches of government, as a legislative liaison for the U.S. Department of Energy and as staff for the late U.S. Senator Paul Coverdell from Georgia. He joined the TVA Washington office in June 2002. A proud native of Carrollton, Georgia, he earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Florida State University and a master’s degree in political management from George Washington University. He and his wife, Kelley are proud parents of three teenagers, Carson, Sadie and Thomas. They live in Brentwood, Tennessee.
Chris Perry, President & CEO, Kentucky Association of Electric Cooperatives (KAEC)
Chris Perry is the president and chief executive officer of Kentucky Electric Cooperatives and United Utility Supply Cooperative. Perry has decades of engineering and electric cooperative experience and is a recognized leader in the transformation of America’s utilities, using technology to improve operations. Perry has led both cooperatives since 2014. He previously served as CEO of Fleming-Mason Energy Co-op, and in several management and engineering positions in Kentucky and Florida. He has an electrical engineering degree from the University of Kentucky and a master’s degree in business administration from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida. Perry served on The Electricity Subsector Coordinating Council’s Tiger Team, a select group of the nation’s utility leaders tasked with finding solutions to supply and logistics challenges threatening the nation’s energy needs. The Tiger Team collaborates with the U.S. Department of Energy to provide reports to the White House aimed at both addressing current shortages and developing strategies to prevent recurrent challenges. Perry and his wife, Kimberly, have two daughters, Alexandria and Alyssa.
John E.B. Pinney (“J.E.B.”), Executive Advisor, Kentucky Public Service Commission
J.E.B. joined the Commission in 1999 as a Staff Attorney, a position he held until becoming the Commission’s General Counsel in 2017. He has been an Executive Advisor to the Commission for the past three years. J.E.B. holds a Juris Doctorate from the University of Kentucky’s Rosenberg College of Law and a Bachelor of Arts in Government from Georgetown University.
Mary Pat Regan, Commissioner, Kentucky Public Service Commission
Mary Pat Regan was appointed to the Public Service Commission and designated as Commissioner by Governor Andy Beshear on July 11, 2022. Her term expires July 1, 2023.Prior to her appointment, Commissioner Regan was the Commonwealth’s Deputy Secretary for Education & Labor. Her previous professional experience includes key senior executive roles with the AT&T Corporation including responsibility as National Vice President-Regulatory for AT&T and Kentucky State President of AT&T Communications. Commissioner Regan also held several senior sales executive positions with MCI Telecommunications Corporation.Commissioner Regan has participated in and provided Chair leadership for several Louisville based community and civic programs during the last ten years including Greater Louisville Inc., Kentucky Chamber, Business Leaders for Education, and United Way. She has served as member of the Board of Directors for Kentucky Educational Television, The Louisville Science Center, the Jefferson County Public Education Foundation and the Louisville Collegiate School. Commissioner Regan attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison and has a life-long interest and participation in sports and competitive athletic activities to include cycling, running and swimming. She has earned participation completion medals in seven Ironman National Competitions. Originally from Minneapolis, Commissioner Regan has resided in the Commonwealth for over twelve years and currently lives in St. Mathews.
Amy Spiller, President, Ohio and Kentucky, Duke Energy
Amy Spiller is president of Duke Energy's utility operations in Ohio and Kentucky, which serves approximately 850,000 electric customers and 533,000 natural gas customers. She is accountable for advancing the company's rate and regulatory initiatives, and managing the government relations, economic development and community affairs functions throughout the region.