Alice Jackson
Vice President, Grid Modeling , Breakthrough Energy Ventures
Speaker
Vice President, Grid Modeling , Breakthrough Energy Ventures
Speaker
Previously at Xcel Energy, Ms. Jackson led the System Strategy and Planning organization. This is a new organization that focuses on integrated system planning, including strategically planning generation, transmission and distribution of Xcel Energy’s electric and natural gas systems. Since joining Xcel Energy in 2011, Alice held various positions of increasing responsibility. Directly prior to her role as Senior Vice President, Ms. Jackson led the Operating Company team for Public Service Company of Colorado as President. In this role she was responsible for the community, legislative, regulatory activities and held responsibility for delivering on corporate financial outcomes and objectives for Xcel Energy - Colorado. Prior to her executive leadership roles within Xcel Energy, Alice held various regulatory positions with Southwestern Public Service Company in Texas and with Public Service Company of Colorado.
Before her time with Xcel Energy, Alice spent nearly 10 years with Occidental Petroleum Corporation (Oxy) managing the nationwide energy needs of this large industrial consumer. In Alice’s early roles with Oxy, she utilized her information technology background and technical acumen to provide software development and systems support to various trading activities as well as electric market deregulation. Through her involvement in the federal and state electric markets, multiple rate cases, and interaction with customers, large and small, Alice developed a unique perspective for utilities and their contributions to society.
As if having a full-time career and having four sons is not enough of an adventure in life, in 2017 Alice completed the Program for Leadership Development at Harvard University. Alice earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Management Information Systems from Texas A&M University.
Senior Manager, Emerging Technologies , Smart Electric Power Alliance
Moderator
Ann joined SEPA in December 2021. She leads research and education on a range of emerging technologies for carbon reduction. She collaborates across SEPA’s team and member network to build awareness, encourage partnerships, and support business and policy action to accelerate the power system’s transition toward a net zero carbon future.
Previously, Ann contributed to SEPA’s Utility Transformation Challenge and member advisory services. She led energy efficiency and electrification market research and program evaluation projects at Opinion Dynamics and performed economic analysis of federal environmental policy at Abt Associates.
She holds an M.S. in Resource Economics & Policy from the University of Maine and a B.S. in Biology from Bates College. Based in Massachusetts, Ann spends her free time exploring the great outdoors with her family.
Senior Vice President - Corporate Affairs , Dominion Energy
Speaker
William L. "Bill" Murray is senior vice president- Corporate Affairs & Communications.
He is responsible for federal, state and local government relations; corporate communications; advertising; public relations; creative services; philanthropy; and community affairs.
Murray joined the company in 2007 as managing director- Corporate Public Policy. He was named senior policy director- Public Policy and Electric Policy in 2016 and promoted to vice president-State and Electric Public Policy in May 2017. He assumed his current position in February 2019.
Murray previously served as a management analyst at the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs; a senior staff member for the Virginia General Assembly; and vice president- Policy at the Virginia Hospital Association. He also held several positions in the offices of former Virginia Govs. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine.
He is a member of the board of directors of the Virginia Health Care Foundation.
Murray received his bachelor's degree in history from the University of Virginia, his master's degree in public administration from Virginia Tech, and his doctorate in public administration and public policy from Virginia Tech.
Partner , ERM: Environmental Resources Management
Speaker
Brian provides strategic advice to energy sector clients to advance their business objectives with a focus on climate change, policy and regulatory development and stakeholder engagement. Brian brings two decades of climate change experience, from foundational corporate greenhouse gas accounting and carbon markets to policy and regulatory strategies. He leads several industry coalitions and supports engagements with clients across climate and sustainability practice areas.
Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs & Public Policy , Edison International and Southern California Edison
Speaker
Caroline Choi is senior vice president of Corporate Affairs and Public Policy at Southern California Edison and its parent company, Edison International. Choi oversees Corporate Communications, Corporate Philanthropy, Government Relations and Public Affairs at the national, state and local levels.
Previously, Choi served as senior vice president of Regulatory Affairs at SCE and was responsible for the company’s regulatory engagement, policy and strategy.
Choi also served as SCE vice president of Energy and Environmental Policy and oversaw the analysis and development of energy and environmental policies and strategies, as well as engagement at energy and environmental regulatory agencies.
Before joining SCE in 2012, Choi was executive director of Environmental Services & Strategy at Progress Energy (now Duke Energy), where she led environmental permitting, compliance and policy.
Choi is active in national policy and community engagement. She serves on the board of Smart Electric Power Alliance, a nationwide organization that supports the implementation and deployment of clean energy and distributed resources. She also chairs the board of Veloz, a nonprofit dedicated to accelerating the shift to electric transportation through public-private collaboration and public engagement. In addition, she is a member of the Electric Transportation Community Development Corporation, National Forest Foundation and Public Policy Institute of California’s Statewide Leadership Council.
Choi holds a bachelor’s degree in government from Dartmouth College.
Executive Director , National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates
Speaker
David Springe is the Executive Director of the National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates (NASUCA). NASUCA’s 61 member offices represent the interests of utility consumers in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Barbados, Puerto Rico, and Jamaica.
Prior to assuming his duties at NASUCA, Mr. Springe served for thirteen years as Consumer Counsel for the Kansas Citizens’ Utility Ratepayer Board (CURB) and spent nine years as an economist and expert witness for both CURB and the Kansas Corporation Commission. Mr. Springe received his M.A. in Economics and Juris Doctor from the University of Kansas. Mr. Springe served as President of NASUCA from 2007-2009 and continues to represent consumer interests on numerous advisory boards, task forces and working groups.
Chairman , DC Public Service Commission
Speaker
Emile C. Thompson was appointed to the Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia by Mayor Muriel Bowser in 2021 and re-appointed as Interim Chairman on December 1, 2021. He was confirmed as Chairman on June 7, 2022.
Before the Commission, Chairman Thompson was an Assistant United States Attorney in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, serving as a Deputy Chief. He has also served as a Principal Member of the D.C. Water Board of Directors since 2016.
Chairman Thompson began his career as a law clerk for the Honorable (Ret.) Herbert B. Dixon, Jr. of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. He also served as a senior advisor to the Mayoral Administrations of Vincent Gray and Muriel Bowser.
Chairman Thompson is a member of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners Board of Directors (NARUC), representing public service commissions that regulate telecommunications, energy, and water utilities. He serves as Co-Chair of the Commission Chairs Council, which provides a forum for Commission Chairs to discuss pertinent issues that affect Commission’s nationwide. In addition, he serves as Vice Chair of the Committee on Critical Infrastructure and is a member of the NARUC
Committee on Energy Resources and the Environment. He serves on the Advisory Board of the Financial Research Institute and the Critical Consumer Issues Forum. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the Organization of PJM Staes, Inc., and the Advisory Council of the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) Board of Directors.
Chairman Thompson graduated from Morehouse College with a degree in Computer Science and minors in Math and Biology. He obtained his law degree from Wake Forest University School of Law.
Born in Washington, D.C., Chairman Thompson resides with his wife and children. He is active in the D.C. community, serving as a board member of the Abramson Scholarship Foundation and a former board member of the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Washington. He is also an adjunct professor at American University Washington College of Law.
Chief Strategy Officer , Smart Electric Power Alliance
Speaker
Emily Sanford Fisher is the Chief Strategy Officer for the Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA), a non-profit organization that envisions a carbon-free energy system that is safe, affordable, reliable, resilient and equitable.
Prior to joining SEPA in 2024, Emily was the Executive Vice President, Clean Energy, and General Counsel & Corporate Secretary for the Edison Electric Institute (EEI), the trade association that represents all U.S. investor-owned electric companies. Emily oversaw and coordinated clean energy policy engagement across EEI and across the federal government. She also managed EEI’s litigation and legal affairs, covering a wide range of energy and environmental regulatory and policy issues, at the state and federal level.
Emily was a Foreign Service Officer with the U.S. Department of State and served at Embassies in Bangkok, Thailand and Bogotá, Colombia.
Emily received a B.A. in international affairs with a concentration in economics from the George Washington University and a J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center. She serves on the American Bar Association (ABA) Section on Energy, Environment and Resources Council and was the Co-Chair of the ABA’s Committee on Climate Change, Sustainable Development and Ecosystems. She was appointed to the Energy Systems Integration Group’s Advisory Council and is a member of the Keystone Policy Center’s Energy Board.
Emily lives in Washington, D.C. with her husband and son. A proud Washingtonian, she serves as Co-Chair of the Executive Board of CityYearDC, a service program that brings educational support to D.C. public schools.
President and CEO , Electric Power Engineers, LLC.
Speaker
As the CEO and President of Electric Power Engineers, LLC, Hala N. Ballouz has built a rapidly growing team of 300+ power systems engineers and energy professionals with a singular focus: holistically transforming the electric grid to enable a resilient, affordable, and carbon-free energy future. She also guides the development and application of pioneering software and AI technology to enrich complex grid analytics with big data and detailed asset models.
Ms. Ballouz has been an advisor nationally and internationally on the integration of renewables and grid modernization, and an innovator in the study of planning and operation of integrated transmission and distribution (T&D) networks. She is an ardent supporter of empowering women, and proud of being the recipient of the Woman in Power Award.
Hala N. Ballouz holds bachelor’s and master’s of Science degrees in Electrical Engineering from Texas A&M University and is a registered Professional Engineer (P.E.) across several states.
Senior Director, Research & Industry Strategy | Resilience , Smart Electric Power Alliance
Moderator
Jared joined SEPA in 2017. In his role, he develops strategic plans for programs, products, and service offerings for utility and industry stakeholder members and clients that facilitate the integration of distributed energy resources, non-wires alternatives and microgrids onto the modern grid. Jared leads SEPA’s Microgrids Working Group and co-led D.C. Public Service Commission’s grid modernization working groups.
Prior to joining SEPA, he spent several years working as an environmental engineer and consultant for utility, municipal and commercial clients in the energy and water sectors.
He has a MS, Energy Policy and Climate from Johns Hopkins University, and a BS in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of Virginia.
Outside of business hours, Jared enjoys skiing, hiking and spending time in the great outdoors.
CEO , Pinnacle West Capital Corporation
Speaker
Jeff Guldner leads Pinnacle West Capital Corporation and its primary subsidiary, Arizona Public Service Company (APS). The companies are headquartered in Phoenix. Guldner was promoted to his current position in November 2019 from his dual roles as president of APS and executive vice president, public policy of Pinnacle West. Since joining APS in 2004, Guldner has held a number of leadership positions responsible for areas including legal, rates and regulation, government affairs and customer service. He is also on the Board of Directors for Nuclear Energy Institute, Edison Electric Institute, and Institute of Nuclear Operations.
CEO , Clean Power Research
Speaker
Jeff Ressler is Chief Executive Officer of Clean Power Research. In his 17 years at the company, Jeff has overseen the inception of the SolarAnywhere® and WattPlan® software families, and grown PowerClerk® from a nascent, online incentive processing tool into a powerful, general purpose energy program automation solution used by more than 80 utilities and agencies in three countries. A software industry veteran, he has a track record of delivering highly available cloud-based solutions to customers as well as deep experience building effective functional teams across engineering, product management, finance, sales, marketing, business development, support and operations.
Jeff’s career includes stints at both Oracle and Disney in addition to more than 10 years at Microsoft. During his tenure at Microsoft, Jeff served as Director of Product Management for Exchange Server and Lead Product Manager for SQL Server, among other roles. For more than two years, he was the speech manager for Bill Gates, who was Microsoft’s Chairman and Chief Software Architect at the time.
Jeff holds a degree in Industrial Engineering from Stanford University.
Senior Manager, Policy , Smart Electric Power Alliance
Moderator
Kate works as a research manager at SEPA with a focus on utility business models and regulatory innovation. In addition, she is the staff co-lead for SEPA’s Energy Storage Working Group, and a team member of the Renovate Initiative, a collaborative effort focused on state regulatory process innovation. Previously at SEPA, she worked with the 51st State Initiative, shaping the evolution of the utility sector, and supported the engagement facilitating the D.C. Public Service Commission’s grid modernization (MEDSIS) initiative in the District.
Prior to SEPA, Kate completed her master’s degree from John Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) in International Relations & Economics, with a concentration in Energy, Resources & Environment. In addition, she completed a graduate consultant project for BP Global on the future of the U.S. transportation sector, as well as graduate internships at the Edison Foundation’s Institute for Electric Innovation (IEI), the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), and Fresh Energy. Prior to SAIS, she worked in Kyoto-fu, Japan for the JET Programme, and was the development manager for Milkweed Editions, an independent book publisher based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She graduated magna cum laude from Barnard College, Columbia University, with a B.A. in art history and political science. Kate has worked and lived in Japan, Italy, India, and South Africa, and is always planning her next adventure.
Keynote Speaker and Executive Coach , Victory Strategies
Speaker
Kim “KC” Campbell is a retired Colonel who served in the United States Air Force for over 24 years as a fighter pilot and senior military leader. She has flown 1,800 hours in the A-10 Warthog, including more than 100 combat missions protecting troops on the ground in both Iraq and Afghanistan. In 2003, Kim was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for Heroism after successfully recovering her battle-damaged airplane after an intense close air support mission.
As a senior military leader, Kim has led hundreds of airmen both at home and abroad in deployed locations and enabled them to succeed in their missions. She has experience leading complex organizations and driving cultural change. Kim knows what it takes to be a successful leader, to inspire and empower high-performing teams to achieve success.
Kim is a distinguished graduate of the United States Air Force Academy. As a Marshall Scholar, she earned an MBA from the University of London and a Master of Arts in International Security Studies from the University of Reading in England.
Kim’s Air Force assignments include leadership roles as a Group Commander, responsible for over 1,000 Air Force personnel in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. She also served as the Military Assistant to the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, advising the number three civilian official in the Department of Defense on national security and defense policy formulation. Kim has also served as the Air Force Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council, a pre-eminent think tank promoting international leadership and engagement. Most recently, she served as the Director of the Center for Character and Leadership Development at the Air Force Academy.
Kim is now a keynote speaker and executive coach with Victory Strategies, a leadership development and coaching firm. She is the author of the bestselling book, Flying in the Face of Fear: A Fighter Pilot’s Lessons on Leading with Courage.
Director, Research & Industry Strategy | Emerging Technologies , Smart Electric Power Alliance
Moderator
Lakin joined SEPA in August 2021 to manage the Utility Transformation Challenge and to provide utility sector decarbonization advisory services for SEPA’s member organizations.
Prior to joining SEPA, Lakin spent almost 9 years with The Cadmus Group, most recently as Principal of the Planning and Assessment team where he specialized in demand side management analyses for integrated resource planning for a wide range of utility clients. Before Cadmus, Lakin served as a Senior Planning Project Manager at the Energy Trust of Oregon.
Lakin has a Bachelor of Business Administration in International Business from the University of Georgia and a Master of Science in Economics from Portland State University. Lakin lives in Athens, Georgia with his wife and two sons and spends his remaining free time participating in mountain bike endurance racing.
Director of Energy Equity & Inclusion , Smart Electric Power Alliance
Moderator
Mary Palmer is the Director of Energy Equity & Inclusion at the Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA). She is responsible for guiding SEPA’s efforts to help its members embed equity into their organizations in a way that creates enduring change, aligning SEPA’s mission to accelerate the achievement of a carbon-free energy system with its vision of a new, more equitable legacy of systems and processes.
She has more than six years of experience in public policy, grassroots community engagement, and coalition building at organizations such as the League of Women Voters, Women Creating Change, and Global Vision International. At Austin Energy, she led initiatives that advanced the goals of the Resource, Generation, and Climate Protection Plan for five years.
Mary was recognized as a “Rising Star” at the 2023 Women’s Energy Summit’s Rising Star Forum, and has served on the boards of the Texas Solar Energy Society and the Austin Community College Engineering Technology Advisory Committee. She holds a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences in business and public relations from Texas State University and is currently completing a Master of Business Administration from St. Edwards University.
Her proudest achievement is working with local communities and volunteers from all over the world to install rainwater harvesting systems totaling 82,900 liters of potable, accessible water to residents of Fiji.
Principal , Apex Analytics, LLC.
Speaker
Matthew Nelson is a recognized leader in energy regulation and policy, with deep expertise in integrating gas and electric system planning. He served as Chair of the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) from 2019 to 2023, overseeing major regulatory proceedings on grid modernization, renewable energy, energy efficiency, and gas system transition. Nelson played a key role in implementing solar tariffs, interconnection reforms, and energy storage policies, while also advancing consumer protections and public safety initiatives.
Nelson began his career in the DPU’s Natural Gas Division, working on rate cases, supply planning, and implementation of the Green Communities Act. He later contributed to the success of the Mass Save program at Eversource Energy before returning to the DPU in senior leadership roles, guiding regional transmission planning and advocating for fair and efficient rates.
Currently, Nelson is the Principal of Regulatory Strategy at Apex Analytics, where he leads efforts on gas transition planning and non-pipeline alternatives. His work includes facilitating a statewide stakeholder process on Non-pipe alternatives in Massachusetts, supporting Climate Compliance Plans for the Electric and Gas transition, and contributing to the Atmos Clean Heat Plan in Colorado. He also collaborates with the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission on strategic pathways for the gas system transition and works on federal and distribution tariffs for transmission development, storage and demand response.
Nelson has provided expert testimony before state legislatures, FERC, and regulatory commissions and continues to shape policies that balance decarbonization, cost-effectiveness, and reliability in the evolving energy landscape.
Senior Vice President, Customer Operations & Strategic Initiatives , Commonwealth Edison Company
Speaker
Position
Senior Vice President, Customer Operations and Strategic Initiatives | ComEd. ComEd is a unit of Chicago-based Exelon Corporation. ComEd delivers electricity to more than 4 million residential and business customers across northern Illinois, or 70 percent of the state’s population.
Profile
Melissa currently leads ComEd’s customer operations organization with responsibility for business and residential account management, customer billing and credit, contact center and meter service operations, energy efficiency, demand response, building and transportation electrification. In addition, she oversees ComEd’s economic and workforce development strategies, as well as the company’s civic and philanthropic partnerships.
Professional History
Melissa joined Exelon in 2003 and has held several roles of increasing responsibility for Exelon and ComEd throughout her tenure with the company. Prior to her current role, Melissa served as senior vice president of governmental and external affairs at ComEd, where she led legislative affairs, external affairs, large customer services, and economic and workforce development. Additionally, she managed ComEd’s relationships with civic and charitable organizations. Other previous roles held at ComEd include vice president of governmental and external affairs; vice president of external affairs and large customer service; vice president of regulatory policy and strategy.
From 2014 to 2016, Melissa played a leading role in the successful merger between Exelon and Pepco Holdings while serving as the vice president of corporate affairs in Washington, D.C.
Before joining ComEd’s regulatory team, Melissa was the director of investor relations for Exelon. In that role, she was responsible for communicating Exelon’s value proposition, financial results and performance drivers to the financial community.
Civic Involvement
Melissa is a board member of the Metropolitan Planning Council, the Civic Consulting Alliance, the Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center, and is a board member and fellow of Leadership Greater Chicago. She is an active member of various industry and professional groups, including board secretary of Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA), a member of the American Association of Blacks in Energy, the Association of Edison Illuminating Companies (AEIC) and the Northern Illinois University Presidential Advisory Council. Melissa serves as the executive sponsor of the Exelon employee resource group, Chicagoland Network of Exelon Women.
Education
Melissa earned her MBA from Keller Graduate School of Management and a Bachelor of Arts degree in finance from Lewis University.
Chief Strategy, Technology, and Innovation Officer , Rappahannock Electric Cooperative
Speaker
Dr. Peter Muhoro is the Chief Strategy, Technology & Innovation Officer for REC and the Vice President and General Manager of RE Communications, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Cooperative. Peter is responsible for developing and monitoring long-term strategies related to the Cooperative’s technology systems, new service offerings to the membership and business planning. Strategies developed under his leadership will include a technology strategy that addresses not only the Cooperative’s needs of today, but more importantly, the information, distributed generation, clean energy, emerging technologies and advanced electrification needs of tomorrow.
Peter is an accomplished electric utility executive with over 15 years of experience in the energy industry. In his most recent role as Vice President of Strategic Industry Research and Analysis at National Rural Utilities Finance Corporation (CFC), Peter led research activities, provided strategic leadership, and consulted with electric cooperative leadership and board members on trends, technologies and the future of electric cooperatives.
Over the course of his career, Peter held several positions working for, and with electric cooperatives. He served as the Chief Strategy Officer at Pedernales Electric Cooperative, the largest distribution electric cooperative in the U.S. Prior to that he was an Advisor at the Cooperative Research Network, the technology research arm of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. He has previously launched several small businesses focused on energy analysis, bottom of the pyramid issues and poverty reduction through efficient electrification. He serves on the board of the Smart Electric Power Alliance, as well as other advisory committees. He is a sought-after speaker both nationally and internationally. Peter holds a Bachelor of Science in Physics and Mathematics from Hampton University, a Master of Science and Ph.D. in Applied Physics from the University of Michigan.
REC provides electric service to over 170,000 connections in parts of 22 Virginia counties. With its general office in Fredericksburg, Va., the Cooperative operates and maintains more than 17,000 miles of power lines through its service area, which ranges from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the tidal waters of the Chesapeake Bay. For more information about REC, please visit www.myrec.coop. Follow REC on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.
Vice President of Industry Solutions , Uplight
Speaker
Sadia has 15+ years of experience in clean energy technologies (biomass, solar PV, carbon capture, wind, and distributed energy resources) in North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific markets. She has previously served in business development, R&D, product management, and pre-sales roles. Her Industry Solutions team partners with Uplight’s customers to design and implement flexibility management and customer engagement programs using Uplight’s industry-leading Flex platform and services for DERMS (Distributed Energy Resources Management System) and VPP (Virtual Power Plant) applications.
Chief Technology Officer, Innovation , Schneider Electric
Speaker
President and Chief Executive Officer , Smart Electric Power Alliance
Speaker
Sheri Givens joined Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA) as president and CEO in November 2022, leading SEPA’s work to address the most pressing issues encountered in the transformation to a clean energy system. Her professional experience includes over twenty years in legal, regulatory, legislative, and external affairs in both the public and private sectors.
Immediately before joining SEPA, she served as vice president and head of U.S. policy and regulatory strategy at National Grid, an investor-owned utility in the U.S. Northeast, where she led initiatives supporting the region’s vision for an equitable and affordable clean energy transition, net-zero planning and progress, stakeholder engagement, and utility of the future strategy.
Prior to joining National Grid, she consulted on utility consumer education and regulatory policy issues in U.S. energy markets. She was also an attorney for the Public Utility Commission of Texas, Texas Workforce Commission, and Texas Legislature. Sheri was twice appointed by the Texas Governor as the Public Counsel/CEO to the Texas Office of Public Utility Counsel.
She currently serves on the RE+ Events Board (Co-Chair) and as an Ambassador for the Clean Energy Education and Empowerment Initiative by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). She previously served on the DOE’s Electricity Advisory Committee, Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships Board, Keystone Energy Board, Association of Women in Energy Board, Northeast Clean Energy Council Board, and Boston Green Ribbon Commission.
Sheri earned a Bachelor of Arts in government from the University of Texas at Austin and a Juris Doctor from the University of Houston Law Center. She is a licensed attorney in Texas and resides in Massachusetts.
Senior Vice President and Chief Customer Officer, External Affairs , MISO
Speaker
Todd Hillman joined MISO in 2004 and is senior vice president and chief customer officer, leading all the organization’s customer and external affairs activities.
He and his team drive MISO’s commitment to a quality experience for members, employees and stakeholders. As vice president and South Region executive in Little Rock, Hillman oversaw the successful integration of the MISO South Region. The introduction of the Entergy system across Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas made it the largest integration in RTO history.
Hillman is a veteran customer and business development executive with proven leadership in corporate strategy, product origination, project coordination, customer management and marketing and development.
Before MISO, Hillman worked for Houston-based Reliant Energy, leading contract management and corporate development both in Houston and abroad. Hillman also worked for DuPont/Conoco and the CME Group (formerly the New York Mercantile Exchange) in contract development, electricity and natural gas trading and origination.
Hillman is the former Chairman of the Board for the NERC Regional Entity Southeast Reliability Corp. (SERC) and has served on numerous Boards including the National FBI Citizens Academy Alumni Association, the Gulf Coast Power Association, the Make-A-Wish Foundation (Arkansas, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio and Tennessee) and the Arkansas Research Alliance.
He has also served on commissions from the Governors of Arkansas and Indiana on business development collaborations for high-tech job retention and creation, also semiconductor expansion.
Hillman earned Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees from the University of the Pacific, an Executive Institute graduate from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and attended the INSEAD Advanced Management Program for Senior Executives.