Energy Speakers

Former Senator John Breaux (D-LA), the deputy minority whip until his retirement, held key Senate committee positions. He was a senior member of the Finance Committee, chairman of the Subcommittee on Social Security and Family Policy, and Co-Chairman of the President's Tax Reform Commission. He also held positions on the Subcommittees of Health Care and Taxation and IRS Oversight. Breaux addresses politics, health care, energy, bipartisanship, and lessons learned from Hurricane Katrina and the oil spill.

Jon Wellinghoff is the Chief Regulatory Officer of Voltus, the world’s leading platform for Distributed Energy Resources (DER). An internationally-recognized energy expert, he known for his forward-thinking approach to energy policy and his track record of moving the needle on the clean energy revolution. Jon draws on his decades experience in energy, policy, and business to discuss future opportunities in the fields of wind power, solar power, electric cars, and the development of smart cities, as well as implementing innovative business strategies and corporate cultures.

Jessica O. Matthews is the Founder & CEO of Uncharted, an award-winning energy and data technology company that develops infrastructure solutions for communities, facilities, and Internet of Things. The company was founded by Jessica when she was only 22 years old. Jessica’s research and career centers around the intersection of disruptive technology, renewable energy, human behavior, and the psychology of self-actualization. A dual citizen of Nigeria & the U.S., Jessica has a degree in Psychology and Economics from Harvard University, an MBA from Harvard Business School, and is listed on over 10 patents and patents pending—including her first invention of the SOCCKET, an energy generating soccer ball, at the age of 19.

A Pulitzer Prize-winning author, Daniel Yergin has executives rethinking their organizations' place in the world economy. His work on energy security and his perspective on globalization highlight the trends and challenges global businesses will face in the future.

Part journalist, part historian, and all shrewd political observer, Ronald (Ron) Brownstein explains the complexities of American politics with lucid precision. As a CNN Senior Political Analyst, Senior Editor for the Atlantic, and Contributing Editor for National Journal, he produces sharp analysis on politics, policy, the electorate, media, healthcare, energy, the press' impact on Americans, and the range of issues informed by his strong sense of American political and national history. Brownstein provides an insider’s look into politics and the media and has twice been a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. He is also the author of seven best-selling books, and his articles on politics, public policy, and culture have appeared in myriad of major publications and on many broadcast news outlets.

A leading thinker on global energy, power systems, and innovation, Robert Bryce is one of America’s most prominent energy journalists. He's renowned for his analysis of industrial trends and the future of energy in his five books, where he skillfully explains the scale, physics, and math behind our energy and power systems while exposing the myriad myths about energy.

Haley Barbour is the former governor of Mississippi and the former chairman of the Republican Governor’s Association. He also served as chairman of the Republican National Committee, leading the GOP to gain control of Congress for the first time in 40 years. POLITICO calls him “the most powerful Republican in politics.” He was also widely praised for his handling of both the Gulf Oil Spill and Hurricane Katrina. One of the Republican Party’s top political strategists, Barbour addresses elections, politics, Republican strategy, the economy, and other hot political topics.

Alex Epstein is the author of the New York Times best-selling book, The Moral Case for Fossil Fuels. He was called the “most original thinker of the year” and has changed how thousands of people think about the energy debate. He draws on cutting-edge research to offer eye-opening stories about how fossil fuels and technology will improve the lives of people – safely, cleanly, and effectively – for years to come. Epstein offers practical and inspiring ideas for energy-related organizations combating public perception and winning over hearts and minds.