Katharine Anne Scott Hayhoe is a Canadian atmospheric scientist. In 2021, Hayhoe joined the Nature Conservancy as Chief Scientist. Hayhoe received her Bachelor of Science degree in physics and astronomy from the University of Toronto in 1994. As she was finishing her degree, she took a class in climate science with Danny Harvey, who had previously been a postdoc at NCAR. The experience was a catalyst that led her to shift her focus to atmospheric science, which she ultimately specialized in at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She has authored more than 125 peer-reviewed abstracts, journal articles, and other publications, including the Second, Third, and Fourth National Climate Assessment for the U.S. Global Change Research Program, as well as the U.S. National Academy of Sciences report “Climate Stabilization Targets Emissions, Concentrations, and Impacts over Decades to Millennia.” Today, she’s also a Paul Whitfield Horn Distinguished Professor. Furthermore, she is the Political Science Endowed Chair in Public Policy and Public Law in the Department of Political Science at Texas Tech University, where she is also an associate in the Public Health program of the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. She is a principal investigator for the Department of Interior’s South-Central Climate Adaptation Science Center and the National Science Foundation’s Global Infrastructure Climate Network.
Professor David Gattie is an Associate Professor of Engineering at the University of Georgia, specializing in energy policy and integrated resource planning in the power sector, particularly focusing on the national security implications of U.S. nuclear power. With over 14 years of experience in private industry, Dr. Gattie is an expert in energy services and environmental engineering. He played a key role in establishing the University of Georgia's undergraduate program in environmental engineering and has successfully led it to full accreditation. Dr. Gattie teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in energy systems and energy security at the University of Georgia. He also serves on the advisory boards for the Energy Policy Institute at Boise State University and the Advocacy Council for Nuclear Matters, promoting sustainable energy practices and advocating for nuclear power. Holding a Bachelor of Science degree and a Ph.D. from the University of Georgia, Dr. Gattie is a Resident Fellow in the Center for International Trade and Security, engaging in collaborative research on energy security and the national security implications of nuclear power.
Larry Ellertson is the Rural Issues and Public Lands Advisor for Congressman John Curtis, where he provides expert guidance on matters related to rural communities, land management, public policy, energy, and natural resources. Raised in Mona, Utah, Larry graduated from Southern Utah State College in 1972. He started his career as a CPA with Haskins and Sells in Phoenix, Arizona, before transitioning to Utah Power and Light in 1977. During his 24 years with the company, he held a variety of leadership roles, including Region Customer Service Manager, Area Manager, and General Business Manager, before retiring in 2001. Larry has a strong legacy of public service. In November 1996, he was appointed Mayor of Lindon City, a role he held until January 2005, when he was elected to the Utah County Commission. Throughout his career, Larry has been recognized for his contributions, including receiving the Utah Lt. Governor’s Civic Volunteer of the Year Award in 2000, the Southern Utah State College Distinguished Alumni Business Award in 1997, and the Southern Utah University Outstanding Alumni Award in 2010.
Christina Hayes
Executive Director of Americans for a Clean Energy Grid
Christina Hayes is the Executive Director of Americans for a Clean Energy Grid. She previously served as Vice President for Federal Regulatory Affairs at Berkshire Hathaway Energy and has been an energy regulatory attorney for nearly 20 years, helping Midwestern and Western utilities navigate FERC, NERC, and other federal agencies. Prior to joining BHE, Christina was an attorney with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, serving in the office of general counsel, the western division of the office of energy market regulation, and as an advisor to Chairman Wellinghoff. While at FERC, Christina worked on a variety of issues, from transmission development to mergers and market power issues to credit reforms in organized markets. A native Oregonian, Christina has also served as an administrative law judge at the Public Utility Commission of Oregon, presiding over mergers, rate cases, and rulemakings, advising state commissioners, and drafting final decisions.
Daniel Cluff
President and Founder of Bactelife
Mr. Cluff has a Masters of Administration from Lamar University and a Bachelors in Biology from Dixie State University. He spent 15 years as an Earth Science teacher, licensed landscape contractor, and research analyst. He served three years as a city councilman of Washington City, one of the fastest-growing communities in America. He continues to be active in political issues surrounding water and environmental enhancement. He oversees the Research and Development for our Soil and Water program and products.
Braden McMurdie
Third-Generation Farmer and Rancher
Braden is a third-generation farmer and rancher hailing from northern Utah. Alongside his wife and three boys, he shares the responsibilities of managing their family farm and ranch. Joining them on the land are his brother's family, as well as his supportive parents. Their agricultural operation spans over 500 irrigated acres located just outside Tremonton, Utah, while also encompassing a vast cattle ranch spanning several thousand acres in southern Idaho. Their farming endeavors involve a herd of 250 mother cows and several hundred yearlings, allowing them to sustainably raise livestock. Embracing innovative practices, they adopted the use of cover crops in 2016 and transitioned to a no-till approach in 2017. The crops they cultivate include corn, wheat, triticale, oats, alfalfa, and cover crops, demonstrating their commitment to a diverse agricultural system. Taking their commitment to sustainability a step further, they have implemented a grass-finishing program. This program enables their open heifers to be strategically rotated, allowing for the optimal utilization of summer cover crops and ultimately generating additional profit. Each year, they diligently strive to plant cover crops on every irrigated acre, with an unwavering focus on promoting soil health as the core of their farming practices.
Mitch Hancock
NooSun Dairy Farmer
Mitch Hancock grew up in Northern Utah. He attended Utah State University and obtained a degree in Civil Engineering. While at USU, he met his wife, Holly. Mitch and Holly have been involved in the family business since 2011, coming from a background of construction and engineering. They have 5 wonderful children who are very active in various parts of the business. They are still actively involved in construction and work with several other family members managing various ventures. NooSun Dairy operates at 3 dairy sites and farms 2,500 acres of flood irrigated land near Corinne Utah. They milk a mix of Holstein and Jersey breeds, as well as some crossbred Holstein/Jersey cows. They have 75 friends and neighbors that help them accomplish the work, milking cows 3 times per day, 365 days per year. NooSun Dairy has received numerous recognitions for milk quality, herd health, and community contributions. Mitch serves on the Utah Dairy commission as a board member, on the Dairy West board as a sustainability representative for Idaho and Utah dairy as well as on the board for the Bear River Canal company, which manages one of the largest irrigation systems in Utah.
Congresswoman Celeste Maloy
U.S. Representative for Utah’s 2nd District
Celeste Maloy proudly represents Utah’s 2nd Congressional District, where she is known for being a passionate defender of land rights and ownership after spending time in the district surrounded by its rich natural resources and public lands. Celeste joined Congress in 2023 and serves on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee as well as the House Committee on Small Business. She is also proud to serve on several caucuses, including the Colorado River Basin Caucus and Bipartisan Wildfire Caucus, where she can address issues directly impacting the West.
Dr. Ben Abbott
BYU Professor of Environmental Science
Ben Abbott was born in Nashville, Tennessee, and grew up in Orem, Utah. During his B.S., he worked as an undergraduate researcher in northern Alaska, investigating how fish influence nutrient cycles in Arctic lakes. That led to his Ph.D. at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, where he studied permafrost climate feedback, using interdisciplinary techniques to quantify and predict responses of Arctic and boreal ecosystems to climate change. After finishing his Ph.D. in 2014, he worked as a Marie Curie postdoctoral fellow at the French National Science Foundation (CNRS). While in western France, he investigated the resilience of agricultural catchments and coastal ecosystems to nutrient loading and disturbance from agriculture and urbanization. Today, Ben works primarily on permafrost climate feedback and water quality in river networks. Drawing on biogeochemistry, evolutionary biology, and social science, his research investigates how the co-evolution of landscapes and ecosystems results in broad-scale patterns of biological, hydrological, and socioeconomic behavior. He is particularly interested in social and environmental sustainability, science communication, and exploring the Mormon doctrinal and cultural basis for ecological stewardship.
Jane Stricker
Executive Director of Greater Houston Partnership
As Executive Director of the Houston Energy Transition Initiative (HETI), Jane has responsibility for the Partnership’s effort to leverage Houston’s energy leadership to accelerate the transition to an energy abundant, low-carbon future. She leads a coalition of industry, academia, and community partners to ensure the long-term economic competitiveness and advancement of the Houston region towards a more sustainable and net-zero emissions future. Prior to joining the Partnership, Jane spent over two decades at bp, where she held leadership roles in marketing, corporate finance, governance, and compliance. Among her many accomplishments, she developed and delivered the 2019 National Petroleum Council Study on carbon capture, use and storage in coordination with the U.S. Department of Energy. Jane is a member of the Advisory Board of the University of North Carolina’s Kenan-Flagler Energy Center. Additionally, she serves on the board of BCarbon, a non-profit carbon registry and climate research center, and Special Olympics Texas, East Region. Additionally, Jane is an advisor to several early-stage energy transition startups. She holds a BA in Political Science from the University of Maryland and an MBA from Loyola University in Chicago.
Anna Robertson
Co-Founder of The Cool Down
Anna Robertson is the Co-Founder of
The Cool Down, the biggest climate lifestyle brand, reaching 1 in 8 Americans every month. Anna is an Emmy Award-winning executive and producer who has shaped media brands at Disney, ABC News, and Yahoo. Prior to The Cool Down, she served as Vice President for Content & Partner Innovation for ABC's Owned Television Stations where she prioritized climate coverage and executive produced the Hulu special “Our America: Climate of Hope.” She was a significant contributor to the Yahoo News brand, leading Yahoo Studios and becoming Yahoo's Head of Video. Anna began her career at ABC News, first as Diane Sawyer’s producer and then as a senior producer for Good Morning America. She lives in Park City, Utah with her husband and two children and is very involved in local sustainability efforts.
Curtis Blair
Utah Valley Chamber President
With more than 25 years of experience in marketing, consulting and negotiation, Curtis Blair has taken on the role of president and CEO of the Utah Valley Chamber of Commerce as it looks to grow its role as a regional chamber representing the interests of businesses throughout Utah Valley. Originally from Denver, Colorado, Blair has spent time living on both the east and west sides of the Mississippi River. He came to Utah to attend Brigham Young University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree from the College of Humanities. Blair and his wife stayed in Utah Valley after he finished his schooling because they loved it here; he turned down job offers that would have taken his family away from the area. During his career as a businessman, he started six different businesses in a variety of fields. He sold two of the businesses, including one that was purchased just before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.Through conducting business in Utah Valley, he had seen first-hand the value the Chamber brought to its members through networking opportunities and building relationships. He also recognizes the role that the Chamber, as a representative of the entire valley, can play in encouraging strategic planning in the area as the population continues to grow.
Terry Camp
Vice President of Public Policy for the Utah Farm Bureau Federation
Terry Camp has been hired as Vice President of Public Policy for the Utah Farm Bureau Federation (UFBF). Some of Camp’s duties include representing and implementing Utah Farm Bureau policy at the national, state, and local levels, assisting County Farm Bureaus in policy development, and strengthening relationships between farmers & ranchers and elected officials. Camp works with Wade Garrett, Vice President of Strategic Relationships & Advocacy, on representing and implementing Utah Farm Bureau policy at the national, state, and local levels, assisting County Farm Bureaus in policy development, and strengthening relationships between farmers & ranchers and elected officials. Terry has been involved in politics and government at the local, state, and federal level. While studying at Utah State, Camp interned for former Congressman Rob Bishop and later worked for Senator Hatch’s 2012 reelection campaign. While working for the Hatch campaign, he was selected as one of six Presidential Electors for the State of Utah. Camp was hired to work in Senator Hatch's Washington, D.C. office, and then for former Chairman Bishop on the House Committee on Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands for nearly eight years.
Warren Peterson
Attorney, Advisory Council
A rural community raised Warren, where he worked as a farm laborer and equipment operator, and as an apprentice to a land and mineral surveyor/water rights proof engineer. Warren worked as an attorney from 1978 to 2007, focusing on agricultural land, water, and government relations at Kirton & McConkie and Waddingham & Peterson. He then served as land and natural resources vice president of Farmland Reserve, Inc., an international food production and agricultural investment company from 2007-2020. His experience includes long-range land use and resource planning, natural resource management, regional economic development, water resource management, land investment, staff development, etc., and extensive service on various state boards and commissions, and in community service organizations. He is also a frequent presenter on water, agriculture, and rural economics. Warren presently serves as a water policy advisor to Utah Farm Bureau Federation and as Board of Trustees chair, Utah School and Trust Lands Administration. He’s been recognized by the Lifetime Service Award from the Utah Water Users Association and the American Water Resources Association Outstanding Service Award. Warren, ostensibly retired, and his wife Judy, a retired educator, live in rural Utah. They have been married for 50 years and enjoy their four daughters and five grandchildren.
Brian Steed
Executive Director of the Janet Quinney Lawson Institute for Land, Water, and Air
Currently, Steed serves as executive director of the Janet Quinney Lawson Institute for Land, Water and Air at Utah State University. As part of this role, he has served as co-chair of the Great Salt Lake Strike Team, a cooperative effort by Utah State University, the University of Utah, the Utah Department of Natural Resources and the Utah Department of Environmental Quality that provides up-to-date data and analysis of the lake as well as policy recommendations to the governor and legislators for the protection and preservation of the Great Salt Lake.Previously, Steed has served as executive director of the Utah Department of Natural Resources, deputy director of policy and programs of the Bureau of Land Management in Washington D.C., and chief of staff to Congressman Chris Stewart. Steed holds a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in political science from Utah State University, a Juris Doctor and certificate in natural resources and environmental law from the S.J. Quinney College of Law at the University of Utah and a doctorate in public policy from Indiana University.
Jeremy D. Hafen
President & CEO of Clyde Companies, Inc.
Jeremy Hafen is the President and CEO of Clyde Companies, Inc., a multi-billion dollar construction materials and services company based in Utah and operating in the Intermountain West & Great Plains regions. Prior to his move to Clyde Companies in April of 2019, he served as President of Sunroc Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Clyde Companies. Before that, he served as President of Sunroc Building Materials (now known as Sunpro), a sister company to Sunroc Corporation. In his seven plus years as president, Sunroc Building Materials more than doubled its revenue and became a top performing subsidiary of Clyde Companies, Inc. He began his career with Clyde Companies in the fall of 2004 as a Business Development Manager and worked his way up to Vice President of Administration at Clyde Companies, Inc. Prior to Clyde Companies, Jeremy spent several years with Deloitte in Dallas, Texas as a Senior Tax Consultant. He graduated from Brigham Young University with a Master of Accountancy degree in tax accompanied by a Minor in Information Systems Management. He also holds an emeritus CPA license in the State of Utah. Jeremy previously served as the Chair of the Utah Valley Chamber of Commerce and is currently on the board of directors of the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce. He is also the Chair of the Board of Trustees for MTECH and serves on the Board of Trustees for Utah Valley University. Jeremy is an Advisory Board member of the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute and is a member of the Board of Directors of Clyde Companies, Inc. Most of his personal time is spent with his wife and seven children.
Robert Spendlove
Senior Economist for Zions Bank
Robert is the Senior Economist for Zions Bank. He monitors and reports on economic indicators and public policy developments for the bank. Founded in 1873, Zions Bank is Utah's oldest financial institution and it operates locations in communities throughout the Intermountain West. Robert's research interests are primarily in the areas of macroeconomics, demographics, financial markets and public policy. He frequently advises and briefs policymakers, as well as business and civic groups throughout the United States. He is also regularly called on to give expert analysis in the media, through print, radio, and television. He is known for his insightful and understandable approach to explaining economic trends. Robert also serves in the Utah House of Representatives, where he was elected in 2014. He represents District 42 in the Legislature, covering parts of Sandy and Cottonwood Heights cities. He is the Vice Chair of the Executive Appropriations Committee. He also serves on the Revenue and Taxation Committee, the Public Education Appropriations Committee and the Health and Human Services Committee. Robert serves on a number of boards and commissions, including the Utah Economic Council, the Utah International Relations and Trade Commission, and Envision Utah. His previous experience includes time as the Governor's Deputy Chief of Staff for Federal Relations, the Governor's Chief Economist and the State Demographer. Robert received a Master’s of Public Administration with an emphasis in economic public policy at the University of Utah.
Dr. Matt Yost
Associate Professor, Associate Department Head, and Agroclimate Extension Specialist at Utah State University
Matt Yost is a native of southern Idaho where he was raised on a dairy farm. After completing his PhD in Applied Plant Science at the University of Minnesota, he spent 4 years doing postdoctoral research in Minnesota and Missouri. He is currently an associate professor, associate department head, and agroclimate extension specialist at Utah State University. His research and extension efforts focus on water optimization in agriculture, soil health, precision agriculture, and adaptive nutrient management.
Martha Howe
Sustainability Manager Ski Utah
Prior to stepping into her role as the Content and Sustainability Manager at Ski Utah, Martha earned her Environmental Studies degree at Green Mountain College, rode her bicycle from New Hampshire to Washington State, and built a Tiny Home where she lived for 9 months. Martha had never been to Utah before joining the Ski Utah team in 2021 and spends her non-working hours, skiing, biking, and running in this beautiful state.
Rikki Hrenko-Browning
President of the Utah Petroleum Association
Rikki Hrenko-Browning is the President of the Utah Petroleum Association (UPA). UPA is a trade and advocacy organization representing the upstream, midstream, and downstream oil and gas interests in the state. Prior to leading UPA, Rikki lived in Estonia and came to Utah as the CEO of Enefit American Oil, the Estonian company’s oil shale project in Eastern Utah. Rikki has a Masters in Public Policy and Management from Carnegie Mellon and an undergraduate degree in botany and environmental science. She has been appointed by the Governor to the Utah Watersheds Council, the SITLA Nominating Committee and serves on DNR’s Endangered Species Mitigation Fund and other boards and advisory panels. Rikki was honored as a Utah Business 2020 Woman of the Year and in their 30 women to watch series in 2014.
Luigi Resta
President of rPlus Energies
With over 18 years of leadership in the utility-scale renewable energy sector, Luigi Resta has been instrumental in driving energy transition across the United States. As the founder of rPlus Energies in 2018, he focuses on innovative utility-scale renewable projects, combining traditional and new technologies to optimize regional renewable resources. Under his guidance, rPlus Energies has swiftly emerged as a prominent renewable energy developer in the American West, boasting a portfolio of over 40 projects with a capacity exceeding 14 gigawatts. Luigi's pioneering spirit extends to his role in commissioning Utah's first utility-scale solar plants, and his active involvement in shaping the renewable energy landscape includes discussions on transmission, interconnection, financing, permitting, and legislative engagement.
Valjay Rigby
President of Utah Farm Bureau
ValJay Rigby is a 5th generation farmer from Newton, Cache County, farming on land that was part of an original family homestead. Valjay farms alongside his brother and his children, growing approximately 1,500 acres of alfalfa, safflower, and small grains, as well as a beef cattle herd. Rigby has a master’s degree in information systems and a bachelor’s degree in finance, both from Utah State University. He has also served as the Cache County Farm Bureau president, in addition to his local planning & zoning committee, local water company boards, and as a volunteer firefighter.
Timothy Stewart
President of U.S. Oil & Gas Association
Tim Stewart has spent 20 years in the legislative and regulatory environment in Washington, D.C., specializing in natural resource and energy issues. Since 2004, Tim has established three different government relations and consulting firms. In 2004, he established the American Capitol Group, a full-service government relations firm. In 2009, he helped found Energy North America, an energy consulting firm, and in 2011, he reunited with his former employer Senator Robert F. Bennett (R-UT) to establish the Bennett Consulting Group. Collectively, the three firms now provide services to over 50 clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to major universities, state agencies, and small businesses. As a consultant, he has successfully helped launch a number of start-up companies in the energy, technology, defense, and agriculture industries. While he has been successful in several attempts, he has also learned the hard way that not all good ideas make it. Over the past 20 years in Washington, Tim has focused his attention and interest on issues that impact western states, particularly in the energy and natural resource environment. He has developed specific policy expertise in oil and gas development on public lands, the federal appropriations process, federal and state land management, Native American issues, and water and natural resources policy. He represents several western clients, including oil and gas interests, universities, tribes, trade associations, municipalities, state and country governments, and small businesses. He remains politically active in the circles of influence most important to his client's interests. From 2001 to 2003 Tim was the Legislative Director and Chief of Staff for the House Committee on Natural Resources, where he managed a staff of 50 professionals and worked closely with the 50 members of the Committee. As Chief of Staff, he was responsible for moving hundreds of bills through the legislative process, working extensively with key members of Congress, including Committee Chairmen, House leadership, and Administration officials. He developed relationships with leaders across a wide spectrum in industry, state government, and issue advocacy groups. Prior to his time spent working in the House of Representatives, Tim served for seven years as a top aide to former Senator Robert Bennett (R-UT), a senior member of the Senate leadership and a policy leader in finance, energy and natural resource arena. Tim was responsible for staffing Senator Bennett on legislative issues for Energy and Natural Resources, Environment and Agriculture including both authorization and appropriations work. Tim and his wife Marcia currently live in Falls Church VA, with their five children. He holds a B.S. in Political Science from Utah State University because he is not very good with math. He maintains his rural roots by puttering around the family farm and cattle ranch with his brothers in Idaho
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Joel Ferry
Executive Director of the Utah Department of Natural Resources
Joel Ferry was appointed by Governor Spencer Cox in June 2022 as the executive director of the Utah Department of Natural Resources. His appointment came at a critical time when extreme drought was impacting the state. He leads an agency of about 2,500 employees from eight divisions and two offices who work to manage and protect Utah’s natural resources. Joel has a passion for water policy, land conservation and agriculture. He is a 5th generation farmer and operates a ranch, farm, and feedlot in West Corinne. He has a track record of public service, including serving as a legislator, chairman of the Box Elder County Republican Party, Box Elder Farm Bureau Board member, chairman of the Willard Peak Chapter of Delta Waterfowl, board member of the Friends of the Bear River Bird Refuge, and member of the Northern Regional Advisory Council for the Division of Wildlife Resources. Joel holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics and Finance from Utah State University.
Neil Chatterjee
Former Commissioner and Chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Neil Chatterjee is a former Commissioner and Chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), and has deep ties in Washington and across the industry, with extensive experience across the energy landscape both domestically and internationally. He is respected for his ability to strike compromise and work with a wide variety of stakeholders. In his time on the Hill and at FERC, Neil built a reputation as a bipartisan operator who builds alliances and cuts through red tape with an eye on always promoting innovation. Neil’s significant knowledge and experience is derived from operating at the highest levels of government and as such, is able to provide clients valuable insights and counsel when navigating the highly regulated energy industry.
Representative Colin Jack
Utah House of Representatives District 73
Colin Jack was elected to the Utah House of Representatives, in District 73, and took office in July 2022. He currently serves as the vice-chair of the House Public Utilities, Energy & Technology Committee, on the House Economic Development & Workforce Services Committee, and on the Infrastructure & General Government Appropriations Subcommittee, and he chairs the House Environment Stewardship Caucus. He also fills assignments to represent Utah on The Energy Council of Energy Producing States, the Energy Security Working Group of the National Council of State Legislatures (NCSL), and on the Energy, Environment & Agriculture Subcommittee of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), as well as on the Utah State Energy Strike Team. Jack has worked as an electrical engineer in power systems for nearly 40 years, working for non-profit electric cooperatives, including for the last 30 years as COO for Dixie Power in St. George, Utah. In that capacity he has been appointed to serve on the Utah State Grid Resiliency Committee and as chair of the Southwest Utah Transmission Technical Task Force. He has also worked for 30 years as an engineering consultant for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association International Program in 30 developing countries all over the world. Jack holds a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Brigham Young University, and professional engineering licenses in Utah, Arizona, and Texas. He and his wife Leslie have three adult children and are now experiencing the joys of being grandparents.
Hannah Freeze
Program Manager for the Agricultural Water Optimization Program
Hannah Freeze is the Program Manager for the Agricultural Water Optimization Program with the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food. She received her B.S. from Utah State University in Animal Science and has spent the last 12 years working closely with private landowners implementing conservation projects on their farms and ranches. A large majority of the work she has completed has been focused on irrigation projects and animal waste projects on dairies and feedlots. Hannah enjoys working closely with farmers and ranchers and takes seriously the opportunity she gets to be a voice for agriculture in many different settings. Feedback from farmers is always the best kind and she seeks it regularly as she strives to guide the Agricultural Water Optimization Program forward.
Jim Matheson
CEO of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association
Jim Matheson is Chief Executive Officer of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) which represents the nation’s more than 900 not-for-profit, consumer-owned electric cooperatives and provides service to 42 million people in 48 states. Prior to joining NRECA in 2016, Jim served as principal, Public Policy Practice, for the international law firm Squire Patton Boggs, based in Washington, D.C. From 2001 to 2015, Jim was elected to serve as a United States Representative from Utah for seven terms; Jim was known as a legislator who was able to work with colleagues on both sides of the aisle. Jim was a Chief Deputy Whip for the House Democratic Caucus and served as co-chairman of the Blue Dog Coalition. He was a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, as well as the Financial Services, Transportation and Infrastructure, and Science committees. Prior to entering government service, Jim worked in the energy industry for several years. Jim serves on the board of directors for Sallie Mae and the United States Association of Former Members of Congress. He also has served on the Federal Communications Commission’s Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee. Jim was born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah. He received a bachelor’s degree in Government from Harvard University, and an MBA in Finance and Accounting from UCLA. Jim's wife, Amy, is a pediatrician, and they have two sons, William and Harris.
Heather Reams
President of Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions
Heather Reams is the President of Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions (CRES). 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 a wide host of prominent news organizations. 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.
Doug Bennett
Conservation Manager for the Washington County Water Conservancy District
Doug Bennett is the conservation manager for the Washington County Water Conservancy District. He oversees development and implementation of the district’s conservation policies and programs. He has more than 28 years experience in successful water conservation at three western water agencies and broad experience in landscape management in desert climates. He is a nationally recognized leader in his profession, accruing more than a dozen awards for his work. He has worked on projects for the Water Reuse Foundation, the Water Research Foundation, the US EPA WaterSense Program, the US Green Building Council and the American Water Works Association. He has a bachelor’s degree in agriculture and a master’s degree in business management from New Mexico State University.
Dr. Ivy Estabrooke
Director of Innovation Programs and Policy at RTI International
Ivy Estabrooke is an expert in the development and commercialization of emerging technologies with national and economic security impacts. As Director of Innovation Programs and Policy at RTI International, she currently advises governments, non-profits and private companies on the development of research, development and innovation programs in energy, health/biotech, and economic development. She also serves as an Independent Director for Energy Fuels Inc. Prior experience includes as a technical program manager for the US Department of the Navy, where she led the development of novel technologies used across the Departments of Defense and State and the intelligence community, Executive Director of the Utah Science Technology and Research Agency, and executive roles in multiple biotechnology start-ups. Dr. Estabrooke earned her doctorate in neuroscience from Georgetown University, a master’s degree in national resource strategy from the National Defense University, and a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences from Smith College. She holds NACD.DC and Department of Defense Senior Acquisition Professional certifications. She was appointed to the United States Department of the Air Force Science and Technology Roundtable and serves as a member of the United States Office of the Director of National Intelligence Science & Technology Experts Group.
