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Alliance Board Elects Sen. Mark Warner Honorary Congressional Chair

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Date: 
November 2, 2011

Washington, D.C., November 2, 2011 – The Alliance to Save Energy’s Board of Directors has elected Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) as its new honorary congressional chair. Warner succeeds Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), who will remain on the board as one of 13 honorary congressional vice-chairs, along with the newest member, Rep. Brian Bilbray (R-Calif.). National Grid USA President Tom King steps in as the board’s industry co-chair.

Other newly elected board members are:

  • The Dow Chemical Company Corporate Vice President and Energy & Climate Change Vice President George Biltz;  
  • American Gas Association (AGA) President and CEO Dave McCurdy;  
  • Johns Manville Insulation Systems Vice President and General Manager Fred Stephan; and
  • Southern Company Services President and CEO Susan Story.

Sen. Mark Warner

Since Sen. Warner’selection to Congress in 2008 he has reached across the aisle to revive the economy, support small business, reduce the deficit and champion energy efficiency. In 2010, he joined a bipartisan group of senators to introduce the HOMESTAR Energy Retrofit Act of 2010, legislation to provide targeted incentives for homeowners who make energy efficiency investments in their homes.As governor of Virginia from 2002 to 2006, Sen. Warner revived the state’s economy by bringing 135,000 new jobs into Virginia, supporting public education and turning a record budget deficit into a surplus.

“I am honored to join the members of Congress who have preceded me as the honorary chair of the Alliance to Save Energy’s Board of Directors,” said Warner. “Energy efficiency is a policy that all Americans can embrace, not only for their own benefit, but also for that of the nation at large. I look forward to working with the Alliance’s industry co-chair, the honorary vice-chairs from both sides of Capitol Hill and the board members to further advance the Alliance’s worthy mission.”

 “With his history of working across party lines at both the state and federal levels, Sen. Mark Warner is well-suited to carrying on the tradition of bipartisanship established more than three decades ago by the Alliance’s founders, Republican Sen. Charles H. Percy and Democratic Sen. Hubert H. Humphrey,” noted Alliance President Kateri Callahan. “We welcome Sen. Warner’s continuing service to the Alliance board, as well as the participation of Tom King and the other new board members, who all have amply demonstrated their dedication to energy efficiency.”

Tom King

King was named National Grid President in 2007, after serving as its Executive Director of Electricity Distribution and Generation. This year King touted the 20th anniversary of National Grid’s EE program which collectively cut customers’ electricity bills by more than $2.5 billion. King’s long history in the energy industry includes service as president of Pacific Gas & Electric Corporation, president and CEO of Pacific Gas and Electric Company and senior posts with Kinder Morgan Energy Partners and several Enron affiliates.

“The Alliance has a superb reputation and an excellent track record of continuous action in the advancement of our most important national energy policy, energy efficiency,” said King. “It’s a privilege to be a part of the board and this leadership team.”

Rep. Bilbray 

  A House Energy and Commerce Committee member Rep. Bilbray has long been a bipartisan champion of environmental stewardship. He has represented the San Diego area since 2006 and before coming to Washington was mayor and a member of the city council. In local government, he utilized his experience as a member of the California Air Resources Board and the California Coastal Commission to pass landmark clean air and clean water legislation and co-sponsored a number of bills aimed at reducing our foreign oil dependence and providing incentives for purchasing and producing fuel-efficient vehicles. Bilbray’s key priorities in the 112th Congress include continuing his work on clean air and water and ensuring our nation’s future through alternative energy.

“I’m proud to join my colleagues from both sides of the aisle in the House and Senate as they work diligently to promote a sensible energy policy that protects America’s future by ensuring energy independence.”

 George Biltz

 George Biltz is responsible for The Dow Chemical Company’s energy conservation and greenhouse gas emission reduction efforts, including implementation of clean energy solutions at operating sites around the world. Biltz is the principal advocate for the company globally in the areas of climate change and energy public policy. He has been with Dow for more than 30 years and has held key roles across all sectors of the company’s global business.

 

Dave McCurdy 

 As AGA President and CEO, Dave McCurdy is the preeminent representative of local natural gas distribution companies before Congress, the administration, federal agencies and state governments. Previously a member of Congress for 14 years, McCurdy joined AGA after four years as president and CEO of the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, where he was instrumental in developing the historic agreement between automakers and the Obama administration to increase fuel economy by 40 percent and cut greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent by 2016.

“It is a distinct honor to be elected to serve on the board of the Alliance to Save Energy alongside a team of recognized industry experts and professionals dedicated to promoting energy efficiency to achieve a healthier economy, a cleaner environment and greater energy security,” said McCurdy. “I look forward to carrying the message of efficiency to established and developing economies around the globe, complementing AGA’s leadership in ensuring a smart and fiscally sound U.S. energy policy.”

 Fred Stephan

Stephan is currently the Vice President and General Manager of Insulation Systems at Johns Manville (JM), a leading manufacturer of building and specialty products. Appointed to manage the company’s insulation business during a challenging yet promising time for the residential sector, he was there when JM announced a strategic alliance with Lowe’s and acquired Corbond, a specialty spray-foam manufacturer. An electrical engineer by training, Fred Stephan spent 18 years in a number of General Electric’s business units including lighting, consumer and industrial, plastics and power systems. 

 

Susan Story

 A recognized energy industry leader, Susan Story began her career with Southern Company as a nuclear power plant engineer and quickly moved up the corporate ladder to her current role that includes leading the company’s efforts to coordi¬nate activities related to smart grid, smart meters and emerging technologies involving energy efficiency and customer energy choices. From 2003-2010, Story served as president and CEO of Gulf Power, where she oversaw completion of several environmental projects. Story serves on the Edison Foundation’s Institute for Electric Efficiency Strategy Committee and is a member of the Committee of 200, a national businesswomen’s leadership organization.

“I’m pleased to serve on the board of the Alliance to Save Energy,” said Story. “Southern Company and the Alliance to Save Energy are both interested in advancing and promoting energy efficient products and services and helping customers use energy more efficiently. I’m looking forward to working together to build on the success of these important initiatives.”

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