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Committee Biographies

PAUL A. DECOTIS, Chair, is senior director and East Coast lead in the Energy and Utilities practice at West Monroe Partners where he leads the firm’s executive advisory and regulatory consultancies. Formerly, he was managing director at Long Island Power Authority where he oversaw utility operations and services and compliance management, and before that, vice president of Power Markets where he oversaw integrated electric resource planning, including all fuels and sources; fuel, energy, and capacity purchases and sales; power project development and management; and participation in the region’s wholesale power markets. Prior to this, Mr. DeCotis was energy secretary in New York, serving as senior energy advisor to Governor Spitzer and Governor Paterson. He was also chair of the State Energy Planning Board and a member of the New York City Energy Planning Board. Mr. DeCotis previously served as director of Energy Analysis at New York State Energy Research and Development Authority responsible for corporate strategy and planning, forecasting and analysis, and energy efficiency, renewable energy, and research and development (R&D) program evaluation. Prior to this, he was chief of policy at the State Energy Office. Until his appointment by Governor Spitzer, Mr. DeCotis also was a management consultant specializing in executive, and board development, strategy, coaching, and mediation. Since 1985, he has served as an adjunct faculty member at several colleges and universities, including Cornell University, Rochester Institute of Technology, and Sage Graduate School. Mr. DeCotis was a past member of the Board on Energy and Environmental Systems of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; he is currently editorial board member of the Energy Efficiency Journal and Wiley’s Natural Gas and Electricity Journal where is also featured columnist. Mr. DeCotis is a member of Montclair Publishing, LLC “(Who’s Who in North America)” and was a recent past board member of the U.S. Offshore Wind Collaborative; board member of the Clean Energy States Alliance; executive committee member of the New York State Reliability Council; and New York’s representative to the Eastern Interconnection States Planning Council, among other past boards and committees. Mr. DeCotis has served on and chaired many professional organizations and associations and has extensive community service experience. He has published more than seven dozen articles and professional papers on energy and industry matters. Mr. DeCotis received his B.A. in international business management from State University College at Brockport, his M.A. in economics from the University at Albany, and his M.B.A. in finance from the Sage Graduate School.

JAMES A. (JIM) AJELLO is the executive vice president, chief financial officer, and treasurer of Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc., as of January 2009. His responsibilities include management of strategic planning, accounting, tax, investor relations, financial reporting, corporate finance, treasury and capital allocation, and enterprise risk management across the HEI companies of Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc., and American Savings Bank. Mr. Ajello serves on the board of the HEI Community Foundation. Prior to joining HEI, he was senior vice president-business development at Reliant Energy, Inc. (Reliant, now NRG). In that role, he was responsible for leading Reliant’s effort to expand and grow competitive electricity markets across the United States. Mr. Ajello joined Reliant in 2000 as president of Reliant Energy Solutions, LLC, and was named Reliant’s senior vice president and general manager of Commercial and Industrial Marketing in 2004. In those roles, he led the development and operations of a new line of business to provide integrated energy solutions to commercial and industrial customers in

seven states. Having developed and grown this business over a period of 9 years into one of the largest of its type in the nation, Mr. Ajello helped manage the sale of it to NRG. His experience prior to joining Reliant includes serving as managing director of the Business Development/Corporate Finance Group of UBS Securities, Inc., and as managing director of the Energy and Natural Resources Group of UBS Warburg/UBS Securities, LLC. In those roles, he was responsible for corporate finance, project finance, advisory products, equity and debt issuance, and underwriting products for selected energy, natural resource, and other corporate clients worldwide. Mr. Ajello also worked at Enron North America and was responsible for a team originating business with large industrial clients. Before Enron, his work experience included a project management role at the U.S. Synthetic Fuels Corporation and as a management intern with the Department of Energy (DOE) focusing on renewable energy development and naval nuclear reactors. Mr. Ajello holds a bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York (1975) and a M.P.A. from Syracuse University (1976). In addition, he is a graduate of the Advanced Management Program of the European Institute of Business Administration in Fontainebleau, France. He is a board member of Crius Energy Trust. Mr. Ajello also serves as chairman of DOE’s Environmental Management Advisory Board and serves on the board of trustees of Hawaii Pacific University (and chairs its budget and foundation committees) and its affiliate the Oceanic Institute. He is also a member of the board of trustees of Enterprise Honolulu (Oahu Economic Development Board).

CHRISTINE EHLIG-ECONOMIDES is currently a full professor of petroleum engineering at Texas A&M University and the Albert B. Stevens Endowed Chair. She founded the Center for Energy, Environment, and Transportation Innovation (CEETI), one of four research centers in the Crisman Institute. She was attracted to Texas A&M to develop research and education in energy engineering to enable the petroleum engineering department to grow and evolve to a broader energy scope. CEETI is currently pursuing research funded by the Texas Department of Transportation and a potential collaboration with the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. She has successfully introduced a freshman-level energy course that was approved for the core curriculum as a natural science elective and an Energy Engineering Certificate program. Dr. Ehlig-Economides worked for Schlumberger for 20 years in a truly global capacity. She has published more than 50 papers, authored two patents, and has lectured or consulted in more than 30 countries. Dr. Ehlig-Economides is internationally recognized for expertise in reservoir engineering, pressure transient analysis, integrated reservoir characterization, complex well design, and production enhancement. She received her Ph.D. in petroleum engineering from Stanford University, her M.S. in chemical engineering from the University of Kansas, and her B.A. in math-science from Rice University. She is a member of the National Academy of Engineering and a the recipient of Anthony F. Lucas Gold Medal (2010). Her professional service includes the following: executive editor of the Society of Petroleum Engineers Formation Evaluation journal (1995-1996); SPE Distinguished Lecture (1997-1998); and numerous posts as chairman or member of SPE committees and task forces. She recently co-chaired a steering committee for the Middle East Colloquium in Petroleum Engineering Education, was the program chairperson for the 2006 SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, and is currently co-chairing an SPE Talent and Retention Workshop on Dual Career Couples in the petroleum industry. She is currently a member of the National Academies’ Board on Energy and Environmental Systems.

WILLIAM L. FISHER is a professor and the Leonidas T. Barrow Centennial Chair in Mineral Resources in the Department of Geological Sciences at the University of Texas, Austin. He has extensive experience in academia and in state and federal government, including service as Texas State Geologist and director of the Bureau of Economic Geology, and as assistant secretary of the Interior. Dr. Fisher is past president of the Association of American State Geologists, the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG), the American Geological Institute (AGI), the American Institute of Professional Geologists (AIPG), and the Gulf Coast Association of Geological Societies. He has received the Powers Medal from AAPG, the Campbell Medal from AGI, the Parker Medal from AIPG, and the Hedberg Medal from the Institute for the Study of Earth and Man. His research interests include energy and mineral policy, basin

analysis, energy and mineral resource evaluation, stratigraphic facies analysis, seismic stratigraphic analysis, oil and gas recovery, environmental geology, and waste disposal. Dr. Fisher is a former member of the National Academies’ Commission on Geosciences, Environment, and Resources, former chair of the Board on Earth Sciences and Resources, and a former member of the Board on Energy and Environmental Systems. Dr. Fisher was elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 1994.

SAM KALEN is a professor of law, College of Law, University of Wyoming, and director of the Center for Law and Energy Resources in the Rockies. He joined the college in 2009 as an assistant professor of law. Professor Kalen comes to the University of Wyoming after practicing in Washington, D.C., for over 20 years, both in the private and public sectors. He practiced at an energy, environment, and natural resources law firm, and worked in the Solicitor’s Office at the Department of the Interior. He also has held various teaching positions at the University of Baltimore, Florida State University, Washington & Lee University, and Pennsylvania State University. Immediately after law school, Professor Kalen began his career as a law clerk for Justice Warren D. Welliver of the Missouri Supreme Court. His’ research focuses on the fields of energy, environment, public lands and natural resources, administrative law, and constitutional law. He has published numerous law review articles, one of which was cited in a Supreme Court opinion. Professor Kalen also is active in the American Bar Association’s Section on Environment, Energy, and Resources, having served as a chair of two committees and vice chair on several committees. He teaches courses in energy, energy and climate change, renewable energy resources, environmental law, Indian law, administrative law, legislation, and legal history. He has a B.A. from Clark University and a J.D. from Washington University School of Law.

JACKALYNE PFANNENSTIEL is the former Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Energy, Installations, and Environment, where she was responsible for achieving aggressive energy goals for renewable resources, energy efficiency, and biofuels. She was also responsible for enhancing the environmental quality on shore and afloat. Prior to this, she served a 5-year term as commissioner and chairman of the California Energy Commission, a full-time energy regulatory and policy agency responsible for licensing thermal power plants, mandating energy efficiency standards for buildings and appliances, and managing a $100 million public interest research program, as well as developing strategies promoting renewable energy and energy efficiency and assuring the development of stable, long-term supplies of electric power, natural gas, and transportation fuels. As chair, she had overall responsibility for the commission’s policies and programs and was responsible for a number of key initiatives, such as a 2008 energy roadmap for reducing the state’s greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 to 1990 levels. She has also been an energy consultant, held a number of positions during a 20-year career at Pacific Gas and Electric Corporation, including vice president, Strategic Initiatives, and vice president, Corporate Planning. Prior to 1980, she was senior economist, California Public Utilities Commission(PUC), and economist, Connecticut PUC. She has a wealth of energy policy experience in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and electric utility systems. She has been on the board of directors for the Alliance to Save Energy, the California Clean Energy Fund, the Hannon Armstrong Sustainable Infrastructure, and the Western Interstate Energy Board. She served as chair of the Energy Conservation Study, Energy Modeling Forum (1992-1993) and received the Civilian Service Award (2012) from the Department of the Navy and the Star of Energy Efficiency award (2011) from the Alliance to Save Energy. She has a B.A. in economics, Clark University, an M.A. in economics, University of Hartford, and attended the Executive Program, Graduate School of Business, Stanford University.

DAN REICHER is executive director of the Steyer-Taylor Center for Energy Policy and Finance at Stanford University, where he also holds faculty positions. Mr. Reicher came to Stanford in 2011 from Google, where he served since 2007 as director of Climate Change and Energy Initiatives. He has more than 25 years of experience in energy and environmental policy, finance, and technology. He has served three presidents, including in the Clinton administration as Assistant Secretary of Energy for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy and the Department of Energy chief of staff; as a member of President

Obama’s transition team and co-chair of the Energy and Environment Team for Obama; and as a staff member of President Carter’s Commission on the Accident at Three Mile Island. Mr. Reicher is a member of the Secretary of Energy’s Advisory Board, the National Academies Board on Energy and Environmental Systems and co-chairman of the Board of the American Council on Renewable Energy. He also serves on the boards of the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy and American Rivers, the Vermont Law School Environmental Advisory Committee, and is an advisor to Renewable Funding, LLC, Sighten, and Spark Fund. He is also senior advisor to the Atlantic Wind Connection. In 2012, Mr. Reicher received an honorary doctorate from the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry and was also named one of the five most influential figures in U.S. clean energy by Oilprice.Com. Before his position at Google, he was president and co-founder of New Energy Capital Corp., a private equity firm funded by the California State Teachers Retirement System and Vantage Point Venture Partners to invest in clean energy projects. He also was executive vice president of Northern Power Systems, one of the nation’s oldest renewable energy companies and a recipient of significant venture capital investment. He was also an adjunct professor at the Yale University School of Forestry and Environmental Studies and Vermont Law School. He also worked for the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee and the World Resources Institute. Earlier in his career, Mr. Reicher was as an attorney with the Natural Resources Defense Council, an assistant attorney general in Massachusetts, a law clerk to a federal district court judge in Boston, and a legal assistant in the Hazardous Waste Section of the Department of Justice. Mr. Reicher holds a B.A. in biology from Dartmouth College and a J.D. from Stanford Law School. He also studied at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

JEAN-MICHEL M. RENDU is an independent consultant and retired vice president for resources and mine planning at Newmont Mining Corporation. He also held senior positions in international consulting companies, including Snowden in Perth, Australia, and Golder Associates in Denver, Colorado. His experience includes managerial and advisory responsibilities for projects and operations on five continents, in such areas as economic evaluation, estimation of mineral resources and reserves, mine planning, and professional development. Earlier positions included being an assistant professor of mineral engineering at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and head of operations research with Anglovaal in Johannesburg, South Africa. He was recognized as an adjunct professor at the Colorado School of Mines, and an honorary professor at the University of Queensland, Australia. Dr. Rendu’s current interests include assisting the mining industry in the evaluation, development, and operation of mining projects, and the education of mining professionals through publications and short courses. He played a leading role in the development of international standards for the evaluation and public reporting of mineral resources and reserves. Dr. Rendu received his doctor of engineering science from Columbia University. He is a member of the National Academy of Engineering, the author of two books and many technical publications and the recipient of numerous awards in recognition of his contributions to the industry.

STAN ROSINSKI is a program manager at the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI). He currently manages EPRI’s Renewable Generation program, directing research to facilitate increased deployment of biomass, solar, wind, geothermal, and waterpower, evaluating their cost and performance and assessing potential environmental impacts. Previously at EPRI, Mr. Rosinski led the Technology Innovation Program and was responsible for “incubating” innovation by directing fundamental, innovative, and crosscutting R&D within EPRI to accelerate the application of advanced science and technology. He also managed the Reactor Pressure Vessel Integrity and Fatigue Issue Task Groups under the Nuclear Sector Materials Reliability Program. Research in this area included radiation damage and embrittlement management, structural integrity assessment and component life prediction, materials selection and performance, and operating plant criteria improvement for life extension and license renewal. Before joining EPRI in 1995, Mr. Rosinski was a senior member of technical staff at Sandia National Laboratories, where he was responsible for the resolution of light water reactor (LWR) materials-related issues. He served as chief metallurgical consultant for the U.S. Department of Energy Office of LWR

Safety and Technology. Mr. Rosinski received a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and a master’s degree in metallurgy from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. He also received a professional nuclear engineer degree (honorary) from the University of Missouri, Rolla.

TERRY SURLES is currently the interim administrator for the Hawaii State Energy Office. He also holds positions at the University of Hawaii as lead for Clean Energy and Environmental Solutions and as senior advisor at the California Institute for Energy and Environment. He was also recently the lead for the review of the national laboratories’ capabilities to address the Grid Modernization Initiative. From 2010 to 2012, as Desert Research Institute vice president for R&D, he led program development and management efforts for three research divisions and four research centers in environmental and energy sciences. From 2006 to 2010, he was the Technology Integration and Policy Analysis program manager at the Hawaii Natural Energy Institute, focusing on grid integration of variable renewable resources and electricity storage technologies. He was simultaneously a senior advisor to the University of California’s California Institute for Energy and Environment, focusing on carbon capture and storage. From 2004 to 2006, he was vice president for environment at EPRI, focusing on air quality, health, energy/water nexus, and climate change issues. From 2003 to 2005 he was president and chief executive officer of the Pacific International Center for High Technology Research. From 2000 to 2004, he was on loan to the California Energy Commission as the Public Interest Energy Research Program Director from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, where he had been associate laboratory director for energy programs. Emphasis in these programs was on energy efficiency, demand side management and response and climate change science and analysis. From 1978 to 1997, he was at Argonne National Laboratory with his final position being general manager for Environmental Programs. Major programmatic areas included energy systems assessment, climate change science, risk analysis and assessment, emergency planning and response, and environmental modeling. Dr. Surles received his Ph.D. in analytical chemistry from Michigan State. He has more than 300 publications, technical reports, and presentations to his credit. He has recently consulted for a number of organizations, including the Asia-Pacific Economic Consortium, International Energy Agency, Economic Development Alliance for Hawaii, the East-West Center, the United Kingdom Energy Research Centre, and the State of Victoria.