Scheduled Sessions

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Symposium Registration Desk Opens

Late registrations may register on-site. Attendees, please pick up your name badges to check-in.

Ballroom opens for seating and networking. Enjoy a light continental breakfast while networking prior to the opening welcome.

Welcome 

Join us as we welcome all attendees, speakers, and guests.

SAME DC Post Leaders, GWU EEMI Leaders

Master of Ceremonies 

Dr. András Simonyi, Former Hungarian Ambassador to the U.S. (2002-2007), GWU EEMI

Morning Keynote Session

A moderated dialogue to discuss the state of energy security with a transatlantic perspective.

Moderator

Hon. Alex Beehler, President, Alex A. Beehler & Co., LLC, Former Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy, and Environment

Participants

Dr. Rian Bahran, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Reactors, U.S. Department of Energy

Mr. Jeff Waksman, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Army for Installations, Energy and Environment

Cristina Lobillo Borrero, Director of the EU Energy Platform and International Relations - European Commission

PANEL SESSION 1

National Defense: Broad Perspective Grid Resilience with Nuclear and Other Energy Sources in an AI-Driven Future

• Executive Orders on Nuclear Power

• Executive Order on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and driving load growth: Focus on hyperscalers such as META and AWS

• Grid Resilience and impact on defense, national security, and energy security

Moderator

Mr. Scott Sklar, Sustainable Energy Director, GWU EEMI & Founder and President of the Stella Group

Panelists

Ms. Sophie Hemmer, First Secretary, Energy Policy, Embassy of Germany (invited)

Ms. Mary Sotos, Director of Federal Energy Management Program, U.S. Department of Energy

(Additional confirmed speakers announced soon)

PANEL SESSION 2

Energy Infrastructure and Security

• Cybersecurity and energy security

• Nuclear power and energy security

• Other energy sources

• Hardening critical cross-border energy infrastructure

Moderator

Mr. Karl Jensen, Executive Vice President, AECOM

Panelists

Ms. Leela Orbidan, Program Analyst, Ukraine Energy Task Force, U.S. National Nuclear Security Agency (NNSA), U.S. Department of Energy

Ms. Patricia Schouker, Energy Security and Energy Transition Team Leader, British Embassy

Mr. Doug Tucker, Director of Installation Energy Policy and Programs for the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Air Force (Environment, Safety, & Infrastructure)

Mr. Joe Walsh, Vice President, Federal, Centrica Business Solutions

CONGRESSIONAL ENERGY ENGAGEMENT⚊INSIDE THE HILL STUDIO

An Exclusive Conversation with Congressional Leaders

The Congressional Energy Engagement Foundation (CEEF) is proud to launch "Inside the Hill Studio" at the Transatlantic Energy Security Symposium. Modeled after the celebrated "Inside the Actor's Studio" format, this session takes us beyond the traditional 'fireside chat'. 

This compelling, intimate session will feature two leading Members of Congress in a dynamic and engaging conversation on U.S. & EU energy security. With Ms. Michelle Amante-Harstine and Hon. Ales Beehler as moderators, "Inside the Hill Studio" will offer candid insights, personal perspectives, and strategic vision from the nation's top energy voices.

Moderators

Ms. Michelle Amante-Harstine, CEO, Congressional Energy Engagement Foundation (CEEF)

Hon. Alex Beehler, President, Alex A. Beehler & Co., LLC, former Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy and Environment

(Additional confirmed participants announced soon)

PANEL SESSION 3

Resilient Supply Chains: Obtaining Materials for Nuclear and Other Energy Sources

• Energy security and relationship to critical minerals and infrastructure logistics

• Securing energy supply chains

• Nuclear energy supply chain management

Moderator

Dr. Salah Hassan, Professor of Marketing, GWU School of Business

Panelists

Mr. Arthur Haubenstock, Former Chief Strategy Advisor, Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains, U.S. Department of Energy

Mr. John Shingledecker, Principal Technical Executive, EPRI

Mr. Michael Suhr, Former Ambassador of Denmark to the U.S. (2014-2018); Senior Vice President, Group Head of Stakeholder Relations, NKT (invited)

Lt. Col (Ret.) Tom Williams, Principal, Frontera Group, former Legislative Liaison for the Department of the U.S. Army 

(Additional confirmed speakers announced soon)

PANEL SESSION 4

Accelerating Permitting Processes: Need for Speed

• Energy security and the permitting and regulatory processes with U.S. and international perspectives

Moderator

MG (USA, Ret.) Rick Stevens, Chief Operating Officer, Dawsons & Associates. Former Deputy Commanding General, USACE

Panelists

Mr. Jeremy Bowen, Deputy Director for New Reactors, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

Mr. Alberto Comito, Political/Economic Officer, Embassy of Italy (invited) 

Mr. Mark Sudol, Senior Advisor, Dawsons & Associates. Former Director, Regulatory Programs, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)

(Additional confirmed speakers announced soon)

PANEL SESSION 5

Defense and Market Strategies for Energy Security

• NATO and national security energy postures

• Energy security and spent nuclear fuel management, commercial fuel recycling, and use of nuclear materials, training

Moderator

Mr. Chris Brookie, Senior Director, World Fuel

Panelists

Mr. Zachary Johnson, Office of International Operations, Director of the Ukraine Task Force, U.S. National Nuclear Security Agency (NNSA), U.S. Department of Energy

Ms. Lucy Notestine, Chief, Special Programs Division Office of Energy Assurance, U.S. Air Force (invited)

Ms. Ana-Maria Petrescu, Political Affairs Officer, Embassy of Romania (invited)

(Additional confirmed speakers announced soon)

Conference Closing & Announcements

Final words of thanks from our MC and teams at SAME DC Post and GUW EEMI.

Master of Ceremonies 

Dr. András Simonyi, Former Hungarian Ambassador to the U.S. (2002-2007), GWU EEMI