Breaking Energy is hosting our first “Energy Startup Forum and Mixer,” which brings together clean energy industry experts, editors and members of the finance and legal communities to speak frankly about the energy startup space, New York’s clean energy landscape and to answer attendees’ questions about the industry. We love the one-on-one time with panelists, but this is also a great opportunity to interact with our readers: Learning what they like about Breaking Energy and how we can bolster our coverage.
We’ll start with a 30 to 45-minute Q&A-style discussion, after which attendees are invited to network with our editors and fellow eventgoers. Food and (for those over 21) drinks will be served.
We’re happy to announce that our very first speaker is Rory Christian, Director of the Environmental Defense Fund’s New York Clean Energy program. Rory works with state and city officials, the Public Service Commission, and large utilities such as Con Ed to develop policies supporting an evolving utility landscape. He also works with the Green Bank and private sector clean energy companies to develop opportunities for financing clean energy projects in New York state and New York City.
Before joining EDF, Rory was the Director of Energy Finance and Sustainability for the New York City Housing Authority. In this role, he managed the authority’s $500M utility budget while promoting energy efficiency infrastructure projects and energy conservation initiatives among employees and residents.
Rory has a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from CUNY Grove School of Engineering and an MBA from the CUNY Zicklin School of Business.
Rory will be joined by Jessica Aldridge, Vice President at the New York Green Bank, where she supports the origination, evaluation, and execution of scalable clean energy project investments across New York State. Prior to joining NY Green Bank, Ms. Aldridge served in the Office of the Secretary at the U.S. Department of Energy, where she helped develop finance and securitization policies to support growth in clean technology adoption. In 2012, Ms. Aldridge was also selected as an Environmental Defense Fund Climate Corps fellow, where she worked with PricewaterhouseCoopers to identify and implement efficiency projects worth over $1 million in annual energy savings.
Ms. Aldridge holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Columbia University, a Master of Business Administration degree in strategy and finance from Yale School of Management, and a master’s degree in energy and the environment from Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies.
And our final discussion participant is Harry Charalambides, Program Manager in Willdan Energy Solutions’ New York City office. Harry currently leads clean energy financing project development for the New York City Energy Efficiency Corporation (NYCEEC), a nonprofit specialty finance company that provides financing solutions for projects that save energy or reduce greenhouse gas emissions in New York City. Harry works with commercial and multifamily customers and a variety of strategic partners, including energy startups, to get more energy projects done through financing.
Before joining Willdan, Harry served as Senior Project Manager at the New York City Economic Development Corporation. In this role, he managed a $1M renewable energy grant and research study program for solar thermal and urban wind technologies, and a municipal energy incentive program with over $1M in annual revenues.
Harry holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communications from the University of Pennsylvania, and a Master of Public Administration in Sustainable Development from the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University.
Breaking Energy’s Managing Editor Jared Anderson will moderate the discussion.
There is enormous opportunity for energy startups, as various energy business sectors rapidly evolve, uncovering new gaps and niches that need to be filled. But launching a startup is a fast-paced, complex initiative that requires a mix of industry expertise, financing and legal support. Our speakers and guests will address these issues and strengthen their networks in order to help support the latest wave of energy startup companies. Rory, Jessica and Harry will be the first speakers in what we hope will become a series of events covering topics relevant to the industry and our readers.
You can join the conversation at the Urban Future Lab startup incubator in Brooklyn on Wednesday, April 8 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 (to cover the cost of catering), and can be purchased here. There are only 50 seats available, so do act fast! Hope to see you there.
We’d like to thank Brooklyn Gin, who will offer samples of their product at the event, and the Urban Future Lab for graciously sharing their space with us. You won’t want to miss their beautiful views of lower Manhattan!
Photo Credit: Shutterstock
