Keynote Speakers

The following notable WINDPOWER speakers shared their insights into the valuable role of wind energy and how it relates to the overall energy industry, the environment, the local community and the business world.

Monday, June 2nd, 8:00 am to 11:00 am

Welcome and Opening Sessions

· AWEA Executive Director Randall Swisher

· The Honorable Rick Perry, Governor of Texas

· The Honorable Kathleen Sebelius, Governor of Kansas

· The Honorable Bill White, Mayor of Houston

· Thomas C. Dorr, Under Secretary for Rural Development, U.S. Department of Agriculture

· Alexander Karsner, Assistant Secretary, U.S. Department of Energy

General Session, Growing the Wind Energy Business

This session featured a panel of wind energy industry leaders. The focus of their discussions included their perspectives on the wind industry’s future, major opportunities and challenges while the industry is growing rapidly.

Moderator: Michael Skelly, Advisor, Horizon Wind Energy

· Vic Abate, Vice President for Renewables, GE Energy

· Gabriel Alonso, Chief Development Officer, Horizon Wind Energy

· Hunter Armistead, Babcock & Brown LP

· Ditlev Engel, President and Chief Executive Officer, Vestas Wind Systems A/S

· Michael O’Sullivan, Senior Vice President – Development, FPL Energy LLC

Tuesday, June 3rd, 8:00 am to 9:30 am

General Session

Moderator: Greg Wetstone, Senior Director of Governmental & Public Affairs, American Wind Energy Association

· John Podesta, President and Chief Executive Officer, Center for American Progress, and former White House Chief of Staff

· General Wesley Clark, retired, former Supreme Commander of National Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

· Jeff Goodell, Author of the New York Times best-selling book, Big Coal