FUELS2022

Scott Shepard leads Guidehouse Insights Transportation and Mobility research, which provides market forecasting and analysis on disruptive and emerging technologies in decarbonization, automation, and digitalization. Leveraging more than 10 years covering developments in transportation decarbonization, Shepard advises numerous sector stakeholders on the readiness, impacts, and complexities of decarbonization solutions.

Lee Whipp has been with Schneider for 19 years. Lee spent the first 10 years at Schneider in Application Development specializing in tractor and trailer telematics. In his current role as Sr. Director of Purchasing, Lee oversees the purchasing of fuel, parts, fleet services (registration, tolls, permits), corporate purchasing, travel and print.

Lee has been involved in various sustainability initiatives at Schneider. Schneider is a charter member of EPA’s SmartWay program and Lee is responsible for reporting all of Schneider’s service offering information to SmartWay. Lee participates in publishing Schneider’s annual Customer Responsibility Report and is involved with Schneider’s MPG testing. Schneider performs on-road testing with alternative fuels and other aerodynamic applications to improve Schneider’s MPG. Schneider is currently implementing a 60-class 8, EV fleet in Southern California in 2022. Lee has been involved with grant compliance, equipment procurement, and understanding the impacts to carbon footprint.

Brian is responsible for the Transportation/Private Fleet Operations Support for 30 Distribution Centers, including close to 1400 drivers, 1500 power units and 1700 non-power units for Core Mark International, Inc. Brian provides support in the form of Fleet Spec, Procurement and Maintenance Management, Route/Fleet Optimization, Transportation Technology, DOT Compliance. Brian has been with Core-Mark International, Inc. since April 2016. Prior to joining Core-Mark, Brian held Logistics/Supply Chain/Fleet Management positions at companies such as The Kellogg Company, Greif Packaging, The SYGMA Network, Exel Logistics and Rollins Dedicated. Upon his graduation from Otterbein College in Westerville Ohio, Brian stated his Transportation career in 1986 with Roadway Express. Brian has been a Member of the Board of Directors for the National Private Truck Council (NPTC) since 2017 and is also presenter at multiple NPTC and Safety Conferences since 2001. Brian joined the Fuels Institute through Core-Mark in 2017 and currently sits on the Board of Advisors and Board of Directors.

Tammy Klein is the founder and CEO of Transport Energy Strategies, a consultancy that provides market and policy intelligence, research analysis and strategic advice to clients on a range of global transport energy issues. She runs a member-based consulting service, the Transport Energy Outlook, which provides research analysis on global trends for clients across a range of sectors, including refining, auto, engine, biofuels and alternative fuels. For 25 years, Tammy has served as a strategic advisor and research analyst for clients in these industries and has advised governments and NGOs as well on transport energy issues, including fuel quality, vehicle emissions and fuel economy, biofuels and alternative fuels issues such as electricity and hydrogen, and novel low carbon fuels.

She is formerly Senior Vice President for Stratas Advisors/Hart Energy and in that capacity was responsible for overseeing all aspects of its fuels and transport-related research, products, services, staff and consultancy. Prior to that she was the Executive Director of the Global Biofuels Center, a service of Hart Energy she co-created, that tracks, monitors and analyzes biofuels market, policy and technology developments in more than 70 countries. She created, oversaw and was the lead author of the company’s annual outlook and forecast for biofuels supply and demand. Tammy also helped launch Hart’s International Fuel Quality Center (IFQC), a service covering global fuel quality issues, and served as a senior analyst for the Americas region covering market and policy issues for many years.

Tammy continues to serve as an advisor to many companies, governments and NGOs on transportation fuels issues. She has advised the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association (IPIECA), Energy Management Authority (EMA) of Singapore and Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and the International Energy Agency (IEA), among others. Prior to her time at Hart Energy, she was an associate at Venable LLP specializing in environmental and administrative law matters. She holds a J.D. from the Georgetown University Law Center and a B.S. from the University of Florida.

Kameale is the Co-Founder and CEO of ChargerHelp, Inc. an app that enables on-demand repair of electric vehicle charging stations. As the former Director of Programs at EV Connect, an electric vehicle charge station network provider, Kameale structured and led teams to execute electric vehicle infrastructure projects and programs in the United States, Australia, and Canada for commercial and government entities. Her most notable projects include the Electrify America - Phase One Program, the Southern California Edison Charge Ready Pilot, and the New York Power Authority portfolio.

Prior to this role Kameale created, hired, and oversaw the Customer Experience Department at EV Connect, by partnering with the Southbay Workforce Investment Board to employ candidates from the local community. As a South Central Los Angeles native, Kameale believes that an equitable green economy can be achieved through impactful workforce development and realignment.

Jim Burness founded National Car Charging (NCC) in 2011 with the belief that business can thrive while doing good for the planet. Ten years later, NCC and it’s sister company, Aloha Charge, are collectively the leading reseller and installer of electric vehicle infrastructure in the country and Jim is considered one of the nation’s top EV and charging experts.

With previous careers in both the automotive industry and the renewable energy sector, Jim launched NCC to facilitate the build out of the nation’s EV charging infrastructure in a wide variety of key channels including retail, hospitality, municipal facilities, and multi-family dwellings. Today, NCC manages 7000+ ports nationwide across 800+ customers with installations in 43 states.

Based in Denver, Colorado, Jim is actively involved in Colorado’s local sustainability community with Colorado Electric Vehicle Alliance, Colorado’s Solar Energy Industries Association and Clean Energy Action. He’s also worked extremely close with the local utilities, including Xcel, and is passionately involved with the City and County of Denver as well as with the state legislator as sustainability legislation continues to evolve. Jim also currently lends his expertise to the EV Council as part of the NACS Fuels Institute.

A graduate of The Colorado College and the University of Denver, he’s previously held positions at J.D. Power, American Honda and Microsoft’s CarPoint.

Jim and his wife purchased their first electric car in 2012, and now, they both drive completely fossil fuel free.

Ryan is the senior research leader supporting the global automotive practice at Deloitte. His primary focus is creating engaging and actionable insight to support the firm’s clients in the automotive industry.

Prior to joining Deloitte, Ryan was the Senior Director of Industry Analytics at J.D. Power where he was responsible for leading a group of highly-trained subject matter experts covering a variety of industries including automotive, financial services, insurance, energy and telecom. Ryan also managed the global automotive forecasting practice at PricewaterhouseCoopers in Detroit where he advised clients on issues such as risk management, acquisition due diligence, and market entry strategy. Throughout his 23-year career, he has supported companies across the automotive value chain from manufacturers, suppliers and dealers to private equity firms, financial institutions, and aftermarket service providers.

Ryan has been a frequent speaker at industry conferences and has been quoted as a subject matter expert in major media outlets around the world.

Ryan holds honours degrees in Philosophy, Classical Archaeology and English Literature from Concordia University in Montreal, Canada.

Jeff Lenard oversees NACS’ industry-wide external communications campaigns to advance the role of convenience stores as positive economic, social and philanthropic contributors to the communities they serve. The U.S. convenience store industry, with more than 148,000 stores nationwide selling fuel, food and merchandise, serves 165 million customers daily—half of the U.S. population.

Jeff Dzierzanowski is employed by Source North America Corporation. Source is one of the largest fueling equipment distributors in the United States. Jeff is a 37-year petroleum equipment veteran. He is a recognized expert on fueling equipment and infrastructure compatibilities with biofuels. He has sat on various industries work groups and committees. He currently sits on the board of directors for the Illinois Fuel Retailers Association and the Board of Advisors for Fuels Institute.

Matt Leuck is the technical manager for Neste US' Renewable Road Transportation business. He brings more than 15 years of diesel engine and energy industry experience to Neste, and provides technical expertise to engine OEMs, fuel distributors, customers, and internal teams. He began his career as an Application Engineer and then Technical Sales Manager at Cummins before moving to a sales director role at an energy equipment manufacturer. He returned to his technical roots and now uses his engine, equipment, and fuel knowledge to support Neste’s position at the leading edge of cleaner, low carbon renewable fuels.

He holds a BS Engineering Technology degree from Texas Tech University and a MS Global Energy Management degree from the University of Colorado.

Brian retired from Oak Ridge National Laboratory in 2019 after working 31 years as an automotive engineer. He served 2 years as Group Leader for Fuels and Engines Research, after serving 9 years as Deputy Director of the Fuels, Engines, and Emissions Research Center.

Brian’s research at ORNL involved vehicles, fuels, engines, and emissions control technologies. His work with Lean NOx Traps was cited by EPA in the ultra-low diesel sulfur rule in 2000, and he led portions of the Department of Energy’s Mid-Level Ethanol Blends Program, enabling EPA’s approval of the waiver allowing E15 in 2001 and newer vehicles (2010). Following the MLB effort, Brian and his team conducted several projects to demonstrate the emissions and efficiency benefits of high-octane, low carbon fuels such as E25 and E30. As a consultant, Brian has continued to advocate for high-octane, low carbon fuels and is supportive of the Next Generation Fuels Act.

Brian’s awards include election to Fellow of the Society of Automotive Engineers (2012), the SAE Horning Award for best fuels/engines paper (2015), the SAE Lloyd Withrow Distinguished Speaker Award (2009), the DOE R&D Award for his leadership in the Mid-Level Ethanol Blends Program (2010), and most recently the Illinois Corn Growers Ethanol Award (2020).

Dr Conway is a Principal Engineer in the Powertrain Engineering Division at Southwest Research Institute, where he is a subject matter expert on Internal Combustion Engines and Life Cycle Analysis. He leads many of the Institutes research programs which aim to improve combustion engine efficiency and reduce emissions to meet future standards in global markets.

Dr Conway is passionate about educating the public and policy makers on the benefits and challenges with different powertrain types. He obtained his PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Leeds in the UK in 2012 and has worked at the Southwest Research Institute since 2015.

John Farrell is the Laboratory Program Manager for Vehicle Technologies and Distinguished Member of the Research Staff at the National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL). He is responsible for managing the EERE Vehicle Technologies R&D portfolio, which includes technologies spanning vehicle electrification, batteries/energy storage, power electronics, vehicle/grid interactions, biofuel/advanced engine interactions, smart mobility, analysis, and technology integration. He is also responsible for developing and integrating NREL’s advanced mobility strategy with broader initiatives across NREL, other DOE national labs, and industry. He is a Fellow of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) International, holds a B.S. in chemistry from Purdue University, and a Ph.D. in physical chemistry from the University of Colorado.

Steve Przesmitzki is currently the Interim Division Director for the Transportation and Power Systems Division as well as the Laboratory Program Manager for Vehicle Technologies Research at Argonne National Laboratory in Lemont, IL, just outside Chicago. In his roles at Argonne, Steve is working to advance sustainable transportation technologies.

Prior to Argonne, Steve was the Global Head of Strategic Mobility, Climate, and Energy Analysis for Saudi Aramco and head of Strategic Transport Analysis and Outlooks for Aramco Americas. Steve was also a Technology Development Manager for fuels and lubricants within the United States Department of Energy’s Vehicle Technologies Office in Washington, DC, a senior project manager researching fuels for DOE’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, CO, and a lead powertrain design and development engineer at Ford Motor Company in Dearborn, MI.

Steve holds a PhD from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, a MS from the University of Michigan, and a BS from Kettering University; all in Mechanical Engineering. Steve is also a fellow of the Society of Automotive Engineers.

Dr. Kelly Senecal is a co-founder and owner of Convergent Science. He is a visiting professor at the University of Oxford, an adjunct professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and a co-founder and director of the Computational Chemistry Consortium (C3). Kelly is a Fellow of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). He is a member of the executive committee of the ASME ICE Division, a member of the board of advisors for the Central States Section of the Combustion Institute, and the 2019 recipient of the ASME Internal Combustion Engine Award.

Kelly has long been an advocate of creating cleaner propulsion systems, with particular focus on CFD and HPC to enable faster design. Starting with his TEDx talk in late 2016, he has been promoting a diverse mix of transportation technologies through invited talks, articles, and social media. Kelly is co-author of the new book “Racing Toward Zero: The Untold Story of Driving Green,” winner of the 2022 Independent Press Award for Environment.

Brett Smith joined CAR in 2000 after 12 years at the University of Michigan’s Office for the Study of Automotive Transportation (OSAT).

During his career, Mr. Smith research has spanned many critical aspects of the automotive industry. He actively researched vehicle and component manufacturing; materials forecasting; product development and analysis; supplier--manufacturer relations; technology development; facility location analysis; product launch strategy and human resource and talent issues. Mr. Smith’s recent research and leadership activities have focused on the challenges and opportunities of implementing innovative technologies and services in the automotive industry.

From 2012 through 2018, Mr. Smith has also served as Co-Director Strategy, CAR Management Briefing Seminars. In that role, he has guided strategic planning for the CAR Management Briefing Seminars and other CAR conference activities. Mr. Smith was the chair of the Business of Plugging In, a Plug-in Electric Vehicle conference in Detroit, Michigan (2009-2011). Mr. Smith was also active as a labor educator for 15 years.

He received a B.S. in Economics and an M.B.A. from Eastern Michigan University.

Jon Scharingson is the Executive Director of Strategic Initiatives for Renewable Energy Group (REG), REG is the nation’s leading producer and marketer of biodiesel selling 649 million gallons of biodiesel, renewable diesel and blends in 2020.

As Executive Director, Strategic Initiatives Scharingson oversees the company’s sales business development activities and is responsible for collaborations and strategic alliances in new market segments.

Prior to joining REG, Mr. Scharingson spent 17 years in the seeds, crop protection and the agriculture biotechnology industries, having worked for Imperial Chemical Industries, AstraZeneca and Syngenta. He held several senior management roles in business strategy, business development and marketing.

Mr. Scharingson has a BBA in Management and an MBA in Marketing from Iowa State University

Mr. Wimmer directs Toyota Motor North America’s (TMNA) Energy and Environmental Research group. He has been with Toyota since 2003 and currently leads a team of research engineers and scientists assessing how changes in energy and environmental technology, policy and regulation will affect the automotive industry. Research areas include petroleum and alternative fuels, electric-drive, plug-in and hydrogen refueling, mobility as a service, power generation and carbon reduction policy.

Mr. Wimmer is also responsible hybrid, plug-in electric and fuel cell vehicle external affairs and technical activities within Sustainability Regulatory Affairs. He coordinates these with other Toyota divisions in the US and abroad. Additionally, he manages energy collaborations with other corporations, the company’s interaction with the US Department of Energy and a portion of TMNA’s university and think-tank research activities.

Prior to joining Toyota, Mr. Wimmer was Technical Director of Fuel Cell Bus Programs at Georgetown University for twelve years where he provided technical and program management oversight during the design, fabrication and testing of five fuel cell / battery hybrid transit buses.

A native of California, Mr. Wimmer has an MS degree in Systems Management from the University of Southern California and a Mechanical Engineering degree from California State Polytechnic University in San Luis Obispo, CA.

Pam McGinnis is Vice President, Global Marketing, for Phillips 66. McGinnis has more than 30 years of experience in the oil and gas industry across various organizations and functions.

Prior to assuming her current position, McGinnis was Chief Procurement Officer and held various leadership positions across the company, including Commercial Supply, Marine shipping, and Truck and Rail transportation.

After joining Conoco, through the Pipeline and Transportation management program, she held positions in Operations and Maintenance Engineering, Capital Project Management, Business Development, Marketing, and Corporate Planning.

McGinnis is currently serving as chair of the University of Arkansas College of Engineering Dean’s Advisory Council. She is a member of the board of directors and the Compensation Committee for the Fuels Institute and serves on the board of the National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering (NACME). McGinnis is the global sponsor for the Phillips 66 Hispanic Network and a member of the Executive I&D Council.

A native of Springdale, Arkansas, McGinnis earned a Bachelor of Science in industrial engineering from the University of Arkansas.

Joel joined Giant Eagle/GetGo in September of 2018, responsible for the management of GetGo’s fuel category including retail pricing, supply and logistics, wholesale branded sales, and commercial fleet sales.  Recently, Joel has also taken over strategic direction of GetGo’s facilities & maintenance team, environmental compliance, and safety. Over the last 3.5 years Joel has helped enabled GetGo to insource fuel procurement, launch a new loyalty program, AdvantagePay, and transition and certify GetGo as a TOPTIER fuel retailer. Prior to joining Giant Eagle, Joel served as General Manager of Fuel Marketing & Procurement at Kwik Trip, Inc. During his 9 years he lead initiatives in fleet optimization, CNG, Renewables like Unleaded88 and Biodiesel blending, as well as diversifying the supply portfolio to include bulk trading and hedging capabilities. Joel currently sits on the Fuels Institute’s Board of Advisors, IFFA’s Board of Directors, and the NACS Content Committee.