Will Batista Manager/Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance at Southwest Gas
Will Batista Manager/Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance at Southwest Gas Will Batista currently serves as Manager of Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance (ESG) at Southwest Gas Corporation. He oversees the development, implementation, and reporting of sustainability strategies and the publication of the Company’s annual sustainability report. He helps to build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, industry peers, and NGOs to engage in and promote sustainability practices and policy. In previous roles at the Company, he managed energy efficiency programs across multiple states and led the Company to adopt disclosure frameworks and new policies on sustainability, the environment, and human rights. Prior to joining Southwest Gas, Will worked on presidential, gubernatorial, and community outreach campaigns. He also led efforts to pass victim rights amendments, which have been added to the state constitutions of over half a dozen states. A native of Miami, Florida, Will received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with an emphasis in Pre-Law and Economics from Brigham Young University—Idaho. He served in the United States Air Force Reserve and is a Veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Ashley Duckman Managing Director, Policy and Strategy of American Gas Association
Ashley Duckman Managing Director, Policy and Strategy of American Gas Association Ashley Duckman presently serves as Managing Director, Policy & Strategy at the American Gas Association (AGA). In this role, she is responsible for guiding the development and implementation of programs and strategic priorities in support of gas utility clean energy, emission reduction, sustainability, and/or decarbonization efforts. Previously, Ashley served as Executive Director of the Energy Solutions Center (ESC) where she worked to advance market development and technology commercialization opportunities for gas utilities and affiliated equipment manufacturers. Ashley returns to AGA after having previously worked for the association, where she spent nearly a decade advocating on behalf of natural gas utilities at the local, state, and federal levels. She has a BA in Political Science and Economics from Washington College.
Tess Fay Principal at Global Location Strategies
Tess Fay Principal at Global Location Strategies With experience in state economic development, Tess understands the many factors that clients must consider when facing a site selection project. During her two years with the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development, she recruited jobs and investment into the state, evaluating the long-term returns that could result from $14 Billion of potential new business investment across industries from heavy manufacturing to agribusiness to high-tech shared services. Her announcements included the $1.3 billion greenfield location of the Braidy Industries aluminum rolling mill, and a $37 million expansion by TOPY America in its automotive wheel manufacturing plant. Tess’ experience in economic development also includes work consulting with local communities to assist the creation of site development and industry recruitment strategies. Prior to her time in the economic development field, Tess worked in marketing, public relations and business development at Big Ass Fans, where she learned first-hand the challenges faced within the manufacturing industry. During her time at the company she focused on building relationships with industry associations and strategic partners to create long-term sales opportunities.
Jason Romero Executive Vice President, Growth at QTS Data Centers
Jason Romero Executive Vice President, Growth at QTS Data Centers Jason Romero is the Executive Vice President of Growth with QTS Data Centers, based in the company’s headquarters in Overland Park, Kansas. Jason specializes in real estate strategy, transactions, and development for data center campus development projects, infrastructure EPC, strategic partnerships, government relations, economic development, and risk management. He holds a Master of Business Administration, Master of Construction Management, Juris Doctor, and Bachelor of Science from the University of Kansas.
Cory Scheer CEO of TrustCentric Consulting
Cory Scheer CEO of TrustCentric Consulting Cory Scheer is the Founder and CEO of TrustCentric" Consulting, an organizational and leadership development firm. TrustCentric™ helps leaders, teams, and organizations become more trustworthy, focused, and productive by: using empirical evidence to define reality, implementing a proven trust building framework, and walking alongside clients to develop clear, obtainable, and long lasting data informed strategies for success. Core solutions that TrustCentric™ provides include: Comprehensive Organizational Trust Assessments©, Executive and Team Coaching, Strengthening Organizational Trust Workshops, Strategic Planning Retreats, Keynote / Seminar Speaking, Leadership Development Cohorts, and ongoing organizational and leadership development consultative support. In addition to over 25 years in leadership roles in multiple sectors, Cory has obtained an Executive MBA (Rockhurst University) and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis (University of Missouri). Cory has worked with small businesses, school districts, corporations, nonprofit organizations, higher education institutions, ministries, the military, and municipalities to provide vital support and clear direction on how to ensure people, practices, and policies become more trustworthy so that key performance indicators improve. Cory is the co-author of The National Survey on Brand and Trust with BrandCertain as well as the developer of the online course, The Complete Guide to Building Organizational Trust (www.StructureOfTrust.com). Cory is also the author of Closing the Trust Gap: Taking Action on What Matters Most for Leaders, Teams, and Organizations (www.TrustGapBook.com).
Matt Szuhaj Vice President at Strategic Development Group
Matt Szuhaj Vice President at Strategic Development Group Matt Szuhaj is a Vice President with the Strategic Development Group. He has over thirty years of experience in domestic and international site selection and development, specializing in global deployment strategy, market entry, footprint optimization, operating model design, supply chain strategy, real estate and site evaluations, infrastructure review, operating costs/conditions analysis, and business incentive and entitlement negotiations. Matt has managed and performed global strategies for numerous corporate clients across the functional spectrum including manufacturing, distribution operations, shared service centers, data centers, R&D facilities, and headquarters projects throughout the Americas, Europe, and Asia. In addition to his location strategy experience, Matt has conducted many economic development strategies including country/community asset and liability analyses, target industry evaluations, site and infrastructure readiness evaluations, military facility reuse strategies, business attraction strategies, innovation strategies, incentive/entitlement/regulatory strategies, and economic development organizational design and governance. Matt received his B.S. in Construction Engineering and Management from Purdue University and M.B.A. in Finance and Real Estate from Indiana University.