Darren Palmer
Darren Palmer, Global VP Electric Vehicle Programs
Ford Motor Company
Darren Palmer is the Global Vice President for Electric Vehicle Programs at Ford. He is responsible for all global programs current and future models.
Palmer led the inception and development of all of Ford’s current electric vehicles – the best-selling F-150 Lighting, Mustang Mach-, E-Transit, Electriic Explorer, Puma and the industry first, all-road sport SUV, the Mach-E Rally.
Palmer's key focus is developing products and experiences that resonate with consumers. He inspires large & diverse teams across multiple continents to deliver these products to global markets. His portfolio includes multiple award-winning vehicles, that are leaders in their field.
With extensive experience in global product development, Palmer has held positions in product development, product planning, manufacturing, and quality in the United Kingdom, Germany, and the United States. His work has also involved regular travel to South America, China, India, and Australia.
Recognized as a Motor Trend "Software Defined Vehicle" industry leader and part of the Automotive News Rising Star alumni, Palmer has cultivated a global network of industry colleagues.
He holds an MBA from Henley Management College, England, an electrical, electronics, and technology degree from Birmingham University, England, and is a member of the Institute of Engineering Technology (IET).
Kimberly Okafor
Kimberly Okafor, General Manager of Zero Emission Solutions
Trillium - A Love's Company
Kim Okafor is the General Manager of Zero Emission Solutions for the Love’s Family of Companies which includes Trillium Energy. Kim leads the strategy, development, and management of the EV charging, hydrogen fueling, and energy strategy businesses for the organization. Kim also leads the acquisition of grant funds for the organization. Under Kim’s leadership, Trillium and Love’s have increased its hydrogen portfolio to 5 fueling stations, it’s EV charging portfolio to over 230 ports, and acquired over $40M in grants funds.
Kim also actively serves on the Board of Directors for the California Hydrogen Business Council and has an Electrical Engineering degree from the University of Houston. Kim’s goal as the General Manager of Zero Emission Solutions is to develop economically sustainable business opportunities for our customers.
Chris Normandeau
Chris Normandeau, Director
FirstService Energy
Chris Normandeau is director of FirstService Energy in the East region. Normandeau collaborates with community associations managed by FirstService Residential to reduce energy and water use and costs by serving as a trusted advisor to boards. Normandeau helps clients make informed decisions—saving them money, minimizing their carbon footprint, and improving their quality of life.
Prior to joining FirstService Energy, Normandeau was co-founder of Core, a New York City-based sustainable project management firm which focused on maximizing client savings while minimizing environmental impact. He also served as a Project Manager for construction firm OmniBuild, where he was involved in all aspects of design, construction and budgeting, including overseeing energy efficiency projects across New York State. Normandeau, who earned a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, is a Certified Energy Manager (C.E.M.), is Lighting Certified (LC), and is a LEED AP BD+C®. He has saved his clients more than 100 million dollars by putting his considerable energy knowledge and expertise to work for them. Normandeau believes in the value of providing his clients with the tools and knowledge needed to continue reducing their carbon footprint, long after his energy savings initiatives have been put in place.
John H. Kwon
John H. Kwon, General Counsel
CATL
As General Counsel of Global Legal & Strategy, Representative Director and Board Chairman of the largest manufacturer of EV and ESS batteries in the world, I am committed to implementing supply chain solutions to the manufacture and deployment of lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) and MNC cells for world markets. Previously, I oversaw global investments and acquisitions for the biggest logistics player in Asia, which culminated in the USD 2.3 Billion acquisition of Kerry Logistics in 2022 and its IPO on the HKSE in 2023. Qualified to practice law in four jurisdictions, I started my career at a magic circle firm and progressed to the position of General Counsel at a Forbes 50 MNC, where we project managed the building of many iconic buildings across the globe. My legal journey has also afforded me to assume cross-functional and P&L positions having served as CEO & Board member to NYSE & ASX listed MNCs.
Gabe Klein
Gabe Klein, Former Executive Director
U.S. Joint Office of Energy & Transportation
Gabe Klein is a government official, urban planner, entrepreneur, and an investor specializing in sustainability and transportation.
Klein currently serves in the Biden Administration as the head of the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation. In this role, he has worked to enable the roll-out of a national electric vehicle charging network and electric school and transit busses in the U.S. Klein–who supports a $19 billion budget in this position–is the first-ever Executive Director of the Joint Office, also the first office in the federal government to span multiple agencies.
Previously, Klein co-founded Cityfi, a consultancy that works with local governments, foundations, and venture-backed startups. He was also the Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT), and the Director of the District of Columbia Department of Transportation (DDOT). Before those roles, Klein was an Executive with Boston-based Zipcar. He authored the book Start-Up City: Inspiring Private and Public Entrepreneurship, Getting Projects Done, and Having Fun.
Tom Healey
Tom Healey, VP Facilities
Nouria Energy Corporation
Tom is an accomplished retail development executive with focus on site evaluation, design, permitting and construction. A leader by example who manages a team of technical staff in all aspects of facility development, maintenance, and environmental compliance.
Tom's strong business and technical knowledge enable him to understand, communicate and achieve the objectives of the various project stakeholders.
Tom has been involved with all aspects of Nouria's EV charging strategy and implementation. Nouria has installed has installed DCFC charging stations at eight of its convenience stores and has 25+ more installations planned or in progress.
Tom is a licensed Professional Engineer and Construction Supervisor and is involved in several industry associations.
Garrett Fitzgerald
Garrett Fitzgerald, Sr. Director, Transportation Electrification
Smart Electric Power Alliance
Garrett Fitzgerald is a seasoned expert in transportation and building electrification, bringing over a decade of experience in advancing clean energy solutions. Since joining SEPA in 2021, Garrett has led efforts to drive beneficial electrification of transportation and buildings, working with utilities and stakeholders to enable a smooth transition to a highly electrified, low-carbon future. Now serving as Senior Director of Transportation, he oversees strategy execution, industry engagement, and the development of research and content to accelerate electrification.
Prior to SEPA, Garrett spent eight years at Rocky Mountain Institute, where he built and led the electricity program in India, accelerating electric vehicle adoption and clean energy integration. He managed RMI's Fleet Electrification program, co-led the EV-Grid initiative, and contributed to key projects on energy storage, distributed solar, and load flexibility. His expertise spans EV charging infrastructure, EV-specific tariff design, energy storage, and demand-side flexibility.
Garrett holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Santa Clara University and both an MS and a Ph.D. in Earth and Environmental Engineering from Columbia University, reflecting his deep commitment to advancing sustainable energy systems.
Srijata Chattopadhyay
Srijata Chattopadhyay, VP: Americas EV Charging
Shell Recharge
Srijata Chattopadhyay is a leader in the clean energy space. Currently, she serves as the general manager of the EV charging business at Shell, which owns and operates over 4,000 chargers in North America. She and her team are accountable for the charging P&L, driver experience, digital product, and marketing. In the clean energy space, Srijata has been a member of the executive team at Volta Charging, worked in Google's energy services and renewables division, and at Tesla. In her decade in the industry, she has served in a wide range of functions - global strategy, capital markets, head of technology and head of deployment. Srijata holds a BA in Economics from Barnard College and an MBA from Wharton. She lives in San Francisco with her husband and two sons (4 and 1).
Karen Apple
Karen Apple, Electric Vehicle Program Manager
City of Phoenix
Karen Apple has over a decade of experience and knowledge in public policy issues and project management related to transportation and the environment. Karen joined the City of Phoenix Office of Sustainability, as the Electric Vehicle Program Manager in March 2020 and manages the planning and program development of projects that support the accelerated adoption of plug-in electric vehicles (EVs). This work includes: developing EV education and awareness initiatives, implementing the installation of charging stations for public, and City workplace and fleet use, implementing EV-ready building codes; coordinating with City departments to integrate EVs into the fleet, and continuing to collaborate with other local, regional, and state stakeholders and utility partners to increase EV adoption and decrease air quality emissions. Prior to joining the City of Phoenix Office of Sustainability, Karen served as a Project Manager/NEPA Planner with the City of Phoenix Aviation Department since 2005. Ms. Apple holds a Master of Environmental Planning from Arizona State University and a Bachelor of Science in Public Policy – Transportation from Indiana University’s School of Public and Environmental Affairs.