Agenda

Bernard P. Krzys is the founder of Benjamin Media, Inc., publisher of North American Oil & Gas Pipelines, Trenchless Technology and six other construction industry business magazines. Bernie’s media background spans 30 years.

Global Executive with accountability for growth of multimillion-dollar existing business and new business units. Skilled in operations, sales, business, marketing, and domestic/global management, and managing senior-level technology teams. Experienced in both domestic and international markets and posted in Singapore for 6 Asia country companies, including China, India, Indonesia, Korea, and Malaysia. Worldwide recognition in development and advocacy of climate change and carbon policies, e.g., Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage (CCUS), 45Q CCUS/ EOR policy, etc.

Global Executive with accountability for growth of multimillion-dollar existing business and new business units. Skilled in operations, sales, business, marketing, and domestic/global management, and managing senior-level technology teams. Experienced in both domestic and international markets and posted in Singapore for 6 Asia country companies, including China, India, Indonesia, Korea, and Malaysia. Worldwide recognition in development and advocacy of climate change and carbon policies, e.g., Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage (CCUS), 45Q CCUS/ EOR policy, etc.

Continuum Capital Principal Mark Bridgers is a consultant to the engineering and construction industry and leads a Global Energy Vertical Market team. He works with global energy firms, pipeline companies, local distribution companies, electric transmission/ distribution utilities and power generators to support the planning, design and constitution of capital assets. As a recognized expert in capital construction and operational challenges, Bridgers was recently honored with membership in the Society of Gas Operators (SOGO).

Dr. Ariaratnam is a Professor and Beavers-Ames Chair in Heavy Construction at Arizona State University with over 25 years of experience in trenchless engineering research and education.  In 2012, he was named North American Trenchless Technology Person of the Year by Trenchless Technology Magazine.  He is a past recipient of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) John O. Bickel Award, Arthur M. Wellington Prize, Pipeline Division Award of Excellence, and the Stephen D. Bechtel Pipeline Engineering Award. Dr. Ariaratnam is a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering, U.S. National Academy of Construction, and was recently elected Distinguished Member of ASCE.  In March 2022, Dr. Ariaratnam was appointed by U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to serve a on the Gas Pipeline Advisory Committee of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. Dr. Ariaratnam is a registered professional engineer in the State of Arizona and the Province of Ontario. 

Continuum Capital Principal Mark Bridgers is a consultant to the engineering and construction industry and leads a Global Energy Vertical Market team. He works with global energy firms, pipeline companies, local distribution companies, electric transmission/ distribution utilities and power generators to support the planning, design and constitution of capital assets. As a recognized expert in capital construction and operational challenges, Bridgers was recently honored with membership in the Society of Gas Operators (SOGO).

Eben Wyman is principal of Wyman Associates, a government relations firm located on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. Wyman Associates currently represents several national associations and coalitions representing contractors, manufacturers and distributors in several sectors of the construction industry. Wyman Associates focuses on policy impacting natural gas distribution systems, transmission pipelines, broadband and electric power infrastructure, drinking water and sewer treatment infrastructure and the plastics pipe manufacturing industry. Issues of interest include federal energy policy, infrastructure investment, tax reform, labor policy and state damage prevention laws and enforcement practices. Prior to establishing Wyman Associates in 2012, Wyman served in the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS) for seven of his 31 years working in Washington before working as VP of Government Relations for the National Utility Contractors Association on a broad range of legislative and regulatory matters facing the utility and excavation construction industry. 

Allison Kajs serves as the Manager of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs at the American Petroleum Institute. Through new innovative program solutions, Allison manages the creation and implementation of workforce and supplier diversity development opportunities that are expanding the industry’s diverse talent and supplier pipeline. In addition, she leads continuous learning and corporate mentorship opportunities for API members to advance DE&I efforts.

Paul Doucette is the Hydrogen Program Leader at the University of Houston. In that role, he is leading the university’s efforts to grow the hydrogen ecosystem in Texas and establish the University of Houston as a thought leader in this important energy transition space. He recently retired from Baker Hughes where he served as the Global Energy Transition Executive and General Manger for Policy, Funding, Stakeholder Engagement and Knowledge Management. In that role, he interacted with key stakeholders around the globe to help chart the strategic direction of the company, particularly regarding the energy transition and low-carbon future.

Erich Evans is the Director, Strategy & Risk Integration for NiSource Inc. He works with senior leaders to identify, refine and analyze strategic issues across the gas and electric industries while developing long-term strategy and overseeing risk management activities. Prior to his current role, Evans held leadership positions over regulatory strategy, commodity sales and gas transportation. His experience at NiSource and other companies spans natural gas and electricity, working with pricing, hedging, structuring, rate models and tariff design for both regulated and unregulated companies. Evans holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Miami University.

Tim Harris is a registered professional engineer who helps to lead ENTRUST Solutions Group’s Renewable Energy practice with an emphasis on RNG and Hydrogen. Previously at Southern Company Gas, he helped start the research and development organization. During his tenure at Southern Company Gas, in collaboration with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Harris developed the HyBlend consortium concept, organized 15 industry partners’ research objectives prioritization and successfully won DOE’s HFCTO Funding Opportunity for $12 million. Harris has coauthored novel research in hydrogen materials compatibility. Now, Harris leverages his previous experience to help clients translate aspirational clean-energy goals into tangible designs that enable a sustainable net-zero future.

Clay Atwood is the Director of Project Execution for New Energy Projects at The Williams Companies. Clay is responsible for the technical research, development and execution of projects supporting the Williams energy transition including wind, solar, hydrogen and CCUS. Clay has over 30 years of experience in project execution, operations, and maintenance management in both engineering and operating companies. Prior to his role at Williams, Clay worked as the Director of Engineering for Linde Engineering North America supporting the natural gas, hydrogen, and air separation sectors. Clay has a Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Texas A&M University and a Master of Business Administration degree from Southern Methodist University.

Mr. Cox serves the RNG Coalition and its members as CFO.  He co-founded the Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas in July 2011. Mr. Cox is an attorney, specializing in the laws and markets that impact the renewable natural gas industry, including the renewable fuel standard, low carbon fuel standard, and pipeline injection standards.  He has extensive experience advising companies and elected officials on regulatory, political and public policy matters.  A graduate of Westmont College and University of the Pacific’s McGeorge School of Law, Mr. Cox is a member of the Texas, Oklahoma and California state bars in good standing. 

Stuart Saulters serves as APGA’s Vice President of Government Relations.  He joined the trade association in April 2019.  In his current role, Stuart manages APGA’s engagement in legislative and regulatory affairs aiming to advance the goals of public natural gas utilities. He also serves as the staff executive for the Direct Use Task Group, which guides the association’s efforts in messaging and advocating for balanced energy solutions around the US.

James Burnside is the Manager of Gas System Engineering & Standards at CPS Energy, the nation’s largest municipally owned utility, providing both natural gas and electric service.  James’ team is responsible for the design and construction of natural gas distribution projects.  His team also develops and updates the standards and specifications for the natural gas system.
James is a licensed professional engineer in Texas and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Texas. 

Stephen has over 20 years of energy infrastructure experience in transmission and midstream engineering, construction, and operations throughout the US. Prior to joining the Navigator team, Stephen held the position of Director of Special Projects at Plains All-American Pipeline executing a large capital project portfolio (+$1B) associated with intermodal transportation and storage of crude in the Gulf Coast and Midcontinent regions.