Thank you to all attendees and EBA members for making the sold-out 2024 Annual Meeting & Conference a wonderful success! We enjoyed seeing connections being made, industry knowledge being shared, and appreciated the opportunity to recognize the hard work of EBA members, committees, and leadership. Thank you to David M. Connelly for his leadership, engagement, and strategy during his tenure as EBA President for the 2023-2024 bar year.
Election of 2024-2025 EBA President
The members of the Energy Bar Association (EBA) elected Conor B. Ward of WEC Energies as the new President of the Board of Directors for the 2024-2025 bar year, as well as a full slate of officers and directors. The election took place at EBA’s 2024 Annual Meeting, held in Washington, DC on April 26, 2024. This event had 500+ energy law and policy professionals in attendance.
“I am grateful to the EBA membership and nominating committee for the opportunity to serve as President,” said Ward. “EBA membership has been an invaluable asset throughout my career. I look forward to working with our volunteers, board and staff to ensure that EBA continues to provide premier educational content and networking opportunities for professionals in the energy industry. Welcome, President Ward!
A special thank you to the Professional Education Council (PEC) for planning and organizing another extensive and informational range of educational sessions for this year’s event, especially Co-Chairs Andrew DeVore and Holly Rachel Smith; and Vice Co-Chairs Joseph H. Fagan and Victoria Lauterbach! We are thrilled to have already received great feedback about the sessions, speakers, and overall experience. If you attended, we would love to hear from you – please send any highlights, compliments, or suggestions to our team.
New Board Members Announced
In addition to electing Ward as EBA President, the membership elected the following individuals as Board Officers to serve three-year terms: Floyd R. Self of Berger Singerman LLP as President-Elect; Nicholas Pascale of National Rural Electric Cooperative Association as Vice President; Monique Watson of Vinson & Elkins as Secretary; Meredith Berger Chambers of EDP Renewables as Assistant Secretary; Daniel Frank of Eversheds Sutherland LLP as Treasurer, and Holly Rachel Smith of Invenergy as Assistant Treasurer.
Newly elected Board of Directors members include Karen Bruni of Steptoe; Kelli Cole of Virginia State Corporation Commission; Michael Kessler of Midcontinent Independent System Operator; Jonathan Namazi of Davis Wright Tremaine; and Mustafa Ostrander of Rock Creek Energy Group LLP.
Thank you to these longtime EBA members for their continued dedication and efforts to the organization, and congratulations on these new roles.
Diversity and Inclusion Champion Award
This year, the EBA recognized Adrienne Clair with the 2024 Diversity and Inclusion Champion Award. This award is given to an EBA Member who has shown unequivocal support of EBA’s Diversity & Inclusion program with sustained efforts toward the active promotion of diversity and inclusion within the Association and the broader legal community.
An EBA Past President, Adrienne played a pivotal role as a member of the task force responsible for the development and adoption of EBA’s revised Diversity and Inclusion policy in 2018. Her contributions were instrumental in shaping the policy, reflecting her deep understanding of the importance of diversity and inclusion in the legal profession
Jason F. Leif Chapter Service Award
The EBA also recognized Freddi L. Greenberg with the 2024 Jason F. Leif Chapter Service Award, which honors exemplary long-term service, or one or more particularly significant examples of service, by an EBA member to one or more of the EBA Chapters. Freddi has been an EBA member for more than forty years and was instrumental in the formation of the EBA’s Midwest Chapter.
The award was accepted on her behalf by Michael Kessler, past president of the Midwest Chapter who noted that “[Freddi] frequently speaks about how much the EBA has given her in terms of professional development, and most importantly, she speaks about her colleagues’ congeniality and how much she appreciates the professionalism of the members. It is Freddi’s willingness to share and give back to the Midwest Chapter year after year that makes her an exemplary member that deserves recognition.”