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Recharge Minnesota Symposium 2024

Thank you, attendees, speakers, and sponsors for making this year's Symposium such a success!

Theme: Economics, education, job creation:
Making the EV transition work in your community
Location: McNamara Alumni Center, University Hall

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Recharge Minnesota is Proudly Sponsored by:

Our Symposium is sponsored by:

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Panel Discussions

Powering Communities: Making the EV Transition Work Locally

Join us for a panel discussion on the pivotal role communities play in the transition to electric vehicles (EVs). Our panel brings together community leaders, urban planners, environmentalists, and industry experts to explore strategies for making the EV transition work at the community level.  Key topics include:

Transforming Communities and Powering the Future: Assessing the NEVI Plans and Exploring Utility and State Electrification Incentives

Join us for a panel discussion as we examine the transformative impact of the National Electric Vehicle Initiative (NEVI) on communities across Minnesota. NEVI, a comprehensive program aimed at accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and supporting infrastructure, has been instrumental in driving the transition towards sustainable transportation solutions. We’ll then delve into the various incentives offered by states and utilities to promote the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and electrification initiatives. As the demand for clean transportation and energy solutions continues to grow, understanding the incentives available to consumers, businesses, and communities is crucial for accelerating the transition to a sustainable future.

Featured Speakers

Justin is the Director of Technology for The PLUM Catalyst, a strategy and innovation consulting firm focused on future mobility and next generation transportation initiatives. Justin is the deputy project manager for the AV deployment GoMARTI and is actively involved with CV, AV and EV task forces across state & national consortia.

Justin Johnson

Director of Technology

The PLUM Catalyst

Brianna Sanders is the Economic Development Director for the City of St. James, focusing on business retention, housing, and sustainability initiatives. She holds a BA in Economics from the University of Minnesota and serves on the CERTS steering committee for the Southwest region.

Brianna Sanders

Economic Development Director

City of St. James

Phillip Johnson has been with the Albert Lea Economic Development Agency (ALEDA) since February 2019, bringing experience in legislative policy, outreach, and long-range planning. Previously, he worked for the Salton Sea Authority in Riverside, CA, and has a strong background in government at the federal, state, and county levels.

Phillip Johnson

Executive Director

Albert Lea Economic Development Agency

Tim McCarthy has been Vice President of Marketing at Trystar since 2020, where he played a key role in developing the company’s renewable product lines. With a career spanning over four decades at Honeywell, he held various global leadership roles in product management and strategic marketing.

Tim McCarthy

Vice President of Marketing

Trystar

John, with over 15 years of industry experience and more than a decade at Design Ready Controls, serves as Chief Financial Officer overseeing finance, HR, and facilities. He holds a CPA (inactive) and is involved in the METRO Blue Line Extension Business Advisory Committee and the WIOA Board.

John Hacker

Chief Financial Officer

Design Ready Controls

Rich is the President and Majority Owner of ISC Financial Advisors, with over 35 years of experience in retirement planning. He also serves as the Mayor of Albert Lea and has been active in numerous charitable and civic organizations, with previous roles on the City Council and as a State Representative.

Rich Murray

Mayor

City of Albert Lea

Binaya Acharya is a Senior Marketing Manager at Xcel Energy, focusing on raising awareness about energy efficiency and clean transportation programs. An avid EV driver, he also serves on the City of Bloomington’s Sustainability Commission, advising on sustainable resource management.

Binaya Acharya

Sr Marketing Manager

Xcel Energy

Lexie leads the Volkswagen settlement grants for electric vehicles and charging at the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, focusing on decarbonizing transportation. With a background in engineering and environmental policy, she has worked on electrification projects for transit buses and city fleets, and holds a Master’s degree from the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey School of Public Affairs.

Lexie Lyng

EV Program Administrator

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Beth Kallestad has 23 years of experience in the environmental field across various sectors, specializing in sustainability planning and public engagement. Currently at the Minnesota Department of Transportation, she focuses on implementing the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program and supporting other EV initiatives.

Beth Kallestad

Principal Sustainability Planner

Minnesota Department of Transportation

Joel Hanif is a transportation planner with the Region Nine Development Commission in Mankato, Minnesota, focusing on transportation and sustainability initiatives, including electric vehicles and climate resilience. He also serves on the boards of Greater Mankato Bike Walk Advocates and the South Central Minnesota Clean Energy Council, and holds degrees in geography and environmental planning from the University of Georgia.

Joel Hanif

Transportation Planner

Region Nine Development Commission

Adam Schwartz is the Electric Vehicle Charging Program Manager for Kwik Trip, Inc., leading the development of EV charging stations for the company’s 875 stores across the Midwest. With over nine years at Kwik Trip, he previously served as a Sustainability and Energy Specialist and holds a B.S. in Sustainability and Renewable Energy Systems from the University of Wisconsin–Platteville.

Adam Schwartz

EV Charging Program Manager

Kwik Trip

Stay Tuned for More Speaker Updates

Additional Speakers

Hourly Schedule

Wednesday, September 18

9:00 am - 10:00 am
Registration and Networking
Registration opens at 9 am. Enjoy a light breakfast and networking hour.
10:00 am - 10:30 am
Welcome
Speakers:
Kirk Brown
10:30 am - 11:15 am
Powering Communities
Making the EV transition work in your community
Speakers:
Brianna Sanders, John Hacker, Philip Johnson, Tim McCarthy
11:15 am - 12:00 pm
Transforming Communities and Powering the Future
Assessing the NEVI Plans and Exploring Utility and State Electrification Incentives
Speakers:
Beth Kallestead, Joel Hanif, Lexie Lyng
12:00 pm - 12:15 pm
Break
12:15 pm - 12:45 pm
Recognition Ceremony and Video
Speakers:
Stephanie Dorman
12:45 pm - 1:00 pm
Closing Remarks
Thank you for joining us. Enjoy a light lunch and networking.
Speakers:
Kirk Brown
Kirk Brown
Kirk Brown
CEO, REACH Strategies
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Brianna Sanders
John Hacker
Philip Johnson
Tim McCarthy
Beth Kallestead
Joel Hanif
Lexie Lyng
Stephanie Dorman
Stephanie Dorman
National Program Director
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Date

Sep 18 2024
Expired!

Time

9:00 am - 1:15 pm

Cost

$65.00

Location

University Hall, McNamara Alumni Center
200 SE Oak St #100, Minneapolis, MN 55414

Category

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