top of page
Speakers & Panelists
David Baugh
Director
Partner Engagement
Bloom Energy Corporation
David is an accomplished and decisive senior leader and navy submarine veteran with over twenty years of experience in energy, finance, management consulting, business development, engineering, and construction. In his role as director of partner engagement, David recruits, onboards, trains, and creates mutual value propositions with his partners. With extensive knowledge of the energy market, David works with various partners to promote Bloom Energy’s solid oxide fuel cell technology, specifically in the microgrid market.
This is David’s second stint at Bloom Energy, having previously managed all installation and construction activities nationally. In between is time at Bloom, David worked as an advisory manager for Ernst and Young, building strategies for companies in the power and utilities sector. David has a B.S. in nuclear engineering and an MBA concentrating in finance.
Partner Engagement
Bloom Energy Corporation
David is an accomplished and decisive senior leader and navy submarine veteran with over twenty years of experience in energy, finance, management consulting, business development, engineering, and construction. In his role as director of partner engagement, David recruits, onboards, trains, and creates mutual value propositions with his partners. With extensive knowledge of the energy market, David works with various partners to promote Bloom Energy’s solid oxide fuel cell technology, specifically in the microgrid market.
This is David’s second stint at Bloom Energy, having previously managed all installation and construction activities nationally. In between is time at Bloom, David worked as an advisory manager for Ernst and Young, building strategies for companies in the power and utilities sector. David has a B.S. in nuclear engineering and an MBA concentrating in finance.
Charles Beach
Resources Efficiency Manager III
Contractor - Erica Lane Enterprises
Business Operations & Integration Division - IMKN-PWB
Multi-state Registered Professional Engineer with 40+ years of experience in Projects Design, Research, Construction, and Applications for buildings. Primary skills center on HVAC design, building dynamics, controls, and energy.
A senior, measured, and nationally known figure acknowledged as a 'hands on' force in Engineering, multi-site operations and department leadership. Demonstrated successes within the Operations, Research, Building Design, HVAC, Energy, Building Management Systems, Military Operations, Manufacturing and Construction sectors - supporting facilities.
Current and previous roles and responsibilities:
• Architect / Engineer background with added direct responsible charge inside all related market segments.
• Project Representative for discipline with Shopping Center Magnate and Developer –
A. Alfred Taubman.
• VP of Engineering for Systems Controls - Air Monitor Corporation. Early local rep. experiences with provider bidding.
• Chief Mechanical & Refrigeration Engineer - Kmart Corporation (in-house full-service A/E) 40 direct / 450 indirect reports.
• Co-Chairman - Kmart Energy Program.
• Authored Kmart National Purchasing Program - HVAC and early annual construction wide Commissioning Discipline / Contract.
• $1.8 billion in Kmart discipline construction (90’s dollars). Supported 196 million+ sq. ft. Facility Design / Operations
• Founded, operated, and expanded engineering consulting company - TEAMeng.
• Business Development Manager for 3M Commercial Filtration with $48 million entitlement opportunity
• Division Scientist 3M Research - technical market direction to National Account targets. Marketing, Sales
• Resources Efficiency Manager - United States Department of Defense. Fort Knox, KY. $28 million ESPC Phase I FY17. ESPC Phase II about to be contracted.
Contractor - Erica Lane Enterprises
Business Operations & Integration Division - IMKN-PWB
Multi-state Registered Professional Engineer with 40+ years of experience in Projects Design, Research, Construction, and Applications for buildings. Primary skills center on HVAC design, building dynamics, controls, and energy.
A senior, measured, and nationally known figure acknowledged as a 'hands on' force in Engineering, multi-site operations and department leadership. Demonstrated successes within the Operations, Research, Building Design, HVAC, Energy, Building Management Systems, Military Operations, Manufacturing and Construction sectors - supporting facilities.
Current and previous roles and responsibilities:
• Architect / Engineer background with added direct responsible charge inside all related market segments.
• Project Representative for discipline with Shopping Center Magnate and Developer –
A. Alfred Taubman.
• VP of Engineering for Systems Controls - Air Monitor Corporation. Early local rep. experiences with provider bidding.
• Chief Mechanical & Refrigeration Engineer - Kmart Corporation (in-house full-service A/E) 40 direct / 450 indirect reports.
• Co-Chairman - Kmart Energy Program.
• Authored Kmart National Purchasing Program - HVAC and early annual construction wide Commissioning Discipline / Contract.
• $1.8 billion in Kmart discipline construction (90’s dollars). Supported 196 million+ sq. ft. Facility Design / Operations
• Founded, operated, and expanded engineering consulting company - TEAMeng.
• Business Development Manager for 3M Commercial Filtration with $48 million entitlement opportunity
• Division Scientist 3M Research - technical market direction to National Account targets. Marketing, Sales
• Resources Efficiency Manager - United States Department of Defense. Fort Knox, KY. $28 million ESPC Phase I FY17. ESPC Phase II about to be contracted.
Vince Contini
Senior Mechanical Engineer
Battelle
Vince is a dynamic and forward-thinking research leader with a history of coordinating product development, leading multi-disciplinary teams, and creating innovative solutions that further client goals. Mr. Contini is experienced in mechanical and systems engineering for the energy and healthcare product industries and recognized as a Distinguished Inventor by Battelle with 27 issued patents.
Battelle
Vince is a dynamic and forward-thinking research leader with a history of coordinating product development, leading multi-disciplinary teams, and creating innovative solutions that further client goals. Mr. Contini is experienced in mechanical and systems engineering for the energy and healthcare product industries and recognized as a Distinguished Inventor by Battelle with 27 issued patents.
Huyen Dinh
Manager, Electrosynthesis, Fuel Storage Science & Engineering Group
Director, HydroGEN EMN
Hydrogen Production Subprogram Lead
Electrons to Molecules Lead for MCCS Directorate
Distinguished Member of the Research Staff
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Dr. Huyen N. Dinh (she/her) is the director of HydroGEN Energy Materials Network for over six years. HydroGEN is a consortium of several U.S. Department of Energy national laboratories that accelerates research and development of innovative and advanced water splitting materials and technologies for clean, sustainable, and low-cost hydrogen production. Dr. Dinh is the manager for the Electrosynthesis and Fuel Storage Science & Engineering Group and the Electrons to Molecules Lead for the Materials, Chemicals, and Computational Science Directorate at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). She is also NREL's Hydrogen Production Subprogram Lead. Huyen has more than 22 years of experience in renewable hydrogen production, direct methanol (DMFC), hydrogen polymer electrolyte membrane (PEMFC), and zinc/air fuel cells at national laboratories and in industry. Her research interests include fuel cell catalysis (PEMFCs, DMFCs), contaminants, and renewable hydrogen production: renewable electrolysis, photoelectrochemical, and solar thermochemical water splitting.
Dinh earned her bachelor's degree in applied chemistry in 1993 and her doctorate in electrochemistry in 1998 at the University of Calgary in Alberta, Canada. She did her postdoctoral research at Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico. She is a co-lead of the Asian Employee Resource Group (ERG), has been active in the Women’s Network ERG for many years, and has mentored many students. These volunteer activities are part of her on-going work towards a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace.
Director, HydroGEN EMN
Hydrogen Production Subprogram Lead
Electrons to Molecules Lead for MCCS Directorate
Distinguished Member of the Research Staff
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Dr. Huyen N. Dinh (she/her) is the director of HydroGEN Energy Materials Network for over six years. HydroGEN is a consortium of several U.S. Department of Energy national laboratories that accelerates research and development of innovative and advanced water splitting materials and technologies for clean, sustainable, and low-cost hydrogen production. Dr. Dinh is the manager for the Electrosynthesis and Fuel Storage Science & Engineering Group and the Electrons to Molecules Lead for the Materials, Chemicals, and Computational Science Directorate at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). She is also NREL's Hydrogen Production Subprogram Lead. Huyen has more than 22 years of experience in renewable hydrogen production, direct methanol (DMFC), hydrogen polymer electrolyte membrane (PEMFC), and zinc/air fuel cells at national laboratories and in industry. Her research interests include fuel cell catalysis (PEMFCs, DMFCs), contaminants, and renewable hydrogen production: renewable electrolysis, photoelectrochemical, and solar thermochemical water splitting.
Dinh earned her bachelor's degree in applied chemistry in 1993 and her doctorate in electrochemistry in 1998 at the University of Calgary in Alberta, Canada. She did her postdoctoral research at Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico. She is a co-lead of the Asian Employee Resource Group (ERG), has been active in the Women’s Network ERG for many years, and has mentored many students. These volunteer activities are part of her on-going work towards a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace.
Joe Estrada
Principal Technical Leader
Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI)
Joe Estrada has 20 years of experience in the energy sector. Joe went to University of Florida where he graduated with Bachelor’s of Science degrees in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering.
He was a Strategic Engineer for Duke Energy for 10 years where he worked on a wide range of initiatives and projects including environmental and regulatory compliance, combustion optimization and renewable energy. After his tenure at Duke Energy, Joe worked as a Regional Manager for Combustion Technologies, where he implemented numerous combustion efficiency improvement projects at power plants nationwide. Most recently Joe worked at Dewberry, a leading professional services firm, where he grew the energy practice through implementation of strategic programs and development of key initiatives.
Under his current role, Joe works on hydrogen and other low carbon technology projects supporting EPRI’s Low Carbon Research Initiative (LCRI).
Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI)
Joe Estrada has 20 years of experience in the energy sector. Joe went to University of Florida where he graduated with Bachelor’s of Science degrees in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering.
He was a Strategic Engineer for Duke Energy for 10 years where he worked on a wide range of initiatives and projects including environmental and regulatory compliance, combustion optimization and renewable energy. After his tenure at Duke Energy, Joe worked as a Regional Manager for Combustion Technologies, where he implemented numerous combustion efficiency improvement projects at power plants nationwide. Most recently Joe worked at Dewberry, a leading professional services firm, where he grew the energy practice through implementation of strategic programs and development of key initiatives.
Under his current role, Joe works on hydrogen and other low carbon technology projects supporting EPRI’s Low Carbon Research Initiative (LCRI).
Sydney Montgomery
Economic Development Coordinator
Commonwealth of Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development
Sydney Montgomery currently serves as an Economic Development Coordinator at the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development, the state agency charged with job creation, retention, and business investment in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Sydney’s primary function is to serve as a conduit to support internal and external partners with the transition towards decarbonization. Sydney also serves as a board member on the Kentucky Public Service Commission's Electronic Generation and Transmission Siting Board, the state board tasked with regulating the construction and operation of electric generating facilities and transmission lines that are not regulated by the Kentucky Public Service Commission.
During his tenure at the Cabinet, Sydney is most proud of his contributions as a member of Kentucky's EV Infrastructure Deployment Plan Advisory Committee, which helped the state secure $70M in funding as a part of the federal NEVI Formula Program. The funds will be used to build out Kentucky's electric vehicle charging infrastructure. He is equally proud of being part of a team that has shattered previous state records for job creation and capital investment in 2021 and 2022.
Prior to joining the Cabinet, Sydney practiced law throughout the state of Kentucky. His legal experience includes serving as an Attorney / Advisor for the U.S. Small Business Administration, running his own law firm, and as an associate attorney at Aldridge & Aldridge, PSC. In 2019, Sydney ventured out and started his own law firm where he built a reputation for exceptional customer service and deliverables for his commercial transaction clients. The year prior, he played a major role in representing clients of the firm to which he was employed. Some of which were featured in national publications such as the Washington Post and regional true crime podcasts. He is also licensed to practice law in the state of Florida.
Sydney received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Kentucky in 2013 and his Juris Doctor from the University of Kentucky in 2017. He lives in Lexington, Kentucky and loves volunteering his time and resources into the community. In his free time, Sydney enjoys playing golf, running, collecting rare bourbon, cooking, and trying new restaurants. He also manages a growing portfolio of short-term rental properties.
bottom of page