WASHINGTON, D.C. -

J.D. Power and Associates, along with SmartEnergy IP — a research and consulting organization designed to communicate the benefits of the Smart Grid  — revealed Wednesday the speaker lineup for their Smart EV Executive Leadership Forum to be held  Nov. 7th in Washington, D.C., at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill.

Commenting on the upcoming forum, Jeff Conklin, senior director of energy utility and smart energy practice at J.D. Power and Associates, and a forum speaker, said, “The Executive Leadership Forum will serve as an idea powerhouse for the EV integration conversation.

“We’ll have thought leaders from all critical areas in the EV landscape. It’s an excellent opportunity for infrastructure providers, environmental advocates, policy makers and others to network with Smart Grid experts on planning, preparation and solutions,” he continued.

The forum will feature experts across the utility, energy and automobile industries, coming together to discuss the impact of electric vehicles on the Smart Grid — a term used to illustrate integrating new technologies into the electric grid in an effort to meet the 21st century’s demand for electricity.

Company officials noted that a forum such as this is particularly important because though the “integration of electric vehicles brings potential for energy independence and environmental benefits, it also raises concerns over infrastructure and other barriers to mass adoption.”

Speakers for the upcoming forum include: 

—Jeff Conklin, senior director of energy utility and  smart energy practice at J.D. Power and Associates. 

—Brendan Jones, director of Nissan LEAF marketing and sales strategy for Nissan North America. 

—Lee Slezak, Office of Vehicle Technologies, Department of Energy.

—Rick Morgan, commissioner for the DC Public Service Commission.

—Avery Ash, manager of regulatory affairs at AAA.

—Brian Wynne, president of the Electric Drive Transportation Association.

—Leo McCloskey, vice president of marketing at Airbiquity.

—Paul Heitmann, utility stakeholder representative at  ECOtality North America.

—John Murach, director of business planning  and corporate performance at BGE.

—Mary Beth Stanek, director of federal environment and energy regulatory affairs at General Motors.

—Mike Omotoso, senior manager of automotive forecasting at J.D. Power and Associates.

—Phil Ovitt, senior analyst at NRG Energy.

—Robert Stewart, manager of advanced technology and new business at Pepco Holdings.

—Jack Pokrzywa, director of SAE ground vehicle standards at SAE International.

—Beth Sommers, government affairs manager at  Magna E-Car Systems.

—Watson Collins, manager of business development at Northeast Utilities.

—Christopher Perdue, director of smart energy at J.D. Power and Associates.

—Tom Tiernan, editor of Platts electric power publications.

—Mike VanNieuwkuyk, executive director of global vehicle research at  J.D. Power and Associates.

Registration for the forum begins at 8 a.m. Nov. 7th, and the event ends at 5:30 p.m.; followed by a networking reception until 6:30 p.m. 

For more information on the Smart EV Executive Leadership Forum and to register, see here.