Part of a nationwide series of E2 events to highlight the rising local costs of climate change and the economic opportunities of climate action
Climate Change:
Military and Businesses Working Together
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 2022
5:30 - 7:30pm

In-Person in Raleigh, North Carolina

Climate change is a serious and growing threat to the U.S. economy, and North Carolina is no exception. Climate-related disasters inflicted nearly $150 billion in damage to the national economy last year, including up to $1 billion in damage in North Carolina alone. And those figures are just one piece of the puzzle, with rising insurance rates, increasing food costs from flooding and drought, hampered military preparedness, and much more costing North Carolina's businesses, military, and households.

The good news is that we don't need to resign ourselves to these rising costs. With the right actions from Congress and North Carolina's leadership, we can blunt the cost of climate change while simultaneously creating jobs, driving additional economic growth, and improving the resiliency and readiness of our military.

Please join fellow business leaders, local officials, E2, and partners for this in-person event to learn more and help move us towards a cleaner, more resilient, and more prosperous North Carolina. We'll also be marking the local release of the new book "Climatenomics: Washington, Wall Street and the Economic Battle to Save Our Planet", by E2 Executive Director Bob Keefe.

List of event speakers and bios below. Appetizers and drinks will be provided.

All attendees must be vaccinated against COVID-19
PROGRAM
5:30pm: Doors Open
6:00-7:00pm: Panel Discussion and Q&A
7:00-7:30pm: Networking
 
WHERE
The Stockroom at 230
230 Fayetteville Street, 2nd Floor
Raleigh, NC 27601
Confirmation and more event details will be provided upon registration.

Questions? Contact Zach Amittay at [email protected].
Elizabeth Biser was named Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality by Governor Roy Cooper in June 2021. She is the first woman confirmed as DEQ Secretary. As DEQ Secretary, she oversees the state agency who mission is to protect North Carolina’s environment and natural resources.

Prior to her appointment, Secretary Biser was President of Biser Strategies LLC and held policy roles at the Recycling Partnership and Brooks, Pierce, McLendon, Humphrey & Leonard, LLP. She also previously served as Director of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs for DEQ when it was known as the NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
Audrey Oxendine is the Chief of Energy and Utilities at US Army Garrison Fort Bragg. She graduated NC State University in 1994 with a degree in Biological and Agricultural Engineering. Her career includes work in nutrient management planning for animal waste, design and construction of water and wastewater systems, and environmental compliance. In her current position, she manages a budget of over $100 Million to pay utility bills, ensure utility maintenance, and to develop energy resilience and energy conservation projects.
Mark Fowler is the Director of Government Relations for Ameresco (NYSE:AMRC), a leading cleantech integrator and renewable energy asset developer, owner, and operator. In this capacity, Mark is responsible for Ameresco’s policy and regulatory strategy and helps facilitate new market development. Prior to joining Ameresco, Mark served as a legislative assistant in both the U.S Senate and U.S. House of Representatives where he led energy, environment, and agriculture policy development. Mark is a Kansas City, Missouri native and graduate of the University of Missouri.
Greg Gebhardt serves as a Strategic Account Manager within the Sales and Relationship Management team at Duke Energy. He works in lockstep with Fortune 50 corporations to develop strategic alliances while serving as the resident client expert.

Greg joined Duke Energy in 2021 after a bid for Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina. His campaign for office was not his first experience with public service; Greg has over two decades of experience as a leader in the United States military. His service on active duty in the Army culminated with a yearlong deployment to Iraq, where he led over 200 Soldiers. Today, his service continues in the North Carolina National Guard as a liaison officer to the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg.

In addition to his military service, Greg’s public service included nearly five years as a senior staffer in the North Carolina House of Representatives, where he focused his work on tax policy and economic development. He also spent two years focused on strategic development and external affairs for a leading national renewable energy company. He sits on the Board of Veterans in Energy.
Bob Keefe is E2’s Executive Director, overseeing E2’s work across the country and coordinating its staff and chapters stretching from Boston to San Diego. Bob speaks regularly about the economic benefits of smart environmental policies; the clean energy economy; jobs and related issues and has been widely quoted in publications nationwide. Prior to joining E2 in 2011, Bob spent more than 20 years as a political, business and environmental journalist. He is the author of "Climatenomics: Washington, Wall Street and the Economic Battle to Save Our Planet", and co-authored several other business-related books. 
Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2) | www.e2.org

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