February 20, 2008
The Energy and Environmental Technology Applications Center (E2TAC) at the College of Nanoscale Science & Engineering and Whiteman Osterman & Hanna LLP hosted the 12th Tech Valley Energy Forum on February 20, 2008. The forum featured guest speakers Catherine Hill, Partner at the law firm Whiteman Osterman & Hanna LLP, and Kelly Bennett, Vice President, White TagsTM and National Policy Director of Sterling Planet. Ms. Hill spoke on global warming and sustainability, and Ms. Bennett talked about purchasing credits and the White TagsTM program. A networking cocktail reception immediately followed the speeches. Presentations: Kelly Bennett Catherine Hill
Catherine Hill Catherine Hill specializes in the representation of businesses and institutions in the CleanTech, demand reduction and renewable energy fields. Ms. Hill's client's include Wind Energy, Solar Energy, and BioFuel Developers, municipalities in the renewable energy sector, start up technology companies in the CleanTech sector, and developers, architects and others involved in green or LEED Certified buildings. Prior to joining Whiteman Osterman & Hanna, Ms. Hill was with MTI MicroFuel Cells Inc., and it's parent, Mechanical Technology Inc. (NASD:MKTY) as Vice President of Corporate Development and General Counsel, where she was responsible for the legal department; the human resources department; and strategic planning. Ms. Hill was a key player in structuring critical transactions for MTI and MTI Micro with companies such as, DuPont de Nemours and Company and The Gillette Company. Ms. Hill was also lead counsel for the transaction between MTI and The Detroit Edison Company that led to the formation of Plug Power. Prior to becoming Vice President of Corporate Development and General Counsel at Mechanical Technology, Ms. Hill served as lead attorney in the pre-curser to Whiteman Osterman & Hanna's Technology Law Group, where she focused on the corporate, financing and transactional needs of CleanTech and other technology clients.
Kelly Bennett Ms. Bennett provides a concentrated focus on the development of the energy conservation and White TagsTM program for Sterling Planet. As National Policy Director, Ms. Bennett develops and represents Sterling Planet's position in standard-setting processes and regulatory proceedings, as well as other initiatives around the world.
Prior to joining Sterling Planet, Ms. Bennett served as Deputy Executive Director of Government Affairs for the Environmental Business Association of New York State, Inc. (EBA/NYS). She was also responsible for the financial management of all aspects of EBA/NYS and its non-profit sister organization, the Center for Economic and Environmental Partnership, Inc. (CEEP). Ms. Bennett is the former Director of Project Management for Clean Air Technologies International, Inc., served for the Speaker of the New York State Assembly as senior policy analyst for the Commission on Critical Transportation Choices, and as clerk and direct staff to the New York State Assembly Environmental Conservation Committee.
In June 2007, Ms. Bennett was appointed by the Lt. Governor of the State of New York to serve as a delegate on the Renewable Energy Task Force. She currently serves as Chair of the New York State Apollo Alliance, Co-Chair of the EBA/NYS Climate Change Committee, sits on the external review committee of the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Environmental Excellence Awards, and teaches a climate change course as an adjunct professor in the MBA for Managing Sustainability at Marlboro College (VT). She is the board Treasurer for CEEP and a board member of Mainstream New York (MANY). An Albany Business Review 40 Under Forty honoree, Ms. Bennett is a frequent presenter at national conferences and other events.