Bill Ritter, Jr., Center for the New Energy Economy
Bill Ritter is Director of the Center for the New Energy Economy (CNEE) and served as the 41st Governor of the State of Colorado. During his term as Governor, he enacted an ambitious job-creation and business-development agenda, establishing a new energy economy and positioning Colorado as a leader in national and international clean energy. Mr. Ritter currently leads the CNEE at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, an initiative working with governors, legislators, utilities, and other stakeholders to provide technical and strategic assistance to help decision makers craft policies that facilitate America's transition to a clean energy economy.
Prior to his time as governor, Bill was Denver's district attorney from 1993 to January 2005. From 1987 to 1990, he and his wife, Jeannie Ritter, operated a food distribution and nutrition center in Zambia, Africa.
Bill earned a B.A. in political science from Colorado State University and his law degree from the University of Colorado.
Dr. Martin Keller, National Renewable Energy Laboratory
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) develops creative solutions to today's most significant energy challenges, from breakthroughs in fundamental science to new technologies to integrated energy systems that power our lives and transform the way the world uses energy.
Martin Keller became the National Renewable Energy Laboratory's (NREL) director on November 30, 2015. Martin joined Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) in July 2006 and was appointed to the role of Associate Laboratory Director in July 2009. In November 2010, he was asked to lead the newly-formed Energy and Environmental Sciences directorate. In this role he was responsible for the energy, biological, and environmental research programs supported by DOE, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the National Institutes of Health. Martin served as the Founding Director of the DOE BioEnergy Science Center and also served as the Director of the Biosciences Division.
Martin held a series of research management positions within Diversa Corporation, a publicly-traded biotechnology company. Martin joined Diversa Corporation in 1994 as a consultant to build and develop their microbiology expertise before joining Diversa Corporation full time in 1996.
Martin received his Ph.D. in Microbiology from the University of Regensburg, Germany.