Events

  • New Jersey DEP Commissioner Shawn LaTourette speaking during Sweeney Center's Offshore Wind Technology Conference in May.

Events

The Sweeney Center Event Calendar

Powering a Resilient Energy Future: Developing New Jersey’s Energy Workforce in a Changing Landscape

Rowan University, Chamberlain Student Center, Eynon Ballro
Tuesday, September 16, 2025
Registration and Breakfast: 8:00 a.m.
Program: 8:45am to 3:30 p.m.
 
Extensive changes in federal energy policy, soaring demand and rising electricity prices have upended long-term planning assumptions about energy supply and associated workforce needs for utility leaders, energy executives, government policymakers and workforce development organizations. Pragmatic solutions are needed to navigate these changes and power a resilient energy future for New Jersey.
The Sweeney Center for Public Policy and the Rowan Energy Collaborative (ROWEC) are convening a day-long conference that brings together experts to discuss solutions for the changing energy landscape.  Speakers will address (1) strategies to expand energy supply to meet rising demand that balance cost, reliability and environmental needs; (2) shifts in the pipeline of energy projects and energy source development and impacts on workforce planning, (3) employers’ perspectives on workforce needs, trends and challenges and (4) how education and workforce training programs in government, academia, business and unions can adapt and excel at meeting changing job demands.

Speakers include:

  • Tim Sullivan, CEO of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority;
  • Michael Martucci, Regional Administrator, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 2;
  • Bob Brabston, Executive Director, New Jersey Board of Public Utilities;
  • Lesley Hirsch, Assistant Commissioner, Research & Information, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development;
  • Ali A. Houshmand, Ph.D., President, Rowan University;
  • Steve Sweeney, General Vice President, International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers, and former New Jersey Senate President;
  • Yolanda Mack, Ph.D., Associate Dean for Industry Partnerships and Workforce Development, Henry M. Rowan College of Engineering, Rowan University;
  • Asim Z. Haque, Senior Vice President, Policy-Law, PJM Interconnection;
  • Peter C. Connolly, CEO, New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program (NJMEP);
  • Lyle Rawlings, President & CEO, Advanced Solar Projects;
  • Robert Gordon, Vice President, Stevens & Lee Public Affairs, and former NJ Board of Public Utilities commissioner;
  • Thomas Marcille, Vice President, Holtec International;
  • Joseph P. Milo, Outage Manager, Hope Creek Nuclear Generating Station, PSEG;
  • Andrew J. McNally, Senior Director, Government & Regulatory Affairs, South Jersey Industries;
  • Briona Forrester, Global Senior Strategy Consultant, Siemens;
  • David Coyne, Vice President for Academic Innovation & Partnerships, Rowan University;
  • Nathan Howe, Partner, K&L Gates;
  • Charlotte Parker, Director of Community Engagement, Dimension Renewable Energy;
  • Ibrahim Branham, CEO, IJB Electrical Contractor LLC, IJB-U;
  • Marie Casanova, Coordinator of the Rowan Energy Collaborative (ROWEC) and Assistant Director of the Green Jobs Academy at Rowan University.
  • Joseph M. Gurrentz, Ph.D., Director of External Affairs, New Jersey Utilities Association;
  • Stephanie Staub, Director, Workforce Strategy, New Jersey Community College Consortium on Workforce & Economic Development.
The conference is free. Registration and breakfast open at 8:00 a.m. Lunch is included.
 
To register, click here.