Invitation to Corvus Energy’s Green Shipping Conference in Seattle

Joshua Berger – Moderator
Founder & President/CEO, Washington Maritime Blue

Having founded Washington Maritime Blue during his time as Governor Jay Inslee’s Maritime Sector Lead for the State of Washington, Joshua was appointed as President & CEO to help lead the organization’s growth and leadership in the global Blue Economy. As a strategic alliance to accelerate innovation for a sustainable and inclusive maritime and ocean economy, Joshua works at home and abroad to support economic growth, address climate action, and serve communities’ interests.

Formerly, Joshua’s role with the state served as a policy liaison between maritime industry stakeholders, the Governor’s office, legislature and state agencies. As Director of Maritime Economic Development, he focused on building public/private partnerships and ensuring a 21^st century workforce.  In his role, Joshua managed the development of Washington State’s Strategy for the Blue Economy for a sustainable, decarbonized maritime industry alongside the development of a Maritime Innovation Center.

Anniken Krutnes – Norway’s Ambassador to the United States

Anniken Krutnes is Norway’s Ambassador to the United States. 

An expert in security policy, law of the sea and Arctic issues, Amb. Krutnes has served with the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs since beginning as a trainee in 1994. In her previous position with the Ministry, she served as Deputy Director General of the Department of Security Policy. Before that, she was Norway’s Ambassador for Arctic and Antarctic Affairs. 

Amb. Krutnes has had postings in several European countries, including ambassadorships of the Netherlands and Luxembourg. She was recently a member of the UN Group of Governmental Experts on Advancing responsible State behavior in cyberspace in the context of international security. 

She holds a Master of Laws from the University of Oslo and a Master of Science in Economics and Administration from the Norwegian School of Economics and has also studied international management at Universittá Luigi Bocconi in Milan, Italy. Amb. Krutnes is married and has three adult children. 

Stephanie Jones Stebbins – Managing Director, Maritime, Port of Seattle

Stephanie Jones Stebbins, Managing Director, Maritime at the Port of Seattle, is a seasoned leader with extensive experience in developing innovative business approaches to create financial success along with community and environmental sustainability. In the role of Managing Director of Maritime, Jones Stebbins is responsible for directing the strategic and daily operations of Cruise Operations, Fishing and Commercial Operations, Grain, Recreational Boating, Industrial Properties, Waterfront Capital Programs, and Marine Maintenance.

As a Port of Seattle employee for more than 23 years, Jones Stebbins has deep experience across both policy and operational issues in the Maritime Industry. 

Jones Stebbins has a successful track record of leading large diverse teams to accomplish Port business and strategic goals. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Duke University, and a Master’s degree in Regional Planning from the University of North Carolina.

Daniel Reed – Maritime Technology and Projects Manager Americas, Shell

Leveraging over a decade of upstream project delivery experience, Danny Reed’s career has taken him from the Arctic tundra of Alaska, to the deserts of California, and down to the Deepwater of the Gulf of Mexico. In this myriad of roles, Danny has achieved success by leveraging the power of integration; be it across projects, businesses, to people and cultures. In 2019 he managed his own “Energy Transition,” focusing his skills on the development of a net-zero strategy for Shell’s Gulf of Mexico operations. While framing the opportunity space required a shift in thinking from traditional projects, success was still predicated on a foundation of integrative solutions and working across boundaries.

Danny is a relative newcomer to the world of maritime, taking the role of engineering and projects manager in Shell’s Shipping and Maritime group in late 2021. Upon taking the role he charted a course to supporting the Powering Progress strategy, specifically decarbonization of the marine sector. Danny and his team are delivering energy efficient technologies and enabling utilization of cleaner fuels across the sector that support material reduction in our GHG footprint of today. Simultaneously they are engaging with partners and industry to develop future technologies, vessel designs, and clean energy carriers that will support the industry of tomorrow. Danny is excited to continue working with industry partners to frame problems, overcome the barriers, and deliver integrated maritime solutions that deliver a sustainable, prosperous future for all.

Sean Caughlan – Principal Marine Engineer, Glosten

Sean Caughlan is a Principal Marine Engineer at Glosten and one of the industry’s leading experts on the design of alternative-fueled and battery-hybrid powered vessels. Sean led the conversion of the first all battery-electric vessel in the US, the Gees Bend ferry, and now is managing the conversion of WSF’s largest vessels, the 2500 passenger Jumbo Mark II class, from diesel electric to plug-in hybrid.

He has also been a leader in hydrogen fuel projects in the US, managing several feasibility studies done with Sandia National Labs and the US Maritime Administration. Currently Sean is Glosten’s Principal in charge of the Hornblower hydrogen refueling station, funded by the US DOE, and is a senior consultant on the Glosten’s design of the Hydrogen fueled Coastal Class Research Vessel for Scripps Institution of Oceanography.

Syb ten Cate Hoedemaker – Managing Director, Maritime Battery Forum

After studying Marine Engineering at the Delft University of Technology, Syb joined the R&D department at Damen Shipyards where he performed research on the aging of batteries in electric vessels, developed a battery sizing and selecting method and worked on the design of many different types of battery powered vessels. In 2021 he joined the Maritime Battery Forum as Managing Director, focusing on the promotion of batteries in the maritime industry and supporting the sector with all battery related challenges.

Harly Penner – General Manager, Seaspan Ferries

Harly is a maritime operations professional with a Marine Engineer background with 20+ years of experience in the maritime industry. He has had roles ranging from Engineering Officer onboard Canadian Ice Breakers to developing Seaspan’s alternative fuel program.

In his current role as General Manager at Seaspan Ferries, Harly is responsible for the overall management of Seaspan Ferries including the emissions strategy and delivery of the Seaspan Ferries vessel construction program which consists of four state-of-the-art 150m LNG / Hybrid RO-RO vessels.

Harly earned an M.B.A. specializing in Maritime Business and Logistics Management and has a Bachelor of Science in Nautical Sciences.

Miles McKinnon – Engineering Manager, Electrical and Control Systems, British Columbia Ferry Services Inc.

Miles joined BC Ferries in 2017 and is the Senior Engineering Manager, Electrical and Automation. In this role he has responsibility for electrical power, energy storage, and automation systems for the in-service fleet of 38 vessels, as well as new construction. Previously, Miles worked for the Department of National Defense providing leadership in operations and maintenance of marine systems for Royal Canadian Navy ships and submarines. Miles has a Diploma of Computer Engineering, a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, and is a registered Professional Engineer.

Richard Wing – Chief Research & Development Officer, Corvus Energy 

Richard Wing joined Corvus in 2018 as responsible for all engineering and R&D programs globally. Richard is passionate about helping technology companies achieve greater organizational effectiveness in bringing products and services to market, with shorter lead times and improved delivery accuracy.

He has a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Hertfordshire University in the UK. 

Rachel Aronson – Program Director, Quiet Sound Program

Rachel Aronson leads the Quiet Sound Program. Rachel’s background is in natural resources multi-stakeholder facilitation. She brings experience in connecting with stakeholders to inform decisions about how to manage natural resources and develop effective, durable policies. Rachel has worked with federal, state, and local agencies and many tribes, and facilitated a broad range of groups, from large, contentious public meetings to small decision-making circles. 

Rachel holds an M.M.A. from the University of Washington’s School of Marine and Environmental Affairs, as well as a B.A. in Biology and Hispanic Studies from the University of Pennsylvania. Rachel is certified in mediation by the Dispute Resolution Center of King County, facilitation by the Institute for Cultural Affairs, and citizen engagement by the Institute for Participatory Management & Planning. 

She lives in West Seattle with her family and enjoys vegetable gardening, camping, and being on the water in their dinghy, the Salish Seahorse. 

Lars Ole Valoen – Chief Technology Officer, Corvus Energy

Lars Ole Valoen joined Corvus Energy as part of the acquisition and one of the founders of Grenland Energy in 2019. Lars Ole has a Master’s degree (1995) and a Doctoral degree (2000) from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) in chemistry and electrochemistry.

In Corvus he is in charge of all technological development projects and research projects globally.

Elisabeth Drægebø – Senior Consultant, DNV

Elisabeth Drægebø is a Senior Consultant in DNV’s Maritime Advisory team with a great passion for the green shift in the ocean industries.  She has 10 years of experience with risk-based consultancy on operational and technical issues in the maritime industry, as well as management and operational experience from the oil and gas industry and previous work experience from marine insurance.

Drægebø holds a Master of Science degree in Marine Technology with specialization within operations of marine systems from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. She has participated in the Maritime Trainee Programme held by the Norwegian Shipowners’ Association and has experience as a board member from various companies in the marine industry in Norway.

Jennifer Carpenter – President & CEO, American Waterways Operators

Jennifer A. Carpenter serves as President & CEO of The American Waterways Operators (AWO), the national trade association representing the inland and coastal tugboat, towboat and barge industry. Carpenter joined AWO in August 1990 and became President & CEO in January 2020.

Before assuming her current position, she worked her way up the hawsepipe from Government Affairs Assistant to Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, holding a series of progressively responsible positions including Manager-Regulatory Issues, Director-Government Affairs, Vice President-Government Affairs, Senior Vice President-Government Affairs & Policy Analysis, Senior Vice President-National Advocacy, and Executive Vice President.

She served for 13 years as a member of the congressionally authorized Towing Safety Advisory Committee. She has received two Meritorious Public Service Awards and a Public Service Commendation from the U.S. Coast Guard for her contributions to the Towing Safety Advisory Committee and the Coast Guard-AWO Safety Partnership.

Eileen Tausch – Senior Electrical Engineer, Crowley

Eileen is a senior electrical engineer for Crowley Shipping Research and Development. She joined Crowley Maritime in 2022 and has more than eight years of experience in the marine industry with a focus on vessel design and electrification.

She has a BSc and MSc in naval architecture and marine engineering from the University of Michigan. She holds professional engineering licenses in both naval architecture and marine engineering as well as electrical engineering in Washington State.  

Kolbjørn Berge, SVP Global Regulatory Affairs, Corvus Energy

Corvus´s overall responsible towards regulatory bodies, ensuring that the maritime industry’s rules and regulations adapt to the green shipping of the future.

Prior to joining Corvus Energy, Berge has worked for the Norwegian Maritime Authority (NMA) as responsible for the decarbonization of shipping. Berge’s focus has been safety and regulations for decarbonizing shipping and the design of current national and international maritime regulations.

He has been involved in numerous projects and a driving force in developing the regulations for the use of LNG, batteries, hydrogen, methanol, and ammonia on board ships, as well as regulations and incentive supporting low- and zero emission shipping. He’s educated chief engineer with background from offshore vessels as well as new buildings at shipyards. 

Geir Bjørkeli  – Chief Executive Officer, Corvus Energy

Geir Bjørkeli joined Corvus in 2018. Prior to joining Corvus Energy he has 25 years of experience from leading positions in large maritime corporations worldwide.

Geir is a mechanical engineer by training from Western Norway University of Applied Science and holds an MBA in Shipping, Offshore and Finance at BI Norwegian School of Management and Nanyang Technical University, Singapore