Army Installation Resilience: Challenges and Opportunities to Advance Mission Readiness

Originally aired October 2, 2020

Secure and reliable access to energy and water on Army installations is essential to the ability to deploy, fight, and win in a complex world — yet with rare exception, installations depend on commercial utilities outside the gate. This 90-minute session, co-hosted by SSF, GWU’s Environmental and Energy Management Institute, and Zpryme, brings together Army leadership and industry experts to examine installation resilience challenges and the public–private solutions that can protect mission readiness.

Speakers

Jeffrey Marqusee (Moderator)

Senior Research Advisor, National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL); Former Executive Director, DoD SERDP

Dr. Jeffrey Marqusee is a Senior Research Advisor at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory with over 20 years of government technology and policy leadership. He previously served as Executive Director of the Department of Defense’s Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP) and the Environmental Security Technology Certification Program (ESTCP), focusing on energy security and sustainability across military installations.

Alex Beehler

Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy & Environment

Alex Beehler served as the U.S. Senate-confirmed Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy and Environment, serving as the Army’s primary advisor on all matters related to installation policy, energy security, environmental compliance, and sustainability. He oversaw the programs and investments that underpin the Army’s ability to train, project power, and maintain operational readiness from its installations.

J. E. “Jack” Surash

Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Energy & Sustainability)

Jack Surash served as Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Energy and Sustainability, responsible for overall program direction, policy development, and oversight of all Army programs and initiatives related to energy security and sustainability. His portfolio spanned installation-level energy resilience, renewable energy, and the strategic integration of sustainability into Army operations.

Michael F. McGhee

Executive Director, U.S. Army Office of Energy Initiatives

Michael F. McGhee is the Executive Director of the U.S. Army Office of Energy Initiatives, responsible for developing large-scale renewable energy projects that bring energy security to Army installations by leveraging private sector financing. His office manages the Army’s portfolio of public-private energy partnerships that reduce dependence on commercial grid power and enhance installation resilience.

Fred Bonewell

Chief Security, Safety & Gas Solutions Officer, CPS Energy

Fred Bonewell leads security, safety, and gas solutions at CPS Energy, one of the nation’s largest municipally owned energy utilities. He brings extensive experience in utility security strategy, grid resilience, and the development of integrated energy solutions that support both civilian communities and government installations.

Scott Manson

Technology Director, Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL)

Scott Manson is Technology Director at Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, a leading manufacturer of digital products and systems that protect, monitor, control, automate, and improve electric power systems. He specializes in protective relay technology and power system engineering solutions that enhance grid reliability and resilience — capabilities critical to military installation energy security.

Mehdi Ganji

Director, Smart Cities Team, Willdan; Chairman, R&D Committee, IEEE Smart Cities Group

Mehdi Ganji directs the Smart Cities Team at Willdan, a national energy services company, and chairs the Research & Development Committee of the IEEE Smart Cities Group. His work focuses on the design and deployment of smart grid technologies, distributed energy resources, and data-driven solutions that improve energy efficiency and resilience for cities, campuses, and military installations.

Johan Ulloa

Manager, Distributed Energy and Energy Efficiency Sales, Constellation Energy

Johan Ulloa manages distributed energy and energy efficiency sales at Constellation Energy, one of the nation’s largest competitive energy suppliers. He specializes in helping large institutional customers — including government agencies and military installations — develop energy procurement and efficiency strategies that reduce costs, lower carbon footprints, and strengthen energy resilience.