Empowering Tomorrow: Green Banks, Resiliency and the Energy Transition E49
In this episode of AZ TechCast, Karen Nowicki and Steve Zylstra explore Arizona’s energy landscape with Earl Collins, Dre Thompson, and Maren Mahoney, highlighting collaborations between public and private sectors and tribal communities. They discuss the fusion of private investment and public funding to drive innovation and address environmental challenges, showcasing Arizona’s commitment to sustainability.
Dre Thompson green banks and Cordia Capital’s role in financing clean energy projects, while Earl elaborates on repurposing old systems for sustainability, emphasizing initiatives like solar panels over canals and net zero efforts by the Gila River Indian Community. Karen and Steve further engage guests on the challenges and opportunities surrounding energy resilience, with Maren Mahoney stressing its importance amidst increasing demand and extreme weather. As the conversation navigates legislative complexities and policy uncertainties, there’s a shared vision for continued transformation in Arizona’s energy landscape, driven by education and collaboration.
As one of her first actions in office, Governor Hobbs announced the creation of the Governor’s Office of Resiliency– uniting water, land use, transportation, and energy policy areas under one umbrella, with the underlying purpose of providing leadership that addresses the compounding threats to Arizona’s water, natural resources, and impacts of the climate crisis.
Through the Office of Resiliency, Governor Hobbs seeks to bring state agencies, businesses, underserved communities, and tribal communities together to identify climate solutions that expand job and economic opportunities, improve the health and well-being of Arizonans, and pave a path to long-term prosperity.
Maren Mahoney is an experienced attorney passionate about building an equitable, resilient future for all Arizonans. Trained in systems-level analysis, her expertise is in energy regulation, law, and policy development, analysis, and advocacy.
Prior to joining the Hobbs Administration, she advocated for state-level energy efficiency and decarbonization policies around the country, served as a Policy Advisor at the Arizona Corporation Commission, and managed an energy policy think tank at Arizona State University.
She holds a J.D. from New York Law School, where she was a John Marshall Harlan Scholar and earned a Certificate for Public Service. Maren earned her M.A. in Sustainability from ASU, where she is a Senior Sustainability Scholar. Maren lives in Phoenix with her husband, two children, and their dog, Mr. Bunny.
Connect with Maren on LinkedIn.
Cordia is an owner, operator, and developer of energy solutions, including district energy systems, central utility plants, and microgrids, with extensive experience in design, construction, operations and maintenance, asset development, and acquisitions. We have expertise in every stage of the lifecycle of energy solutions, the financial capacity to build and acquire new projects, and an unparalleled understanding of local markets both in the United States and abroad.
Cordia is one of the largest owners, operators, and developers of district energy, combined heat and power, and microgrid plants in the U.S. Cordia owns, operates, and maintains a portfolio of 16 assets across 7 states which includes 89 MW of CHP and backup electricity generation, 3,421,200 lbs/hr steam and hot water generation, 154,00 tons of chilled water generation, 106,000 tons/ hr of thermal and ice storage and 49 miles of piping distribution.
Earl Collins, age 56, has served as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Cordia since July 2022. Based in Phoenix, Arizona, Earl oversees Cordia’s operations from its corporate headquarters, a strategic move catalyzed by the company’s rebranding post a monumental $1.9 billion acquisition by KKR in October 2022.
Earl brings a wealth of experience to his current position, having worked in various capacities across engineering, construction, operations, and maintenance for the power, industrial, and renewable energy sectors. His dedication and strategic leadership have been evident throughout his career.
Prior to joining Cordia, Earl played a pivotal role in the growth of a key operating division of a Fortune 500 infrastructure engineering and construction company. Under his guidance, the division’s revenue skyrocketed from $200 million to an impressive $2.5 billion through a combination of organic growth and strategic acquisitions.
Earl earned a Bachelor of Science in Construction Engineering from Iowa State University in 1991 and has a distinguished military background, having earned an Officer commission through the Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps.
Connect with Earl on LinkedIn.
Groundswell Capital’s mission is to empower communities through innovative financial solutions that advance equity, sustainability, and innovation. We remove barriers for underrepresented communities, promote sustainability, and drive investments in workforce development and technology. As an Arizona-based nonprofit, we provide patient capital, leveraging innovation to catalyze positive change and build thriving communities.
Dre Thompson is an award-winning nonprofit executive. As a passionate social entrepreneur, Dre specializes in data-driven program design.
Her diverse background includes demand-side energy efficiency programming for national utilities, economic development, affordable housing, micro-lending, and social work.
She is the current CEO of the Tucson IDA and the President of Arizona’s first green bank, Groundswell Capital.
About Your Hosts
Steve Zylstra serves as president and CEO of the Arizona Technology Council, a role he assumed in 2007. He is responsible for strategy, operations, finance and policy development. Zylstra is a vocal spokesman for the value technology can provide in raising social and economic standards in Arizona.
Zylstra serves on numerous councils, committees and boards, was named “Leader of the Year, Technology,” by the Arizona Capitol Times, and “Most Admired Leader” by the Phoenix Business Journal. In addition, he was awarded an honorary doctorate of science in technology from the University of Advancing Technology in Tempe, Ariz.
Zylstra earned a bachelor’s degree in automotive engineering technology from Western Michigan University.
Karen Nowicki is a successful author, speaker and the creator of Deep Impact Leadership™ and SoulMarks Coaching™. She is a two-time recipient of the prestigious national Choice Award® for her book and personal development retreat. Karen was crowned the first-ever “Mompreneur of the Year” Award in 2010 for the southwestern states. She was recognized for her leadership, business acumen, and work-life balance.
Karen has been an expert guest on regional TV and radio shows, including Fox Phoenix Morning Show, Sonoran Living, Good Morning Arizona, The Chat Room, and Mid-Day Arizona. She has been a regular contributor to many print and online magazines – publishing articles and blogs for business and education.
In addition to working with private coaching clients, Karen is also the Owner & President of Phoenix Business RadioX. The Business RadioX Network amplifies the voice of business – serving the Fortune 500,000, not just the Fortune 500. Phoenix Business RadioX helps local businesses and professional associations get the word out about the important work they’re doing to serve their market, profession, and community.
Of all the experiences Karen has had the privilege of participating in over her vast career, she shares that Phoenix Business RadioX is a pinnacle adventure!
Connect with Karen on LinkedIn and follow Phoenix Business RadioX on Facebook and Instagram.
Leslie Cooper Marquez is a dynamic marketing professional with over 17 years of broad-based marketing, public relations and advertising experience in both in-house and agency environments.
Originally from Birmingham, AL, Leslie has honed her expertise across diverse sectors, including non-profit performing arts, legal marketing, mortgage technology, and residential mortgage marketing.
Leslie has been an integral part of the Arizona community for the past 5 years. Most recently, she served as the Marketing Director for Scottsdale-based mortgage technology firm, focusIT, Inc., and previously as the Director of Marketing for Ballet Arizona.
Beyond her professional commitments, Leslie is an active member of the community. She serves as a Sustainer with the Junior League of Phoenix, volunteers with the Distinguished Young Women of Arizona scholarship program and is an alumna of the esteemed Valley Leadership Accelerate class of 2019.
In her spare time, Leslie shares her passion for fitness as a dedicated barre instructor at TenPoint5 Central. Above all, she cherishes her roles as a devoted mother to a young son and a loving wife to her husband, David.
About Our Sponsor
The Arizona Technology Council, Arizona’s only statewide organization serving the technology sector, fosters a climate of innovation to enhance technology in Arizona.
A trusted resource in strengthening Arizona’s technology industry, the Council proactively eliminates impediments that companies face, accelerates the entrepreneurial mindset in the state’s expanding innovation ecosystem, and works to create a destination for companies to be, thrive and stay.
Follow Arizona Technology Council on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.
