Plenary Session Biographical Sketches

Keynote Speaker:
Peter A.A. Berle
Peter Adolph Augustus Berle, host of the Environment Show, a public radio and ABC Radio Network program, has been involved in almost every environmental issue that has engaged the nation over the past three decades. During that period, he has been an environmental lawyer in private practice, a state legislator, Commissioner of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, and President of the National Audubon Society­one of the nation’s oldest and largest environmental groups.

Peter Berle has served on numerous advisory groups, including the task force on the future of the Adirondack Park, which he chaired for then-Governor Mario Cuomo, US EPA advisory groups on the Clean Air Act, and on biotechnology during the Bush Administration, and currently, as appointed by President Clinton, on the Joint Public Advisory Committee to the North American Commission on Environmental Cooperation, established under the NAFTA environmental side agreement.

Mr. Berle is a graduate of Harvard College, Harvard Law School, and has been awarded honorary degrees by Hobart Smith College, North Adams State College, Long Island University, and Southern Vermont University. He is a member of the New York State Bar Association, admitted to practice before the federal District Courts in New York, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, and the United States Supreme Court. At various times in his career, he has also served as adjunct professor, teaching environmental law.

Panelists:
Booker Holton, PhD.
Dr. Booker Holton is an applied ecologist and environmental planner with over 20 years of experience in environmental assessment and resource management on behalf of utility, commercial, industrial, and government organizations. Dr. Holton evaluates the environmental impacts associated with developing new energy facilities, transmission lines, pipelines, roadways, water resource development, wastewater treatment facilities, land use, and land management. He has particular expertise in areas of terrestrial and systems ecology, environmental planning and regulatory permitting. Dr. Holton has participated in over 200 biological assessment and habitat management studies, environmental assessments, and environmental planning projects.

He is a Principal with TOVA Applied Science & Technology located in Orinda, CA. Prior to that he was Vice President, Resource Management International, Inc. (RMI) in Sacramento, CA, President of the Western Ecological Services Company, Inc. in Novato, CA, and Vice President with EIP Associates in Sacramento, CA

Dr. Holton has a Ph.D. in Ecology from University of California, Davis, an M.S. in Botany from University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, and a B.S. in Biology and Earth Science from Central Connecticut State University, New Britain.

Mr. Gellings is a member of the Board of Directors of EPRIsolutions, PRIMEN, Inc., and the California Institute for Energy Efficiency and EPRI PEAC. He is Chairman of the Board of Global Energy Partners, LLC.

Mr. Gellings has received distinguished awards from a number of organizations, including The Illuminating Engineering Society, the Association of Energy Services Professionals and the South African Institute of Electrical Engineers. He is a 2003 recipient of CIGRE's (International Council on Large Electric Systems) Attwood Award for notable contributions.

Mr. Gellings is a registered Professional Engineer, a Fellow in the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), a Fellow in the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES), a Vice President of the U.S. National Committee of CIGRE', and is active in a number of other organizations. He has degrees in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Management Science.

Kenneth J. Pokalsky
Mr. Pokalsky is the Director of Environmental and Regulatory Programs for the Business Council of the State of New York. He is responsible for legislative and regulatory advocacy on environmental, and economic development issues; staff director of The Business Council's Manufacturing Council. Ken also oversees The Business Council's review of the state's rulemaking activities and is responsible for issues relating to the State Administrative Procedures Act.

Mr. Pokalsky provides liaison with the Department of Environmental Conservation, Empire State Development Corporation, Governor's Office of Regulatory Reform.

He has been with The Business Council since 1982. He is a graduate of the SUNY Albany Graduate School of Public Affairs (MPA '83) and SUNY at Brockport (BA in Political Science, '80)

Jeff Scott
Jeff Scott is Chief Operating Officer, U.S. Transmission for National Grid, and a Senior Vice President of National Grid USA. In his current position he is responsible for all activities associated with National Grid's U.S. Transmission operations in New England and New York, as well as GridAmerica based in Cleveland, Ohio. Prior to coming to the U.S., Jeff held various senior management positions in National Grid's UK businesses, most recently as Commercial Director for UK Transmission.

Before joining National Grid, Jeff held several managerial positions within the UK Regional Electricity Company, MANWEB (now part of Scottish Power) where he played a major role in the privatization of the UK electricity industry.

Jeff holds a Master of Science degree in System & Control from the University of Manchester Institute of Science & Technology and a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Salford. He is also a Fellow of the Institution of Electrical Engineers, a Fellow of the Institute of Energy, and a Member of the Institute of Directors.