Leaders in Energy Professional Networking Happy Hour on Ocean Energy Issues and Opportunities

Program

The Leaders in Energy will be co-hosting its professional networking Happy Hour event with the Mid-Atlantic Regional Environmental Professionals (MAREP) on Thursday, October 23, 6-9 pm, at the Arlington Garden Hilton Inn on the topic of "Ocean Energy Issues and Opportunities."   Two speakers, Jill Lewandowski, Branch Chief for Environmental Consultation at the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), U.S. Department of the Interior, and Stanley Labak, a Marine Acoustician in BOEM’s Division of Environmental Sciences, from the U.S. Department of the Interior's Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) will address the science and misperceptions regarding the impacts of seismic surveys and noise on marine life associated with offshore energy resource mapping as the bureau considers any future seismic surveys for the mid-and south Atlantic Ocean.    Sean O’Neill, Founder and Executive Director of the Foundation for Ocean Renewables, dedicated to promoting ocean renewable energy, will discuss ocean renewable energy systems including ocean thermal energy conversion, tidal, etc.  

Admission is free.  Light appetizers will be provided courtesy of the hotel.  The event will be co-hosted with the Mid-Atlantic Region Environmental Professionals (MAREP).  

Featured Speakers:

Jill Lewandowski - Jill currently serves as the Chief, Environmental Consultation Branch in the Headquarters Office of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) where she oversees BOEM compliance with environmental statutes and regulations, including those focused on anthropogenic noise issues. Prior to BOEM, Jill worked as a marine biologist with the National Marine Fisheries Service and the National Wildlife Federation. She received her M.S. in Environmental Science and Policy at George Mason University (GMU). Jill is currently a Ph.D. candidate at GMU where her research centers on alternative decision-making approaches to improve Federal decisions on complex environmental issues, with a case study focused on the management of impacts of anthropogenic sound on marine mammals.

Stanley Labak -  Stanley (Stan) Labak is a Physical Scientist (Marine Acoustician) in BOEM’s Division of Environmental Sciences.  His specific areas of experience and expertise include acoustic modeling, analysis of sonar systems and evaluation of underwater acoustic sources and propagation, especially with regard to its potential impact to marine species.  He has worked in acoustics for the last 25 years.  Prior to that he attended the U.S. Naval Academy, served as a submarine officer in the US Navy, and attended graduate school at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

Sean O’Neill - Sean O'Neill is Founder and Executive Director of the Foundation for Ocean Renewables, dedicated to promoting ocean renewable energy.  His career includes directing communications and public affairs for a $17 billion national energy company and providing media and crisis communications consultation to Fortune 500 corporations, non-profits, and trade associations.   Previous positions include Director of Public Affairs and Crisis Communications for the largest independent public relations firm in New England, Director of Public Affairs for the San Diego Economic and Environmental Coalition, and Chairman of the Merrimack River Watershed Council.   Mr. O'Neill received his bachelor's degree in English from Columbia College in New York City and a master's degree in Public Communications at American University.