New Jersey State Senator Bob Smith represents the 17th Legislative District and has served in the New Jersey State Legislature since 1986, first as a State Assemblyman and later as State Senator. He is widely recognized as one of the state’s leading environmental lawmakers and serves as Chairman of the Senate Environment and Energy Committee.

Senator Smith’s legislative accomplishments span decades, including the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act, landmark electric vehicle and charging infrastructure legislation, the Site Remediation Reform Act which has cleaned up over 14,000 contaminated sites and New Jersey’s ban on single-use plastic bags. He has also championed solar and alternative energy, stormwater utilities, and recycling reform.

Prior to his legislative career, Senator Smith was a Professor of Chemistry and Environmental Science at Middlesex College and holds advanced degrees in chemistry, environmental science, and law.

Senator Andrew Zwicker is a physicist and member of the New Jersey Senate representing Central NJ’s 16th Legislative District. He serves as Chair of the Legislative Oversight Committee, Vice-Chair of the Higher Education and Labor Committees, and sits on the Budget and Appropriations Committee. He previously served in the NJ General Assembly from 2016 to 2021 as Chair of the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee. His legislative focus includes expanding economic opportunities, protecting the environment, ensuring access to quality education, and advancing social justice.

A lifelong New Jersey resident, Andrew serves as Head of Public Engagement and Workforce Development at Princeton University’s Plasma Physics Laboratory, a world leader in fusion energy research. He has taught bioethics and writing, led plasma physics workshops, and was named one of the 75 leading contributors to physics education in the US by the American Association of Physics Teachers.

John covers advanced auto technologies and policy as a reporter and analyst. As a Contributing Editor at Car and Driver, InsideEVs, and other outlets, he specializes in electric vehicles and the energy ecosystem around them. John edited Green Car Reports for nine years, where he published more than 12,000 articles on hybrids, electric cars, and other topics. His work appears in online, print, radio, and TV outlets that include The Verge, The Drive, Charged EVs, Wired, and NPR’s “All Things Considered.” He is the subject of the upcoming documentary A Son’s Journey: How I Became an Automotive Journalist from Hampton Films. In his off hours, he’s part of the deluded but cheerful team at the YouTube channel Tempting Fate Tours. He splits his time between the Catskill Mountains and New York City.

Roarke joined Clean Energy, the largest provider of renewable natural gas in 2022 to support the trucking industries need for alternative fuel solutions. He is responsible for the education, development and growth of the natural gas heavy duty trucking industry across the eastern and Midwest region. Roarke is focused on developing long term fueling agreements, service contacts and new public and private infrastructure to benefit the immediate need for a cost effective and sustainable fueling solution. He has served as a member of the PA and NJ Motor Trucking Association, Board Member of VA Clean Cities and is a graduate of McDaniel College.

Maaz is a Manager on the EDF+Business team at Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), where he works with shippers, carriers, fleet operators, and technology companies to accelerate the transition to zero-emission freight transportation. His work focuses on advancing medium- and heavy-duty truck electrification through corporate engagement, market development, and multi-stakeholder collaboration. He helps companies evaluate fleet transition strategies, reduce transportation emissions, and advance supply chain decarbonization goals. Throughout his career, Maaz has advised Fortune 1000 companies on sustainability, transportation, and energy transition strategies, and brings international experience spanning North America, Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

Marina is the CEO and Co-Founder of Apex Transit Solutions, an asset-based transportation and logistics company operating a fleet of more than 100 trucks. She has led the company’s growth through operational excellence, strategic leadership, and customer-focused service. Marina is a recognized leader in the transportation industry, serving on the North Carolina Trucking Association Board of Directors, the Women in Manufacturing North Carolina Board, and as Advocacy Chair for NAWBO Charlotte. Her honors include the 2026 Crowns of Enterprise Rising Star Award, Career Mastered Power 35, CBJ Women in Business, Women in Supply Chain Forum Rising Star, and recognition as one of the 2026 100 Women to KNOW in America. She is a frequent speaker on leadership, transportation, and supply chain innovation, advocating for workforce development and the advancement of women in the industry.

Jeffrey is Chairman and CEO of Hermann Services, Inc., a fourth-generation family business founded in 1927 that he has grown into an industry-leading third-party logistics organization. With over two decades of operational experience across transportation and logistics, Jeff has led the company through global disruptions, economic volatility, and rapidly evolving market dynamics. As founder and chair of Rutgers Business School’s Road to Supply Chain Leadership Program and an Executive MBA instructor, he is deeply committed to bridging the gap between academic theory and real-world application. Through his board service with the New Jersey Motor Truck Association and his advisory role at Rutgers Business School, Jeff actively shapes the policy discussions and industry standards defining the future of logistics.

Adrian is the VP of Finance Operations at Herrmann Services, where he leads the company’s sustainability initiatives alongside his financial operations responsibilities. Over more than 8 years in transportation finance, including 5 years as Controller for a drayage company before joining Herrmann, he has helped secure nearly $10 million in grant funding from NJDEP and NJ ZIP to deploy five Class 8 heavy-duty EV trucks, with 12 more on order, while also spearheading on-site charging infrastructure, a shift to 100% renewable electricity, and the integration of renewable diesel across the fleet. He works closely with OEMs, utility partners like PSE&G, and state agencies including NJDEP, NJEDA, and NJBPU to advance practical, scalable decarbonization in freight transportation.

Pamela is Chief Executive Officer of ChargEVC-NJ, a nonprofit coalition advancing electric vehicle (EV) adoption and transportation electrification in New Jersey, and President of Plug In America, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to accelerating the transition to electric vehicles through education, advocacy, and policy leadership. She brings more than 25 years of experience in sustainability, renewable energy, clean transportation, and coalition building.

Pamela founded ChargEVC with colleagues at Gabel Associates, where she served as Senior Vice President for 14 years, leading regulatory, policy, and market development initiatives supporting EVs, renewable energy, energy efficiency, and emerging technologies. She played a key role in the development of New Jersey’s landmark EV legislation and is a frequent speaker at regional and national conferences, recognized for bringing together utilities, automakers, technology companies, environmental organizations, consumer advocates, and policymakers to accelerate transportation electrification.

Chris serves as Executive Director of the New Jersey Motor Truck Association (NJMTA), where he leads the organization’s advocacy, member engagement, and long-term growth strategy on behalf of New Jersey’s trucking industry. Since joining NJMTA, Chris has brought renewed focus and momentum to the association by expanding programs, strengthening partnerships, and working closely with government officials, state agencies, and industry organizations across New Jersey and beyond.

Prior to joining NJMTA, Chris spent 32 years with UPS, where he held senior leadership roles spanning state government affairs, enterprise account management, and business development for global shippers. Throughout his career, he has built strong relationships with government entities and key stakeholders, influenced policy, and led cross-functional teams focused on operational efficiency, business growth, supply chain innovation, logistics improvement, and regulatory success. He also served as a UPS liaison for Blue Highway, a public-private partnership that promotes package transport by barge to help reduce roadway congestion, costs, and greenhouse gas emissions.

Paul is the Director of Electric Vehicle Sales for Hunter Truck.  He has 12 years of truck sales experience having held various sales roles within Hunter Truck.  Paul has spent the last 6 years focused on guiding customers through all aspects of commercial vehicle electrification and is responsible for developing Hunter Truck’s entire alternative fuel portfolio. Hunter Truck is a family-owned authorized dealer of Peterbilt vehicles operating locations across Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Vermont, and West Virginia.

Kyle is the PACCAR Powertrain National Account Manager for Peterbilt Motors Co., where he focuses on the sales of Battery Electric Vehicles and proprietary PACCAR Powertrain products. He has 18 years of combined professional experience in the trucking and automotive industries, beginning his career as an engineer before transitioning to a sales role. Kyle is dedicated to working with customers to find solutions that best meet their current needs while preparing for future opportunities and requirements.

Melissa serves as Assistant Director overseeing Air Monitoring & Mobile Sources at the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJ DEP). Over her 28-year tenure, she has dedicated her career to improving air quality, with particular expertise in
reducing transportation-sector emissions.

Melissa has managed nearly $650 million in grant programs that incentivize vehicle and equipment modernization, support community mobility projects, and expand electric vehicle charging. She has spent over a decade ensuring vehicles operating in NJ are
properly operated and maintained, while actively combating vehicle tampering—a significant source of excess emissions.

In her current role, Melissa also directs the State’s Air Monitoring Network, ensuring compliance with National Ambient Air Quality Standards to protect public health and the environment.

Chris is a seasoned procurement and supply chain leader with extensive experience across global manufacturing, life sciences, and consumer industries. Throughout his career, he has held progressive leadership roles at multinational organizations including dsm-firmenich (formerly DSM and Firmenich), Rhodia, and GSK, driving strategic sourcing, category management, supplier relationship management, and supply chain transformation initiatives.

Chris brings deep expertise in cost optimization, risk management, supplier innovation, contract negotiations, and operational excellence across complex international supply networks. He has a strong track record partnering with operations, finance, quality, manufacturing, and commercial teams in multicultural environments to deliver sustainable results and support long-term growth.

Recognized for building high-performing teams and fostering strong supplier partnerships, Chris leads transformational programs that strengthen supply chain resilience and efficiency. He holds a Master’s Degree in International Business, which underpins his global perspective and strategic leadership approach.

Dawn is the Senior Manager of Electric Transportation at PSE&G, where she leads the teams that are implementing the utility’s Electric Vehicle Charging Program. She oversees efforts that are helping build an EV charging ecosystem for light-duty vehicles, and developing a strategy to support medium/heavy-duty vehicle electrification. Dawn’s team also supports the electrification of PSE&G’s own fleet.

Dawn is a licensed professional engineer and has spent most of her career in environmental engineering, cleaning up the air, land, and waters of New Jersey. She earned bachelors degrees in chemical engineering and economics from Rutgers University, and a master’s degree in environmental engineering from Manhattan College. Her professional and personal interests include a passion to preserve and enhance our natural resources.

Dr. Shihab Kuran is the Founder, President, and CEO of Power Edison, a developer of utility-grade mobile battery energy storage systems, and co-founder and Executive Chairman of sister company EV Edison. Power Edison has deployed the world’s largest mobile battery storage systems with U.S. utilities, while EV Edison operates the largest public multi-class EV charging hub on the East Coast.

Dr. Kuran brings over three decades of leadership across the power, cleantech, and semiconductor sectors. Before Power Edison, he built the storage and microgrid businesses at SunEdison and established the energy storage business at NRG Energy. He also founded Petra Solar, whose $300M “smart solar” program placed solar on roughly 200,000 New Jersey utility poles, the largest solar installation in the world at the time.

Dr. Kuran holds a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from CUNY and an Executive Management degree from Harvard Business School, and has authored more than 40 published papers.

Ben is President of the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU), nominated by Governor Sherrill in June. Prior to joining the Sherrill administration, Hertz-Shargel served as Global Head of Grid Edge at Wood Mackenzie, advising energy, technology, and financial firms on grid modernization, electrification, and distributed energy resources.

Before Wood Mackenzie, he served as Head of Data Science and Demand Management at Rhythm and as Vice President of Advanced Grid Services and Analytics at EnergyHub, where he designed core demand response optimization technology and served as a lead technical expert before state public utility commissions.

Hertz-Shargel has also held advisory roles as a Nonresident Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council Global Energy Center, an Advisory Committee Member for the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation’s Energy and Environment Program, and an advisor to Pew Charitable Trusts on distributed energy resources policy.

He holds a B.A. in Computer Science from Northwestern, an M.S. in Mathematics from NYU, and a Ph.D. in Mathematics from UCLA.

Shawn is a Senior Account Executive at ChargePoint with more than 14 years of experience driving the adoption of clean energy technologies. Following a decade in leadership roles at Tesla and Sunrun, Shawn has spent the past four years helping Fortune 500 companies accelerate fleet electrification through scalable EV charging infrastructure.

Throughout his career, Shawn has partnered with some of North America’s largest commercial fleet operators, utilities, distributors, and infrastructure providers to navigate the complexities of electrification—from site planning and utility coordination to long-term charging strategy. He is passionate about building strong cross-industry partnerships that remove barriers to EV adoption and enable successful large-scale deployments.

As a panelist at the Hermann Sustainability Summit, Shawn will share practical insights on the infrastructure, utility collaboration, and strategic investments needed to prepare commercial fleets for the future of transportation and support the continued growth of long-haul electric mobility.

Art is a Senior Advisor to the executive team at Broadridge Financial Solutions, where he also serves as Chairman and CEO of LQX, a full-service trade finance company, and Chairman of the Board of Directors for LTX, a Broadridge company. He sits on the Board of Directors for South Street Securities and serves as Senior Adviser to IntraFi, FinopSys, and USIG Digital Inc. From 2002 to 2019, he was Vice Chairman of Promontory Interfinancial Network.

Art retired from Bank of New York Mellon in December 2014 as Senior Executive Vice President and CEO of Global Markets. Earlier in his career, he was a principal at Morgan Stanley Asset Management and a vice president at Chase Manhattan Bank. Over his 36-year career, he served on numerous industry boards, including as lead director of the DTCC.

Art is Ex-Chairman of the Rutgers University Foundation Board and Chairman of the Rutgers Business School Board of Advisors. He holds a B.A. from Rutgers and an M.B.A. from Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Arjan is the Sourcing Manager for Packaged Goods Transportation at Evonik Corporation, where part of my role is to lead sustainability initiatives from a procurement perspective. After earning my Bachelor’s Degree in Supply Chain Management and Finance from Rutgers University – New Brunswick, I have spent the past four years focusing on logistics optimization and sustainable procurement practices.

At Evonik, I work to integrate sustainability into transportation sourcing strategies, striving to reduce carbon emissions and align supplier partnerships with our environmental goals.

As an advocate for corporate sustainability, I am committed to developing innovative solutions that balance environmental responsibility with operational efficiency, helping Evonik achieve its vision for a more sustainable future.

Dr. John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM, is the Founder, President and CEO of the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ), a position he has held since 2007. He is a leading advocate for Black-owned businesses, economic empowerment, and equitable access to opportunities throughout New Jersey.

A seasoned business and chamber executive, Dr. Harmon previously held management positions with Bowery Savings Bank and Chemical Bank before founding Harmon Transfer Corp., a transportation company serving the Northeast United States and Canada. He has served on numerous corporate, nonprofit, and civic boards, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and Hackensack Meridian Health Board of Directors.

Dr. Harmon has received numerous honors, including the 2024 National Association of Corporate Directors Nonprofit Governance Award, recognition on the NJBIZ Power 100, the New Jersey Business Hall of Fame, and NJBIA Executive of the Year. He also holds four honorary doctoral degrees and authored Power Moves: The Life and Legacy of a Black Chamber Executive (2025).

An industry leader with over 50 years of transportation industry experience. Tom serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Association of Bi-State Motor Carriers, as a member of the Council on Port Performance, and on the Board of the Intermodal Carriers Conference of the ATA.

He works closely with industry stakeholders to improve the productivity, safety, and sustainability of intermodal transportation. Participating in the Port Authority’s Clean Trucks Focus Group, the Port Productivity Task Force, and collaborating directly with terminal operators, cargo owners, and shippers to support the continued growth and efficiency of the Port of New York and New Jersey.

Tom founded Best Transportation in 1982 as a one-truck operation;  today the company is one of the most successful intermodal trucking companies serving the Port of New York and New Jersey, operating more than 100 trucks and serves the Northeast through the ports of New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, and Baltimore.

Jessica is an analyst on the Clean Energy team at the New Jersey Economic Development Authority. She works on the development and implementation of clean energy products and engages with stakeholders to support clean energy and economic development policies in New Jersey. In the past year, she has helped administer and design a new phase of the New Jersey Zero-Emission Incentive Program (NJ ZIP), a pilot grant initiative aimed at promoting the adoption of medium- and heavy-duty zero-emission vehicles. She has also worked on developing a new charging infrastructure program, Take Charge, which will be launching later this year. Before this role, she was a Wind Institute Fellow, researching the socioeconomic impacts of offshore wind implementation in New Jersey. She holds a Master of Public Policy from the Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University.

Tom is the Global Alternative Fuel Program Director at C.H. Robinson, where he works across the logistics ecosystem to identify, pilot and advance low-emission freight solutions that support customers’ transportation sustainability goals. In this role, Tom collaborates with cargo owners, carriers and industry partners to develop practical, commercially viable solutions that help reduce transportation emissions across road, rail, ocean and air freight.

With expertise in alternative fuels, transportation decarbonization and freight corridor development, Tom works globally with customers, carriers and industry partners to help advance the adoption of low-emission technologies. A key focus of his work is freight corridor decarbonization, where opportunities exist to combine electrification, alternative fuels and other emerging energy solutions to reduce emissions while maintaining efficient and resilient supply chains. Tom’s experience working across transportation networks provides a unique perspective on the opportunities and challenges facing the logistics industry as it works toward a lower-carbon future.

Caroline is the Director of the New Jersey Clean Cities Coalition (NJCCC), a statewide nonprofit dedicated to advancing clean transportation solutions. She leads NJCCC’s portfolio of programs, including EMPOWER, the Electric School Bus Academy, EcoPatrol, Drive Electric NJ and the South Jersey Clean Fuels Advisory Board. In her role, she manages stakeholder engagement, membership, and outreach efforts, helping fleets, employers, and communities reduce emissions and adopt cleaner, cost-saving technologies. Caroline brings extensive experience in program development, fleet evaluations, and grant support, and is committed to advancing sustainable transportation and improving air quality across the region.

Celine is the Founder and CEO of GreenIRR Inc., the first and only third-party assured carbon accounting and efficiency platform built for trucking and logistics. Beyond automating emissions reporting from primary data, GreenIRR works with leading carriers to identify operational inefficiencies that reduce fuel burn, cut costs, and meet growing Scope 3 disclosure requirements.

Before founding GreenIRR, Celine conducted climate change research at NOAA’s Biogeochemical Dynamics Lab in Avery Point and worked in Field Operations at Greenbacker Capital, which invests in renewable infrastructure and sustainable assets. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Analytics and Biology from Fairfield University, where she was named a Bellarmine Scholar for being in the top 1% of her class.

A 2025 SEEN 50 Founder, Celine has built GreenIRR through Greentown Labs and Newlab, two of the country’s leading climate tech communities. She is a frequent speaker and writer on climate tech and supply chain, moderating panels and contributing to industry podcasts and publications on why sustainability and profitability go hand in hand.

Yasmine serves as a Principal Environmental Programs Specialist, within the Port Sustainability and Resilience Team, at the Port Authority of NY & NJ. Yasmine is responsible for overseeing the Truck Replacement Program, which provides a rebate of up to $25,000 for truckers who scrap their old vehicle in favor of a newer, cleaner truck. Yasmine also manages the Zero-Emission Incentive Programs, Clean Truck Incentive (CTI) and Green Drayage Accelerator (GDA), as part of the $451M Clean Ports Program (CPP), federal grant administered by the USEPA, in line with PANYNJ’s Net Zero goals, by 2050. Yasmine also serves as the Zero Waste Lead for the Port Department and assists in tracking the GHG emissions for the annual emissions report. Yasmine previously held a position as a Principal Environmental Planner for the City of Hoboken and has over 9+ years of environmental planning experience, in both the public and private sectors. She holds a master’s degree in urban planning from Hunter College.

Niki is Deputy Director of Trucks and Off-Road. In this position, she works to accelerate the adoption of zero-emission medium and heavy duty trucks for the California Air Resources Board (CARB) Clean Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Program (HVIP), funded by California Climate Investments (CCI). Okuk has substantial experience in the freight, trucking, and port operations as well as a long track record in environmental justice, building community capacity, and equity outcomes.

Niki Okuk holds a master’s in Business Administration from Nanyang University, a bachelor’s in Economics and Political Science from Columbia University, and a certificate in Sustainability from MIT Sloan School of Business.

Tom is the founder, owner and editor of BINJE.com, a media outlet that aims to serve the business community, municipal leaders and elected officials in New Jersey.

Known for breaking news – and leading entertaining and informative panels and fireside chats – Bergeron has become a go-to source for business news in the state.

A lifelong journalist, Bergeron has worked previously as the top editor at ROI-NJ, NJBIZ, Yahoo! Sports and The Star-Ledger, where he served as the sports editor.

He and his wife, Lori, reside in Morris Plains, where they raised their five kids, and Tom was a fixture in youth sports, coaching more than 100 teams.

Bergeron is a graduate of the University of Virginia, where he majored in history and did his thesis on the History of the Independence Movement in Lithuania, his mother’s birthplace.