As a Senior Manager on the LEED for Cities team at the U.S. Green Building Council, David works directly with over 100 local governments to use data to benchmark sustainability and drive progress. Through developing relationships and training staff on the LEED for Cities framework David assists local leaders to create stakeholder coalitions, prioritize sustainability actions, and build essential cross-departmental relationships to achieve LEED certification. David also provides the local governments’
perspective to product developers, to ensure the rating system’s evolution meets the needs of cities and pushes them to meet their sustainability goals.

David has been working with local communities for several years. Prior to joining USGBC, he was with STAR Communities, where he worked with cities, towns, and counties to ensure that communities had the tools and resources needed to create a more sustainable future.

In practice, David deeply engages his client base to identify how his organization can offer solutions to their pressing needs. He excels at developing relationships and taking a collaborative approach to tackle complex problems. By using data, building capacity, and making connections he works with stakeholders to meet goals.

David lives in Louisville, KY with his wife and kids and spends as much time outdoors hiking, biking, and exploring as he can. He received his Master’s of Urban and Environmental Planning from the University of Virginia and a Bachelor’s of Arts in Anthropology and Environmental Studies from Centre College.

Arin works as a project manager at VisitLEX, the city’s destination marketing organization. Her role focuses on destination stewardship and community engagement. She focuses on sustainability in tourism and the hospitality industry in Lexington and the Bluegrass Region. She currently serves as the chair for Keep Lexington Beautiful, sits on the Young Leaders Advisory Council for Keep America Beautiful, and sits on the United States Travel Association’s Sustainability Coalition. After growing up in Danville, Arin received a bachelor’s degree in history and French and received her master’s degree in history. She and her husband live in downtown Lexington and spend their vacations trying to visit all the National Parks.

Founded in 1880, the Kentucky Distillers’ Association has long been recognized as the Worldwide Voice of Bourbon™. Its diverse and growing membership produces the overwhelming majority of the world’s Bourbon, from historic, global brands to emerging boutique distilleries that are crafting the next generation of the Commonwealth’s signature industry. Member benefits include governmental and regulatory advocacy, media and public relations, international trade development, technical assistance, economic development support, global networking, legal defense, strategic marketing initiatives and innovative tourism experiences through the KDA’s world-famous Kentucky Bourbon Trail® adventure. A 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization, the KDA maintains an open membership policy, champions a strong commitment to the responsible and moderate consumption of spirits, and fights to curb underage drinking and drunk driving.

Customer Experience Manager-Bespoken Spirits

Advanced Sommelier/Executive Bourbon Steward

Spirits Industry over 20 years

Former Brand Ambassador for James E. Pepper Distillery

Chris is Program Manager of Energize Kentucky which is a Program Administrator for participating local governments throughout Kentucky who enact Energy Project Assessment Districts or EPADs. Energize Kentucky was created in 2015 and since that time, along with his work in Ohio, has been part of a team that has facilitated over $700 million in PACE financing for energy efficiency & renewable energy projects.

Prior to PACE financing, Chris worked in private contracting as a General Manager for both a spray foam insulation and heating & cooling company. He also was a Sales Leader for a green products showroom. Chris’s passion is assisting building owners in reducing their energy consumption which includes installing renewable energy.

Chris was born and raised in Ashland, Kentucky. He has a B.S. in Environmental Sciences from the University of Kentucky and also lettered as a UK basketball walk-on during the 1988-89 season. In 2023, Chris was inducted into his high school’s Athletic Hall of Fame as he held school records in basketball (career scoring total) and track & field (high jump) upon graduation in 1988. Chris is a proud Kentucky Colonel, which is the highest honor bestowed on civilians by the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

Frank Mabson currently serves as the Grant Administrator in the Division of Water Quality (DWQ). With a BA in Business Administration from Midway University, he’s worked in the Division of Water Quality (DWQ) for nearly sixteen (16) years where he started at the bottom as a Staff Assistant. Frank now oversees the DWQ’s Stormwater Quality Projects Incentive Grant Program which provides financial assistance for projects that improve water quality, reduce stormwater runoff, and educate the public on stormwater-related issues.

Since he has been with the city of Lexington, Frank has received several awards including the 2009 Customer Service of the Year Award, 2010 DWQ – Certificate of Appreciation Taxpayer Watchdog Award, and most recently the 2019 LFUCG SPOKE (Skilled, Professional, Outstanding, Knowledgeable, and Exceptional) Award which honors employees who exhibit a high level of commitment, initiative, and dedication to their job responsibilities. Frank takes pride in hard work and likes to surround himself with dedicated people to serve the citizens of the community well as a way to ensure them a return on their investment with the city of Lexington, also his home.

Last, but not least, and quiet as kept, as a hobby Frank enjoys singing, songwriting, and performing in a local band called Honeychild. In fact, you might catch him singing soulful melodies on the weekends at the local Jeff Ruby’s, Banner’s Bar and Grill, or even Lexington’s 2024 concert series Summer Nights in Suburbia (Moondance Amphiltheatre – August 26th), and Central Bank Thursday Night Live (Tandy Park – May 23rd).

Emily oversees everything related to Bullhorn. From HR to finances to sustainability, she keeps things moving and in check. She is the B Corporation liaison, leading internal efforts and representing Bullhorn in the larger B community.

Cameron joined the Mountain Association in 2023. As a member of the Energy Team, he is committed to aiding small businesses, local governments and nonprofits in Eastern Kentucky in reducing energy costs through efficiency upgrades, as well as increasing access to renewable energy. Cameron holds Building Performance Institute and Building Operator Certifications and is a licensed drone pilot for solar assessments.

Jeffery Nazarko, VP of Sales, Marketing & Business Development. Mr. Nazarko is responsible for the oversight and management of all sales and marketing processes at Solar Energy Solutions. Mr. Nazarko started his career in the power conversion business working to develop and market the first generation of grid-tied energy storage system and renewable integration. After that, Mr. Nazarko worked for a world class manufacturer of highly engineered, precision electrical steel products used in energy conversion systems. As Global Marketing Director he collaborated with clients to develop innovative technologies for commercial, Industrial, and electric propulsion systems with a focus on efficiency improvements to reduce energy consumption.

Carrie has worked with the Mountain Association’s Energy
Program since 2017. In that time, the Energy Team has helped
hundreds of businesses, governments and nonprofits across the
region lower their energy bills through energy efficiency and
renewable energy. In addition to directing the work of the energy
team, Carrie seeks out new program opportunities, grants, and
partnerships to help advance clean energy in Eastern Kentucky,
works directly with clients, and wrangles spreadsheets.

As the president of Paladin, Inc., Candice leads with a strong commitment to sustainability on all projects, from residence halls and manufacturing facilities to local shops and Fortune 100 companies. Her philosophy centers on understanding each business’s unique needs to develop lasting sustainable strategies. A proud Kentuckian, Candice turns her love for its natural resources into successful, sustainable outcomes for building systems. Come learn something new and make your day a little greener.

Ben Smock’s hometown is Louisville, KY. He holds his MBA from the University of Louisville and Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from the University of Kentucky.

As an experienced nonprofit professional with over 10 years of industry experience, Ben is the Director of Development for Canopy, a Kentucky-based nonprofit organization whose mission is to grow Kentucky businesses to positively impact people, our planet, and our future. Canopy was formed in 2018 to create accessibility to the global “Good Business” movement and position Kentucky as a premier ecosystem. Utilizing his experience and educational background, Ben has advanced Canopy as a statewide organization increasing its reach, relevance, and revenue. Under his tenure, Canopy has raised significant philanthropic startup funding and secured dozens of Canopy Certified companies across Kentucky.

Ben also served as President of Venture Connectors, Louisville’s largest and longest standing entrepreneurial networking organization whose purpose is to advance inclusive and accessible entrepreneurship. In 2023, Ben was recognized as one of the Louisville Business First “Forty under 40”.

Dan is the director of business development and the senior horticulturist at Lexington Lawn and Landscape.  He has degrees in horticulture from Butte College, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and the University of Florida.  Dan’s experience spans every aspect of the green industry, from greenhouse and nursery management, to landscape maintenance and landscape design, to plant pathology and entomology, to even phytoremediation and prairie establishment and management.  He authored the book Meet Me In The Garden, his personal garden was on the most recent ‘Open Gates to Bluegrass Living’ tour, and is soon to retire as chair of the Lexington Tree Board after serving several terms.  Dan is well known as an annoying plant person who never shuts up about plants, and will educate you against your will about plants.

Adam Watson is one of four founders and owner-operators at Against the Grain Brewery, Founding President of the Kentucky Guild of Brewers, Education Director at Canopy Certified, and renowned wizard of questionable repute.  He has taken an irresponsible educational path that makes him passably interesting in polite and not-so-polite conversation, and is currently engaged in a lifelong experiment in subjective time dilation.

After finishing his undergraduate studies in Chemical and Biopharmaceutical Engineering at UK, he continued his chemical engineering training by developing new research tools for studying health effects of air pollution while earning his Ph.D from The University of Texas at Austin. His postdoctoral research projects in yeast engineering and air quality led him back to Kentucky, where he has shifted his focus to minimizing emissions in the first place by educating craft distillers on energy efficiency in spirits production in his position with the Beam Institute at UK. As a native Kentuckian, Kevin’s interest in all things bourbon combines with his training in engineering to drive his role in helping the bourbon industry reduce it’s environmental footprint as the Craft Sustainability Coordinator at the James B. Beam Institute for Kentucky Spirits at the University of Kentucky.

Josh, a Certified Energy Manager, has worked with the Mountain Association since 2008 to develop and coordinate energy assessments and pursue emerging energy efficiency and renewable energy opportunities for commercial enterprises across Central Appalachia. As a former NABCEP Solar PV Installation Professional and renewable energy contractor, with involvement in over 100 renewable energy installations throughout Kentucky, Haiti, and as far off as West Africa, Josh brings a wealth of knowledge to his role. He advocates for commercial businesses and organizations to always first lower their electricity demand through smarter usage and low-investment energy efficiency measures; then works diligently with people to help them combine available grant funds, rebates and financing to cover larger investments in efficiency and solar systems designed to optimize energy production.

Esther Cruz Moberly is the Sr. Sustainability Manager for Coca-Cola Consolidated, headquartered in Charlotte, NC. In that role, she leads sustainability efforts in the communities that they serve. This includes efforts in increasing recycling and circular economy systems, improving water quality and climate protection.

Before that, she served as the Zero Waste Administrator for the University of Kentucky, overseeing their recycling and waste reduction programs, and she has also worked for the City of Lexington’s Division of Waste Management, where she oversaw the recycling and waste reduction efforts. She has over 25 years of experience in environmental issues and education, waste management, and diversion.

Esther has a bachelor’s degree in business management and a master’s in community education. She is originally from Puerto Rico, now living in South Carolina, after living in Kentucky for more than 30 years.

Lindsey Downs is the Environmental, Health, & Safety Manager at Maker’s Mark Distillery. As EH&S Manager, Lindsey champions health and safety programs, environmental compliance, and helps lead strategy and implementation of campus sustainability initiatives. Lindsey’s educational excellence includes a B.A. in Psychology and Human Resources from Bellarmine University, along with an MBA from Campbellsville University.  As Lindsey discovered her passion for sustainability, she completed a certificate in Sustainable Management from Duke University.  Lindsey has worked in the spirits industry for 11 years, with the last 6 years being dedicated to EH&S.

John D. Gagel is the Chief Sustainability Officer for Lexmark International, Inc.
He is responsible for corporate management of all global sustainability,
environment, social, governance (ESG), circular economy initiatives and strategy development as well as product sustainability and carbon neutrality initiatives.

Gagel has been with Lexmark for over 24 years and has served in management
roles since 2007 and as Chief Sustainability Officer since 2020.

He also has oversight of environmental, health and safety, responsible for
Lexmark operations globally. In addition, he provides customer-focused sales
and marketing support for all Lexmark sustainability initiatives worldwide, and
has spoken at numerous conferences and seminars about the importance of
sustainability as a key business strategy.

Coming soon

Prior to coming to KPPC Andrea worked as the energy manager for Bullitt County Public Schools where she was responsible for developing the district’s energy management program from the ground up. This included establishing processes and procedures for energy data collection and analysis and building operation standards. She was also responsible for creating a student engagement program. In this role she was the main operator of the building automation system and was responsible for overseeing proper operation of the HVAC systems. Andrea has over 15 years of experience working with commercial and educational facilities, assisting them with identifying energy conservation measures and HVAC system optimization opportunities. She has a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the J.B. Speed School of Engineering at the University of Louisville and is a Certified Energy Manager.

Madelyn Tutewiler is the Director of ESG at MiddleGround Capital – a Private Equity firm specializing in lower middle market B2B manufacturing and specialty distribution businesses.  In her role, she oversees MiddleGround’s ESG department and is responsible for developing and implementing MiddleGround’s ESG strategy at both the firm and portfolio investment level.  She has spearheaded developing the firm’s ESG strategic plan, establishing ESG initiatives and targets at both the firm and portfolio company level, and identifying core value creation opportunities.

Prior to joining MiddleGround, Madelyn was an Environmental Health and Safety Professional in the Oil and Gas Industry at Marathon Petroleum.  She supported their renewable diesel project converting a crude oil processing refinery to renewable fuels – processing soy oil, corn oil, and tallow.  Additionally, she supported the exploration of industrial wind energy integration and oversaw EHS performance for various components of the business.

Shane has developed and managed interdisciplinary programs, projects, and policies for the University of Kentucky since 2003 with a focus on sustainability, transformational learning, and the use of the campus as a living laboratory. In pursuit of these efforts he has cultivated strong collaborations with colleagues in every corner of the University and community. Through these relationships, Shane was worked hard to help develop a robust institutional culture of sustainability. Shane believes that sustainability brings tremendous value to our institutions because it is a way of thinking about higher education that helps orient the compass needles for curriculum, research, service, healthcare, and creative works in the direction of intergenerational prosperity and well-being for the planet and all the individuals it sustains.