Director of the Center for Energy and Environment and Senior Fellow, Competitive Enterprise Institute
Daren Bakst is Director of the Competitive Enterprise Institute’s Center for Energy and Environment and a Senior Fellow. In this role, he manages, develops, and leads the coalition, advocacy, and research activities of the Center, which is one of the most effective advocates for Free Market Environmentalism.
Before joining CEI as Deputy Director in March, 2023, Daren was a Senior Research Fellow in Environmental Policy and Regulation at the Heritage Foundation, where he played a leading role in the launch of the organization’s new energy and environment center, and created and hosted the Heritage Foundation’s energy and environment podcast the “PowerCast.” During his decade at Heritage, Daren wrote about energy and environmental policy, food and agricultural policy (including editing and co-authoring the book Farms and Free Enterprise), regulation, and trade among other topics.
Daren also worked on environmental policy and regulation at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, where he was a policy counsel and served as the executive to the association’s Government Oversight, Operations & Consumer Affairs committee, which was responsible for issues such as regulatory process reform. Daren has significant state level experience, working for seven years at the Raleigh, N.C.-based John Locke Foundation, one of the largest state-based, free-market think tanks. As director of legal and regulatory studies, his broad portfolio included energy and environmental policy, regulatory reform, and property rights.
Daren has testified numerous times before Congress, regularly submits comments to federal agencies and has appeared in or been quoted by a wide range of media outlets such as The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, The Washington Times, CNN, Fox Business News, Al-Jazeera America, and U.S. News and World Report. He is a member of the Federalist Society’s Environmental Law and Property Rights Executive Committee and serves on the College Level Advisory Board for Constituting America, an organization that informs and educates about the importance of the U.S. Constitution.
Daren, who hails from Florida, received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from George Washington University. A licensed attorney, he holds a law degree from the University of Miami and a master of laws degree from American University.
Partner, Bracewell LLP
Jeffrey Holmstead, former assistant administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency for Air and Radiation, is one of the nation’s leading climate change lawyers as recognized by Chambers USA (2008-2016) and heads the environmental strategies group (ESG) at Bracewell. The ESG is a multi-disciplinary group that includes environmental and energy attorneys, public policy advocates and strategic communications experts – most of whom have had high-level government experience. Under Jeffrey’s leadership, they work together on a daily basis to advise and defend companies and business groups confronting major environmental and energy-development challenges, both domestically and globally.
From his time in both the government and the private sector, Jeffrey is very familiar with the environmental and energy challenges facing the business community. He advises clients dealing with an increasingly complex regulatory, legal and public relations landscape, drawing on his experience in policy development, administrative and legislative advocacy, litigation and strategic communications. He has worked with clients in a number of industries on issues related to climate change, Clean Air Act policy and enforcement, and energy policy — including the development of new coal-fired power plants, refineries, renewable energy sources, and electric transmission infrastructure.
Jeffrey headed the EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation from 2001 to 2005, longer than anyone in EPA history. During his tenure, he was the architect of several of the agency’s most important initiatives, including the Clean Air Interstate Rule, the Clean Air Diesel Rule, the Mercury Rule for power plants and the reform of the New Source Review program. He also oversaw the development of the Bush Administration’s Clear Skies Legislation and key parts of its Global Climate Change Initiative. Between 1989 and 1993, Jeffrey served on the White House Staff as Associate Counsel to former President George H.W. Bush. In that capacity, he was involved in the passage of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 and the key steps taken to implement those amendments. From 1987 to 1988, he served as a law clerk to Judge Douglas H. Ginsburg on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia.
He received his B.A. from Brigham Young University, summa cum laude, and his J.D. from Yale Law School.
Founder, CGCN Law, PLLC
Professor, Dale E. Fowler School of Law, Chapman University
Professor Bell joined the faculty of Fowler School of Law in 1998. Professor Bell specializes in high-tech legal issues and has written a variety of works on intellectual property and Internet law, including the book, Intellectual Privilege: Copyright, Common Law, and the Common Good (2014). He received his Juris Doctor from the University of Chicago Law School in 1993, where he served both as a member of the University of Chicago Law Review and as Articles Editor and cofounder of the University of Chicago Legal Roundtable. After graduating from law school, Professor Bell joined the Silicon Valley law firm of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati. He entered teaching in 1995, when he became an Assistant Professor of Law in the Law and Technology Program at the University of Dayton School of Law. During a one year leave of absence from that school, and just prior to joining the Fowler School of Law faculty, he served as Director of Telecommunications and Technology Studies at the Cato Institute in Washington, D.C. Professor Bell joined the faculty of Fowler School of Law in 1998. In addition to writing a steady stream of scholarly works, Professor Bell has appeared on or been quoted in the Wall Street Journal, CNN, Economist, Los Angeles Times, and many other news sources, and starred in several online videos addressing timely legal issues.
Executive Director, Southeastern Legal Foundation
Kimberly Hermann serves as Executive Director for Southeastern Legal Foundation.
Kim has worked with Southeastern Legal Foundation since 2009. Her belief in liberty and desire to serve started at a young age – instilled by her parents’ dedication to hard work, family values, and love for America.
After earning her undergraduate degree in Analytical Finance and graduate degree in Accounting from Wake Forest University, Kim worked as a licensed CPA with an international accounting firm. But her strong belief in individual liberty, the rule of law, and accountability in government led her to pursue a career in law. While in law school at Georgia State University College of Law, Kim served as a law clerk at SLF. After graduating, Kim worked at a private law firm in Atlanta where she specialized in financial and business litigation but continued to serve SLF in a pro bono capacity. In 2013, Kim returned to SLF full-time and is proud to dedicate her career to the freedom-based law movement.
Kim advances liberty through litigation in federal and state trial and appellate courts on issues ranging from government overreach, free speech, property rights, and economic liberty. In addition to representing clients, Kim testifies before state legislatures, drafts model legislation, and regularly publishes legal articles. Through SLF’s legal initiatives, she informs Americans about their constitutional rights, equipping them with the tools they need to stand up to government overreach. Her work and that of Southeastern Legal Foundation is regularly covered by national media and you will frequently hear or see her on radio, podcasts, and television.
Kim is an active member of the Federalist Society where she serves as an expert on the Federalist Society’s Civil Rights Executive Committee. She is also an active member of her community and when she isn’t fighting for liberty, you can find her at her children’s school or on the sports fields cheering them on. She lives in the Atlanta area with her husband and two children.
Producer, They Say It Can’t be Done
Patrick is the lead Producer on They Say It Can’t be Done. He previously produced the award-winning feature length documentary Of Dogs and Men. He is co-creator and producer on an animated comedy web series based on the NY Times bestselling book series, “The Politically Incorrect Guides,” also to be released Fall 2019. Through his work with corporate partners, Patrick has produced more than 300 animated, documentary, virtual reality and narrative projects. He holds a B.A. from Emory University in Creative Writing and Philosophy
Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Primary Ocean Producers
Scott graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Business Administration of Finance. He has extensive start-up, operating, financial, and managerial experience, where he has earned a strong understanding of accounting, project management, logistics, marketing, and financial reporting. Scott began his career with the co-founding of Impulse One, a full-service CPG marketing company, where he oversaw the development of SOP’s, sales and marketing campaigns, brand development, the development of an international supply chain, managed compliance with FDA, USDA, and the Department of Agriculture in all 50 states, oversaw one corporate acquisition, one joint venture with a public company, and managed growth to over $21M in revenues. Shortly thereafter, Scott made his first real estate investments and subsequently co-founded a real estate syndicate, Building Forts Real Estate Investment Fund, and Climbing Fences, a real estate construction company, where he serves as CEO and President, respectively. In 2014, Scott co-founded Venice Fixes, a bicycle marketing and e-commerce platform, where he served as Chief Operating Officer and oversaw sourcing and logistics. Venice Fixies turned a profit in year 1 and was divested. Scott Schmidt currently serves as Chief Investment Officer of the Schmidt 2001 FLP and manages equity and debt investments in the petrochemical, medical, real estate, and beverage industries, and maintains a Directors role in the early and growth-stage companies.
CEO & Board Chair, World Future Society
Julie Friedman Steele is on the Board of Advisors of the United Nations Women for Peace and the Board Chair, and driving force, behind the World Future Society, the most influential international authority for the past 50 years in future thinking.
With a background in education, AI & technology, entertainment, science and child advocacy, Julie is working to realize the vision that utilizing a futurist mindset in education will change the world. She is passionate about emerging technology and accelerating its adoption to make complex technology tools accessible to all. Julie thrives at the cutting edge of disruption and empathy.
Julie is a regular keynote speaker and panelist including for universities discussing the future of education and jobs, TEDX, the United States Patent and Trademark Office, TechWeek, the International Manufacturing Trade Show, and the Chicago Innovation Awards, to name a few. Since becoming Board Chair of the World Future Society, she has advised governments and world leaders across the globe.
Julie has garnered national and international media attention appearing in over 20 countries in print, radio, and television including The Today Show, Al Jazeera, Vanity Fair Italy, Time Magazine, and a profile in Entrepreneur Magazine. She has also been named by The Chicago Tribune as a top 100 Innovator in the City.
As a social entrepreneur and producer Julie created The 3D Printer Experience (3DPX), built an International MPEG standard to make all TV and Film video content searchable and indexable on the internet and produced and directed the Genesis Award winning documentary, Best Friend Forgotten starring actor David Duchovny.
Julie studied biochemistry and molecular biology at Boston University, Music Synthesis at the famed Berklee College of Music, and Artificial Intelligence through Stanford University. With a background in stand-up comedy, Julie brings a fresh and passionate approach to her advisory roles and appearances.
Vice President, Networks, The Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies
Nathan Kaczmarek is Vice President for Networks at the Federalist Society. He began his legal career in Detroit representing nationwide clients in all phases of healthcare litigation and complex medical malpractice claims. He has since served as a Senior Legal and Policy Advisor in the U.S. House of Representatives and as Counsel for the Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs and Federal Management in the U.S. Senate. Prior to overseeing the Networks, he was Director of the Practice Groups, the Regulatory Transparency Project, and the Article I Initiative for the Federalist Society.
Nathan holds degrees from Hillsdale College and Thomas M. Cooley Law School. He is a Liaison Representative for The Administrative Conference of the United States. He also serves as Vice President of the Associates of St. John Bosco, a Virginia based non-profit dedicated to Catholic high school and college students.
Professor, Dale E. Fowler School of Law, Chapman University
Professor Bell joined the faculty of Fowler School of Law in 1998. Professor Bell specializes in high-tech legal issues and has written a variety of works on intellectual property and Internet law, including the book, Intellectual Privilege: Copyright, Common Law, and the Common Good (2014). He received his Juris Doctor from the University of Chicago Law School in 1993, where he served both as a member of the University of Chicago Law Review and as Articles Editor and cofounder of the University of Chicago Legal Roundtable. After graduating from law school, Professor Bell joined the Silicon Valley law firm of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati. He entered teaching in 1995, when he became an Assistant Professor of Law in the Law and Technology Program at the University of Dayton School of Law. During a one year leave of absence from that school, and just prior to joining the Fowler School of Law faculty, he served as Director of Telecommunications and Technology Studies at the Cato Institute in Washington, D.C. Professor Bell joined the faculty of Fowler School of Law in 1998. In addition to writing a steady stream of scholarly works, Professor Bell has appeared on or been quoted in the Wall Street Journal, CNN, Economist, Los Angeles Times, and many other news sources, and starred in several online videos addressing timely legal issues.
Executive Director, Southeastern Legal Foundation
Kimberly Hermann serves as Executive Director for Southeastern Legal Foundation.
Kim has worked with Southeastern Legal Foundation since 2009. Her belief in liberty and desire to serve started at a young age – instilled by her parents’ dedication to hard work, family values, and love for America.
After earning her undergraduate degree in Analytical Finance and graduate degree in Accounting from Wake Forest University, Kim worked as a licensed CPA with an international accounting firm. But her strong belief in individual liberty, the rule of law, and accountability in government led her to pursue a career in law. While in law school at Georgia State University College of Law, Kim served as a law clerk at SLF. After graduating, Kim worked at a private law firm in Atlanta where she specialized in financial and business litigation but continued to serve SLF in a pro bono capacity. In 2013, Kim returned to SLF full-time and is proud to dedicate her career to the freedom-based law movement.
Kim advances liberty through litigation in federal and state trial and appellate courts on issues ranging from government overreach, free speech, property rights, and economic liberty. In addition to representing clients, Kim testifies before state legislatures, drafts model legislation, and regularly publishes legal articles. Through SLF’s legal initiatives, she informs Americans about their constitutional rights, equipping them with the tools they need to stand up to government overreach. Her work and that of Southeastern Legal Foundation is regularly covered by national media and you will frequently hear or see her on radio, podcasts, and television.
Kim is an active member of the Federalist Society where she serves as an expert on the Federalist Society’s Civil Rights Executive Committee. She is also an active member of her community and when she isn’t fighting for liberty, you can find her at her children’s school or on the sports fields cheering them on. She lives in the Atlanta area with her husband and two children.
Vice President, Networks, The Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies
Nathan Kaczmarek is Vice President for Networks at the Federalist Society. He began his legal career in Detroit representing nationwide clients in all phases of healthcare litigation and complex medical malpractice claims. He has since served as a Senior Legal and Policy Advisor in the U.S. House of Representatives and as Counsel for the Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs and Federal Management in the U.S. Senate. Prior to overseeing the Networks, he was Director of the Practice Groups, the Regulatory Transparency Project, and the Article I Initiative for the Federalist Society.
Nathan holds degrees from Hillsdale College and Thomas M. Cooley Law School. He is a Liaison Representative for The Administrative Conference of the United States. He also serves as Vice President of the Associates of St. John Bosco, a Virginia based non-profit dedicated to Catholic high school and college students.
Producer, They Say It Can’t be Done
Patrick is the lead Producer on They Say It Can’t be Done. He previously produced the award-winning feature length documentary Of Dogs and Men. He is co-creator and producer on an animated comedy web series based on the NY Times bestselling book series, “The Politically Incorrect Guides,” also to be released Fall 2019. Through his work with corporate partners, Patrick has produced more than 300 animated, documentary, virtual reality and narrative projects. He holds a B.A. from Emory University in Creative Writing and Philosophy
Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Primary Ocean Producers
Scott graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Business Administration of Finance. He has extensive start-up, operating, financial, and managerial experience, where he has earned a strong understanding of accounting, project management, logistics, marketing, and financial reporting. Scott began his career with the co-founding of Impulse One, a full-service CPG marketing company, where he oversaw the development of SOP’s, sales and marketing campaigns, brand development, the development of an international supply chain, managed compliance with FDA, USDA, and the Department of Agriculture in all 50 states, oversaw one corporate acquisition, one joint venture with a public company, and managed growth to over $21M in revenues. Shortly thereafter, Scott made his first real estate investments and subsequently co-founded a real estate syndicate, Building Forts Real Estate Investment Fund, and Climbing Fences, a real estate construction company, where he serves as CEO and President, respectively. In 2014, Scott co-founded Venice Fixes, a bicycle marketing and e-commerce platform, where he served as Chief Operating Officer and oversaw sourcing and logistics. Venice Fixies turned a profit in year 1 and was divested. Scott Schmidt currently serves as Chief Investment Officer of the Schmidt 2001 FLP and manages equity and debt investments in the petrochemical, medical, real estate, and beverage industries, and maintains a Directors role in the early and growth-stage companies.
CEO & Board Chair, World Future Society
Julie Friedman Steele is on the Board of Advisors of the United Nations Women for Peace and the Board Chair, and driving force, behind the World Future Society, the most influential international authority for the past 50 years in future thinking.
With a background in education, AI & technology, entertainment, science and child advocacy, Julie is working to realize the vision that utilizing a futurist mindset in education will change the world. She is passionate about emerging technology and accelerating its adoption to make complex technology tools accessible to all. Julie thrives at the cutting edge of disruption and empathy.
Julie is a regular keynote speaker and panelist including for universities discussing the future of education and jobs, TEDX, the United States Patent and Trademark Office, TechWeek, the International Manufacturing Trade Show, and the Chicago Innovation Awards, to name a few. Since becoming Board Chair of the World Future Society, she has advised governments and world leaders across the globe.
Julie has garnered national and international media attention appearing in over 20 countries in print, radio, and television including The Today Show, Al Jazeera, Vanity Fair Italy, Time Magazine, and a profile in Entrepreneur Magazine. She has also been named by The Chicago Tribune as a top 100 Innovator in the City.
As a social entrepreneur and producer Julie created The 3D Printer Experience (3DPX), built an International MPEG standard to make all TV and Film video content searchable and indexable on the internet and produced and directed the Genesis Award winning documentary, Best Friend Forgotten starring actor David Duchovny.
Julie studied biochemistry and molecular biology at Boston University, Music Synthesis at the famed Berklee College of Music, and Artificial Intelligence through Stanford University. With a background in stand-up comedy, Julie brings a fresh and passionate approach to her advisory roles and appearances.
Professor, Dale E. Fowler School of Law, Chapman University
Professor Bell joined the faculty of Fowler School of Law in 1998. Professor Bell specializes in high-tech legal issues and has written a variety of works on intellectual property and Internet law, including the book, Intellectual Privilege: Copyright, Common Law, and the Common Good (2014). He received his Juris Doctor from the University of Chicago Law School in 1993, where he served both as a member of the University of Chicago Law Review and as Articles Editor and cofounder of the University of Chicago Legal Roundtable. After graduating from law school, Professor Bell joined the Silicon Valley law firm of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati. He entered teaching in 1995, when he became an Assistant Professor of Law in the Law and Technology Program at the University of Dayton School of Law. During a one year leave of absence from that school, and just prior to joining the Fowler School of Law faculty, he served as Director of Telecommunications and Technology Studies at the Cato Institute in Washington, D.C. Professor Bell joined the faculty of Fowler School of Law in 1998. In addition to writing a steady stream of scholarly works, Professor Bell has appeared on or been quoted in the Wall Street Journal, CNN, Economist, Los Angeles Times, and many other news sources, and starred in several online videos addressing timely legal issues.
Producer, They Say It Can’t be Done
Patrick is the lead Producer on They Say It Can’t be Done. He previously produced the award-winning feature length documentary Of Dogs and Men. He is co-creator and producer on an animated comedy web series based on the NY Times bestselling book series, “The Politically Incorrect Guides,” also to be released Fall 2019. Through his work with corporate partners, Patrick has produced more than 300 animated, documentary, virtual reality and narrative projects. He holds a B.A. from Emory University in Creative Writing and Philosophy
Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Primary Ocean Producers
Scott graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Business Administration of Finance. He has extensive start-up, operating, financial, and managerial experience, where he has earned a strong understanding of accounting, project management, logistics, marketing, and financial reporting. Scott began his career with the co-founding of Impulse One, a full-service CPG marketing company, where he oversaw the development of SOP’s, sales and marketing campaigns, brand development, the development of an international supply chain, managed compliance with FDA, USDA, and the Department of Agriculture in all 50 states, oversaw one corporate acquisition, one joint venture with a public company, and managed growth to over $21M in revenues. Shortly thereafter, Scott made his first real estate investments and subsequently co-founded a real estate syndicate, Building Forts Real Estate Investment Fund, and Climbing Fences, a real estate construction company, where he serves as CEO and President, respectively. In 2014, Scott co-founded Venice Fixes, a bicycle marketing and e-commerce platform, where he served as Chief Operating Officer and oversaw sourcing and logistics. Venice Fixies turned a profit in year 1 and was divested. Scott Schmidt currently serves as Chief Investment Officer of the Schmidt 2001 FLP and manages equity and debt investments in the petrochemical, medical, real estate, and beverage industries, and maintains a Directors role in the early and growth-stage companies.
CEO & Board Chair, World Future Society
Julie Friedman Steele is on the Board of Advisors of the United Nations Women for Peace and the Board Chair, and driving force, behind the World Future Society, the most influential international authority for the past 50 years in future thinking.
With a background in education, AI & technology, entertainment, science and child advocacy, Julie is working to realize the vision that utilizing a futurist mindset in education will change the world. She is passionate about emerging technology and accelerating its adoption to make complex technology tools accessible to all. Julie thrives at the cutting edge of disruption and empathy.
Julie is a regular keynote speaker and panelist including for universities discussing the future of education and jobs, TEDX, the United States Patent and Trademark Office, TechWeek, the International Manufacturing Trade Show, and the Chicago Innovation Awards, to name a few. Since becoming Board Chair of the World Future Society, she has advised governments and world leaders across the globe.
Julie has garnered national and international media attention appearing in over 20 countries in print, radio, and television including The Today Show, Al Jazeera, Vanity Fair Italy, Time Magazine, and a profile in Entrepreneur Magazine. She has also been named by The Chicago Tribune as a top 100 Innovator in the City.
As a social entrepreneur and producer Julie created The 3D Printer Experience (3DPX), built an International MPEG standard to make all TV and Film video content searchable and indexable on the internet and produced and directed the Genesis Award winning documentary, Best Friend Forgotten starring actor David Duchovny.
Julie studied biochemistry and molecular biology at Boston University, Music Synthesis at the famed Berklee College of Music, and Artificial Intelligence through Stanford University. With a background in stand-up comedy, Julie brings a fresh and passionate approach to her advisory roles and appearances.
Executive Director, Southeastern Legal Foundation
Kimberly Hermann serves as Executive Director for Southeastern Legal Foundation.
Kim has worked with Southeastern Legal Foundation since 2009. Her belief in liberty and desire to serve started at a young age – instilled by her parents’ dedication to hard work, family values, and love for America.
After earning her undergraduate degree in Analytical Finance and graduate degree in Accounting from Wake Forest University, Kim worked as a licensed CPA with an international accounting firm. But her strong belief in individual liberty, the rule of law, and accountability in government led her to pursue a career in law. While in law school at Georgia State University College of Law, Kim served as a law clerk at SLF. After graduating, Kim worked at a private law firm in Atlanta where she specialized in financial and business litigation but continued to serve SLF in a pro bono capacity. In 2013, Kim returned to SLF full-time and is proud to dedicate her career to the freedom-based law movement.
Kim advances liberty through litigation in federal and state trial and appellate courts on issues ranging from government overreach, free speech, property rights, and economic liberty. In addition to representing clients, Kim testifies before state legislatures, drafts model legislation, and regularly publishes legal articles. Through SLF’s legal initiatives, she informs Americans about their constitutional rights, equipping them with the tools they need to stand up to government overreach. Her work and that of Southeastern Legal Foundation is regularly covered by national media and you will frequently hear or see her on radio, podcasts, and television.
Kim is an active member of the Federalist Society where she serves as an expert on the Federalist Society’s Civil Rights Executive Committee. She is also an active member of her community and when she isn’t fighting for liberty, you can find her at her children’s school or on the sports fields cheering them on. She lives in the Atlanta area with her husband and two children.
Partner, Bracewell LLP
Jeffrey Holmstead, former assistant administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency for Air and Radiation, is one of the nation’s leading climate change lawyers as recognized by Chambers USA (2008-2016) and heads the environmental strategies group (ESG) at Bracewell. The ESG is a multi-disciplinary group that includes environmental and energy attorneys, public policy advocates and strategic communications experts – most of whom have had high-level government experience. Under Jeffrey’s leadership, they work together on a daily basis to advise and defend companies and business groups confronting major environmental and energy-development challenges, both domestically and globally.
From his time in both the government and the private sector, Jeffrey is very familiar with the environmental and energy challenges facing the business community. He advises clients dealing with an increasingly complex regulatory, legal and public relations landscape, drawing on his experience in policy development, administrative and legislative advocacy, litigation and strategic communications. He has worked with clients in a number of industries on issues related to climate change, Clean Air Act policy and enforcement, and energy policy — including the development of new coal-fired power plants, refineries, renewable energy sources, and electric transmission infrastructure.
Jeffrey headed the EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation from 2001 to 2005, longer than anyone in EPA history. During his tenure, he was the architect of several of the agency’s most important initiatives, including the Clean Air Interstate Rule, the Clean Air Diesel Rule, the Mercury Rule for power plants and the reform of the New Source Review program. He also oversaw the development of the Bush Administration’s Clear Skies Legislation and key parts of its Global Climate Change Initiative. Between 1989 and 1993, Jeffrey served on the White House Staff as Associate Counsel to former President George H.W. Bush. In that capacity, he was involved in the passage of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 and the key steps taken to implement those amendments. From 1987 to 1988, he served as a law clerk to Judge Douglas H. Ginsburg on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia.
He received his B.A. from Brigham Young University, summa cum laude, and his J.D. from Yale Law School.
Holland & Hart, Partner
On February 28, 2019, the U.S. Senate confirmed Andrew Wheeler as the fifteenth Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. President Donald J. Trump had announced his appointment as the Acting EPA Administrator on July 5, 2018. Mr. Wheeler had previously been confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the EPA Deputy Administrator on April 12, 2018.
Mr. Wheeler has dedicated his career to advancing sound environmental policies. He began his career during the George H. W. Bush Administration as a Special Assistant in EPA’s Pollution Prevention and Toxics office.
He was a Principal and the team leader of the Energy and Environment Practice Group at FaegreBD Consulting, as well as Counsel at Faegre Baker Daniels law firm, where he practiced since 2009. He also served as the Co-chair of the Energy and Natural Resources Industry team across the entire firm.
Prior to his work with the firm, Mr. Wheeler served for six years as the Majority Staff Director and Chief Counsel, as well as the Minority Staff Director, of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. Before his time at the full Senate EPW Committee, Mr. Wheeler served in a similar capacity for six years for the Subcommittee on Clean Air, Climate Change, Wetlands and Nuclear Safety.
Mr. Wheeler is the past Chairman of the National Energy Resource Organization (NERO) and a Stennis Fellow. Mr. Wheeler is also an Eagle Scout.
Mr. Wheeler is from Fairfield, Ohio. He completed his law degree at Washington University in St. Louis, his MBA at George Mason University, and his undergraduate work at Case Western Reserve University in English and Biology.
Vice President, Networks, The Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies
Nathan Kaczmarek is Vice President for Networks at the Federalist Society. He began his legal career in Detroit representing nationwide clients in all phases of healthcare litigation and complex medical malpractice claims. He has since served as a Senior Legal and Policy Advisor in the U.S. House of Representatives and as Counsel for the Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs and Federal Management in the U.S. Senate. Prior to overseeing the Networks, he was Director of the Practice Groups, the Regulatory Transparency Project, and the Article I Initiative for the Federalist Society.
Nathan holds degrees from Hillsdale College and Thomas M. Cooley Law School. He is a Liaison Representative for The Administrative Conference of the United States. He also serves as Vice President of the Associates of St. John Bosco, a Virginia based non-profit dedicated to Catholic high school and college students.
Partner, Bracewell LLP
Jeffrey Holmstead, former assistant administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency for Air and Radiation, is one of the nation’s leading climate change lawyers as recognized by Chambers USA (2008-2016) and heads the environmental strategies group (ESG) at Bracewell. The ESG is a multi-disciplinary group that includes environmental and energy attorneys, public policy advocates and strategic communications experts – most of whom have had high-level government experience. Under Jeffrey’s leadership, they work together on a daily basis to advise and defend companies and business groups confronting major environmental and energy-development challenges, both domestically and globally.
From his time in both the government and the private sector, Jeffrey is very familiar with the environmental and energy challenges facing the business community. He advises clients dealing with an increasingly complex regulatory, legal and public relations landscape, drawing on his experience in policy development, administrative and legislative advocacy, litigation and strategic communications. He has worked with clients in a number of industries on issues related to climate change, Clean Air Act policy and enforcement, and energy policy — including the development of new coal-fired power plants, refineries, renewable energy sources, and electric transmission infrastructure.
Jeffrey headed the EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation from 2001 to 2005, longer than anyone in EPA history. During his tenure, he was the architect of several of the agency’s most important initiatives, including the Clean Air Interstate Rule, the Clean Air Diesel Rule, the Mercury Rule for power plants and the reform of the New Source Review program. He also oversaw the development of the Bush Administration’s Clear Skies Legislation and key parts of its Global Climate Change Initiative. Between 1989 and 1993, Jeffrey served on the White House Staff as Associate Counsel to former President George H.W. Bush. In that capacity, he was involved in the passage of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 and the key steps taken to implement those amendments. From 1987 to 1988, he served as a law clerk to Judge Douglas H. Ginsburg on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia.
He received his B.A. from Brigham Young University, summa cum laude, and his J.D. from Yale Law School.
Holland & Hart, Partner
On February 28, 2019, the U.S. Senate confirmed Andrew Wheeler as the fifteenth Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. President Donald J. Trump had announced his appointment as the Acting EPA Administrator on July 5, 2018. Mr. Wheeler had previously been confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the EPA Deputy Administrator on April 12, 2018.
Mr. Wheeler has dedicated his career to advancing sound environmental policies. He began his career during the George H. W. Bush Administration as a Special Assistant in EPA’s Pollution Prevention and Toxics office.
He was a Principal and the team leader of the Energy and Environment Practice Group at FaegreBD Consulting, as well as Counsel at Faegre Baker Daniels law firm, where he practiced since 2009. He also served as the Co-chair of the Energy and Natural Resources Industry team across the entire firm.
Prior to his work with the firm, Mr. Wheeler served for six years as the Majority Staff Director and Chief Counsel, as well as the Minority Staff Director, of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. Before his time at the full Senate EPW Committee, Mr. Wheeler served in a similar capacity for six years for the Subcommittee on Clean Air, Climate Change, Wetlands and Nuclear Safety.
Mr. Wheeler is the past Chairman of the National Energy Resource Organization (NERO) and a Stennis Fellow. Mr. Wheeler is also an Eagle Scout.
Mr. Wheeler is from Fairfield, Ohio. He completed his law degree at Washington University in St. Louis, his MBA at George Mason University, and his undergraduate work at Case Western Reserve University in English and Biology.
Vice President, Networks, The Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies
Nathan Kaczmarek is Vice President for Networks at the Federalist Society. He began his legal career in Detroit representing nationwide clients in all phases of healthcare litigation and complex medical malpractice claims. He has since served as a Senior Legal and Policy Advisor in the U.S. House of Representatives and as Counsel for the Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs and Federal Management in the U.S. Senate. Prior to overseeing the Networks, he was Director of the Practice Groups, the Regulatory Transparency Project, and the Article I Initiative for the Federalist Society.
Nathan holds degrees from Hillsdale College and Thomas M. Cooley Law School. He is a Liaison Representative for The Administrative Conference of the United States. He also serves as Vice President of the Associates of St. John Bosco, a Virginia based non-profit dedicated to Catholic high school and college students.
Laurence A. Tisch Professor of Law and Director, Classical Liberal Institute, New York University School of Law; Director, Classical Liberal Institute, Civitas Institute University of Texas at Austin
Richard A. Epstein is the Laurence A. Tisch Professor of Law, at New York University, a senior research fellow at the Civitas Institute at the University of Texas Austin, and a senior Lecturer, the University of Chicago. He received an LL.D., h.c . from the University of Ghent, 2003 , and an LLD h.c . from the University of Siegen in 2018 and the Bradley Prize in 2011. He has been a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences since 1985. He has edited both the Journal of Legal Studies (1981-1991) and the Journal of Law and Economics (1991-2001). He is also a founder and director of the Classical Liberal Institute at NYU Law School. His most recent book is The Classical Liberal Constitution: The Uncertain Quest for Limited Government (2014). His other books include Takings: Private Property and the Power of Eminent Domain ( 1985); Bargaining with the State (1993); Simple Rules for a Complex World (1995); Principles for a Free Society: Reconciling Individual Liberty and the Common Good (1998); Skepticism and Freedom: A Modern Theory of Classical Liberalism (2003); Design for Liberty: Private Property, Public Administration and the Rule of Law (2011), and most recently, The Myth of Birthright citizenship—and Beyond (2026). He has taught courses in , administrative law, antitrust, constitutional, contracts, environmental law, land use planning; real property, torts and water law. He has written and spoken extensively on a wide range of topics, and is writes a regular column for Defining Ideas.
Partner, Vinson & Elkins LLP
Eric Groten is an accomplished Clean Air Act practitioner with nearly 35 years of experience navigating state and federal air quality laws. His work covers the full array of legal work generated by air quality laws, including defending enforcement actions, applying for the permits they require, transacting emissions rights, counseling clients on compliance and lobbying to change rules and the laws themselves. He has represented upstream, midstream and petrochemical facilities, power generators, and extractive industries in enforcement actions brought by EPA, by state agencies and by citizen groups.
Chambers USA described Eric as “a highly experienced air emissions lawyer, distinguished in the market by the sizable volume of contested air permitting work he undertakes,” and “creative in thinking through how to find an interpretation that’s going to get you the result you need” (2019). Indeed, Eric relishes the opportunity to help a client that’s willing to actively defend itself when it believes it has operated within the law. And to find a way through permitting disputes that stand in the way of capital projects that modernize our industrial base.
Senior Fellow for Law, Economics, and Technology, The Heritage Foundation; Professor, Florida International University
Mario Loyola is a Senior Fellow for Law, Economics, and Technology at The Heritage Foundation.
Loyola served in the Trump Administration as Associate Director for Regulatory Reform at the White House Council on Environmental Quality. In that role, he was one of the principal drafters of the One Federal Decision policy, which helped to streamline the permitting and environmental review of large infrastructure projects. While at CEQ, he was a member of the U.S. delegation to the USMCA free trade negotiations with Mexico and Canada, as well as the United Nations conference on biodiversity on the high seas. Loyola initially joined the White House in February 2017 as a Presidential Speechwriter, employing his expertise in many areas of foreign and domestic policy.
After beginning his career in M&A and corporate finance law, Loyola served in the Bush 43 Administration as a special assistant to the Undersecretary of Defense for Policy. He left that position to start writing on national defense issues in magazines such as National Review and The Weekly Standard, reporting from the front lines of the war on terrorism in Lebanon, Israel, and Iraq. He finished the Bush Administration as Foreign and Defense Counsel to the U.S. Senate Republican Policy Committee, then under the chairmanship of Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas. He subsequently moved to Texas and joined the Texas Public Policy Foundation, where he specialized in energy, environment, and federalism.
Loyola is a frequent contributor to The Wall Street Journal, National Review, and The Atlantic, among others. He teaches environmental and administrative law at Florida International University, where he is Founding Director of the Environmental Finance and Risk Management program in FIU’s prestigious Institute of Environment. He received a bachelor’s degree in European history from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and a J.D. from Washington University School of Law.
Professor Emeritus of Law and C. William Trout Senior Fellow in Public Interest Law, Shepard Broad College of Law, Nova Southeastern University
Joel Mintz has been a faculty member at Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad College of Law since 1982. He teaches courses in Environmental Law, Torts, and Environmental Enforcement, and he has taught courses and seminars in Land Use Planning, State and Local Government Law, and Comparative Environmental Law.
Professor Mintz’s scholarship focuses primarily on environmental law and policy, environmental enforcement, sustainable development, regulation of hazardous wastes, and state and local taxation and finance. Mintz is the author of a well-received monograph, Enforcement at the EPA: High Stakes and Hard Choices (University of Texas Press, 1995) (revised edition, 2012), and a treatise on the federal environmental liabilities of state and local governments; and he has co-authored two casebooks, a “law-in-a-nutshell” work, and a handbook for attorneys on municipal finance. His law review articles have appeared in numerous journals and his articles and book contributions have been widely cited, quoted, and excerpted in texts, scholarly books, and articles. He has also published op-ed articles, perspective pieces, book reviews, and other works.
Prior to joining the College of Law faculty, Professor Mintz was an attorney and chief attorney with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in Chicago and Washington, D.C. He is an elected member of the American Law Institute, a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation, a member scholar of the Center for Progressive Reform and the President of the Board of Directors of the Everglades Law Center, a not-for-profit environmental public interest law firm.
Mintz received his B.A. from Columbia University, his J.D. from N.Y.U. School of Law, and his LL.M. and J.S.D. from Columbia Law School. He serves as the newsletter editor of the Association of American Law School’s Section on State and Local Government Law, and he is an elected member of both the Commission on Environmental Law of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and the International Council of Environmental Law. He is also a member of the bar of the State of New York and of several federal courts.
Professor Mintz’s outside interests include spending time with his family, canoeing, bicycling, reading, and attending concerts, films, and sporting events.
Senior Advisor, Wilkinson Barker Knauer LLP
Mr. Clark is a Senior Advisor at Wilkinson Barker Knauer, LLP. He has extensive experience in energy and utility policy at the federal and state level. He provides clients with analysis and strategic advice on a variety regulatory and public policy matters affecting their businesses. He specializes in working with clients in the energy and telecommunications industries and at the nexus of state and federal jurisdictional issues.
Having been appointed by President Obama, and unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate, Mr. Clark served from 2012 to 2016 as a Commissioner of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. While at the FERC, Mr. Clark worked on matters that are at the forefront of energy policy, such as: electricity reliability, electricity-natural gas industry coordination, oversight of the nation’s Regional Transmission Organizations, electricity grid cyber and physical security regulations, major enforcement actions, energy infrastructure permitting, the integration of renewables and energy storage, FERC Order 1000 implementation, and wholesale electricity market reforms. From 2001 to 2012 he was a Commissioner of the North Dakota Public Service Commission, including over 5 years as its Chairman. During his tenure at the North Dakota Commission, Mr. Clark oversaw numerous proceedings related to the state’s historic emergence as a leader in American energy production. In 2010, he was selected by his regulatory peers across the nation to serve a term as President of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners. He also served a three-year term as Chairman of the NARUC Telecommunications Committee. Through his various regulatory positions, he has testified multiple times before Committees of both the US House and US Senate on matters related to energy and telecommunications.
From 1999 to 2000, Mr. Clark was Labor Commissioner of the State of North Dakota and a member of the Cabinet of Gov. Ed Schafer. In 1994 he was one of the youngest people ever elected to the North Dakota legislature, representing a portion of the City of Fargo for two terms in the State House of Representatives. He is a graduate, with honor, from North Dakota State University and holds a master’s degree from the University of North Dakota. In addition to his work at Wilkinson Barker Knauer, LLP, Mr. Clark serves as a non-employee independent director on the Board of Directors of NorthWestern Energy Corporation. Having attained the rank of Eagle Scout in his youth, Mr. Clark has been a long-time volunteer with and supporter of the Boy Scouts of America.
Adam Griffin is a graduate of the University of North Carolina School of Law. During law school, he served as a research assistant to Professor Stephen E. Sachs and UNC Law Dean Martin Brinkley. After law school, Adam spent two years litigating for liberty at the Institute for Justice as an inaugural Law and Liberty Fellow. He then served as a law clerk to Chief Judge Richard E. Myers in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina, and previously worked at Pacific Legal Foundation and the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice.
Vice President, Regulatory Affairs, NRG Energy
Travis Kavulla joined NRG after a decade of work as a policy wonk and government regulator. Previously, Travis headed up energy and environmental policy for the R Street Institute, a think tank, and before that was twice elected to public office as a utility commissioner in Montana. Travis has also held leadership roles in national policy circles, including as president of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners. During his work in public life, Travis has written dozens of articles and speeches on electricity policy and regulation.
Senior Fellow for Law, Economics, and Technology, The Heritage Foundation; Professor, Florida International University
Mario Loyola is a Senior Fellow for Law, Economics, and Technology at The Heritage Foundation.
Loyola served in the Trump Administration as Associate Director for Regulatory Reform at the White House Council on Environmental Quality. In that role, he was one of the principal drafters of the One Federal Decision policy, which helped to streamline the permitting and environmental review of large infrastructure projects. While at CEQ, he was a member of the U.S. delegation to the USMCA free trade negotiations with Mexico and Canada, as well as the United Nations conference on biodiversity on the high seas. Loyola initially joined the White House in February 2017 as a Presidential Speechwriter, employing his expertise in many areas of foreign and domestic policy.
After beginning his career in M&A and corporate finance law, Loyola served in the Bush 43 Administration as a special assistant to the Undersecretary of Defense for Policy. He left that position to start writing on national defense issues in magazines such as National Review and The Weekly Standard, reporting from the front lines of the war on terrorism in Lebanon, Israel, and Iraq. He finished the Bush Administration as Foreign and Defense Counsel to the U.S. Senate Republican Policy Committee, then under the chairmanship of Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas. He subsequently moved to Texas and joined the Texas Public Policy Foundation, where he specialized in energy, environment, and federalism.
Loyola is a frequent contributor to The Wall Street Journal, National Review, and The Atlantic, among others. He teaches environmental and administrative law at Florida International University, where he is Founding Director of the Environmental Finance and Risk Management program in FIU’s prestigious Institute of Environment. He received a bachelor’s degree in European history from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and a J.D. from Washington University School of Law.
Evaluating the EPA’s Proposals to Retain the Existing Particulate Matter and Ozone Standards
Daren Bakst, Jeffrey Holmstead, Justin Schwab
The Environmental Protection Agency recently proposed retaining both the existing particulate matter and ozone primary...
It Can Be Done Live: The Future of Our Seas
Thomas W. Bell, Kimberly Hermann, Patrick Reasonover, Scott Schmidt, Julie Friedman Steele, Nathan Kaczmarek
A Four-Part Virtual Movie Premiere
The creators of the award-winning documentary, They Say It Can't Be Done, in partnership with the...
It Can Be Done Live: The Future of Our Seas
Thomas W. Bell, Kimberly Hermann, Nathan Kaczmarek, Patrick Reasonover, Scott Schmidt, Julie Friedman Steele
A Four-Part Virtual Movie Premiere
The creators of the award-winning documentary, They Say It Can't Be Done, in partnership with the...
Deep Dive Episode 134 – It Can Be Done Live: The Future of Our Seas
Thomas W. Bell, Patrick Reasonover, Scott Schmidt, Julie Friedman Steele, Kimberly Hermann
Regulatory Transparency Project's Fourth Branch Podcast
The creators of the award-winning documentary, They Say It Can’t Be Done, in partnership with...
Deep Dive Episode 132 – A Conversation with EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler: New Rule on Guidance Procedures and More
Jeffrey Holmstead, Andrew Wheeler, Nathan Kaczmarek
A Regulatory Transparency Project Webinar
In May, the Environmental Protection Agency announced a new proposed rule to “establish the procedures and requirements...
Deep Dive Episode 132 – A Conversation with EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler: New Rule on Guidance Procedures and More
Jeffrey Holmstead, Andrew Wheeler, Nathan Kaczmarek
A Regulatory Transparency Project Webinar
In May, the Environmental Protection Agency announced a new proposed rule to “establish the procedures and requirements...
Deep Dive Episode 129 – Environmental Citizen Suits and SEPs: Do Constitutional and Nondelegation Concerns Outweigh Environmental Benefits?
Richard A. Epstein, Eric Groten, Mario Loyola, Joel Mintz
A Regulatory Transparency Project Teleforum
Environmental laws such as the Clean Air Act allow private plaintiffs and environmental advocacy groups...
Retooling Energy Regulations: Who Decides?
Anthony T. Clark, Adam F. Griffin, Travis Kavulla
On July 16, 2020, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) revised its regulations governing qualifying...
40 Years Later: NEPA Regulation Update
Mario Loyola
On July 16, 2020, the White House Council on Environmental Quality published the long-awaited revision...
Topics
Post-Decision Review: United States Forest Service v. Cowpasture River Preservation Association
On June 15, 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court decided United States Forest Service v. Cowpasture...