Commercial, Industrial, Commercial, Industrial  -  August 12, 2016

Executives from Celanese, GM, Whole Foods join Smart Energy Decisions advisory board

Smart Energy Decisions on Aug. 12 announced the addition of three new members to its advisory board. 

Bringing additional wisdom from decades of experience in corporate energy management, the three new members — Aaron Daly, global director of energy management at Whole Foods Market; David Reid, global energy and productivity leader at Celanese Corp.; and Rob Threlkeld, global manager of renewable energy at General Motors Co. — join eight current Smart Energy Decisions advisory board members already helping to identify, define and advance industry best practices in energy efficiency and renewable energy sourcing.

"We're thrilled to have such accomplished energy management executives join our advisory board. Their invaluable experience and insights from the automotive, specialty materials and retail sectors will help support our efforts to serve the nation's largest electric power users," Smart Energy Decisions founder and editorial director John Failla said.

Participation on the advisory board does not reflect an endorsement of Smart Energy Decisions by a member's employer. More information on each new board member below.

Aaron Daly, Whole Foods Market, global director of energy management

Aaron Daly is a recognized professional in the field of energy and climate change. In his current role as Whole Foods Market's global director for energy management, Aaron oversees the company’s programs in energy efficiency; renewable and onsite power generation; and energy analysis and reporting. He also works with colleagues to improve energy and resource management in new and existing buildings across the global portfolio. He is currently focused on Whole Foods Market's Department of Energy Better Buildings Challenge commitment to reduce energy consumption 20% by the year 2020.

He also works with colleagues to improve energy and resource management in new and existing buildings across the global portfolio. He is currently focused on Whole Foods Market's Department of Energy Better Buildings Challenge commitment to reduce energy consumption 20% by the year 2020.

David Reid, Celanese Corp., global energy and productivity leader

David Reid is the global energy and productivity leader for Celanese. He is a graduate of the University of Waterloo, Canada, with a Bachelor of Applied Science degree in chemical engineering.
David has more than 30 years of manufacturing experience in polymer and chemicals industries including ICI, PolyOne, Oxy Vinyls and Celanese.

He has held positions in process control, manufacturing operations leadership as well as process improvement (reliability, work processes, Six Sigma, manufacturing IT solutions) including his current role leading energy and productivity programs for 26 Celanese plants worldwide.

Celanese Corporation is a global technology leader in the production of differentiated chemistry solutions and specialty materials used in most major industries and consumer applications. 

Rob Threlkeld, General Motors Co., global manager of renewable energy

Rob Threlkeld manages the more than 100 MW of renewable energy that make up GM’s global renewable energy portfolio and assesses the feasibility of future projects as they pertain to GM’s overall sustainability strategy. Threlkeld is responsible for negotiating long-term power purchase agreements with projects underway at various facilities across the globe, including opportunities associated with battery storage, behind-the-meter applications and electric vehicle integration.

As part of GM’s sustainability team, Threlkeld is charged with sharing renewable energy best practices to internal and external audiences to further GM’s reputation as a responsible corporate citizen. Threlkeld began his career at General Motors in 2000 as manager of the powerhouse and wastewater treatment plant operations at GM’s Lordstown, Ohio, Assembly Complex. He holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in civil engineering from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind.

For more details about each of the board members, click here.