The Center for Earth, Energy and Environment (CEEE) was created to help prepare leaders that shape our shared energy future. The Center launched with an industry symposium convening industry leaders, policymakers, educators, and students to explore the future of sustainable energy in Appalachia.
Energy and Resource Management: A Path Forward for Appalachia.
April 20-21, 2026
The session included experts from a variety of energy sectors and featured keynote speaker Dr. Scott W. Tinker, CEO of Tinker Energy Associates and Chairman of Switch Energy Alliance.
The symposium offered "the ideal opportunity to strengthen existing and build new relationships with industry partners that are crucial to inform our academic programs and develop experiential learning opportunities that best prepare our graduates for successful careers in these fields,” Dr. Ben Stuart, dean of the Center for Earth, Energy and the Environment, said.
The slate of sessions brought together regional and national leaders from across traditional and emerging industry sectors for a full day of dialogue on energy development and innovation across Appalachia. The event featured moderators and speakers spanning industry and policy. Featured participants included Elena S. Melchert, president of Energia Consulting LLC; Craig Butler, executive director of the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District and former director of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency; Max Hua, CEO and founder of Anovary; and Kreg Levengood, commissioning director at Kiewit Power. Additional speakers represented organizations such as Expand Energy, Vistra, Fervo Energy, the Ohio River Commission, Vallourec, ARTEX, Shale Crescent USA, NexTier, Decarcs, EQT Corporation, CARBO, and MPLX Gathering and Processing.
Sessions, panel discussions, and presentations explored the opportunities and constraints shaping the region’s energy landscape. Topics included global demand and deliverability, the role of artificial intelligence and data science in modern energy systems, pathways for business development and sustainable resource management across Appalachia, and the value of a STEM education.
The page records the agenda and speakers who participated in the symposium.
Energy and Resource Management:
A Path Forward for Appalachia
April 20-21, 2026
Symposium | Agenda | Contact | Support CEEE
Dr. Scott W. Tinker
CEO of Tinker Energy Associates and Chairman of Switch Energy AlliancE
Sustained revitalization of Appalachian communities in Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Kentucky depends on attracting innovative industries—such as advanced manufacturing and cleaner energy—while ensuring the infrastructure needed to support them. Long‑term success requires reliable baseload power, efficient transportation networks, and systems that responsibly develop and deliver local natural resources. Achieving this vision demands coordinated planning among private industry, government, economic development organizations, and a skilled workforce.
CEEE is pleased to announce that energy expert, filmmaker, and host of PBS’s Energy Switch, Dr. Scott W. Tinker, will deliver the keynote address at its inaugural symposium. Dr. Tinker will present a rigorously factual and comprehensive overview of power‑industry data. A subsequent executive panel representing both traditional and emerging energy sectors will explore the opportunities and challenges shaping the region’s future energy needs.
The luncheon plenary will feature John Lassek, Deputy Assistant Secretary in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Hydrocarbons and Geothermal Energy Office, who will share the agency’s perspective on subsurface energy resources. After lunch, NexTier President Tommy Balez will discuss how AI and data science are optimizing energy generation and modernizing distribution systems.
The afternoon program includes a business development roundtable focused on leveraging Appalachian natural resources to support existing industries and attract new ones, with discussion of manufacturing infrastructure, lessons from past practices, and sustainability priorities. The symposium concludes with CARBO CTO Terry Palisch, who will highlight how STEM graduates are well positioned for careers in resource and energy management.
Symposium Agenda
Monday, April 20, 2026
2:00 p.m.
Student Activities with Scott Tinker
4:00 p.m
Sponsors' Dinner with Scott Tinker
(invitation only)
6:30 p.m.
Screening of feature film: "Switch On," starring Scott Tinker
Free and open to the public
Q&A with Scott Tinker following the film
Doors open at 6:00 p.m.
At the historical Peoples Bank Theatre
This event is free and open to the community
Tuesday, April 21, 2026
8:00 a.m.
Registration and Continental Breakfast
9:00 a.m.
Welcome and Introductions
Kathleen Poorman Dougherty, President of Marietta College
Ben J. Stuart, Dean of the Center for Earth, Energy, and Environment
9:15 a.m.
Keynote Address: Global Energy: Factually Complete
Scott W. Tinker, Chairman, Switch Energy Alliance
10:15 a.m.
Break
10:30 a.m.
The Future of Energy – Demand vs. Deliverability
Moderator: Elena S. Melchert, President of Energia Consulting LLC
- Max Hua, CEO & Founder, Anovary
- Kreg Levengood, Commissioning Director, Kiewit Power
- Dan Lopata, VP Completions, Facilities & Production, Expand Energy
- Kristina Montgomery, Sr. Dir., State & Regional Policy Engagement, Vistra
- Rahul Rambhatla, Development Manager, Fervo Energy
11:45 a.m.
Break for Lunch
12:15 p.m.
Luncheon Plenary
John Lassek, Deputy Assistant Secretary Subsurface Energy, US DoE
1:00 p.m.
AI/Data Science in the Energy Industry
Tommy Balez, President of NexTier
1:30 p.m.
Break
1:45 p.m.
Advancing Business in Appalachia Through Sustainable Resource Management
Moderator: Craig Butler, Executive Director of MWCD, past Director of Ohio EPA
- Taylor Abbott, Executive Director, Ohio River Commission
- Joe Hill, Vice President of New Energies NA, Vallourec
- Jerry James, President ARTEX, Founder & Vice Chairman of Shale Crescent USA
- Nikhil Joshi, CEO Decarcs
- John Litynski, Head of CCUS, EQT Corporation
- Harold Rinehart, VP East Operations, MPLX Gathering & Processing
3:15 p.m.
The Value of a STEM Education
Terry Palisch, CTO CARBO, 2024 SPE President
3:45 p.m.
Wrap-Up
Ben J. Stuart, Dean of the CEEE at Marietta College
"Switch On"
The film will be screened on Monday, April 20 at 6:30 p.m.
at the Peoples Bank Theatre
Followed by Q&A with the film's creator Scott Tinker
This free event is open to the community
through sponsorship by the historic Peoples Bank Theatre
"Energy powers the people to power themselves." Scott Tinker
In Dr. Scott Tinker's documentary, "Switch On," you will meet leaders, entrepreneurs, and everyday citizens working to eradicate 'energy poverty' in their countries. In a journey that's enlightening and emotional, Switch On will change the way you look at energy and the developing world forever.
Tinker is a global energy visionary, educator and pragmatist working to solve major societal challenges in energy, environment, and economy. His career in industry, academia, government, and non-profits, underpin his global speaking, writing, filmmaking, television, radio, and board work. He has led the dialogue on balancing energy access for human flourishing with environmental protection in what he calls the “radical middle.” His views of the global energy landscape have proven prescient and impactful to industry leaders, policymakers, and educators.
Thank You Sponsors
DIAMOND LEVEL
GOLD LEVEL
SILVER LEVEL
EQT Corporation
Gulfport Energy
Range Resources
SLB
STUDENT ACCESS SPONSOR
Harvest Midstream Company
BRONZE LEVEL
CARBO
Kimble Companies
Royse Partners Limited
Vallourec
SCREENING SPONSOR
(for “Switch On”)
Peoples Bank Theater
Symposium Speakers
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