4th Annual ABS Offshore Wind Forum

Exploring Synergies and Innovation    

Event Date: November 28, 2023

Location: NOPSI Hotel
317 Baronne St. New Orleans, LA 70112

Time: Forum: 1:30-5:00pm | Reception: 5:00-7:00pm

Attire: Business

ABOUT

Join us for the fourth annual ABS Offshore Wind Forum where we will explore the latest in offshore wind innovations, solutions and strategies. In this afternoon session, we will hear the latest market outlook for the offshore wind industry and then dive into panel discussions which will examine the challenges and opportunities across the offshore wind value chain and the technologies and innovations that will shape the next generation of the offshore wind industry.

After the panel discussion, stay and enjoy a reception where you can meet the speakers and enjoy networking with other industry leaders.

AGENDA

• 1:30pm: Registration and Networking
• 2:00pm: Welcome and Opening Remarks
  • Speaker: Robert Langford, Vice President, Global Offshore Wind at the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS)
• 2:15pm: Offshore Wind Industry and Market Outlook
  • Speaker: Erik Milito, President at the National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA)
  • Speaker: Philip Lewis, Director of Research at Intelatus Global Partners
• 2:45pm: Panel 1 - Identifying Synergies Across the Offshore Wind Value Chain
  • Panel Description: In this panel, leaders from across the wind value chain will share their perspective on how the industry can collaborate and identify synergies to support innovation in clean technology and drive more sustainable operations from ports to projects.
  • Moderator: Roy Bleiberg, Vice President, North America Business Development at the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS)
  • Panelist: Daniel Reed, Maritime Project Manager at Shell
  • Panelist: Jan Sloth Møller, Offshore Site Manager at Ørsted
  • Panelist: Jamie Lescinski, Director of Business Development, U.S. Offshore Wind at Boskalis
  • Panelist: Timothy Axelsson, Director, Offshore Wind at Liberty Green Logistics
• 3:45pm: Refreshment Break
• 4:00pm: Panel 2 - What’s Next for the Future of Offshore Wind?
  • Panel Description: Hear from industry technology leaders as they discuss the evolution of support vessel designs and system approaches and the next generation of offshore wind developments.
  • Moderator: Greg Trauthwein, President & COO at New Wave Media
  • Panelist: Eric Empey, Director of Operations at DEME Group
  • Panelist: Josh Diedrich, Managing Director at WindServe Marine
  • Panelist: Darren Truelock, Vice President, Operations at VARD Marine US
  • Panelist: Ron MacInnes, President at Seatrium Offshore & Marine USA
• 4:55pm: Closing Remarks
• 5:00pm: Networking Reception

If you have specific questions about this event, please contact Kim Jackson at kimjackson@eagle.org

Speakers

ROBERT LANGFORD
Vice President, Global Offshore Wind, ABS

With over 30 years of experience in offshore consulting, engineering, construction, installation, operations, and maintenance combined with a deep understanding of offshore developments, Rob offers a full range of global perspectives and knowledge in New Energy and Hydrocarbons. He has successfully led numerous offshore developments. His collaborative efforts and leadership expertise on various offshore fixed and floating projects has allowed him to add value for leading energy companies worldwide.

ERIK MILITO
President, National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA)

Erik Milito is the president of the National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA), representing the interests of the offshore oil and gas, wind, and carbon sequestration industries. Erik serves as the leader, voice, and advocate for a 130-member organization that represents the offshore energy industry before Congress, the Executive Branch, and the media. Erik and the organization focus on strategic outcomes that serve to promote the industry as an innovator, problem-solver, and preferred investment choice. Erik has led efforts to secure a multitude of favorable public policy outcomes in Washington for the industry to continue to invest with certainty in domestic energy projects.

Erik arrived at NOIA in November 2019 after serving for 17 years at the American Petroleum Institute (API), including roles as Vice President, Upstream Policy and Managing Counsel.

Through his leadership roles at trade associations in Washington, D.C., Erik has gained extensive experience in implementing strategic outreach and public relations platforms for high profile issues on behalf of the energy industry. He is a spokesperson and lobbyist for the industry, testifying before Congress and appearing on major news outlets on key energy issues on numerous occasions. Erik has been at the forefront of efforts to develop and establish industry programs to enhance safety and environmental performance, including the NOIA ESG Network, The Environmental Partnership, and the Center for Offshore Safety.

From 2000 to 2002, Milito served as an attorney in the Solicitor’s Office of the U.S. Department of the Interior. He served on active duty in the U.S. Army as a judge advocate from 1995 to 2000 and in the U.S. Army Reserve from 2000-2004, before resigning at the rank of Major. Erik received the Meritorious Service Medal and Army Commendation Medals for his service. He holds a Juris Doctor from Marquette University Law School, and a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Notre Dame. Erik is originally from Natrona, Pennsylvania, and he and his wife Beth now live in Alexandria, VA with their four children, Will, Helen, Evie, and Jake.

Phillip Lewis
Director of Research, Intelatus Global Partners

Philip is the Research Director for Intelatus Global Partners, a consulting and business intelligence company specialized in the offshore and marine segments. Philip has over 30 years of corporate and commercial management and strategic planning experience in advisory, senior leadership team and Board positions, developing strategy and driving change within the renewable energy, offshore marine, shipping and heavy engineering space.

Roy Bleiberg
Vice President, North America Business Development, ABS

Roy Bleiberg is the Vice President of Business Development for North America for the American Bureau of Shipping and has over 30 years of global marine and offshore experience with ABS. He is responsible for business development and account management for all North American marine markets. He has in-depth knowledge of class and regulatory requirements and has held various leadership positions with ABS, including most recently Vice President of Engineering and Director of Global Gas Solutions. He is a graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy with a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Engineering Systems.

Daniel Reed
Maritime Project Manager, Shell

Danny Reed is a highly accomplished professional with a diverse background in the energy industry. In his current position as Shell's Shipping and Maritime Engineering Manager, he plays a pivotal role in shaping the company's strategic direction towards a more sustainable marine sector.

Danny leads a talented team that collaborates closely with stakeholders to develop innovative solutions for sustainable shipping operations, leading critical projects in LNG, offshore wind, and the decarbonization of the marine sector through electrification and future fuels.

With prior experience in upstream operations, Danny brings a comprehensive understanding of the energy value chain and a track record of delivering capital projects and minimizing risks. He has successfully overseen and optimized the performance of various upstream assets, ensuring efficient operations and maximizing value for the organization.

Danny is committed to leveraging his experiences, the expertise in his team, and collaborating with industry stakeholders to deliver a sustainable and decarbonized maritime solutions.

Jan Sloth Møller
Offshore Site Manager, Ørsted

Jan has a background in tankers and held senior positions onboard and Superintendent positions onshore. He has been in Orsted since 2017 as a Marine Specialist responsible for technical assessment of vessel chartered in Europe and later extending responsibilities to the US. In 2020, took an expat position in the US to work on developing the US supply chain. This included yard evaluation, contracting, cooperations with Class Societies (ABS) to optimize rules for the wind industry.

Earlier this year Jan's transition to Offshore Site Management following years in project planning. His goal is to gain practical experience, enhancing the early stages of project planning by bridging the gap between theory and on-site realities. He is interested in optimizing assets across projects with the goal of reducing the total cost of energy. However, he acknowledges the complex challenges inherent in this endeavor, including interdependencies, resource allocation, and adapting to industry dynamic.

Jan has been involved in various international industry workgroups, including serving as Chairman for the IMCA CMID steering committee and participating in the International Chamber of Shipping workgroup. He is also a co-author of the ICS publication "Tanker Safety Guide Chemicals" 4th edition.

Jamie Lescinski
Director of Business Development, U.S. Offshore Wind, Boskalis

Jamie Lescinski is Boskalis Offshore Energy's Business Development Director for US Offshore Renewables and manages the Providence, RI office. Jamie has been working in the maritime industry for two decades on the research, technology innovation, consultancy and construction sides of the business across all project phases, from concept initialization through construction execution. She received her Masters of Ocean Engineering from Oregon State University and subsequently was a coastal engineering researcher with the USGS Coastal Sciences group focused on hydrodynamic and sediment dynamics modeling. In 2006, Jamie relocated to The Netherlands to join Deltares (at that time, Delft Hydraulics) as a consultant and researcher providing support to and management of engineering projects related to marine hydrodynamics, nearshore morphology, plume dynamics and Building with Nature solutions. Since 2014, Jamie has been representing Boskalis in primarily design-and-construct and Transport-and-Install projects across five continents for projects ranging from offshore wind farms to greenfield ports to new island developments. She was the manager of the innovative Monaco 3D Printed Reef Project, where the largest printed reefs in the world were designed, fabricated and installed between 2015 and 2017. Between 2016 and 2020, Jamie was the Design & Engineering Manager of the Tuas Terminal Phase 2 project, the Singapore Mega Port design and construct project of the third terminal, in both the acquisition and construction phases, as well as the acquisition Design & Engineering Manager of the Pulau Tekong Polder project in northeast Singapore, the first polder in Asia. Following her time in Singapore, she was the GM of Hydronamic, Boskalis's in-house civil engineering and ESIM group. As of June 2021, Jamie joined Boskalis's Offshore Energy group to lead their US offshore renewables business development activities and grow a US team supporting Boskalis's offshore renewable ambitions.

Timothy Axelsson
Director, Offshore Wind, Liberty Green Logistics

Timothy Axelsson began working in the US offshore wind industry in 2010 for a developer called Fishermen’s Energy, then followed on from his developer experience with a role at turbine maker Vestas as their US Project Director. For the last two years Tim has brought his diverse background and experience to Liberty Green Logistics as the Director Offshore Wind. His renewable energy journey continues with a focus on providing end to end supply chain logistics, heavy lift transport, port staging, construction services, and O&M services to the offshore wind industry. Liberty Green Logistics is a new vertical of the Liberty group of companies located in Lake Success, New York. From their headquarters in New York, Liberty Green is at the heart of the US renewable energy industry.   

Gregory R. Trauthwein
President, New Wave Media

Greg Trauthwein is President of New Wave Media, a New York City-based b2b media company with family of media – print, online, digital, video & social channels – covering the global maritime, offshore energy, subsea, ports & logistics markets since 1939. Titles and media channels include: Maritime Reporter & Engineering News + Marine News magazines (MarineLink.com); Offshore Engineer (OEDigital.com); and Marine Technology Reporter (MarineTechnologyNews.com). He has covered the global maritime and offshore sectors for 30+ years as Editor & Publisher, and is a graduate of The Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism.

Josh Diedrich
Managing Director, WindServe Marine

Josh is a graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy where he studied Marine Engineering Systems. After graduation Josh began his career as an engineer on Offshore Supply Vessels in the Gulf of Mexico supporting the offshore oil and gas industry. He transitioned to shoreside employment with the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) where Josh worked as a senior marine surveyor and auditor. During his employment with ABS Josh attended graduate school at the City University of New York where he earned his Master of Business Administration (MBA). In 2015 Josh joined the Reinauer Group of Companies and managed all major repairs, modifications and new construction for Reinauer’s articulated tug and barge fleet. In 2018 the Reinauer Group formulated WindServe Marine, LLC to focus exclusively on offshore wind energy projects in the U.S. and Josh was selected to lead all operations and development for WindServe Marine. WindServe has offices and facilities in New York, Massachusetts and Rhode Island and provides service solutions for the U.S. offshore wind market to include Jones Act vessels, shipyard fabrication, logistics, O&M services and marine coordination.

Darren Truelock
Vice President of Operations, VARD Marine US 

Darren Truelock is the Vice President of Operations for VARD Marine US, Inc. located in Houston, Texas.  VARD Marine US is the US presence of VARD Group AS, a global designer and shipbuilder of Offshore specialized vessels.  Darren is a native Texas and graduate of Texas A&M University in College Station with a Masters and Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering.  He holds a Professional Engineering License from the State of Texas in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering and serves as a member and chairman of multiple international committees and organizations.  After joining VARD Marine US in 2014, Mr. Truelock has held a key role in the US Offshore Support Vessel (OSV) market maintaining VARD Marine’s legacy of designing over 50 US Jones Act Offshore builds and working with a variety of respected US owners and shipbuilders.  Over the last 5 years, Darren has been working closely with owners, shipyards, and developers in the early stages of the US Offshore Wind market to bring multiple Americanized Service Operation Vessel (SOV) designs to life.  Darren resides in Katy, a suburb of Houston Texas, with his wife Meggie and children, Alexandria and Duke.  

Ron MacInnes
President, Seatrium Offshore & Marine USA 

Ron has more than 34 years of experience in the energy industry. He joined Seatrium (formerly Keppel) in 2018 and currently oversees all US and Middle East operations. Ron contracted to build the first Jones Act Wind Turbine Installation Vessel and the largest hopper dredge in the US. He is helping to solve supply chain and construction constraints for future floating wind developments. These initiatives are in line with Seatrium’s strategic focus on energy transition. Ron has a global perspective having lived in Asia and Europe and has traveled the World throughout his career. In the past, Ron has held executive positions for Schlumberger, Marlin Offshore, Gilmore Valve and Grant Prideco. He has a Bachelor’s Degree from Texas A&M University and an MBA from Rice University..  

Eric Empey
Director of Operations, DEME Offshore US LLC

Eric is a Cape Cod native and made the transition to renewables 2.5 years ago, after spending 20+ years internationally on EPCI projects in Oil & Gas with heavy focus on subsea pipelines and platform installation/removal and subsea intervention projects. Holding leadership positions in operations, projects and business development. Eric was most recently acknowledged as a finalist for a Ventus Award in 2023 in the category of Talent Leadership Management for his dedication in bringing and sharing industry knowledge to a region with no previous offshore construction history.