California Efficiency + Demand Management Council Names Joseph Desmond Executive Director
Energy veteran brings over 30 years of public and private experience to lead statewide trade association
SACRAMENTO, Calif. ─ The California Efficiency + Demand Management Council (“the Council”) announced that energy veteran Joseph Desmond was selected to be the organization’s next Executive Director. Desmond will lead the Council’s strategy and vision to accelerate and expand the markets for energy efficiency, demand response, and distributed energy resources as the state works to achieve its net-zero emissions goals by 2045.
“Joseph is an inspiring advocate for advancing the clean economy with deep expertise in energy policy and stakeholder engagement,” said Kim Rodriquez, vice president of Resource Innovations and member of the Council’s board. “On behalf of our Board of Directors, I am thrilled to welcome Joe as our next Executive Director. His far-reaching experience in the utility and energy efficiency industry and with federal and state regulatory bodies uniquely positions him to build on the Council’s positive momentum to strengthen and expand its diverse coalition of energy efficiency and demand management supporters.”
Desmond’s responsibilities include engaging with members, industry, governments, and other stakeholders, and guiding the Council in achieving its mission to accelerate the evolution of clean energy markets and expand the impact of distributed energy resources vital to California’s future. He takes over from retiring Executive Director Greg Wikler.
Added Desmond, “California is a global leader in clean energy policies, programs, and legislation. The Council is to be congratulated for its regulatory record before state agencies, which has helped shape the markets for efficiency, demand management, and distributed resources. I am honored to join the Council at this pivotal moment to help support the energy efficiency and demand management community with the insights, advocacy, convenings, and partnerships to drive forward together a healthy business environment and help California deliver against its ambitious climate goals.”
About Joseph Desmond
Joseph Desmond brings over 30 years of regulatory, marketing, and business development experience in the energy sector. He was previously the President of Catalyst Partners, a consulting firm providing legislative and regulatory services and project development support for biofuels, carbon capture and sequestration, and long-duration energy storage. He was also the Senior Vice President of Marketing and Government Affairs for BrightSource Energy, a leader in the design and development of concentrating solar thermal technology. Before BrightSource, he was the Executive Vice President, Chief Marketing and Business Development Officer at Ice Energy, Inc., and Senior Vice President of External Affairs at NorthernStar Natural Gas. Desmond served numerous executive roles under California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, including Deputy Secretary of Energy for the State Resources Agency, Chairman of the California Energy Commission, and Undersecretary for Energy Affairs.
About the California Efficiency + Demand Management Council
The California Efficiency + Demand Management Council is the leading voice for nonutility companies that provide energy efficiency, demand response and data analytics products and services in California. The statewide association convenes stakeholders, facilitates partnerships, educates senior officials on important policies, publishes analyses on pressing issues, and undertakes strategic outreach and advocacy on the policies and financial structures essential to the expansion of energy efficiency and demand response. For more information about the Council, visit cedmc.org.
For media inquiries, contact admin@cedmc.org
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