Expert Speakers

Robert AndersonDirector of Energy Compliance Services - Weaver

Robert Anderson has served as a Director at for Weaver’s Energy Compliance Services practice since February 2025. Robert brings over 17 years of experience in design, implementation and enforcement of EPA fuel compliance requirements. He has worked with a wide range of government and industry stakeholders to promote sustainable fuel practices and compliance. His background includes leading the EPA’s efforts to expand biofuels production, developing low-carbon intensity fuels and facilitating the use of E15 in gasoline vehicles. He has also authored significant rulemaking and led numerous initiatives that advanced regulatory efficiency and environmental stewardship. Prior to joining Weaver, Robert was the team leader for the Fuels Compliance Policy Branch at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in which he led a team responsible for implementing and overseeing the EPA’s national fuels programs, addressing thousands of compliance inquiries annually and spearheading significant regulatory reforms. Robert played a key role in streamlining the EPA’s fuel quality programs and developing EPA’s RFS regulatory requirements from 2014-2025.

Geoff CooperPresident & CEO - Renewable Fuels Association

Since October 2018, Geoff Cooper has been President and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), the leading trade association for America’s ethanol industry. Collectively representing the majority of U.S. ethanol industry leaders and supporters, RFA is working to drive expanded demand for American-made renewable fuels and bio-products worldwide.

Previously he served as RFA Executive Vice President, where in addition to overseeing market analysis and policy research, he provided regulatory support and strategic planning for the association and its members. Geoff has also focused on issues related to lifecycle analysis, sustainability, and ethanol co-products.

He has served as an appointed member of the California Air Resources Board’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard Program Advisory Panel, as well as the Oregon Clean Fuels Program Rulemaking Advisory Committee. Geoff was also appointed to the Midwest Governors Association’s (MGA) Advanced Transportation Fuels Advisory Group, as well as MGA’s Low Carbon Fuels Policy Advisory Group. He also serves on the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) Agricultural Advisory Committee and was named to the U.N. Expert Roundtable on Biofuels & Food by the Commissioner for Human Rights. He has testified on behalf of RFA before state and federal legislative and regulatory bodies.

Geoff has discussed ethanol, energy, and agricultural issues on CNBC, Fox News, Fox Business News, and National Public Radio, and has been quoted by the Associated Press, Reuters, Bloomberg, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and numerous other print and online media outlets. He received the ethanol industry’s prestigious “High Octane Award” in 2017 and has twice been selected as one of “Top 100 People in the Bioeconomy” by the readers of Biofuels Digest. Geoff also has been recognized multiple times as one of the nation’s top lobbyists by the prestigious The Hill publication. 

Prior to joining RFA, Geoff served as Director of Ethanol Programs for the National Corn Growers Association. In this role, he led research and promotional efforts to increase the production and use of corn-based ethanol. Previously, Geoff served as a Captain in the U.S. Army, specializing in bulk petroleum supply and logistics.

A Wyoming native, Geoff graduated from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. He earned his master’s degree at Webster University in St. Louis.

David FialkovEVP Government Affairs - NATSO/SIGMA

David Fialkov has represented the fuel and convenience sector for more than 15 years, advising industry leaders through his work with NATSO, SIGMA, as well as the broader retail fuel industry. Much of his work focuses on helping transportation energy providers diversify their fuel offerings by leveraging federal and state alternative fuel incentive policies. Widely recognized as a thought leader on downstream fuel and EV charging policy, David brings a rare combination of legal acumen, policy and political insight, and commercial understanding to his advocacy.

David specializes not only in achieving legislative and regulatory wins, but also in delivering timely, actionable intelligence to clients—ensuring they are equipped to make smart decisions based on up-to-date information that drive meaningful commercial outcomes. Whether navigating the complexities of environmental compliance, tax policy, or transportation infrastructure, David is the go-to resource in Washington, D.C. for transportation energy providers.

In 2025, David co-founded the FFG Group, where he continues to champion the interests of the fuel marketing industry.

Wendy DulaneyWendy Dulaney, Senior Research Analyst – OPIS, CAMIRO

Wendy Dulaney comes to Dow Jones Energy with seven years of experience across US conventional refined fuels, biofuels, and credit markets. Her expertise is in fuel market fundamentals and greenhouse gas reduction policy. Wendy holds a degree in Economics from University of Houston. At Dow Jones Wendy focuses on US biofuels and low-carbon fuel policies.

Jordan GodwinRenewables Director - OPIS, a Dow Jones Company

Jordan joined OPIS following several years as an price reporter, and later an analyst, covering the renewable fuels industry at Platts. His primary areas of focus have included U.S. ethanol and biodiesel industry policy and pricing trends, global biofuels tradeflows and carbon-reducing fuel policies. Prior to diving into energy markets, he was a sportswriter, primarily covering Houston-area sports. He graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 2010 with a degree in Journalism.

Kurt KovarikVice President, Federal Affairs - Clean Fuels Alliance America

Kurt serves as Vice President, Federal Affairs for Clean Fuels Alliance America, leading members in advocating federal policies that support the industry’s growth. Since joining Clean Fuels Alliance America, Kurt has helped the industry secure a long-term extension of the biodiesel tax incentive, preserve important protections against unfair international trade and ensure the integrity of the Renewable Fuel Standard program.

Prior to joining Clean Fuels Alliance America, Kurt worked for more than 20 years in the office of Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), leading efforts on the Renewable Fuel Standard, the biodiesel tax incentive and increased use of clean fuels. An Iowa native, Kurt graduated from Luther College with a degree in political science.

Susan LaffertyPartner - Holland & Knight

Susan Lafferty is an attorney at Holland & Knight’s Washington, D.C., office, specializing in energy and environmental law. She advises clients in the petroleum, biofuels, and energy trading sectors on regulatory and policy issues, particularly around climate change programs like the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), Low Carbon Fuel Standards (LCFS), and carbon offset markets. A recognized leader in energy transition, she also supports clients with green marketing compliance as part of the firm’s Greenwashing Mitigation Team. Her expertise spans a wide range of commodities, including fuels, metals, and agricultural products. She has led responses to enforcement actions by the EPA and other agencies and helps clients manage environmental risks, establish trading desks, and implement compliance programs. Her team has been honored by Environmental Finance for excellence in North American markets and renewable energy certificates.

Corey LavinskyVP, Renewables Policy - Montana Renewables

Corey Lavinsky joined Montana Renewables as VP of Renewables Policy in July 2025, following 16 years as a biofuels analyst and consultant at S&P Global and PIRA Energy Group. He has been an attorney for three decades and is a frequent speaker on biofuels law and policy. In June 2018, he testified as an expert witness before the US House Committee on Energy & Commerce on the topic of RINs. He has also taught Continuing Legal Education classes on biofuels law.

Corey began his career as an attorney with Kilo & Flynn, P.C., a St. Louis law firm. He earned a B.A. from Binghamton University and a J.D. from the University of Missouri, where he was a member of the Missouri Law Review.

Andy LipowPresident, Lipow Oil Associates

Andrew Lipow is the President of Lipow Oil Associates, a consulting firm which he founded in May 2004. Lipow Oil Associates specializes in both the oil markets and renewable fuels industries. He provides expertise in crude oil and petroleum product trading opportunities and provides insight into the RFS, RINs, and LCFS programs.  Mr. Lipow gained refining and trading experience during his career at Vitol, Basis Petroleum,  J. Aron and Amoco and has provided consulting services to biofuel trade groups.  He is a frequent guest on Fox Business News, CNBC and Bloomberg Canada, and has appeared on the nightly newscasts of the major networks. He is frequently cited by industry trade publications as well as The Wall Street Journal and Reuters for comments regarding recent news events.

Paul MachielePresident - Fuel Policy Advisors, LLC

Paul is an independent consultant providing strategic, policy, and technical advice to a range of clients on state, national, and international fuel policies.  After 39 years, he retired at the end of 2024 from EPA’s Office of Transportation and Air Quality where he directed and executed technically, legally, and politically complex projects of national impact, including over 20 Federal regulations for nearly all mobile sources including vehicles, engines, equipment, gasoline and diesel fuel quality, and most recently renewable fuels.  He is a trusted engineer and policy maker having worked with people across EPA, other agencies, industry, environmental and consumer organizations, states and other governments.  He has been a frequent advisor to political appointees on fuel policies impacting the environment and the economy.

Reo MenningPresident & CEO, RINAlliance

Reo Menning is President & CEO of RINAlliance, where she helps the fuels industry navigate the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and develop RIN management strategies. Guided by the belief that complex regulatory programs only work when the people running the business understand how to use them, she has spent the past 10 years helping companies turn RIN management into a strategic advantage rather than simply a compliance obligation. With more than 30 years of leadership experience in environmental policy and business strategy, Menning advises organizations across the fuels supply chain on the market and policy dynamics that influence RIN values. She also chairs the Iowa Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program (RFIP) Board, serves on the Iowa Biodiesel Board, and is a frequent speaker on RIN markets and renewable fuels policy.

Michael McAdamsPresident - Advanced Biofuels Association

Michael McAdams serves as President of the Advanced Biofuels Association, a Washington-D.C. based association of more than 40 advanced biofuels feedstock, production, marketing, and distribution companies. Mr. McAdams formed the Association in 2007 and has acted as its lead representative since, building on more than 40 years of experience in government and public affairs focused on energy, fuels policy, climate change, air policy and tax. In the private sector, Mr. McAdams worked for BP for more than 14 years and on Capitol Hill, including as legislative director to Congressman Ralph Hall (R-TX). A leading voice in the renewable fuels field, Mr. McAdams has testified numerous times before Congress and federal agencies, speaks regularly at industry and academic conferences, and authors a twice-monthly column in Real Clear Energy.

David McCulloughPartner - Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman

David McCullough is a partner in the law firm Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman.  For the past 15 years, he has been a leading lawyer in the production and trade of renewable fuels and the implementation of the federal Renewable Fuel Standard and state low carbon fuel standards.  He represents clients on a range of transactions driven by the ongoing transition to a low carbon economy, including the development and acquisition of renewable natural gas facilities, renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel refineries, advanced recycling facilities, hydrogen production facilities, carbon capture projects and reforestation projects.  For each of the past four years, he has been recognized as having a leading practice in the area of climate change law by Chambers and Partners.

Geoff MoodySenior Vice President of Government Relations & Policy - American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM)

Geoff Moody serves as the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers’ (AFPM) Senior Vice President of Government Relations & Policy. Geoff leads AFPM’s federal and state advocacy on issues impacting the refining and petrochemical industries, including fuels, environmental regulation, trade, transportation and infrastructure, chemicals management, and tax policy. Geoff started his career on Capitol Hill and has spent more than 15 years working in various policy and energy and environmental advocacy roles. He holds his law degree from the George Mason University School of Law.

Matthew MorrisonPartner - Baker Botts

Matthew Morrison, a partner in our Environmental section, spent more than two decades working at the EPA and the Justice Department, addressing a variety of cases under all the major federal environmental laws. His focus then, as it is today, has been on Clean Air Act issues, including those pertaining to criteria pollutants, hazardous air pollutants and greenhouse gases. Matt works extensively on renewable energy matters ranging from renewable fuels to hydropower, offshore and onshore wind, and solar power. He also maintains a significant caseload, handling matters under Superfund and the Endangered Species Act.

Prior to entering private practice, Matt served as an acting division director and an associate division director in the EPA’s Office of Civil Enforcement. He also served as deputy director of the EPA’s Office of Criminal Enforcement, Forensics, and Training.

In addition to his leadership roles at the EPA, Matt served for more than 13 years as a trial and then supervising attorney in the Environmental Enforcement section at the U.S. Department of Justice.

Prior to becoming an attorney, Matt was a chemical engineer whose duties included process modernization and environmental compliance. He also has a masters in business administration.

Matt is an adjunct professor at George Washington University School of Law, instructing students on environmental law and policy.

Jenny SpeckPartner – Vinson & Elkins

Jenny Speck advises clients on the qualification for and the monetization of energy transition tax incentives. She has worked on a range of energy transition projects, including onshore and offshore wind, solar, combined heat and power, biogas property, carbon capture, hydrogen and clean fuel credit projects.

She has firsthand knowledge of the carbon capture industry, having served as the senior manager of tax and regulatory compliance at Navigator CO2 Ventures LLC from April 2022 through October 2023. At Navigator, Jenny led all aspects of tax qualification, utilization and reporting compliance for federal income energy tax credits and served as Navigator’s sole liaison with the US Department of Energy. She was recruited and served as an independent Merit Reviewer of the Department of Energy loan program for carbon capture and storage demonstration projects.

Jenny also provides tax advice on traditional purchase agreements, including the sale and purchase of tax credits, joint ventures, financings and other general transactional work.

Sam WadeDirector of Public Policy - Renewable Natural Gas Coalition

Sam Wade serves as the Vice President of Public Policy at the Renewable Natural Gas Coalition. Previously Mr. Wade worked as Chief of the Transportation Fuels Branch at the Californian Air Resources Board, where he oversaw the Low Carbon Fuel Standard Program for four years. In other roles at CARB, Mr. Wade served as Deputy Director of Legislative Affairs, developed the Cap-and-Trade rule, and authored portions of California’s first Greenhouse Gas Scoping Plan. He’s also worked in energy policy at Pacific Gas and Electric and with a bioenergy/biochar start-up. Sam holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from U.C. Davis, a M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Hawaii, and an M.P.A in Environmental Science and Policy from Columbia University.