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NCTowers*, the North Carolina Taskforce for Offshore Wind Economic Resource Strategies, provides expert advice to Governor Cooper and state policymakers on ways to advance offshore wind energy projects in North Carolina, with a special focus on economic development and job creation.

The Taskforce works to:

  • Identify economic and workforce opportunities and challenges presented by the offshore wind industry
  • Recommend policies and programs to capture strategic opportunities that foster a thriving offshore wind workforce and business community
  • Provide advice for developing the state’s offshore wind supply chain, workforce, and infrastructure
  • Foster and support environmental justice and equitable access to opportunities for underserved communities
  • Recommend policies and guidelines that prioritize offshore wind energy projects

Governor Cooper established the Taskforce in June 2021 with his Executive Order 218, Advancing North Carolina's Economic and Clean Energy Future with Offshore Wind.

Annual Report

The Taskforce publishes a report each year, highlighting the group's work and offering recommendations for policy makers.

NCTowers 2022-2023 Annual Report to the Governor and General Assembly.

Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter covering wind energy topics and the work of the Taskforce when you visit the Commerce Subscription Center.  Just select 'N.C. WindWire' from that page.

Meetings

Taskforce Members

Biographies of the Taskforce's members are also available.

 
MEMBERROLE AND ORGANIZATION
Marqueta Welton, Taskforce ChairChief of Staff, N.C. Department of Commerce
Jen BanksPermitting & Development Director (NC), TotalEnergies
Ben CahoonMayor, Nags Head, NC
Christopher ChungChief Executive Officer, Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina
Brian ClarkExecutive Director, North Carolina Ports 
Phyliss Craig-TaylorProfessor of Law, NCCU School of Law
Kevin DickPresident & CEO, Carolina Small Business Development Fund
Hayes FrammeSenior Manager Government Relations & Communications, Orsted
David GossEconomic Development Consultant, Perquimans County
Daniel GovoniPolicy Analyst, N.C. Department of Environmental Quality
Susi HamiltonEconomic Development Advisor, N.C. Department of Transportation
Perry HarkerVice President, Corporate and Community Education, Carteret Community College
Arketa HowardMid-Atlantic Regional Director Business & Policy Affairs for Offshore Wind, Crowley
Stephen KallandExecutive Director, N.C. State Clean Energy Technology Center
Karly LohanCommunication and Outreach Associate, Southeastern Wind Coalition
Munashe MagariraStaff Attorney, Southern Environmental Law Center
Grier MartinSecretary, N.C. Department of Veteran & Military Affairs
Mark McIntireDirector, Government Affairs, Energy & Stakeholder Engagement, Duke Energy
Ashley K. McLeodStakeholder Engagement Director, Avangrid Renewables-Kitty Hawk Offshore
Trish MurpheyExecutive Assistant for Councils, N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries
Bob PeeleDirector, N.C. Marine Industrial Park Authority
Michele QuerrySoutheast Regional Director, Chamber for Innovation and Clean Energy
Greg Richardson Executive Director, N.C. Commission of Indian Affairs, N.C. Department of Administration
Dan SegoviaBusiness Manager, Ironworkers Local 848
Jason SempleDirector of Business Development, Brunswick Business & Industry Development
Glenn SkinnerExecutive Director, North Carolina Fisheries Association
Justin SosneHead of the UK Government’s North Carolina Office
John SzokaCEO, Conservative Energy Network
Brian TurnerAudobon Society
Wit TuttellDirector, Visit North Carolina, EDPNC
Alvin WarwickBusiness Manager, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
John WhiteChief N.C. Lobbyist Manager - N.C. State & Local Affairs, Dominion Energy

Taskforce Staff

  • Jennifer Mundt, N.C. Dept. of Commerce, Assistant Secretary, Clean Energy Development
  • John Hardin, N.C. Dept. of Commerce, Executive Director, Office of Science, Technology & Innovation
  • Emily Roach, N.C. Department of Commerce, Director of Policy & Strategic Planning
  • Lex Janes, N.C. Dept. of Commerce, Legislative Affairs Director
  • Susan Fleetwood, N.C. Dept. of Commerce, Executive Director of Economic Development
  • Gena Renfrow, N.C. Dept. of Commerce, Special Assistant, Office of the Secretary
  • Dr. Jenni Harris, N.C. Dept. of Commerce, Executive Director, Business Solutions
  • Andrea DeSantis, N.C. Commerce, Assist Secretary of Workforce Solutions
  • Dana Magliola, NC Chamber, Senior Director of Infrastructure Competitiveness
  • Anders Victor, Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, Senior Business Development Manager

*The online tool for education data known as NC Tower publishes elsewhere online.

This page was last modified on 08/22/2024