Speakers

I grew up near Gainesville, Florida, on a farm riding horses, raising farm animals and being in the country. It formed who I am and my love of all things green and the wild spaces where they thrive. These passions led me to be a visionary sustainability leader with over a decade of experience driving transformational initiatives in sustainability, supplier diversity, and operational excellence.

I have a proven track record of aligning corporate goals with ESG principles to achieve measurable impact in global supply chains. Being well versed in Scope 3 emissions reduction, regulatory compliance, and stakeholder engagement has enabled me to be a distinguished speaker and industry advocate with a strong presence in international sustainability forums. Some examples of my latest contributions are as follows:

• Keynote Speaker: World Economic Forum, First Movers Coalition (2024)
• Special Guest: The White House Aluminum Convening (2024)
• Keynote Speaker at Procurecon West (2024)
• Keynote Speaker: NMSDC Business Leadership Summit (2024) 
• Keynote Panelist, World Economic Forum and First Movers Coalition (2024)
• Corporate Chair: CVMSDC - Carolina Virginia Minority Supplier  (2023-2024)
• Member: AIAG, AIG, Drive Sustainability, First Movers Coalition. (2023-2024)

Brian is Director Business Development at Amphenol where he is responsible for a complete portfolio of battery, transportation, and electrification sensors, as well as research and development of new and emerging sensor technologies. 

As Chief Safety Officer and 2025 Chairman of NAATBatt International, Brian supports the growth of NAATBatt’s 385 member companies within all aspects of the battery supply chain. He also serves as part of the US Department of Energy’s “LiBridge” Initiative to accelerate adoption and deployment of battery technologies in North America, including work on battery materials provenance and supply chain resilience.

As SAE Fellow and Chair of SAE’s Battery Standards Steering Committee, he supports the work of 32 SAE Standards Committees supporting more than 50 battery-related standards and publications and serves as chair of the SAE First & Second Responders Task Force responsible for Emergency Response Guidance and EV/battery safety.
 

Caleb Long is a second-generation IBEW member with 17 years’ experience. He holds an Inside Journeyman Wireman classification from the Chattanooga Joint Apprenticeship Training Center, a Master of Public Administration-Non-Profit Management, and a Bachelor of Science-Political Science from the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga.

When he was on his tools, he specialized in large-scale commercial and industrial construction, as well as nuclear facility start-up.

Currently he serves as IBEW Local 175 Assistant Business Manager. He is responsible to Collective Bargaining Agreements with the National Electrical Contractor’s Association of Tennessee, the Tennessee Valley Authority’s Inside Construction Contracting division, and manufacturing at ABB (Athens, TN) and Resolute Forest Products (Calhoun). He also serves as Trustee to the Chattanooga Electrical Apprenticeship Board of Directors.

He is most happy when he’s goofing off with his wife Sarah and two sons, Wyatt and Ben.

Chris Lewis is the Vice President of Corporate Development & Engagement at the Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG), where he leads strategic relationship development across the Southeast U.S. and Mexico. With a strong background in higher education administration, Chris
previously held leadership roles at Aims Community College, Rock Valley College, and the Alabama Community College System, where he focused on workforce development, strategic partnerships, and academic planning.

He also served as President & CEO of the South Region Minority Supplier Development Council and has a history in financial services and small business development, including founding L&S Enterprises and leading supplier diversity at Motion Industries. Chris is deeply involved in community service, has served on numerous boards and commissions, and is co-founder of the EV Small Business Supplier Forum.

He is currently pursuing a doctorate at Auburn University.

David serves as Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance officer responsible for
overseeing manufacturing and administration functions at Mazda Toyota Manufacturing (MTM) as a part of their Leadership Steering Committee.

Fernandes has 26 years’ experience with Toyota. He joined Toyota in 1998 as a group leader at the manufacturing plant in West Virginia. During his tenure, Fernandes served in multiple leadership roles, working at six different manufacturing plants and a global assignment in South Africa.

Prior to working at Toyota, Fernandes served as the general manager at Rolls-Royce Aircraft Engine Corporation.

He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, a Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Management, and a Master of Science in Business Administration from Kelly school of business in Indiana. Fernandes serves on the executive committee of the Board of Directors for the Huntsville Madison County Chamber of Commerce, and on the Corporate Board of Advisors for Unidos US.

He and his wife Hillary, reside in Huntsville, Alabama, and enjoy traveling.

Frank Menchaca has over a decade of experience working with the mobility industries. He has led projects convening automotive manufacturers, government and academia focused on sustainability in areas such as electric vehicle charging infrastructure, automated driving, circular economy and workforce development.

Frank has over two decades of expertise in educational publishing and has created market-leading research products in law and social sciences. He is the editor of two series of course publications with Wiley and has published numerous articles on information science.

Frank has degrees from New York University, Yale University and professional certification in sustainability from MIT. He has given talks around the world including Stanford Business School and COP. In addition to his work in science and technology, he maintains creative disciplines in painting and original music. 

Gabrielle (Gaby) Pierre is currently the Strategy Lead at the Georgia Network for Electric Mobility (GNEM), an industry consortium, think tank, and public-private e-mobility partnership network embedded at the University of Georgia. She has over 10 years of experience in international urban planning, renewable energy, and mobility strategy.

Prior to her current role, she spent 5 years at McKinsey and Company, where she was an Engagement Manager and Senior Fellow in the public sector practice at the firm. UGA is also part of a tri-state research hub called MAGNET with Mississippi and Alabama. Gaby serves as the policy lead for this hub. 

Jeannine Gant is the Mobility Engagement Officer for the Global Epicenter of Mobility (GEM), an initiative of the Detroit Regional Partnership focused on positioning Southeast Michigan as a leader in electric and advanced mobility. In this role, she leads regional engagement strategies to increase awareness, build trust, and connect small businesses, suppliers, and community partners to emerging opportunities in the mobility sector.

She developed GEM’s regional community engagement playbook, a practical resource that helps organizations reach untapped markets and strengthen outreach across Southeast Michigan. She also helps GEM partners understand and adapt to shifting government guidelines, ensuring long-term alignment with opportunity-focused strategies.

With more than 30 years of leadership experience across nonprofit, civic, and business sectors, Jeannine brings a broad and practical view of the advanced mobility ecosystem. Her work spans workforce development, supplier engagement, innovation pathways, and place-based economic growth strategies.

Jill Pestana is a globally recognized battery scientist with 15 years of experience and 14 patents in battery technology. As founder and CEO of Pestana Solutions, she supports high-tech companies communicate their complex innovations and grow through technical and marketing consulting.

Formerly, Jill led the North American battery consulting team at Accenture and has experience supporting startups to Fortune 10 companies. She has educated over 250,000 professionals through her YouTube channel, 'Across the Nanoverse,' and Nanoverse Battery Courses, online course platform.

Kameale C. Terry is the co-founder and CEO of ChargerHelp!, a cutting-edge technology company launched in 2020 that tackles the issue of inoperable electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. A native of South Central Los Angeles, Kameale is driven by her passion for data, technology, and community empowerment.

Under her leadership, ChargerHelp! has raised over $21 million, amassed the nation’s largest dataset of EV service work orders, and services stations across 17 states. Kameale's innovative approach blends real-world data, predictive analytics, and machine learning to provide industry-leading solutions to ensure EV charging reliability.

She is also deeply committed to workforce development, helping to create high-paying jobs through partnerships with organizations like the Society of Automotive Engineers and the U.S. Department of Labor. Her background in operations and technology, combined with her commitment to empowering historically marginalized communities, has positioned her as a thought leader in the clean energy and mobility sectors.

Kathy Nelson has been a Senior Vice President and Financial Advisor at Pinnacle Financial Partners since 2016. She began her career in commercial banking in Los Angeles 37 years ago at a bank focusing on the manufacturing sector.

Throughout her career she has worked with everything from small, privately-owned companies to public companies in both the role of relationship management and commercial underwriting across many industries.

Since moving to Nashville in 1993, Kathy has continued to support the manufacturing community through creation of the Beyond The Box series, as a founding board member of Nashville Made and a current board member of TAMA.
She earned her Bachelor’s degree in finance from California State University, Northridge.

Ken Cartwright is the Chief Operating Officer for Hightower EV Solutions. Hightower EV Solutions is a Turnkey EV Charging Infrastructure provider for Fortune 500 Corporations, Large Fleets, Automotive industry, Large Real Estate Developments, Municipalities, Retail, Utility Companies, and Healthcare industries. Ken is a distinguished figure in the e-mobility industry, with a strong background in sustainable clean energy and EV charging infrastructure. As a founding member of Hightower EV Solutions, he played a pivotal role in driving the adoption of electric vehicles and spearheading sustainable transportation solutions. With extensive experience as a senior executive leader spanning over 30 years, Ken has been at the forefront of shaping the industry's trajectory towards a greener future.

Recognized for his expertise, Ken is a sought-after national e-mobility speaker, sharing insights and knowledge on the transformative power of electric vehicles and clean energy. He has served as a board member for prestigious organizations such as the Transportation Energy Institute, Electric Vehicle Council, and Charge Ahead Partnerships, where he actively contributes to strategic decision-making and advancing sustainable mobility initiatives.

Ken's commitment to excellence is evident through his Six Sigma certification, emphasizing his dedication to driving operational efficiency and delivering topnotch results. He holds a degree from Xavier University, which has provided him with a strong foundation for leadership and innovation in the e-mobility space.

As a thought leader in the e-mobility industry, Ken continuously explores cuttingedge technologies and industry trends. His visionary ideas and forward-thinking approach make him an influential figure in shaping the future of transportation and promoting the widespread adoption of EV charging and clean energy solutions.

In addition to his accomplishments in the e-mobility industry, Ken has also played a pivotal role in assisting clients with their Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives. With his deep understanding of clean energy and sustainability, Ken has actively supported organizations in aligning their operations and strategies with ESG goals.

Recognizing the importance of responsible business practices, Ken has leveraged his expertise to help clients integrate sustainability principles into their core operations. By providing strategic guidance and practical solutions, he has enabled businesses to reduce their carbon footprint, enhance social impact, and improve governance practices. 

Meet Ken Jones, a distinguished native of Chattanooga, TN, whose passion for community engagement and empowerment shines through his outstanding accomplishments. As a devoted family man, Ken takes immense pride in his daughter Sydney, son Keion, and cherishes the joy of being a grandfather to two grandsons, Aiden & Korbyn, and a granddaughter named Halo Grace.

Driven by a strong commitment to making a positive impact, Ken actively participates in entrepreneurship, mentoring, and community development initiatives. His unwavering dedication to core values and a genuine desire to serve others fuels his relentless efforts towards enhancing the well-being of his community.

Ken's academic journey showcases his dedication to excellence. He achieved an Associate's degree in Electrical Electronics Engineering Technology from Chattanooga State Technical Community College, a testament to his technical proficiency and commitment to professional growth. Subsequently, he furthered his education at the prestigious University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, earning both a Bachelor's degree in Business Entrepreneurship and an MBA in Business Analytics.

In October 2000, Ken launched his illustrious career at EPB (Electric Power Board of Chattanooga) as a network technician. Over the years, he adeptly navigated the complexities of delivering phone, video, and internet services within EPB's expansive service territory. Embracing various leadership positions within the organization, Ken honed his skills, embraced innovation, and fostered a culture of collaboration with colleagues.

Today, Ken's exemplary expertise and leadership have earned him the distinguished role of Senior Director of Procurement, Vendor Relations, & Minority and Women-Owned Business at EPB. In this influential position, he continues to make substantial contributions, driving organizational growth, fostering meaningful partnerships, and championing diversity and inclusivity.

Ken Jones stands as an exemplary figure in the professional landscape, embodying the spirit of excellence and dedication, and his impact on the community reverberates with purpose and accomplishment.

Kenneth serves as Chairman and CEO of First Independence Corp and First Independence Bank (https://www.firstindependence.com/), a minority depository institution based in Detroit, Michigan. He is a respected leader in the banking community. In five years of his leadership the corporation has doubled in book value. In October 2024, he was selected as chairman-elect of American Bankers Association where he has served as a board member for the last four year representing the voice of the nation’s $23 trillion in assets in the banking industry.

In March 2023, he was selected as a board member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis with assets totaling ~$70 billion to fill an unexpired term that ended Dec 2023. In March of 2022, he was selected by the Chairman of the FDIC to serve a three-year term on the FDIC Advisory Committee on Economic Inclusion (ComE-IN).  He served as chairman of the National Bankers Association 2018-2020 representing minority banks in the US. From 2018-2020, Kelly served on the Federal Reserve of Chicago Bank Seventh District Community Depository Institutions Advisory Council (CDIAC).

Kelly was also served 2018-2021 as a member of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Chairman’s Advisory Committee on Community Banking which is charged with providing advice and recommendations to the FDIC on community banking policy and regulatory matters. In Oct 2019, he testified as an expert witness before the U.S. Congressional House Financial Services subcommittee. He is a Certified Director of the National Association Corporate Directors.

Lensey C. King Jr. is a seasoned Master Electrician and the visionary behind Electrical Maintenance & Troubleshooting LLC (EM&T). With over two decades of hands-on experience, he specializes in EV charger installations, industrial maintenance, and electrical training. Lensey holds certifications from leading organizations, including NABCEP, EVITP, and NASCLA, and is licensed in Alabama and Georgia.

Beyond fieldwork, he is a dedicated educator, partnering with Multi-Skill Training Services to deliver cutting-edge workforce development programs. His commitment to excellence and innovation positions EM&T at the forefront of the Southeast’s electrification movement. 

Mitchell Zajac has substantial experience in commercial litigation, transactional matters, and negotiating successful resolutions that have earned him an enviable reputation when it comes to achieving results that benefit clients. He counsels and represents professionals in a variety of sectors, large corporations, and entities of all sizes in automotive, intellectual property, regulatory and emissions compliance, and sports and entertainment law matters. Mr. Zajac is also a registered patent attorney.

In his practice in commercial litigation, negotiation, counseling, and transactional matters, Mr. Zajac’s experience is comprised of commercial automotive advising, including commercial vehicle, after-market, and remanufacturing; non-disclosure, joint-development, and public-private-partnership agreements in a variety of industries, including automotive, defense, and construction; product warranty and cost-recovery; product safety and compliance; emissions certification and compliance; international trade and customs, including United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) matters, Section 301 China tariffs, and Section 232 steel and aluminum tariffs; and ediscovery.

Mitchell Zajac is also a registered patent attorney with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). He counsels and represents clients in intellectual property (IP) matters such as complex trade secret, copyright, and patent litigation. His experience encompasses IP administrative proceedings, including patent inter partes review (IPR) proceedings, patent prosecution in the USPTO, and advising on patent portfolio development and management.

Olga Bredikhina is a Business Intelligence Manager with the Alabama Mobility and Power Center (AMP) at The University of Alabama, where she leads the Business Intelligence and Policy Research areas. Particularly, Olga leads the development of AMP’s electric vehicle adoption prediction tool EVOLVE, conducts consumer behavior research, and policy research about the policies and taxation system needed to support the transition to electric mobility.

Olga received her BA in Economics from the University of Maryland, MS in Economics from the University of Maine, and is working towards the MS in Operations Management/ Analytics at The University of Alabama. 

Rick served three terms as President of TAMA. He also served one term as Vice President as well as one term as Treasurer. He joined the board of directors in 2005.

Rick spent 36 years working for Nissan in a variety of roles. He joined Nissan’s management team in 1989 and held multiple positions at both the Smyrna and Decherd plant. He retired from Nissan in May of 2019. His roles included Director of Body Assembly & Stamping and Director of base Trim and Chassis. His most recent role was Plant Manager/Director Plant 2 at the Decherd Powertrain operations. 

Rick has a bachelor’s degree in Management and Human Relations from Trevecca Nazarene University. He is a certified maintenance reliability professional (CMRP).

Rob Luce is Vice President of the SME Education Foundation – the philanthropic arm of SME. In this role, he is responsible for oversight and direction of all programming, development and partnership efforts.

Prior to joining the SME Education Foundation in January 2019, Luce was executive director of The Detroit Region Aerotropolis Development Corp., where he was responsible for the strategic development and day-to-day operations of the organization. Luce formerly served as the Director of MICHauto and Automotive Retention & Growth at the Detroit Regional Chamber, where he worked to market the state’s automotive assets, advocate the industry’s interests in Lansing, recruit automotive and nextgeneration mobility investment into Michigan, and create opportunities for automotive companies to augment their talent pipeline.

Prior to joining the chamber, Luce was a legislative aide in the Michigan State Senate and served as fundraising director for a State Senate Campaign. He has also worked in government relations and as an executive mortgage banker at Quicken Loans. Luce holds degrees from Eastern Michigan University and Adrian College as well as certificates in public budget management and local government management. 

Ronald M. Butler serves as CEO of ESSPI (Energy Storage Safety Products International, LLC) which provides specialized safety consulting interventions for the energy storage and battery industries.

ESSPI is involved in the design and development of systems for the safe transport and storage of battery technologies including technologies for battery logistics support. ESSPI is proud to be funded by the US Department of Transportation (USDOT) to identify safe battery packaging solutions for industry.

Ron has served as a consultant on hundreds of battery fire safety interventions, training, and system design contracts with the automotive, aerospace, marine, consumer electronics, and battery manufacturing sectors. He serves as a subject matter expert for the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Underwriters Laboratories (UL), and many others, for battery-related safety concerns. He has written extensively on the lithium (ion) battery fire safety subject with much more to come. He holds master’s degrees in Instructional Systems Design and Human and Organizational Performance Improvement from Wayne State University in Detroit, MI. Ron’s background includes 25 years as a Detroit Fire Department officer.

Sahra S. Halpern, president and chief executive officer of the Business Consortium Fund and Triad Investments, is a mission-driven leader committed to delivering capital to achieve social impact through community development finance. With extensive corporate experience, long-standing relationships in the community development sector, and proven ability to develop effective strategy and lead teams, she has multiplied BCF’s growth since 2021.

Sahra started her career in international microfinance before spending 15 years at Charles Schwab Bank in the Community Development Group, where she founded the group's investing and lending practices. Subsequently, she led strategic lending initiatives at Capital Impact Partners.

Sahra earned a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of California, Davis – Graduate School of Management and also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Wesleyan University.

Shaquanta Locke serves as the Supplier Equity & Inclusion Manager at Volkswagen Group of America. She is a proud alumna of Tennessee State University’s School of Business, graduating cum laude with a concentration in E-Business & Supply Chain Management. Shaquanta is also a 2023 graduate of Leadership Chattanooga and a 2024 graduate of Leadership Tennessee NEXT.

With over 16 years of experience in the automotive sector, Shaquanta is a Certified Purchasing Professional who has made significant contributions to the industry. She has been recognized three times with the Passion for Diversity Award at Volkswagen, underscoring her commitment to fostering inclusivity. Her procurement expertise spans a wide range of areas, including Assembly & Conveyance, Hand Tools & Repair, Fixtures/Gauges/Standard Machines, Signage, MRO Items/Services, Office Supplies, General Services, IT, and more.

In her previous role as a Supplier Diversity champion at Volkswagen, Shaquanta was instrumental in promoting and supporting minority- and women-owned businesses, a cause she remains deeply passionate about. Beyond her professional achievements, she has served as a board trustee for Family Promise of Chattanooga and is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

In her personal life, Shaquanta enjoys quality time with her husband, Brian, and their three children.

Working in electrification for more than 10 years. Current responsibilities include NA region electrification market and product lead, with previous focus areas within application engineering, industrialization and product development for electrification. Prior to electrified market role, worked extensively in the Powertrain industry focused on ICE controls, sensors and actuation.

Tim holds a master’s degree in Engineering from University of Michigan and bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University

Travis Spencer is the Senior Supply Chain Manager for Supplier Relations at Ford Motor Company. In his role, he is responsible for building and maintaining strong relationships with Ford’s supplier partners and monitoring their overall performance. As a key component of his role, Travis is passionate about driving diversity and inclusion among Ford's strategic partners and supply chain. He accomplishes this by connecting minority, women, veteran, disabled, LGBTQ, and small business enterprises to Ford and its Tier 1 suppliers. Travis believes that economic empowerment for diverse suppliers and their corresponding communities is the epitome for what it means to drive human progress. Thus, ultimately delivering Ford's aspiration to build a better world where every person is free to move and pursue their dreams

Travis brings a strong professional business acumen in Corporate Strategy, Supply Chain Management, Program Management, and Negotiation along with an academic focus in Accounting, Finance, and Business Ethics. He is a graduate of the University of Detroit Mercy, a private Jesuit institution known for its emphasis on service and servant leadership. He obtained his Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Master of Business Administration, but most importantly, he learned about the importance of corporate social responsibility and the impact of economic empowerment from U of D.

Travis is a two-time recipient of Ford Motor Company's Global Diversity & Inclusion Summit Award, two-time recipient of MMSDC's Advocate of the Year Award, and was recognized as the National Minority Business Development Leader of the Year by NMSDC. Complimentary to his professional accolades, Travis is actively involved in Ford’s African-Ancestry Network (FAAN), National Black MBA Association (NBMBAA), and University of Detroit Mercy’s Business School Advisory Board. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council (MMSDC), Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (MHCC), and Children Trust Michigan (CTM). He is a member of the Billion Dollar Roundtable and President of the NMSDC's Automotive Industry Group (AIG).

Travis began his Ford career in 2010 as a Supply Chain Management intern. He managed procurement for key Electrical and Powertrain components before moving to Program Management, completing numerous assignments on the Fusion, Escape, Mustang, Explorer, Lincoln Continental, and Aviator. He led Ford’s Supplier Recovery department, recouping costs from warranty failures and enhancing vehicle quality. Travis also held cross-functional roles in Finance and Autonomous Vehicles PD Program Management. He returned to Supply Chain as the Head of Supplier Relations, bringing extensive knowledge and experience. 

Ying McGuire is the first Asian American CEO & president of the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC), America’s most influential and successful minority business development organization connecting over 17,000 minority business enterprises (MBEs) with more than 600 corporate members. Multicultural and multilingual McGuire has over 15 years of executive leadership experience and is a leading advocate for expanding business diversity throughout both the private and public sectors.

During her time with NMSDC, McGuire has led organizational transformation and technology modernization efforts aimed at positioning the organization to achieve the ambitious goal of increasing annual revenue for NMSDC-certified MBEs to $1 trillion.

Prior to joining NMSDC, McGuire served as the global vice president of the Technology Integration Group (TIG), an NMSDC-certified minority owned technology company with 25 offices in the US, China, Canada, and a global partner network covering four continents. Prior to TIG, as a corporate leader at Dell Technologies, McGuire built and sustained high impact global initiatives across many functions and mentored numerous entrepreneurs and CEOs (Chief Executive Officer).

McGuire also holds a variety of community leadership roles. In 2016, she was appointed by the United States Secretary of Commerce to the United States Investment Advisory Council. She served as the first woman chair of an advisory board of the International Trade Center (ITC), a joint agency of the United Nations and WTO based in Switzerland. In 2021, McGuire was appointed to the Council of Underserved Communities (CUC) which provides advice, ideas, and opinions on SBA programs and services and issues of interest to small businesses in underserved communities. She is also a founding board member of the Greater Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce (GAACC) and a board advisor of the George H.W. Bush Foundation for U.S.-China Relations.

During her career, McGuire has been repeatedly acknowledged for her work as an advocate for supplier diversity: named “Twenty-Five Influential Women in Business” by MEA Magazine; “America’s Top Diversity Advocate” by DiversityBusiness.com; and “Best of the Decade” by Minority Business USA. McGuire regularly speaks on supplier and business diversity and economic development and has been featured at many regional, national, and international conferences including the World Export Forum.

Born and raised in China, McGuire immigrated to the U.S. with just one suitcase and $1,000 to pursue her American dream. After receiving a master’s degree in business administration of international management from Thunderbird School of Global Management in Phoenix, she embarked on the professional and personal journey that led to her true calling – helping others like her achieve their American dreams.