HG CHISSELL, FoundeR & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
H.G. Chissell is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Advanced Energy Group. Previously, H.G Chissell served as Chief Commercial Officer at GridMarket and Senior Vice President of Strategic Accounts for Viridity Energy, a software/service firm focused on virtual power generation and advanced energy optimization. Mr. Chissell was with Viridity Energy from its beginning in 2009, leading the company’s growth of MWs under management and strategic expansion throughout PJM, NYISO and ERCOT across all key verticals. Key accomplishments include the first behind-the-meter frequency regulation battery project in PJM, first 1 MW behind-the-meter battery project in Chicago, first full spectrum DR battery project in New York City and multi-site EV2Grid project with the Pentagon in PJM and ERCOT.
Mr. Chissell graduated from Swarthmore College, studied architecture at Drexel University and received his accreditation as a LEED AP. Mr. Chissell focuses on advanced public/private solutions and partnerships, specifically with the DOD, cities, portfolio real estate companies, energy storage integrators, regulators and utilities.
H.G. Chissell is Board Member of NECEC. H.G. is a facilitator for the Caribbean Renewable Energy Forum, the ConEdison Energy Storage Working Group, Microgrid Knowledge Conference 2018 and Energy Thought Summit 2017 and 2018. In 2014, Mr. Chissell received the Federal Energy and Water Management Award for his work with US Army Base Fort Meade and American Water.
He has served as Co-Chair of the DEI Committee for NYECC, Board Member of Legacy Engineers,Leadership Council member of Association of Climate Officers, and Advisory Board member for the Energy Storage Association, Energy Storage North America.
Prior to Viridity Energy, Mr. Chissell led a sustainability/energy team at Gap International, a global consulting firm specializing in breakthrough leadership. Mr. Chissell began his commercial career at RDLA, a healthcare architecture firm in Philadelphia.
H.G. Chissell is also the Managing Director of Advanced Energy Agency, a consulting services firm that provides consulting, market strategy, stakeholder facilitation and full media services.
JESSICA LANG, Director of Operations
Jessica (Jess) Lang is the Director of Operations for Advanced Energy Group (AEG). Jess manages AEG’s Sponsorships, Operations, Marketing, and Fellowship program.
Since joining AEG in March 2020, Jess has managed and deployed 75+ virtual and in-person Stakeholder Challenges across the US, including Puerto Rico and the Caribbean. Jess has organized and supported the success of 500+ Task Force Leaders to achieve 122 quarterly milestones, and 23 12-month solutions. Jess has convened 4,200+ leaders to attend AEG events.
Jess actively manages 70 AEG Sponsors and City Partners to ensure all organizations fully realize their Sponsorship benefits through attendance, speaking opportunities, and promotion at AEG Stakeholder Challenges.
Jess has led external engagements for AEA (Advanced Energy Agency) with companies such as RE+, Global Partners, MDDC-UA, Roxbury Community College, AABE, New Energy Events, and NECEC.
Jess spent 2018-2020 in New York City working in energy efficiency, where she performed Sales Operations and Tradeshows and Events management. Jess has facilitated and optimized operations for health care and hospitality organizations since 2009.
Jess graduated from the University of Ottawa in 2014 with an Honors Bachelor Degree in English Literature, and a Minor in Film Studies. Jess comes to Advanced Energy Group with a passion for sustainability, customer success, community engagement and organizational operations.
Anette Durán, event operations assistant coordinator
Anette Durán is the Event Operations Assistant Coordinator at Advanced Energy Group. In this role, Anette supports the planning and execution of AEG’s Stakeholder Challenges, managing event logistics, communications, and outreach efforts. She is passionate about inclusive engagement, strategic messaging, and the power of events to drive lasting impact.
Since joining AEG, Anette has helped produce events by coordinating registration platforms, designing event materials, creating branded assets, and supporting outreach to high-level stakeholders. She manages and maintains AEG’s event presence across multiple platforms, including Luma, CRM systems, and digital marketing tools.
Originally from Mexico, Anette is bilingual in English and Spanish. She holds an Ontario College Diploma in Event Management from Humber College, as well as a bachelor's degree in Strategic Communication.
MICHAEL THUIS, mIDWEST regional director, the carbon league
Michael is a Materials Science and Engineering Ph.D. student at Northwestern University in the Haile group and is a first-generation student. As a GEM fellow, his research focuses on the high-throughput characterization of sodium ion conductors for next generation batteries. Overall, his prior research work surrounds the 21st century energy transition, with prior work experience in photovoltaic (PV) reliability and building efficiency at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and solid-state lithium-ion electrolytes at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). This comes with a particular focus on public policy, involving a policy internship with the United States Department of Energy (DOE) Building Technology Office (BTO).
Outside of research and Northwestern, Michael is heavily involved with the American Ceramic Society (ACerS) President’s Council of Student Advisors (PCSA) where he serves as the External Partnership Committee (EPC) Chair. He has also been heavily involved with building entrepreneurship and innovation (E&I) initiatives including serving as a Stanford d.school University Innovation Fellow (UIF) and helping run 9 innovation conferences/competitions (among other initiatives).