AzCaNE’s Governance Structure
AzCaNE brings together Arizona’s energy utilities, universities, industry and government to lead the transition to a carbon-neutral future. The center is led by Ellen B. Stechel, who oversees both day-to-day operations and long-term strategic direction.
The governing board includes the founding utility members, the three major Arizona universities, permanent members and at-large voting organizations. Each organization on the board is represented by one individual, and every member holds an equal vote to ensure fair and balanced decision-making.
Democratic Process
The board convenes monthly. The meetings are structured to encourage equal participation, and each member can raise issues or propose solutions. Decision-making is democratic; motions are put forward and require a consensus to pass, emphasizing the collaborative nature of the governance.
Board members may invite additional personnel from their organizations to meetings, but only designated voting members may vote. This ensures that while input is broadly sourced, decision-making remains structured and equitable.
This governance model is designed to be responsive and adaptive, prioritizing actionable outcomes.
Committee Members
Utilities
Salt River Project
Founding Utility
Chair (Non-voting): Hank Courtright
Executive Consultant
Voting: Tom Acker
Sr. Principal Engineer, Research
Southwest Gas
Founding Utility
Joe Varela
Director/Emerging Technology and Innovation
Tucson Electric Power
Founding Utility
Sarah Moore
Principal, Emerging Technology and Innovation
Universities
Arizona State University
Founding University
Vice Chair: Gary Dirks
Sr. Director of Global Futures Lab
Northern Arizona University
Founding University
Michael Shafer
Associate Dean for Research, Sanghi College of Engineering
The University of Arizona
Founding University
Brian Adair
Deputy Research Partnerships Officer
Permanent Members
Arizona Commerce Authority
Permanent Member
Marisa Paula Walker
Executive Vice President for Infrastructure
Members at Large
174 Power Global
Member at Large
David McCarthy
Vice President of Green Hydrogen
NextEra Energy
Member at Large
Garret Goldfinger
Director of Hydrogen Development
Tallgrass Energy
Member at Large
Adam Schiche
Vice President of International Business Development
Collaborating Organizations
AzCaNE collaborates with a varied group of organizations that play a crucial role in advancing a carbon-neutral economy. Our collaborators bring valuable expertise from different sectors, including energy utilities, academia, industry and government.
While they are not part of the governance structure, their contributions are instrumental in driving forward our initiatives and we are proud to partner with them.
Collaborators
Our partners within
Arizona State University
Join us on our mission
Our collaborators are essential to our success. Together, we are pioneering innovative solutions to achieve a sustainable and carbon-neutral future. If your organization is interested in collaborating with AzCaNE, contact us to learn more about partnership opportunities.