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The Seventh Annual Tom Tom Founders Festival is a week-long celebration of innovators, visionaries, and artists who are shaping small cities. The Festival occurs at dozens of venues throughout downtown Charlottesville. 

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Friday, April 13 • 2:00pm - 2:50pm
Life After Coal Almost Full

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Across Appalachia, communities affected by coal’s decline are building a brighter future by diversifying local economies. Recognizing the economic development potential of clean power, social entrepreneurs are working to build wealth and prosperity by training workers for jobs in renewables. Hear from local innovators and workforce development experts—and the opportunities and challenges they face—as they help communities chart a path to resilience and bring clean energy to coal country.

Moderators
avatar for Heidi Binko

Heidi Binko

Executive Director, www.justtransitionfund.org
Heidi is the co-founder and Executive Director of the Just Transition Fund, which she created with her partner in April 2015. As a hybrid philanthropic entity, the Just Transition Fund provides direct investments, technical assistance, and data-driven analysis to help frontline coal... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for Dan Conant

Dan Conant

Founder, Solar Holler
Dan Conant is a clean energy entrepreneur who is building a 21st Century energy industry in his native West Virginia. The company he founded, Solar Holler, is focused on bringing solar within reach of those who need it most, while simultaneously training the first generation of solar... Read More →
avatar for Brandon Dennison

Brandon Dennison

CEO, Coalfield Development
Brandon Dennison, born and raised in West Virginia, is the founder and current Chief Executive Officer of the Coalfield Development Corporation. Coalfield Development has incubated five social enterprises and professionally trained over 300 unemployed people, many of them laid-off... Read More →
avatar for Adam Hastings

Adam Hastings

Dean, Business, Mathematics, and Technologies, PVCC
Dr. Adam Hastings currently serves as the Dean of Business, Mathematics, and Technologies at Piedmont Virginia Community College (PVCC). A doctoral graduate from UVA’s Curry School of Education, Adam has spent the last fourteen years living and working in greater Charlottesville... Read More →
avatar for Nicole Steele

Nicole Steele

Executive Director, GRID Alternatives Mid Atlantic
Nicole has led GRID Alternatives Mid Atlantic to install over 150 single-family rooftop solar systems, reach over 300 multifamily tenants with solar benefits, and launch the Solarworks DC program, which trains District residents in solar installation and career readiness skills. Prior... Read More →

Sponsors
avatar for Sun Tribe Solar

Sun Tribe Solar

The solar space is dynamic, and keeping in front of advancements can be challenging.  Sun Tribe Solar is a partner with the technical and financial expertise to help your organization take advantage of emerging opportunities to strengthen financial operations while reinforcing your... Read More →

Friday April 13, 2018 2:00pm - 2:50pm EDT
Violet Crown - Theater 4
  Energy, Summit

Attendees (69)