Welcome to Industry Day!
We’ve heard it all through the pandemic. “When things get back to normal …” When it comes to e-mobility, things are anything but normal. The e-mobility revolution is here, and – to paraphrase Lee Iacocca – it’s time to lead, follow, or get out of the way. Who are the leaders today? Where are they leading us? Is that somewhere that YOU want to go?
Moderator: ALAN OHNSMAN
Driving through any major city in the world today, you'll see electric bikes and scooters parked on corners, on charging docks, and zipping down the street. There's a symphony of collaboration that makes micro-mobility and on-demand rides like this possible, and it can get people out of cars to alleviate congestion and pollution. What does a data-driven approach to city transportation planning look like, and how do cities work with communities and companies to redefine what transportation looks like?
Today has the market roaring with upstarts and established automakers innovating at high velocity. It is all happening as the world has experienced a pandemic, supply chain challenges, and a volatile economy. How do you balance the excitement of what is possible with technology, while creating demand and moving inventory at the speed of the customer?
Moderator: Loren McDonald
For consumers, range anxiety is a barrier to EV adoption, and for fleets, the need for “charged” uptime and consistent power is a requirement for using EVs in those businesses. Hear how a pioneer in roadside and remote charging is bringing new charging possibilities to market today that may alter how we all stay on the road tomorrow.
From powered skateboards to 50 mph electric mopeds, the micro-mobility market covers the broadest spectrum of customers’ needs and solutions – and the industry is exploding with new products that are appealing to customers that were never considered in the past. Chopper builders, cafe racers, golfers, hunters, police officers, soldiers, and bush pilots have found new applications for e-mobility, and we are in the early days of what’s possible. In this panel, we take a look beyond the “last mile” and see a whole new world of e-possibilities.
Moderator: Bisi Ezerioha
11:15 AM Transition to Breakouts—Seaside Ballroom
Considering the opportunities to bring renewable and sustainable energy to the world is as much a feat of engineering as it is having empathy with customer experiences and behavior. The first generations of EV owners want to charge at home and work, on distant journeys, and at the corner grocery store. What does this mean for responsible energy production and consumption, and what must be addressed alongside electrification when it comes to business, media, and commerce?
Moderator: Loren McDonald
Hear from the leaders of one of the U.S.’s top-ranking “green utilities” – why the buildout of EV charging infrastructure in the inner city is critical to the adoption of EVs and renewable energy sources. This session will also highlight local and federal legislation driving changes in how we commute and charge, as well as CA Bill AB 1814 providing utilities greater resources to implement much-needed charging infrastructure throughout California's charging deserts.
Electric scooters are seen up and own the sidewalks of the world’s largest cities, and further. Beyond the on-demand market, there's an increase in consumers owning a scooter that they use to connect with transit, run to the store, and roll over to a friend's house. So, what does it take to be the #1 selling e-scooter on the world's largest e-commerce platform?
Can electric bikes be the answer to today's crowded streets and urban rush-hour snarls? Already, cities across Asia and Europe are prohibiting passenger vehicles from entering central business districts, opening streets for bike and pedestrian traffic, and creating more fluid paths across town. Let's hear from a micro-mobility maven that's proving that the ”15-minute city“ is no longer just a sociologist's vision.
Moderator: Tim Hayden
30 Minute Panel: You could build the best e-bike in the world, but if your message is the same as everyone else, consumers won’t remember you. In this panel, we’ll be discussing how different brands leverage their unique identities to find a voice in a crowded market, and how one brand’s success can help fuel the success of others.
Moderator: Tony Donaldson
Take a break and enjoy a nice mid-day meal!
Just when the world is starting to accept a pump-free future, we are learning that mobility is not limited to the vehicles that we ride or drive on streets. Hear from a pioneer in electric mobility that is making waves and reaching for the sky while everyone else seems to roll down familiar paths.
Moderator: Tim Hayden
Aftermarket modification of cars and trucks is an American pastime, fueling passions and forging our identities for 100 years. Just as we see totally new models hitting showroom floors with the first waves of electrification, there is a rising tide of classic vehicles being restored and outfitted with electric motors and drivetrains. What does it take and how commonplace will it be to see curves and design of the past driven by batteries and energy of the future?
Moderator: Peter MacGillivray
Coinciding with the earliest days of the automobile, America's farms and ranches saw new possibilities for tending to crops and land with tractors and other rugged vehicles. Today, data and automation that provide safety on our highways often come from work in rows of produce destined for the dinner table and travel far beyond our cities. Let's visit with the pioneers of these new proving grounds and the launchpads of tomorrow.
Moderator: Jo Borras
The electrified life is taking on many forms for all types of lifestyles. Due to where you live and work, and how often and far you drive, there is no one-size fits all product or service. Today, established automakers are making bold moves with logical and non-obvious partners to meet the needs of drivers ready to switch to an EV or hybrid. Here’s how Volvo is making that happen.
Moderator: ABIGAIL BASSETT
Experience the latest e-mobility press conferences, product reveals and get exclusive access to company founders and executives at Electrify Expo. Get ready to ride, drive and demo all the newest products, network with your peers, and get an exclusive firsthand look experience of the festival prior to general public days on the weekend.
Our Industry Day cocktail reception is a time to network and reconnect with colleagues to talk about what you've seen and heard, and plan your next moves in this rapidly growing space.
8 am - 5 pm
2 pm - 5 pm
Nicole Antakli brings a wide breadth of experience having served for more than a decade as President & COO of Intraco Corporation, which provides manufacturing firms with brand management, product marketing, sales specifications and logistics. Nicole has extensive experience in fields like logistics coordination, financing mechanisms for manufacturers and customers, strategic joint ventures, and global sales strategy. Nicole began her journey with Charge Enterprises as Director of Administration and was then promoted to Chief Business Officer & GM Charge Infrastructure. Nicole is a graduate of Villanova University and achieved an MBA in International Business from Schiller International University.
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Tannaz Banisadre is the Chief Operating Officer at Shell Recharge Solutions North America. A veteran of the future of mobility industry, Tannaz plays an important role in is leading Shell’s energy transition strategy and has helped incubate several ventures targeted at increasing the efficiency of the transportation sector through digitalization. She has been instrumental in developing and executing the unit’s global direction as a core member of the team since 2018.
Tannaz’s diverse career has spanned various sectors across the globe. In addition to strategy, she worked in finance and mergers and acquisitions in London. In the Middle East, she spearheaded high-tech public relations campaigns and consultancy, launched and managed non-profit democratization and human rights programs and conducted policy analysis.
Currently, she serves as a Non-Executive Director for Connected Freight, sits on the European Advisory Board for her alma mater, The Fletcher School, and is a member of the Chain Reaction Committee at the Ploughshares Fund.
Tannaz earned Master of Arts degrees in both International Relations and International Management from The Fletcher School and London School of Economics, respectively. She completed her undergraduate studies at UCLA and the Paris Institute of Political Studies. A California native with Persian and Minnesotan roots, Tannaz enjoys exploring her passion for travel, music, food and wine from her home base in San Francisco.
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Based in Austin, TX, Juls Bindi has been a self-funded entrepreneur since 2003. Specializing in sourcing, manufacturing, viral marketing, TV producing, and business strategy, led her to create ZuGo Inc in 2013. Juls first launched ZuGo Pet in 2017 and passed one of the most rigorous car crash tests in the world. Juls has been recognized by Scholorist Book of World Records 2020 for being the most viral pet company on the internet. Later was featured on ABC’s Shark Tank for more worldwide exposure, holding the title as “ The Most Funniest Shark Tank Episode Ever Aired.” - ABC. In 2016, Juls joined forces with Hunter Bailey and together founded ZuGo Bike. Officially launched ZuGo Bike in 2019 and quickly moved up the e-bike industry, turning the heads of celebrities worldwide. Juls also has certificates coaching other businesses about Human Design, emotional intelligence and leadership. The Los Angeles Business Journal has nominated her for the "Woman Making a Difference Award," featured on ABC, FOX, NBC, CNBC, BBC Worldwide, UKTV, Bell Media, Business Insider, Business RockStars Radio, and more.
As Director of International Strategy & Corporate Development for NIU, Joseph is responsible for all key global partnerships initiatives for the company. Joseph was a founding director of the international division of NIU, and in his previous "life" he has been working in the start-up ecosystem of China since 2000, and he is passionate about transforming urban mobility globally.
The future of urban mobility is being shaped by non-traditional companies, and more and more those companies are popping up in Asia. Joseph will provide insights to how NIU disrupted the world of urban mobility, and how it wants to create an eco-system of collaboration globally.
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Steve is an expert in designing, fabricating and building electric tractors and vehicles. His experience spans over 40 years in the renewable energy industry. He worked as the Director of Building Integrated Photovoltaics for the largest thin-film solar manufacturer in the world, designing PV roofing products from ’99 – ‘08. He contributed to several patents in the PV space. Steve founded MendoMotive and Electrac in 1993 to develop and build EVs and electric tractors. He founded Solectrac LLC in 2012 to take electric tractors into commercial production. He was the Principal Investigator in two grants completed in 2016 that moved the electric tractor closer to a commercially viable product. Steve converted the LLC to a California Benefit Corporation and Certified B-Corp in 2019. He holds several patents on electric tractor innovations.
Raven Hernandez is the founder and CEO of Earth Rides, the only all-electric ride-hailing app. Raven alongside her partner, Peter Smith launched Earth Rides in October 2020 in her hometown of Nashville, Tennessee, to deliver an eco-friendly transportation alternative.
Raven is a first-generation Latina American and a graduate of the Pepperdine Caruso School of Law. Prior to launching Earth Rides, Raven worked as an attorney at a female-owned law firm. Earth Rides' mission is to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles while creating an ecosystem where healthy is cool.
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Emily is the Head of Marketing at JackRabbit, helping to make the millions of short trips people take everyday into a million moments to smile through JackRabbit.
Previous to JackRabbit, she invested in early stage mental health companies as Principal at What If Ventures. Before jumping into the startup world, she led five products to market during her time at Fitbit, managed Olympic brand campaigns at Coca-Cola and created award-winning communications strategies at Ogilvy.
Emily is a graduate of Trinity College Dublin where she received a B.A. (Hons.) in Business, Economics and Politics.
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Kirk has been in love with the racing and performance market segments since birth. Assisting his father to build his own race engines at the age of four, helped him develop a solid knowledge base at a young age. He learned how things work, how to make them faster and equally important, how to keep things together for the length of the race. Kirk started his own race-prep/performance business at the age of 22, went on to be US Director of GReddy Performance Products and finally settled at AEM Electronics in ’98. Over the years Kirk has had the opportunity to participate in many forms of motorsport and applies that experience to his day-to-day always looking for ways to improve things. Kirk's professional career has offered him a unique prospective in being relate to both the enthusiast and the business owner and understanding how to meet both their needs with products that continue to evolve with the markets. A founding member of SEMA's Import Performance Committee which evolved into the Sport Compact Council, he is proud to be considered one of the pioneers of the Tuner market. In recent years Kirk has turned the majority of his attention toward the EV motorsport and conversion markets with the goal of creating products that will serve this developing market segment as well as connecting Tuners to the EV market, thus further expanding the performance aftermarket as a whole.
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Praveen Penmetsa is co-founder and CEO of Monarch Tractors. Praveen has nearly two decades of hands-on experience in translating creative visions into products for startups to Fortune 50 companies alike. He co-currently serves as founder and CEO of Motivo Engineering, a product-engineering firm with clients in the mobility, energy, AgTech, and aerospace sectors. Since 2016, Praveen has focused his efforts in AgTech solutions, building teams to develop and scale the next generation robotic solutions for mobility, food and automation. Praveen holds an MSME in mechanical engineering from the University of Cincinnati.
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Tom started at Radio Flyer back in 2003 and now leads the Sales, Marketing, Product Development and Customer Service functions as the Chief Innovation Officer. For most of his 30 year career, Tom has worked in the toy industry developing, marketing and selling products for companies like McDonald’s (Happy Meal Toys), General Mills, Hasbro, Toys R Us, Ohio Art, and now Radio Flyer. At Radio Flyer, Tom built a talented team of designers and engineers that has transformed the 100-year-old company’s product line developing over 200 new products and winning numerous product excellence awards including two Outdoor Toy of the Year Awards and three Chicago Innovation Awards. Tom is a key member of the leadership team that has built the strong company culture that continues to be recognized as one of the best places to work.
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Claudia Wasko is the Vice President and GM of Bosch eBike Systems Americas. Bosch is the global market leader of electric bike systems. In her position, she is responsible for all operational activities in eBike Systems within North and South America which is based in Lake Forest, CA. Since joining Bosch in 1994 Wasko has held numerous positions with increasing responsibility in the (automotive and non-automotive) areas of key account sales, original equipment sales and marketing. In 2009 she was the co-founder of the business unit Bosch eBike Systems in Germany. In her position as the head of department for sales and service she was strongly involved in making Bosch the global market leader.
Currently, Claudia serves on the board of People for Bike’s “Trade Association Committee” (TAC) and is also co-chair of the association's eBike committee. An avid triathlete, she can be found training with her Orange County-based teams in her spare time.
Eric Watson oversees the company’s national and regional and sales operations in the United States. Prior to joining Kia in December 2017 as the Director of Field Operations, Eric held various leadership roles in sales and marketing with Ford, Jaguar Land Rover and Mazda.
Eric attended Brigham Young University where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management.
Greg is the founder and serves as the CEO of EdgeEnergy. Greg spent 25 years with consumer products giant Proctor & Gamble where he served as the Vice President of Global Logistics and Supply chain for Asia before founding several successful start-ups as well as a non-profit in Cincinnati, OH. Greg's focus on equity and healing the planet led Greg to the EV Infrastructure industry. Greg led the R&D team that developed the EdgeEV Power Source that allows for the deployment of DC Fast Chargers anywhere using existing power infrastructure. Greg holds a degree in mechanical engineering from Case Western Reserve University.
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Brian Buccella is the Senior Vice President, Global Policy & Consumer Products at Bird focusing on bringing greater accessibility to electric micromobility vehicles through strategic government partnerships and a robust consumer products portfolio.
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I’ve been in and around the auto industry since the 90s, worked with race teams and tuning shops, and written for well-known outlets like CleanTechnica, The Truth About Cars, Popular Mechanics, and more. You can catch me on the Electrify News Podcast or chasing my kids around Oak Park.
Tony Donaldson started in the world of electric bicycles in 2000, providing all the advertising and marketing photography for Lee Iacocca’s EV Global. He’s also one of the first to ride and photograph the original Zero electric motorcycle. He’s been the editor of Electric Bike Action Magazine since 2016 and host of the Electric Bike Action Podcast since 2019. He’s seen incredible changes in the industry since, including massive growth and even more potential.
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McDonald’s role is to develop research-based content and educate marketers on digital marketing best practices including the application and impact of AI and machine learning. He has 35 years of experience as a consultant, marketing executive and content marketer at companies including IBM, Silverpop, Arthur Andersen, USWeb/CKS, EmailLabs, and Lyris.
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