Peter Asmus is a leading global authority on microgrid markets and other emerging trends in sustainable and resilient energy systems. Author of four books, he has been writing about and analyzing emerging trends in energy policy, technology and applications since 1986. Most recently, he was Research Director with Guidehouse Insights where he started up the world’s first global data set on microgrids and developed a forecast methodology to estimate future growth. He has served as a global thought leader on microgrids and other DER platforms such as virtual power plants. Among his past clients are ABB, ATCO, AutoGrid, Bank of Tokyo, EDF, Enbala (now Generac Grid Services), Engie, GE, Hitachi Energy, Horizon Power, Power Ledger, Schneider Electric, Siemens and many others.

Rob is a senior research engineer specializing in practical knowledge of arctic construction. He has held a Journeyman’s Electrical License in the State of Alaska since 2002 and obtained his Electrical Administrators License in 2009. With over 25 years of electrical experience, Bensin has developed a broad background in electrical and construction with a strong passion for energy efficiency and renewable energy. Bensin has brought his expertise to rural Alaska and built lasting relationships within the communities as an energy specialist and assisted communities throughout rural Alaska to develop their energy profiles and plans. Bensin was lead manager on Alaska’s first Independent Power Purchase Agreement through an Arctic Wind Farm in Nome, Alaska and continued as site manager for service and maintenance for three years. Bensin constructed multiple wind and solar PV arrays throughout Arctic Alaska. 

Chris Rose is the founder and Executive Director of REAP. He has worked as a fundraiser for various non-profit public interest groups around the United States, receiving his law degree from the University of Oregon with a Certificate in Environmental and Natural Resources Law along the way. For 12 years, his private practice in Alaska included representation of Native Alaskans from Northwest Arctic villages and the mediation of a variety of disputes around the state. He has been very active in local community affairs and has served on various statewide boards, including the Renewable Energy Grant Fund Advisory Committee, which he currently chairs. From 2004 to 2008 he wrote a monthly opinion column for the Anchorage Daily News. He enjoys traveling, gardening and exploring Alaska.

Patty Eagan provides AMG project management, coordination, and operations support. She is also a project manager for the Alaska Center for Energy and Power. Eagan's focus is on meeting the organizational and logistical needs of AMG to help drive both innovation and tried-and-true lessons learned to communities. Eagan earned her masters of business administration in 2019 from University of Alaska Fairbanks. Before AMG, she has helped coordinate ACEP's Microgrid Boot Camp and ACEP Utility Student Internship which each drive collaboration between utility personnel, students, and researchers throughout Alaska. 

Gwen Holdmann is one of the founders of the Alaska Microgrid Group. In addition to AMG, Holdmann currently directs the Alaska Center for Energy and Power, an applied energy research program based at the University of Alaska Fairbanks which focuses on community-scale fossil and renewable/alternative energy technologies. Specific areas of emphasis include power systems integration for microgrids, hydrokinetic energy, low temperature geothermal, and diesel efficiency. Throughout her career, Holdmann has worked in the private sector as a design engineer and project manager, including the design and construction of the only operating geothermal power plant in Alaska at Chena Hot Springs. This project received several awards including a R&D 100 award (R&D Magazine) and Project of the Year in the Renewable Energy Category (Power Engineering Magazine). Holdmann has been inducted into the Alaska Innovator’s Hall of Fame, and was selected as a member of Alaska’s Top Forty Under 40. In 2015-16, she served as a Fulbright Scholar as part of the Arctic Fulbright Initiative. She has competed in the Yukon Quest and Iditarod sleddog races.

A longtime Fairbanks resident and state leader, Brian Rogers served for seven years as the University of Alaska system's finance vice president, four years in the Alaska State House and eight years as a member of the UA Board of Regents, with three of those years as chair. He attended Trinity College and Brown University before receiving his master's degree in public administration from Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government. In 1996, Rogers formed Information Insights, an economic and public policy consulting firm, serving as principal consultant and chief financial officer. Rogers has served as chair of the UArctic Board of Governors, The Nature Conservancy Alaska Trustees and the Great Northwest Athletic Conference CEO board, as well as a member of numerous community and state organizations including the Foraker Group Governance Board, the Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, the Fairbanks Downtown Rotary and several others.

Sarah Burch is a recent graduate from The George Washington University and the newest member of the Alaska Microgrid Group as an Energy Fellow through the Alaska Fellows Program. She graduated with a B.A. in International Affairs, concentrating in environmental studies. During her time at GWU, Burch focused on the connections between human geography, energy security, and the environment. She is published in the International Affairs Forum for writings on waste colonialism and its effect on the Global South. In the past, Burch was a research assistant at GWU studying cruise tourism in the Arctic, where she intricately learned the importance of local communities in tourism decision-making processes. Burch’s specific areas of interest include community communication, international energy efforts, and the societal effects of climate change. Burch is excited to learn more about microgrids and their implications for the future of energy security in Alaska and beyond.