Columbia University Energy Symposium

Colin Davies is vice president of Corporate Strategy and Planning for Hess Corporation, a global, integrated energy company based in New York City.

He works with the company’s executive management to evaluate new opportunities and examine strategic trends affecting the performance and future direction of the company.

Prior to joining Hess in 2006, Mr. Davies was a leader with Schlumberger’s business consulting group and a partner with the energy consulting practices of Charles River Associates and Arthur D. Little. He has worked worldwide as an adviser to most of the leading national and international oil companies on a broad range of strategic and commercial issues.

Davies holds a master’s degree in chemical engineering from Imperial College in London.

Venita McCellon-Allen is president and chief operating officer of Southwestern Electric Power Company (SWEPCO), serving approximately 439,000 customers in Louisiana, Arkansas and northeast Texas. She has authority for distribution operations and a wide range of customer and regulatory relationships. Previously, she was executive vice president of AEP Utilities West, responsible for distribution and customer service operations in the states of Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas.

In addition, Venita has served as senior vice president for human resources for Baylor Health Care System, as well as leadership roles in operations, customer service, strategic planning and human resources at Central and South West Corp. Venita has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Texas A&M University, and is also a graduate of the University of Chicago’s Executive Development Program and the Young Managers Program at the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business.

Kiichiro Sato assumed the post of President of JETRO New York, head office in North America of Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), in August 2010.

After receiving a Bachelor of Economics degree from Tokyo University in 1980, he entered the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) - now the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI).

He held a variety of key positions at MITI/METI and related governmental organization including Director-General, Chubu Bureau of Economy Trade and Industry; Vice President, Research Institute of Economy Trade and Industry (RIETI); and Director-General for Small and Medium Enterprise Policy, Small and Medium Enterprise Agency, METI.

A New York Tradition

The seventh annual Columbia Energy Symposium will be held in the historic Low Library, the focal point of the beautiful Morningside Heights campus in the heart of New York City. This iconic venue brings together leaders in energy today with the leaders of tomorrow for a day of learning, networking, and discussion.
Carbon Management and U.S. Energy Policy

Shale oil and gas. Nuclear. Clean coal. Alternative and renewable generation. Demand response. Efficiency programs. How will the US meet the energy needs of the future and encourage economic growth while simultaneously pursuing policies of energy security and environmental and social responsibility?
China, Coal, and Global Energy Demand

As the world's largest consumer of energy, China is also the driver for the significant global growth in coal demand, which now comprises a third of world energy consumption. What are the implications of China's unparalleled coal consumption for climate change, for competing low-carbon energy sources, and the world's energy demand?
Fukushima and the Future of Nuclear Energy

Still reeling from the nuclear crisis at Fukushima Daiichi, many are wondering about the fate of nuclear energy. As a clean-emitting yet toxic energy source, nuclear power exposes the difficult trade-offs we must consider. Will advancements in technology and nuclear safety allow us to displace fossil fuels with nuclear, or is the risk of disaster too great?
Emerging Energy Markets: Meeting the Energy Needs of Developing World

As the lines between the developed and developing world blur, more and more people have attained access to energy. Yet millions of the world's poor still have limited or no access. This panel will discuss how to get necessary energy to underdeveloped countries and how to capitalize that investment for the benefit of all.

A glimpse into the 7th symposium

We are pleased to announce that the next Columbia Energy Symposium will take place on November 18, 2011 in the Low Memorial Library at Columbia University. The Symposium highlights the topics capturing the attention of the energy industry today and offers the varied perspectives of leaders from the policy, business and legal sectors, among others.

The panels this November will consist of:

Fukushima and the Future of Nuclear Energy
Natural Gas: Opportunities and Controversies in the U.S. and Abroad
Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency, and Economic Uncertainty
Emerging Energy Markets: Meeting the Energy Needs of the Developing World
China, Coal, and Global Energy Demand
Energy From Waste: Innovative Approaches to Reclaiming Energy

Our keynote speakers will discuss: