Optimize Renewables CEO Len Jornlin will present on the alignment and mobilization of public and private sector investment in resilient infrastructure at Heartland Capital Strategies event.
Pittsburgh, PA – April 1, 2025 – On Wednesday, April 2, Optimize Renewables CEO Len Jornlin will present at the Appalachian Sustainable Finance Hub’s Final Planning Summit. This event – part of a planning series to align public and private sector resources and mobilize capital for resilient energy, infrastructure, and workforce training initiatives across Appalachia – will be hosted by Heartland Capital Strategies at Pittsburgh's Energy Innovation Center. The objective of these discussions is to accelerate the energy transition and promote economic development in communities too often left behind.
The Summit will bring together a diverse group of stakeholders to explore scalable solutions for partnering public and private capital, focusing on capital investment in the evolving policy landscape. By engaging institutional investment decision-makers, philanthropists, local and regional government officials, and project sponsors, the event aims to identify opportunities for collaboration and address challenges in achieving scalable investments.
Jornlin will be featured as one of four panelists presenting on Building Sustainable Infrastructure in our Region. Joining him on the panel, moderated by Steel Valley Authority’s Will Bernstein, will be:
- Michelle Buczkowski, Chief Human Resources Officer, Eos
- William Reeves Ferran, Allegheny County Decarbonization Campaign Manager, Pennsylvania United
- Brittany Prischak, Director, Department of Sustainability, Allegheny County
- Marc Ferrari, Training Director, LIUNA
Jornlin will present a case study highlighting a portfolio of microgrid projects and workforce training initiatives launched in 2021 and currently in various stages of development. These projects, primarily serving underserved communities in the Appalachian Region of Western Maryland, leverage Public-Private Partnership (P3) finance structures and labor-friendly construction to ensure long-term community impact and investment returns.
"We appreciate the opportunity to contribute to this important dialogue at the Appalachian Sustainable Finance Hub Summit," said Jornlin. "By bringing together public and private sector stakeholders, Heartland Capital Strategies is accelerating the resilient energy transition while delivering tangible economic benefits to the communities that need them most."
A key objective of the Summit is to expand Labor's role in accelerating resilient infrastructure investments. The event will feature a morning session focused on Investing in Sustainable Infrastructure. The Panel will include Harpreet Peleg, CFO, AFL-CIO Housing Investment Trust; Kevin Collins, Vice President of Market Development, ULLICO; Jamey Noland, Principal, PenTrust; and Pam Porter, Acting Chief of Staff, Green Bank for Rural America.
Morning Sessions will include:
- Breakout 1: Scaling Projects for Success – Rebecca Kiernan and Eric Raabe (CONNECT) will share recent experiences scaling projects along with Andrew Salkin (Resilient Cities Catalyst).
- Breakout 2: Community Partnerships and Quality Jobs – Amanda Woodrum (ReImagine Appalachia), Christopher Wike (United Steelworkers), and Meagan Niebler and Michael Parker (Fairshake ELS) will present findings from a multi-state working group Community Benefits Agreements.
- Breakout 3: Finding Capacity at the Local Level – Natalia Rudiak (Reimagine Appalachia) will lead a discussion on the capacity needs of smaller communities and the organizations critical to developing sustainable infrastructure. Joining her will be Sarah SanGiovanni (SWPA Municipal Project Hub), Alyssa Johnson (Power A Clean Future Ohio), Lindsay Fraser (Mayor, Brackenridge, PA), and Wendy Tuck (Council Member, Parkersburg, WV).
Afternoon Sessions will include:
- Breakout 4: Project Pipeline – Catherine Tulley (Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission) and Megan Ziegler (SWPA Municipal Project Hub) will share how their organizations are identifying and supporting local projects. Also contributing to the discussion will be Natalia Rudiak (Reimagine Appalachia).
- Breakout 5: Project Structure – Andrew Salkin (Resilient Cities Catalyst) will present the types of project assistance RCC has offered across various infrastructure projects. Also driving the discussion will be Will Bernstein (Steel Valley Authority).
- Breakout 6: Project Funding - Ramsay Stevens (NECA/IBEW) will focus on the critical steps needed to connect infrastructure projects with financing opportunities, including the role of the Hub in supporting potential project owners and building partnerships with lenders and other funders. Also lending their expertise will be Marten Jenkins (Partner Community Capital), Alonzo McKenzie (Ohio Statewide Development Corporation), and Marissa Berkley (Just Transition Fund).
The Summit’s interactive closing session will identify how participants can support or engage with the Hub going forward, whether by funding, partnering, contributing expertise, or proposing projects.
On April 1, the day prior to the Summit proper, participants will tour the newly renovated, energy efficient Pittsburgh Glass Center, and learn about how Building America, CDE, as subsidiary of the AFL-CIO HIT, helped to finance this community-serving, quality jobs-supporting project.
"We're grateful to have been part of the Hub since it was only an idea in 2021, and excited to contribute to the Appalachian Sustainable Finance Hub Summit by advancing resilient infrastructure, economic growth, and workforce training through microgrid solutions," Jornlin noted. "Our business model integrates 'The Right Mix' of energy technologies, public-private capital, and educational initiatives to drive lasting impacts—empowering communities, institutions, and industries to strengthen their preparedness and resilience in a rapidly evolving energy landscape."
Optimize Renewables is pleased to work with customers such as Frostburg State University, Allegany College of Maryland, University of Maryland, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Bowie State University, and their co-located Towns and Cities, as they implement innovative, all-of-the-above energy strategies with resilient infrastructure and applied training opportunities in projects for underserved communities across the country.
About Optimize Renewables
Optimize Renewables is dedicated to delivering a new balance of power for organizations in essential sectors across North America, especially in underserved markets. A better balance, built on the optimal integration of proven, clean, distributed-generation technologies and energy-management solutions, with public-private financing. A balance that works with the existing utility infrastructure to deliver efficiency, savings, sustainability, and resiliency. A balance that puts customers in control of their sustainable energy future while enhancing and stacking public and private investor returns. A balance that enables our workforce to compete for long-term job opportunities and careers. For more information, visit www.OptimizeRenewables.com.
Optimize Renewables is dedicated to delivering a new balance of power for organizations in essential sectors across North America, especially in underserved markets. A better balance, built on the optimal integration of proven, clean, distributed-generation technologies and energy-management solutions, with public-private financing. A balance that works with the existing utility infrastructure to deliver efficiency, savings, sustainability, and resiliency. A balance that puts customers in control of their sustainable energy future while enhancing and stacking public and private investor returns. A balance that enables our workforce to compete for long-term job opportunities and careers. For more information, visit www.OptimizeRenewables.com.
About Heartland Capital Strategies
Heartland Capital Strategies (HCS) is a leader in responsible investing, dedicated to mobilizing workers' capital to rebuild the built environment, revitalize industrial sectors, and foster a sustainable, clean economy. Established in 1995 by the Steel Valley Authority, the United Steelworkers, and the AFL-CIO, HCS collaborates with labor organizations, institutional investors, and community partners to implement investment strategies that generate competitive financial returns while promoting economic development and job creation. Through education, advocacy, and strategic partnerships, HCS aims to make corporate governance more accountable and support the growth of resilient communities. For more information visit www.heartlandnetwork.org.
Heartland Capital Strategies (HCS) is a leader in responsible investing, dedicated to mobilizing workers' capital to rebuild the built environment, revitalize industrial sectors, and foster a sustainable, clean economy. Established in 1995 by the Steel Valley Authority, the United Steelworkers, and the AFL-CIO, HCS collaborates with labor organizations, institutional investors, and community partners to implement investment strategies that generate competitive financial returns while promoting economic development and job creation. Through education, advocacy, and strategic partnerships, HCS aims to make corporate governance more accountable and support the growth of resilient communities. For more information visit www.heartlandnetwork.org.
About the Appalachian Sustainable Finance Hub
The Appalachian Sustainable Finance Hub serves as a central platform to advance sustainable economic development by facilitating project planning and funding. Supported by the Appalachian Regional Commission and led by Heartland Capital Strategies, the Hub works with local leaders, industry partners, labor, and investors to help communities secure grants and investment for civic infrastructure projects. Through strategic partnerships, financial innovation, and capacity building, the Hub promotes job creation and economic resilience across Appalachian counties in Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. For more information visit www.heartlandfinancehub.org.
The Appalachian Sustainable Finance Hub serves as a central platform to advance sustainable economic development by facilitating project planning and funding. Supported by the Appalachian Regional Commission and led by Heartland Capital Strategies, the Hub works with local leaders, industry partners, labor, and investors to help communities secure grants and investment for civic infrastructure projects. Through strategic partnerships, financial innovation, and capacity building, the Hub promotes job creation and economic resilience across Appalachian counties in Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. For more information visit www.heartlandfinancehub.org.
About the Energy Innovation Center
The Energy Innovation Center is a Pittsburgh based, not-for-profit organization with a mission to engage corporate and community leaders, align workforce development and education, develop and demonstrate technology, and incubate businesses, to support emerging clean and sustainable energy markets. We have joined with key stakeholders to transform a vacant property in into a LEED Platinum Certified beacon for clean, efficient and sustainable energy solutions and technologies. Located in Pittsburgh’s Lower Hill District, this 200,000-square-foot building functions as a ‘living laboratory’ for industry-informed education and training programs and a center that co-locates diverse tenants, including energy sector corporations, national energy research laboratories, political and community leaders, economic development organizations, and leading academic institutions. The EIC is owned and operated by the Pittsburgh Gateways Corporation, and is located at: 1435 Bedford Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15219. For more information, visit www.eicpittsburgh.org.
The Energy Innovation Center is a Pittsburgh based, not-for-profit organization with a mission to engage corporate and community leaders, align workforce development and education, develop and demonstrate technology, and incubate businesses, to support emerging clean and sustainable energy markets. We have joined with key stakeholders to transform a vacant property in into a LEED Platinum Certified beacon for clean, efficient and sustainable energy solutions and technologies. Located in Pittsburgh’s Lower Hill District, this 200,000-square-foot building functions as a ‘living laboratory’ for industry-informed education and training programs and a center that co-locates diverse tenants, including energy sector corporations, national energy research laboratories, political and community leaders, economic development organizations, and leading academic institutions. The EIC is owned and operated by the Pittsburgh Gateways Corporation, and is located at: 1435 Bedford Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15219. For more information, visit www.eicpittsburgh.org.
About Pittsburgh Glass Center Glass
Art: We Teach it. We Create it. We Promote it. We Support Those Who Make it. Established in 2001, Pittsburgh Glass Center is a nonprofit, public-access education center; an art gallery; a state-of-the-art glass studio; a community builder; and a hub for innovation and creativity. We cultivate an inclusive and welcoming environment that encourages everyone, from the casually curious to the master artist, to learn, create, and be inspired by glass. We share our passion for glass locally and globally to advance a more diverse, vibrant, and accessible glass art community. Anyone can take classes, explore the contemporary glass gallery, and watch the live hot glass demonstrations. World-renowned glass artists come here to both create and teach. Our guiding principles of creativity, collaboration, sustainability, diversity and excellence enable us to extend our region’s extraordinary glass legacy far into the future. Pittsburgh Glass Center is located at: 5472 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15206. For more information, visit www.pittsburghglasscenter.org.
Art: We Teach it. We Create it. We Promote it. We Support Those Who Make it. Established in 2001, Pittsburgh Glass Center is a nonprofit, public-access education center; an art gallery; a state-of-the-art glass studio; a community builder; and a hub for innovation and creativity. We cultivate an inclusive and welcoming environment that encourages everyone, from the casually curious to the master artist, to learn, create, and be inspired by glass. We share our passion for glass locally and globally to advance a more diverse, vibrant, and accessible glass art community. Anyone can take classes, explore the contemporary glass gallery, and watch the live hot glass demonstrations. World-renowned glass artists come here to both create and teach. Our guiding principles of creativity, collaboration, sustainability, diversity and excellence enable us to extend our region’s extraordinary glass legacy far into the future. Pittsburgh Glass Center is located at: 5472 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15206. For more information, visit www.pittsburghglasscenter.org.
Contact Information:
Mr. Michael Wright
Chief Business Solutions Officer
Optimize Renewables, LLC
Office: 301.778.9300 Mobile: 610.202.8892 Email: mwright@OptimizeRenewables.com
Chief Business Solutions Officer
Optimize Renewables, LLC
Office: 301.778.9300 Mobile: 610.202.8892 Email: mwright@OptimizeRenewables.com
