Press Release | Green Hydrogen Coalition Announces Election of New Board Members
February 2, 2024
Sacramento, CA — The Green Hydrogen Coalition (GHC) is pleased to announce the successful election of three new members to its Board of Directors. The newly elected board members bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the GHC, further strengthening the organization’s leadership team. Their diverse backgrounds and proven track records in the industry, government, and non-profit sectors align with the GHC's commitment to innovation, growth, and sustainability. The newly elected board members, elected to two-year terms, are:
Jonathan Birdsong
Jonathan Birdsong is director of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Western Regional Office. He brings more than 20 years of experience in brokering strategic, non-traditional initiatives in the public and private sectors that benefit natural resources. Prior to joining NFWF, Mr. Birdsong worked for BlueWater Strategies, a boutique consulting firm in Washington, D.C., where he focused on natural resources, agriculture, energy, and irrigation efficiency policies. From 2002 to 2010, he worked for U.S. Congressman Mike Thompson of California, a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee.
Lacy McManus
Lacy McManus is the Executive Director of Future Energy at Greater New Orleans, Inc. (GNO, Inc.) where she advances a diverse coalition of higher education, community college, non-profit, and industry partners spearheading the renewable energy evolution across South Louisiana. Lacy re-joined the GNO team after nearly three years with Amazon Web Services (AWS). Prior to joining AWS, Lacy served as the Vice President for Strategic Initiatives at GNO. where she oversaw a portfolio of workforce, education, and environmental programs that enhanced the economic competitiveness of the GNO region.
Denita Willoughby
Denita Willoughby is CEO of Big Energy Group, a firm that provides executive consulting and coaching services. Previously, she was Vice President of Supply Chain & Support Services for Southern California Gas Company and San Diego Gas & Electric, both Sempra Energy California utilities. Her responsibilities included managing a $3 billion supply chain, fleet, and facilities operations and overseeing SoCalGas’ $6 billion real estate portfolio. Prior, she spent over 15 years in leadership roles at AT&T/SBC/Pacific Bell, where she led government affairs and sales organizations with profit and loss responsibility.
"We are so pleased to welcome Jonathan, Lacy, and Denita to our Board,” GHC Founder and President Janice Lin said. “Alongside their commitment to accelerating a clean and just energy transition, their experience and strategic insights will be crucial in guiding the organization’s strategic plan and positioning the GHC to help enable the green hydrogen ecosystem’s next stage of growth.”
Jonathan Birdsong will also assume the role of Board Chair, replacing Don Liddell, who will remain on the Board of Directors. The GHC Board of Directors also includes Gregory DePasquale, Thierry Lepercq, Janice Lin, and Grace Tsai. More information can be found at:
About Green Hydrogen Coalition
The Green Hydrogen Coalition (GHC), a 501(c)(3) educational nonprofit organization, is dedicated to facilitating practices and policies to advance the production and use of green hydrogen in all sectors where it will accelerate a carbon-free energy future. The GHC has three game-changing initiatives focused on policy and commercialization efforts that together will drive the North American green hydrogen market: the Western Green Hydrogen Initiative, HyBuild™ North America, and the Consumer Education Initiative. For more information on the GHC and its initiatives, visit ghcoalition.org.