Offshore Wind Safety Seminar

Technical Adviser – Marine Renewable Energy

Rhys Jones joined IMCA in June 2022 as Technical Adviser for Marine Renewable Energy.

Rhys worked for RenewableUK for 12 years as Head of Technical Affairs with a strong focus on offshore wind, health, safety and wellbeing, and regulatory compliance. Rhys has developed various industry good practice guidance documents for these areas and run many industry committees associated with this.

Prior to joining RenewableUK Rhys worked for Petrofac Training Services as Staff Training Manager Survival & Marine which also brings the added benefit to IMCA of a strong competence and training background.

Master Mariner

Dustin Varnell joined IMCA in July 2022 and has 20 years of experience in offshore energy and marine operations.   He spent over fifteen years offshore as a ship’s officer working internationally on large-scale projects in Asia, GOM, and Brazil. Dustin is a Master Mariner, an experienced Dynamic Positioning operator, and holds many industry credentials and certifications. His shipyard and vessel construction experience include projects in Japan, Singapore, and various locations in the United States.

Dustin also has construction and operational planning experience in the developing U.S. offshore renewable energy industry. He is passionate about the development of offshore renewables and the implementation of marine technology to improve safety.

Senior Vice President

As Senior Vice President, Will Fediw plays a leading role in creating and implementing business development and legislative strategies to improve the economic and political climates for Virginia’s maritime and supply chain sectors. Furthermore, he regularly collaborates with state, federal government, and business leadership on win-win solutions that advance the Commonwealth and increase overall competitiveness. Will joined the VMA is 2018 as the Vice President of Industry & Government Affairs. For over 15 years, Will has been involved in maritime operations, marine terminal development, external affairs, and stakeholder advocacy.

Director, Energy & Emerging Technology

Matt Smith is Director of Energy and Emerging Technology for the Hampton Roads Alliance. Matt’s role at the Alliance is to develop and promote Hampton Roads as a clean energy hub, including for the offshore wind industry. Before joining the Alliance, Matt was a Senior Regional Planner at the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission and worked in the City of Hampton’s Community Development Department.  Prior to his career in community and economic development, Matt worked for a member of the U.S. House of Representatives and for a research and consulting firm.

Director – Public Policy and Economic Development

John Larson joined Dominion Energy in 1996 and is currently the Director of Public Policy and Economic Development. During John’s career at the company, he has held various leadership positions in generation business development, alternative energy technologies as well as transmission construction and operations. He is well versed in offshore wind through his experience in the development and early permitting activities for Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) Pilot Project. Currently, a large part of his time is spent on Dominion Energy’s Business to Business, Workforce Development and Community Outreach activity for as the Company moves forward implementing the requirements of the Virginia Clean Economy Act, including the 16,100 MW of solar, 5,200 MW of offshore wind and 2,700 MW of storage, with the objective of maximizing opportunities for Virginia’s vendors, subcontractors and suppliers. John resides in Henrico County, Virginia with his wife and has three adult children. He graduated with a B.S in Chemical Engineering from North Carolina State University.

QHSE-S Manager, US

Roderick Jackson is the QHSE-S Manager for the United States. He initially started working with DEME in 2014 managing project QHSE for the creation of artificial islands in the UAE, the new Suez Canal in Egypt, cable laying, and tender proposals in Europe. He rejoined DEME in 2022 after 6 ½ years at Amazon as the Sr Regional Manager for the US, Canada, and special projects. He has been in Health and Safety more than 22 years in multiple industries which include manufacturing, infrastructure, DoD projects, food safety, and austere locations. He prefers unique projects and challenges. He speaks several languages. He has lived in 7 countries so far. Currently he works with DEME project teams on Vineyard Wind, Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind, compliance/legislation forecasting, tender teams in Europe, partnership development. Roderick is a South Carolina native but lives in Rhode Island with his youngest son. He has one daughter and three sons. He has a B.S. Health and Safety Management, and Commercial Arts. Additionally, he is a published photographer, fine artist, and writes poetry that has shown in galleries/museums domestically and internationally.

Director of Employer Engagement, Maritime

Jackie Rondeau has been in workforce development in Virginia since 2008 and with the Hampton Roads Workforce Council since 2011.  Initially, she worked with all industries in Hampton Roads and managed the federally funded OJT and Incumbent Worker Training programs in addition to managing the job board, coordinating events, and representing HRWC in the community.  She is now the Director of Employer Engagement – Maritime and managing a large, multifaceted collaborative.  She serves on the Virginia Ship Repair Association’s Workforce Development Planning Committee, is a member of Women of Offshore Wind, and works closely with shipbuilding and ship repair companies and companies involved with the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel expansion and Offshore Wind.

Client Advisor

Ben is an Offshore Wind Client Advisor within Marsh’s U.S. Power & Energy Practice. He has over a decade of experience working in the U.S. offshore wind industry and he uses this knowledge to advise project investors, developers, supply chain companies, and states with their risk management needs. Ben excels at researching, educating, and coalescing industry partners to overcome policy, contractual, and supply chain hurdles as they appear while a project is realised. Ben holds a dual graduate degree from the University of Maine in Economics and Policy and lives and works in Portland, Maine.

Mayor Shannon E. Glover’s journey to becoming the Mayor of Portsmouth, VA, is marked by resilience, dedication, and a commitment to public service. Born in Erie, Pennsylvania, he faced financial challenges during his upbringing in low-income housing, raised by a single mother with limited education.

In his youth, Mayor Glover actively engaged in sports and was a member of the Boys Club of America. In his high school years, he received the “Mr. Upward Bound” award, a testament to his determination for personal growth.

After graduating from high school, Mayor Glover joined the U.S. Navy, where he served honorably as a Medical Lab Technician and Hospital Corpsman from 1988 to 1994. During his military service, he attended and graduated from the Navy School of Health Science and moved to Portsmouth in 1990.

Post-military service, Mayor Glover earned a bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus on African American history and health services management from Norfolk State University. Transitioning into the professional realm, he became a health insurance consultant and currently serves as the Owner of Commonwealth Employee Benefit Solutions, a company specializing in providing quality, cost-effective, customized employee benefit solutions.

Mayor Glover’s personal life reflects his dedication to family. He and his wife, Paula, are proud parents to two adult children, Alana and Denzel Glover. Beyond his professional and public service commitments, the Mayor finds joy in reading, participating in building projects, and appreciating quiet moments with nature and history.

Over the years, Mayor Glover has received numerous accolades for his leadership and service to the community, highlighting his unwavering commitment to positive change and the betterment of the lives of his fellow citizens. Notably, the Hampton Roads Workforce Council recognized him as the 2022 Workforce Champion.

Technical Adviser – Marine Renewable Energy

Rhys Jones joined IMCA in June 2022 as Technical Adviser for Marine Renewable Energy.

Rhys worked for RenewableUK for 12 years as Head of Technical Affairs with a strong focus on offshore wind, health, safety and wellbeing, and regulatory compliance. Rhys has developed various industry good practice guidance documents for these areas and run many industry committees associated with this.

Prior to joining RenewableUK Rhys worked for Petrofac Training Services as Staff Training Manager Survival & Marine which also brings the added benefit to IMCA of a strong competence and training background.