Learning Center

Preparing Landowners and Community Stakeholders for Beyond Development

Preparing Landowners and Community Stakeholders for Beyond Development

Many communities experience a lack of emphasis and unintended disengagement when projects progress from development to construction and operations. Learn what strategies and tools can be deployed to ensure the transition periods are as smooth as possible from partnerships with landowners, construction companies, operations and maintenance providers, and other stakeholders.

Abby Arnold (Moderator)

Principal

MGC Partners

For nearly four decades Abby Arnold, Principal, MGC Partners, has specialized in crafting and leading private and public sector collaboratives and processes dedicated to producing results to address challenges associated with developing energy resources to meet demand for electricity – including, for example, siting/operating energy projects transmission and conservation – e.g.), water, wetlands, wildlife, agriculture, and other related land use, social, and economic issues.
Sixteen years ago, she helped found and for the past fourteen years served as Executive Director of the non-profit, Renewable Energy Wildlife Institute (REWI, previously AWWI). Prior to committing full time to managing REWI, Abby was a Mediator and Principal at Kearns & West for 9 years and at RESOLVE for 17 years.
Now, a Principal at her consulting practice, MGC Partners, she provides strategic advice and facilitation/mediation services. Abby looks forward to working with parties interested in producing solutions to address industry, federal, state, and local conservation, economic, and social interests and concerns we face in order to meet growing demand for energy and electricity in the US and internationally.
Abby holds a Master’s in Public Administration, Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government and a B.A. in Environmental Planning and Politics from U.C. Santa Cruz, with Honors. While at Graduate school, Abby studied Conflict Resolution, at the Harvard Law School.

Tony Coggan

Executive Director

Truescape

With nearly two decades of experience in 3D visualization, Tony has established a reputation for driving innovation and clarity in some of the world’s most complex sectors. His expertise spans renewable energy, mining, oil and gas, transportation, and infrastructure, working on a global scale with an extensive portfolio of clients. This includes public and private development firms, utilities, local governments, federal agencies, and leading consultancies across environmental, engineering, and public affairs. Tony is a Director of Truescape that excels in transforming technical project details into clear and impactful visualizations, aimed at ensuring effective communication with a wide range of stakeholders. In addition to their visualization expertise, Tony has provided expert testimony in high-stakes legal and regulatory settings across New Zealand, Australia, and North America.

Mak Heddens, MBA

Associate Vice President, Public Affairs & Events

Strategic Elements

Mak Heddens is Associate Vice President of Public Affairs and Events at Strategic Elements and has worked in clean energy since 2018. An Iowa native with a deep understanding of rural communities, Mak is experienced at messaging and mobilizing advocates around local, state, and federal issues. She develops customized campaigns for clean energy companies and organizations and specializes in creating unique events to engage influential stakeholders, elected officials, and the media. Mak has managed fieldwork in more than 20 states tasked with coalition building, generating earned media, and coordinating events to engage public officials. She has secured partnerships with major media outlets, such as POLITICO and National Geographic, and executed sponsorships for large-scale events, such as the Iowa State Fair and the Presidential Caucuses. She graduated from Iowa State University with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communications and a master’s in business administration.

Adhar Johnson

Senior Director, Public Engagement

Pattern Energy

Adhar Johnson is the Senior Director of Public Engagement for Pattern Energy, where she oversees the development and execution of local engagement approaches for the company's development pipeline, construction projects, and operating fleet. With 18 years of experience in public affairs, Adhar has held roles at CD&P, Clean Line Energy Partners, and Wind Capital Group. She has specialized in strategic development and led community relations and advocacy programs for various infrastructure projects, focusing on renewable energy generation, transmission development, and transportation. Throughout her career, Adhar has facilitated hundreds of meetings and advisory groups, and executed outreach campaigns to engage landowners, communities, environmental groups, business organizations, elected officials, and other stakeholders. Adhar excels in building and leading cross-functional teams, fostering collaboration and driving successful outcomes in complex project environments.

Jeff Smith

Pennsylvania Farmer

Solar Grazier & Landowner

Raised in Central Pennsylvania, Jeff Smith holds a B.S. in Animal Science from Penn State University. After spending eight years on Capitol Hill installing computer systems, he returned to his family farm, where he has spent the past 30+ years grazing cattle and sheep. Today, Jeff manages 900 acres of grassland under solar panels, integrating sustainable grazing practices with renewable energy production.
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