Thomas S. O'Neill - Senior Vice President, Generation Development, Exelon Generation

Thomas O’Neill is responsible for all new plant development initiatives within Exelon Generation. This includes identification and development of new renewable and merchant generation and new enterprises, providing oversight for projects across the Company. A substantial portion of O’Neill’s responsibility involves renewable energy and other developmental work required to meet carbon reduction goals established under Exelon 2020: A Low Carbon Roadmap.

Mr. O'Neill leads Exelon Generation's work in new nuclear plant development and other nuclear business development opportunities. He also leads the team that facilitates Exelon's involvement in the NuStart consortium of companies, working to demonstrate the revised NRC new nuclear plant licensing process and complete design engineering for select reactor technologies.

Previously, Mr. O'Neill served as Exelon Nuclear's Vice President, New Plant Development, leading the work to submit a Construction and Operating License to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission for a potential nuclear site in Texas. He also served as Exelon Nuclear's Vice President of Regulatory Affairs. He led a 50-person organization responsible for federal and state nuclear and environmental regulatory activities on behalf of Exelon Nuclear's fleet of 19 stations located in IL, NJ, and PA.

Thomas O'Neill received his Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Illinois-Urbana and his law degree from the University of Notre Dame Law School.

Steve Weathers - President & CEO, Regional Growth Partnership & Rocket Ventures

Steve Weathers has been President & CEO of Northwest Ohio’s Regional Growth Partnership since September of 2005. Since his arrival, the organization, working in conjunction with its many partners in the region, has taken a leadership role that has lead to the creation of more than 4,000 new high-paying, high-skilled jobs in the region.

Mr. Weathers also led the effort to create the region's first ever pre-seed venture fund, Rocket Ventures, where he serves as President & Managing Director. Rocket Ventures is a $22.5 million early-state investment fund comprised of $7.5 million of private investment capital, as well as a $15 million grant from the State of Ohio.  

Mr. Weathers has been in economic development for almost 20 years, with 11 of those years in San Diego, California as Vice President of the San Diego Economic Development Corporation and 5 years in Tucson, Arizona as President of the Greater Tucson Economic Corporation.  

Mr. Weathers has been involved in the attraction, retention, growth and start-up of more than 500 companies. He sits on numerous boards, including the International Economic Development Council, the CORENET Global Midwest Region Board of Directors, the State of Ohio Strategic Planning Committee and the Science & Technology Corridor Operating Committee. 

Suzanne Malec-McKenna - City of Chicago Department of Environment Commissioner

Suzanne Malec-McKenna serves as Commissioner of the Department of Environment for the City of Chicago. She was nominated by Mayor Daley for the position in August 2007, and has more than 17 years experience in environmental issues, including sustainable development and ecological preservation and restoration.

Mrs. Malec-McKenna has served for nearly 15 years in the Department of Environment, most recently as Deputy Commissioner of Natural Resources and Water Quality. Prior to joining City government, she worked as an Urban Forestry Manager for the Openlands Project.

Mrs. Malec-McKenna has led key efforts for the Department, including Greencorps Chicago, the Chicago Center for Green Technology, the Calumet Initiative, the Chicago Conservation Corps and various water conservation and protection efforts. She serves on various boards and committees, including serving as a founding steering committee member of the Chicago Wilderness Coalition, and Members for the University of Illinois at Chicago’s Institute of Environmental Science and Policy and the Illinois Natural History Survey.

Mrs. Malec-McKenna has a bachelor’s degree in Ornamental Horticulture from the University of Illinois and a master’s degree in Managerial Communication from Northwestern University. She is currently seeking her Ph.D. from Northwestern in Communication Studies.