ACORE is a membership-based organization dedicated to advancing renewable energy in the U.S. through policy, finance and education. ACORE'S membership works in all sectors of renewable energy, including wind power, solar energy, geothermal energy, hydropower, ocean energy, biomass, biofuels, and waste energy.

April 27, 2011, Washington, DC - The American Council On Renewable Energy (ACORE) today announced new leadership positions at the organization. Retired Vice Admiral and ACORE Advisory Board member, Dennis V. McGinn has accepted the position of President of ACORE, effective today. And Dan Reicher, formerly DOE Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy and currently Director of Stanford University's Steyer-Taylor Center for Energy Policy and Finance, has become Chairman of ACORE's Board of Directors, with ACORE Co-Chairman of the Board of Directors, John Geesman, stepping down.

Admiral McGinn served 35 years with the U.S. Navy as a naval aviator, test pilot, aircraft carrier commanding officer and national security strategist. He served as Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Warfare Requirements and Programs at the Pentagon; Commander of the U.S. Third Fleet; Chairman and CEO of RemoteReality; corporate officer of the Battelle Memorial Institute's energy, transportation and environment division; and as an international security senior fellow at Rocky Mountain Institute, among other posts.

McGinn is actively engaged in efforts at the national level to highlight the close link between energy, climate and national security. He is a strong advocate for innovative government policy, public and private partnerships, and investments that will promote clean energy growth and innovation.

"As ACORE begins its next ten years of renewable energy leadership, we recognize that much has changed since the founding in 2001," said McGinn. "ACORE will continue to evolve and grow as a member-driven organization. We are going to reach out to our members and partner organizations to ensure a sharp mission focus and to match our priorities and programs to move forward with the critically important work of creating a more secure and prosperous America with 21st century renewable energy."

"We will continue to bring together the most visionary thought-leaders and high impact stakeholders at the national, state and regional levels," continued McGinn. "By continuing to expand and improve our highly-regarded conferences, research and webinars, ACORE will lead the most important collaborations on technology, policy and finance which are essential to scale-up renewable energy in America."

"The energy policy decisions that we make now will shape the world in which our children and grandchildren live. The longer we wait to address our clean energy challenges, the higher the hill will be for them to climb," said Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), Chairman, Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. "ACORE understands the urgency of this, which is why I am pleased to welcome Admiral McGinn as he takes on the role of president at ACORE."

Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Ranking Member, Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, said, "The U.S. is blessed with an abundance of domestic and diverse energy resources. Development of these resources, including alternative and renewable energy, is needed to ensure our nation's economic growth and prosperity. Admiral Denny McGinn understands the importance of these issues, and I welcome the opportunity to work with him in his new role as ACORE President."

"Dennis brings a wealth of experience and expertise to ACORE's membership that will help them facilitate the growth of sustainable, secure energy supply through education, communication and coordination on a global basis," said Jeffrey Holzschuh, Vice Chairman, Morgan Stanley.

"For the past 20 years, Denny and I have collaborated closely on how energy efficiency and renewable energy can help the Navy and advance national security," said Amory B. Lovins, Chairman and Chief Scientist of Rocky Mountain Institute, and ACORE Advisory Board member. "His new mission with ACORE is a wonderful choice that aligns nicely with his deep working knowledge of the space. Denny's outstanding leadership, acuity, and devotion will engage and inspire ACORE members."

ACORE also announced that Co-Chairman of the Board of Directors, John Geesman, a former Commissioner of the California Energy Commission, and former ACORE Advisory Board member, is stepping down from the ACORE board.

"Having served on the Board of ACORE with John, I appreciated his valuable guidance that has assisted ACORE in becoming a global convener of the renewable energy industry. His thoughtful leadership has created a legacy that will help guide ACORE in its next ten years," said Lisa Frantzis, Managing Director, Navigant Consulting.

Dan Reicher will now become Chairman of ACORE's Board of Directors. Reicher, who has more than 25 years of experience in energy and environmental technology, policy, finance and law, is the Executive Director of the Steyer-Taylor Center for Energy Policy & Finance at Stanford University and a faculty member of the Stanford law and business schools. Formerly, he was Director of Climate Change and Energy and Initiatives at Google, DOE Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy under President Clinton, and a member of President Obama's Transition Team.

Reicher said: "I am thrilled to be working with Denny to advance the next decade of ACORE's essential role as the smart and strong voice for all of renewable energy. We have great opportunities but many challenges in moving renewable energy into the mainstream of U.S. and global energy production in the 21st century. ACORE, with Denny at the helm, will be in a great position to address both."

About ACORE
ACORE is a membership-based organization dedicated to advancing renewable energy in the U.S. through policy, finance and education. ACORE'S membership works in all sectors of renewable energy, including wind power, solar energy, geothermal energy, hydropower, ocean energy, biomass, biofuels, and waste energy. ACORE provides a common platform for thought leadership through member engagement, conferences, programs, research and communications. ACORE, a 501©(3) non-profit organization, is headquartered in Washington, DC. Additional information is available at: http://www.acore.org.