| Panelists Drue Pearce brings a wealth of experience on energy, environment, economic security, and natural resources issues in North America, with special expertise in Alaska and Canada. Drue's sophisticated natural resources experience includes serving as Deputy Administrator of the Pipeline Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) at the USDOT and as a senior advisor to U.S. Department of the Interior Secretaries Gale Norton and Dirk Kempthorne, primarily handling Alaska Affairs. Drue also served in the Alaska State Legislature for 17 years, presiding as senate president for two terms. She was nominated by President George W. Bush and confirmed by Congress to serve as the Federal Coordinator at the Office of Federal Coordinator for Alaska Natural Gas Transportation Projects. Loren Smith is president of Skyline Policy Risk Group, a research and strategic advisory firm focused on the supply chain. From 2017-2021, he worked at the U.S. Department of Transportation, rising to be Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy. There, his work included serving as DOT's Chief Environmental Review Permitting Officer and as a member of the task force on regulatory reform. During the 2016-2017 presidential transition, he was the landing team leader for the U.S. Department of Labor. From 2009-2016, Loren was an analyst for Capital Alpha Partners, a DC-based research firm that studies public policy for investors. He specialized in transportation policy, particularly relating to autos and infrastructure, and published more than 500 research notes. Loren previously served at the U.S. Department of Labor and as a legislative aide on Capitol Hill. |
