Mike Twardy
Mike Twardy is the Business Development Lead for the Energy Science and Technology Directorate (ESTD) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). In this role, he identifies and researches potential industrial partners, federal sponsors, and other collaborators to support ESTD research priorities. Additional responsibilities include developing strategic plans to increase research funding; helping manage programs to support that strategy through relationship building; creating and delivering presentations; and managing events and site visits. Mike is currently supporting several strategic initiatives including the Smoky Mountains Mobility Conference, the Appalachian Carbon Forum, ORNL Net-Zero Campus, ORNL Net-Zero Vision, ESGC Summit 2023, EVs@Scale Consortium, and other efforts focused on the energy transition and decarbonization in the Southeast and Appalachia.
Prior to joining ORNL, Mike worked for Shelton Group as an Account Director where he led the development and execution of sustainability and ESG communications strategies and reports for Fortune 500 corporations, NGOs and utilities. Before this, Mike spent nearly 15 years producing a wide variety of television programming for networks such as Discovery, The History Channel, SyFy, HGTV and TruTV as well as content for several companies based in East Tennessee.
Mike also serves as an Assistant Scoutmaster for Troop 757 and, as an Eagle Scout, enjoys sharing his passion for Scouting and the outdoors with his son and the rest of the troop.