Total Energy USA, one of five annual tradeshows developed by the Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau (GHCVB), today announced the formation of the Total Energy USA 2012 Executive Committee.

The conference and exposition, which will be held at the George R. Brown Convention Center November 27-29, 2012, will feature everything from petrochemicals to renewable energy.

Chaired by Jason Few, Chief Customer Officer for NRG Energy and President of Reliant, the Committee will offer strategic direction and advisory counsel to the organizers of the conference and expo. As Chairman, Few will not only lead the Committee, but also will act as spokesman for the inaugural event.

"True to form, Total Energy USA has generated momentum by recruiting a strong, representative mix of experienced, discerning business leaders to form this year's Executive Committee," Few said. "I am both humbled and honored to chair this talented group of professionals as we advance meaningful ways to grow and secure America's energy future through technology innovation and collaboration."

Few is joined by some of the nation's top energy executives and leaders from many energy sectors. The composition of the group itself reflects the philosophy of the event: to grow the American economy, we will need a wide variety of energy technologies and resources. As of April 10, 2012, the following members of the Total Energy USA 2012 Executive Committee were confirmed:

Tracy Bridge, Senior Vice President and Division President, Gas Distribution Operations, CenterPoint Energy. In his current role, Bridge has financial and operational responsibility for operations in six states from Minnesota to Texas; gas supply; and shared services for Gas Operations and Houston Electric including: Customer Service, Marketing and Sales, and Rates and Regulatory.

Galen Cobb, VP Industry Relations, Halliburton. Cobb has broad responsibilities that include managing the company's industry relations, energy trade policy issues, executive client relations, and trade organization oversight. He has worked for Halliburton for over thirty-seven years serving in various executive management positions in operations, marketing, sales and business development. Cobb is also the US National Committee Chairman to the World Petroleum Council.

Julie A. Dill, Group Vice President, Strategy, Spectra Energy/President & Chief Executive Officer, Spectra Energy Partners. Dill is responsible for leading the company's long-term strategic development efforts. She also serves as President and Chief Executive Officer for Spectra Energy Partners, LP, the $3 billion master limited partnership formed by Spectra Energy.

Rodney J. Eichler, President and Chief Operating Officer, Apache Corporation. Eichler is responsible for Apache's ten operating regions, worldwide drilling, gas monetization, and worldwide projects organizations. He has served as President and CEO since February 2011 and joined Apache in 1993.

John Hofmeister, Founder and Chief Executive, Citizens for Affordable Energy; Former President, Shell Oil Company. Hofmeister's public policy education firm promotes sound U.S. energy security solutions for the nation, including a range of affordable energy supplies. He has held executive positions with General Electric, Nortel, AlliedSignal and Shell Oil Company and is the author of Why We Hate the Oil Companies: Straight Talk from an Energy Insider.

J. Byron McCormick, Managing Partner, Prepared Minds International. McCormick leads a consulting firm focused on renewable energy and advanced automotive technologies and serves on the Board of ACAL Energy, UK. Previously, as Executive Director of General Motor's Global Alternative Propulsion Center McCormick developed a wide variety of aerospace and automotive systems including integration of batteries (EV1), hybrid propulsion and fuel cells.

Retired Vice Admiral Dennis V. McGinn, President, American Council On Renewable Energy (ACORE). Admiral 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.

John Ragan, President, NRG Gulf Coast Region and EVP, NRG Energy. Ragan is responsible for all NRG businesses in Texas and Louisiana. He oversees the company's largest regional power generation portfolio; NRG's relationship with electric cooperatives and municipalities in Louisiana and Arkansas; and Reliant, NRG's largest retail electricity provider.

Carl Rush, Senior Vice President - Organic Growth, Waste Management. Rush is charged with finding growth opportunities that leverage the company's current asset base. Waste Management, based in Houston, Texas, is a FORTUNE 200 company with revenues of approximately $11.79 billion and 43,000 employees.

Robert W. Shaw, Jr., President, Aretê Corporation. Since 1983 Dr. Shaw has managed seven venture capital funds focused on alternative energy system investments. Earlier he was Senior Vice President of Booz Allen & Hamilton's energy division.

Carl Weinberg, Retired Manager of Research and Development for Pacific, Gas & Electric Company. Weinberg is a Principal in Weinberg Associates with a focus on sustainable energy technology and policy development. He has been active as the Chairman of the Board for the Regulatory Assistance project in policy development and the California Council of Science and Technology in energy system planning.

Dick Williams, President, Shell WindEnergy. Shell's Wind activities include operating ten wind farms, eight in North America and two in Europe, with a total capacity of 1,000 MW and developing new projects in North America. In his capacity as a member of the Total Energy USA 2012 Executive Committee, Williams is representing Shell Oil Co.

Total Energy strategic partners are also represented on the Executive Committee: Greg Ortale, President and CEO, Greater Houston Convention andVisitors Bureau; Jeff Moseley, CEO, Greater Houston Partnership; and Walter Ulrich, President and CEO, Houston Technology Center. These three organizations worked together to develop this annual convention and will utilize their resources to ensure the event's success.

The Executive Committee is expected to grow, as industry leaders continue to confirm their participation. Committee membership and biographies can be found at: http://totalenergyusa.com/about/executive-advisory-committee and will be updated with new additions.

"Our vision for a dynamic and diverse Executive Committee is taking shape," said Vincent Polito, Total Energy USA President. "We look forward toincorporating the Committee's direction to ensure that our event is relevant in a changing energy landscape."

Total Energy USA will bring together professionals from across the energy spectrum, including experts in fossil, renewable and nuclear power generation, distribution, energy efficiency and use, policymakers, strategists, media and more. Event details, educational sessions, participating exhibitors and more will be available over the next months on the event's website, www.TotalEnergyUSA.com, through social media channels, the industry press and a robust direct marketing campaign. Interested participants are encouraged to mark their calendars, visit the web site and sign up to receive show updates.