Joe Desmond was the chairman of the California Energy Commission and Under Secretary for Energy Affairs in the California Resources Agency in the first term of the Schwarzenegger Administration.   In those positions, Mr. Desmond advised the Governor on energy matters and was responsible for overall energy policy in the areas of electricity, natural gas and transportation fuels across state and federal agencies.  In addition, Mr. Desmond led energy-related legislative and policy initiatives.  

In November, 2006, Mr. Desmond was appointed Senior Vice President, External Affairs for NorthernStar Natural Gas, a developer of liquefied natural gas import terminals.  He is responsible for the company’s government relations, public relations and investor relations activities.  Mr. Desmond also currently serves on the Advisory Board for Stanford University’s Precourt Institute for Energy Efficiency.  

Prior to public service, he was President and Chief Executive Officer of Infotility, Inc., an energy consulting and software development firm for four years. From 1997 to 2000, Mr. Desmond was President and Chief Executive Officer of Electronic Lighting, Inc., a manufacturer of controllable lighting systems, and from 1991 to 1997 he was with Parke Industries, where he served as vice president. Mr. Desmond was marketing and demand planning administrator for Taunton Municipal Lighting Plant, a publicly owned utility, from 1987 to 1991.  

Mr. Desmond holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration, with a concentration in marketing, finance and management, from Northeastern University.