Marc Hanks is the senior manager of corporate & regulatory affairs for Direct Energy, one of the largest, competitive retail providers of electricity, natural gas, solar and home services in North America with over five (5) million customer relationships, multiple brands, and approximately 5,500 employees. Marc is chiefly responsible for representing Direct Energy’s interests in legislative and regulatory matters in the New England states. Hanks frequently participates in administrative proceedings before state public utilities commissions and other regulatory bodies, manages Direct Energy’s relations with state elected and executive branch administration officials and provides thought leadership designed to advance restructured retail energy markets. He also frequently offers input and insight into the strategic and tactical business decisions the company faces as it navigates the disparate regulatory and legislative environments among the many states in which Direct Energy operates. Hanks brings more than 20 years of experience in the regulatory and public policy aspects of the North American electric power and natural gas industries to his current role. Marc was elected in 2015 and is currently serving in the role of New England Electric Caucus Chairman of the Retail Energy Supply Association (“RESA”), a national industry trade association comprised of leading retail energy suppliers. Before coming to Direct Energy, he held progressively responsible roles in governmental & regulatory affairs, business operations and sales management with both competitive retail energy supply companies and regulated distribution utilities. Hanks holds a Bachelor of Science degree in environmental design & regional planning from the University of Massachusetts/Amherst, Masters in Public Administration from the University of Hartford and Certificate from the Leadership Development Program from the Carnegie Mellon Tepper School of Business.