BUSINESS SYMPOSIUM

Brent Nakayama has 24 years of experience in energy efficiency program delivery, operations management and the application of Lean principles for both small and large businesses. He has served as the Ameren Illinois Business Energy Efficiency Program Manager since 2022. Brent focuses on applying his experience to the energy industry, working with utility companies helping to administer energy efficiency initiatives to end users. He previously worked on energy efficiency programs with Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E), DTE Energy, Wisconsin Focus on Energy and ComEd, including work with commercial and industrial (C&I) customers and SEM. Prior to joining Leidos, Brent was in manufacturing and operations for Caterpillar, Inc.

Nate Johnson is a Senior Business Unit Manager at NTN-Bower Corporation, leading maintenance and facilities operations as well as indirect material procurement. He joined the company in 2007 and spent several years as a manufacturing engineer before progressing through a range of production and support management roles. Since 2013, Nate has played an active role in NTN-Bower’s Energy Efficiency Program, driving improvement initiatives across the organization. He was recently selected by NTN-USA to help lead its carbon neutrality initiative for North American facilities. Nate earned both his BS and MS degrees from Western Illinois University.

Tom Johnson is the Executive Director of Facilities Services for Carle Health, overseeing facilities operations for eight hospitals ranging from Critical Access facilities to Level I Trauma Centers. He leads more than 250 staff and is responsible for over eight million square feet of healthcare facilities. Tom holds a BSEE and a master’s degree in Public Administration and brings 42 years of facilities experience across three health systems and one stand-alone hospital in Illinois. His work has included demand response, retro-commissioning and other energy efficiency initiatives. He is committed to providing safe, efficient environments that support patient care and enjoys mentoring the next generation of facilities leaders. Outside of work, he is an avid cyclist and BBQ enthusiast.

Nate Johnson is a Senior Business Unit Manager at NTN-Bower Corporation, leading maintenance and facilities operations as well as indirect material procurement. He joined the company in 2007 and spent several years as a manufacturing engineer before progressing through a range of production and support management roles. Since 2013, Nate has played an active role in NTN-Bower’s Energy Efficiency Program, driving improvement initiatives across the organization. He was recently selected by NTN-USA to help lead its carbon neutrality initiative for North American facilities. Nate earned both his BS and MS degrees from Western Illinois University.

Tom Johnson is the Executive Director of Facilities Services for Carle Health, overseeing facilities operations for eight hospitals ranging from Critical Access facilities to Level I Trauma Centers. He leads more than 250 staff and is responsible for over eight million square feet of healthcare facilities. Tom holds a BSEE and a master’s degree in Public Administration and brings 42 years of facilities experience across three health systems and one stand-alone hospital in Illinois. His work has included demand response, retro-commissioning and other energy efficiency initiatives. He is committed to providing safe, efficient environments that support patient care and enjoys mentoring the next generation of facilities leaders. Outside of work, he is an avid cyclist and BBQ enthusiast.