海角社区

Ives will join 海角社区 in October from North Carolina鈥檚 Catawba College, which became the first certified carbon-neutral college in the Southeast U.S. under his leadership.

Bradley 鈥淏rad鈥� Ives brings a rare combination of experience in industry, government and academia. As assistant secretary for natural resources in North Carolina between 2013 and 2015, he drafted and negotiated the state鈥檚 wind farm legislation, leading to the creation of its first wind farm. About 30 years earlier, he helped write Shell Chemicals鈥� mission statement while pursuing his bachelor鈥檚 degree in political science and later his law degree at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

鈥満＝巧缜� is taking the lead to propel Louisiana鈥檚 positioning in the energy transition, ensuring that our state鈥檚 economy and job market remain strong during this critical period,鈥� said 海角社区 President William F. Tate. 鈥淪ecuring Brad as the leader of our Institute for Energy Innovation enhances our ability to make real progress in an area integral to our Scholarship First Agenda.鈥�

Ives is equally excited to take the helm.

鈥淐oming to 海角社区 and seeing how serious people are about energy transition, seeing how serious Shell is, it鈥檚 just the perfect place to make an impact,鈥� Ives said. 鈥淏aton Rouge is at the nexus of oil and gas and chemical plants, so talent is already here. Knowledge is here.鈥�

Ives鈥� experience working with traditional oil and gas companies on emerging energy technologies supports a successful transition to lower-carbon sources of energy across the Gulf Coast.

鈥淲hether it鈥檚 pipelines or working offshore or refining; we still need the same expertise to transport and sequester carbon dioxide, produce hydrogen, build wind farms and refine biofuels鈥攊t鈥檚 the same type of job, same type of people,鈥� Ives said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 just the source that is different, and we have to pivot. The bipartisan infrastructure law, the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act and the Inflation Reduction Act are bringing huge economic opportunities to Louisiana. To be a winner, we must develop the energy jobs of the future.鈥�

The 海角社区 Institute for Energy Innovation was established last year through a historic $25 million investment from Shell focused on advancing reliable, affordable and environmentally responsible energy. The institute coordinates 海角社区鈥檚 research and development, service and outreach efforts related to the energy transition and serves as a single access point to the university鈥檚 energy resources for Louisiana industry, government and communities.

Ives鈥� appointment is the latest milestone in 海角社区鈥檚 progress toward achieving the ambitious aims of its Scholarship First Agenda, which includes energy talent and technology development as one of five main priorities.

鈥満＝巧缜� is positioned again to lead the technology and community development associated with expanding the energy economy of Louisiana,鈥� said Robert Twilley, vice president of research and economic development. 鈥淏rad brings unique experience in government, university and private sector positions. This experience will help him guide 海角社区鈥檚 partnerships with industry and communities to safely transition to new energy production opportunities.鈥�

In his new role, Ives replaces Interim Director Rhoman Hardy, former Shell Senior Vice President for Gulf Coast Chemicals and Products. Hardy will remain on the advisory board for the institute and looks forward to working with Ives.

鈥淚 am very excited to welcome Brad Ives to Baton Rouge and the role as director,鈥� Hardy said. 鈥淏rad鈥檚 experience and passion will be a great asset in both delivering on the mission of the institute and supporting and growing the energy economy in Louisiana. His background will be critical to continue the positive trajectory of energy-related studies at 海角社区 and attract public and private funding in support of 海角社区鈥檚 Scholarship First Agenda.鈥�

Since the announcement of 海角社区鈥檚 Scholarship First Agenda last year, the university has made significant strides in energy innovation in close collaboration with state and regional partners. 海角社区 is now a finalist for one of five $160-million National Science Foundation grants to build a regional innovation engine鈥攖he largest award in NSF history鈥攚here 海角社区鈥檚 focus is on accelerating Louisiana鈥檚 energy transition. The university also partnered with GNO, Inc. to leverage $6 million in Economic Development Administration funding for H2theFuture, a large-scale effort to decarbonize South Louisiana鈥檚 industrial corridor by increasing the production and use of hydrogen. In addition, the 海角社区 Center for Energy Studies received a $3.2-million award  from the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources to estimate methane emissions from orphaned and idle oil and gas wells, while the university also leads a $4.9-million feasibility study funded by the U.S. Department of Energy on how to build a direct air capture hub in Louisiana.

All of these efforts rely on combined expertise in research and talent development, industry and community engagement, economics and policy鈥攁reas in which Ives has long-standing experience. He worked for many years in law, finance, renewables and state government before serving as the chief sustainability officer, as well as in other capacities, for the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. There, he advanced the university鈥檚 Three Zeroes commitment to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions, zero waste and net-zero water use, enabling it to reach the number-one rank for sustainability and environmental performance in the U.S. After a change in leadership, Ives then transitioned to Catawba College.

鈥淐oming to 海角社区 seems like the culmination of so many different things that I鈥檝e done,鈥� Ives said. 鈥淓ver since I worked on a landfill gas project to power ExxonMobil鈥檚 polyolefins chemical plant near Baton Rouge in 2008, which had the equivalent environmental impact of removing 59,000 cars from the roads or planting approximately 79,000 acres of pine forest, I鈥檝e been looking for opportunities for impact at scale. From the minute I read the job description, I knew 海角社区 offered the best opportunity I鈥檒l perhaps ever have to work with major oil and gas and chemical companies on solutions that can benefit all people, and both preserve and create jobs.鈥�

鈥淟ouisiana has been a long-time leader in creating the energy that powers our progress as a society, and the 海角社区 Institute for Energy Innovation was established to ensure that this leadership continues as we build the future of energy for Louisiana and the Gulf Coast,鈥� said Lee Stockwell, general manager of Shell鈥檚 U.S. Carbon Capture and Storage business. 鈥淏rad brings the enthusiasm, dedication and experience needed for 海角社区 and Louisiana to thrive through the energy transition, and we are excited to be working with him on the journey.鈥�