Army veteran, energy industry executive, and founder of Project Vanguard.
Kevin Doffing
Founder & CEO, Project Vanguard LinkedIn ProfileKevin Doffing created Project Vanguard in early 2024 to create a community of veterans in clean energy. He is currently CEO of the organization, which aims to connect veterans with clean energy careers and organize veterans to speak up for clean energy projects and policies.
Kevin is a former Army infantry officer who deployed to combat in Ramadi, Iraq, as an Infantry Platoon Leader with 2nd Infantry Division. His passion for clean energy began when he left the military and has only increased as an industry sales executive, public speaker, and writer on energy transition topics.
One of Kevin's first steps into the energy transition was launching the Renewable Energy Alliance – Houston. Drawing on his experience organizing veteran communities, he helped establish the city's first renewable energy trade group, fostering connections between professionals in a historically fossil-fuel-driven region and advocating for an all-of-the-above energy strategy.
He went on to become a fellow with the Atlantic Council's Global Energy Center. Today, he leads the organization's Veterans Advanced Energy Program, a part of the Energy & Defense practice at the non-partisan think tank focused on the intersection of energy security and national security.
Kevin connected with Project Vanguard's founding members at industry conferences over veteran happy hours he organized. These small, informal gatherings quickly morphed into efforts to organize and connect veteran employee resource groups at major clean-energy companies, resulting in a network of more than 40 major companies.
| Name | Role | |
|---|---|---|
 Kevin Doffing |
Chief Executive Officer | Profile |
 Gabrielle Adair |
Chief of Staff | Profile |
 Chuck Riippi |
Midwest Operations Manager | — |
 Nathan Peavey |
Social Media Guru | Profile |
Project Vanguard's Advisory Board is composed of C-suite energy executives with military backgrounds who provide strategic insight and guidance to the organization. Their leadership experience spanning both the armed forces and the energy industry helps shape Vanguard's direction and deepen its impact.
John Szoka
CEO, Conservative Energy Network LinkedInJohn Szoka is CEO of the Conservative Energy Network, a national organization that advances clean energy policy through a conservative, free-market lens. A U.S. Army veteran, John served as a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division before building a career at the intersection of energy policy, advocacy, and political strategy. He previously served in the North Carolina General Assembly, where he championed bipartisan energy legislation, and has been recognized as a leading voice for market-based clean energy solutions within the conservative movement. John brings deep expertise in energy policy, legislative strategy, and coalition building to Project Vanguard's advisory board.
Jim Adam
Natural Power LinkedInJim Adam is a senior executive at Natural Power, an international renewable energy consultancy that provides technical, strategic, and commercial advisory services across wind, solar, storage, and emerging energy technologies. A military veteran, Jim brings extensive experience in energy project development, risk management, and strategic advisory to the renewable energy sector. His career spans decades of leadership in the energy industry, with deep expertise in helping developers, investors, and utilities navigate the complexities of clean energy deployment. Jim advises Project Vanguard on strategic growth, industry partnerships, and connecting veteran talent with opportunities across the global energy landscape.
Ken Young
Apex Clean Energy LinkedInKen Young is a senior executive at Apex Clean Energy, one of America's largest independent renewable energy companies, which develops, constructs, and operates utility-scale wind, solar, and storage projects across the United States. A U.S. military veteran, Ken has built a distinguished career in the clean energy industry, bringing operational leadership and strategic vision to large-scale energy development. His experience spans project development, stakeholder engagement, and scaling renewable energy operations to meet growing demand. Ken advises Project Vanguard on workforce strategy, employer engagement, and creating pathways for veterans into the clean energy development pipeline.