The Indiana Advanced Energy Economy (Indiana AEE) announced the appointment of Caryl Auslander of Torchbearer Public Affairs as new program director for the state business group. Auslander will work with member companies and stakeholders across the state to highlight the economic, employment and customer benefits of expanding secure, clean and affordable advanced energy.
“With 86,700 advanced energy jobs in Indiana and an expected 6% growth rate, advanced energy is an integral part of Indiana’s workforce and economy,” said Caryl Auslander. “I am excited to work with Indiana AEE member companies and introduce policymakers to the benefits advanced energy products and services bring to the state of Indiana.”
Auslander brings to Indiana AEE nearly two decades of government affairs and business experience, rooted in improving public policy in Indiana and Washington, D.C. Most recently she served as Vice President of Education, Workforce Development and Federal Affairs for the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, representing 25,000 members on policy issues before the general assembly and governor, achieving wins including expansion of a pre-K pilot and workforce development bills, and was previously State Director of Government Affairs at Verizon Communications. Auslander spent eight years in Washington, D.C., as a lobbyist and as a staff assistant for Sen. Richard Lugar. She earned her B.A. in Political Science & Jewish Studies from Indiana University.
“Advanced energy is a substantial and expanding sector of Indiana’s economy that should not be ignored,” said J.R. Tolbert, vice president of state policy for AEE. “I am excited to have Caryl on board to connect Indiana AEE member companies with policymakers who are in a position to help this industry grow and thrive in Indiana.”
The employment figures were derived from analysis by AEE and BW Research Partnership of data from the 2018 U.S. Energy and Employment Report published by the National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO) and the Energy Futures Initiative (EFI) earlier this year, as well as data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
