MAREC Action recently sat down to chat with Pat Tully, a clean energy business leader and our Board Secretary. Pat serves as one of four members of MAREC’s Executive Team. He brings a wealth of experience to our organization, and we wanted to learn more about his background and how he supports MAREC.
Question: Can you tell us a bit about your experience prior to your current role?
Before joining Savion, I gained experience in energy policy and government across a variety of roles, most recently as a Senior Policy Advisor for the Ohio House of Representatives and the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio. Before that, I worked on Capitol Hill and at the Ohio General Assembly as a Legislative Aide.
Question: Explain a little bit about your current role at Savion.
At Savion, I serve as Senior Director of Legislative and Regulatory Affairs, where I lead our external engagement team across our RTO/ISO states and the federal government. I focus on policy development, permitting, and strategic planning to support the advancement of utility-scale solar and energy storage projects in the PJM region. My role is all about building relationships with federal, state, and local leaders, navigating complex political landscapes, managing our trade associations, and ensuring our projects are successful and aligned with community and policy priorities.
Question: What led you to get involved with MAREC, and what drew you to the role of Board Secretary?
I’ve been involved with MAREC for years and have always appreciated its mission and its commitment to the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic. MAREC brings together diverse voices from across the industry to focus on practical, state-level policy outcomes. When I saw the opportunity to serve as Board Secretary, I saw it as a great chance to support an organization I care about and help strengthen its governance and operations behind the scenes.
Question: What are your main responsibilities as Board Secretary for MAREC?
As Board Secretary, I help ensure strong governance and communication across the board. That includes assisting with meeting coordination, maintaining records, tracking decisions and actions, and supporting the overall structure that allows the board to operate effectively. It’s a behind-the-scenes role, but one that helps MAREC run smoothly and stay focused on its mission.
Question: Why is our mission important to you personally? What do you see as MAREC’s unique focus compared to other renewable energy organizations?
I’ve spent most of my career working at the state level on energy policy, and I believe strongly that the Midwest is central to America’s energy future. MAREC stands out because of its deep understanding of the state policy landscape and its ability to bring together developers, advocates, and other stakeholders together. Its pragmatic, state-focused approach is exactly what is needed to move the needle on energy deployment in this part of the country.
Question: Renewable energy policy moves quickly—how should we be responsive to change?
To keep up, you must stay engaged, flexible, and collaborative. That means being at the table early, tracking emerging issues, and building strong relationships with policymakers and community leaders. At the same time, we must be proactive by educating stakeholders and advancing policy solutions before problems arise. Organizations like MAREC are critical in that effort because they help connect the dots between what’s happening on the ground and what is happening in statehouses across the region.
Question: What is one thing that people would be surprised to learn about you?
I’m a history nerd—I’ve visited almost 20 presidential gravesites so far, most recently Warren G. Harding’s in Marion, Ohio. It has become a quirky but rewarding hobby that ties my love of travel with my interest in history. I also love visiting national parks with my family. We just returned from Banff and Jasper National Parks in Canada, and the beauty of those places was stunning. Exploring parks and historic sites is one of the best ways I know to recharge.