Jeff Bechdel, Managing Director, FTI Consulting, Inc.
Jeff Bechdel specializes in public affairs in FTI Consulting’s Energy and Natural Resources and Industrials practices within the firm’s Strategic Communications segment. Mr. Bechdel brings a background in political and crisis communications to develop and implement solutions for clients in highly regulated industries.
With more than 15 years of experience in fast-paced communications environments, Mr. Bechdel is able to identify and execute effective strategies to achieve client goals. Mr. Bechdel has extensive experience working with clients across the hydrogen value chain, helping to manage a federally focused coalition campaign that includes media engagement and ally coordination, along with numerous other hydrogen-related projects.
Prior to joining FTI Consulting, Mr. Bechdel served as Communications Director and Chief Content Officer at a political action committee based in Arlington, Virginia.
Previously, Mr. Bechdel worked in communications roles on presidential, gubernatorial, and U.S. Senatorial campaigns. His political background also includes Capitol Hill experience, serving members in both the House and the Senate.
Mr. Bechdel earned a B.J. in Journalism from the University of Texas at Austin.
Gabrielle Finger, CCUS Commercial Manager, Storegga; AIEN VP - New Energies
Gabrielle Finger is Commercial Manager for Storegga (Houston, TX) working on Carbon Capture and Sequestration projects globally.
Previously, Gabrielle was Senior Commercial Advisor for Chevron New Energies (Houston, TX) working on Carbon Capture and Sequestration projects along the US Gulf Coast, focused on the Bayou Bend Project in the Golden Triangle region. Prior to the Chevron-Noble merger, Gabrielle worked as an international commercial advisor at Noble Energy for 10 years, working on various west Africa assets in Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon, focused on monetizing the Alen gas field through the EG Gas Mega Hub and the Yoyo-Yolanda cross border development. Commercially, Gabrielle has negotiated a wide range of agreements, including farmout agreements, unitization contracts/bilateral treaty, joint operating agreements, condensate/LPG/LNG sales agreements, joint venture agreements, capture and sequestration agreements, and various government granting instruments.
Gabrielle is a graduate of the Emerging Leaders Program at Chevron (2023), has an MBA from the University of Houston, and a BA from Washington University in St Louis. She is fluent in Spanish, knows enough French to be dangerous.
Gabrielle is the current Vice President of New Energies for AIEN.
Imad Khan, Partner, Winston & Strawn LLP
Imad Khan is an international disputes lawyer who represents and advises sovereigns, multinational companies, state-owned entities, and intergovernmental organizations through all aspects of international dispute resolution. He is particularly experienced in investment treaty and international commercial arbitration under all major arbitral rules, including the ICC, ICDR, AAA, HKIAC, LCIA, ICSID, and UNCITRAL. His practice includes enforcement of foreign judgments and arbitral awards. He frequently publishes articles and lectures on topics related to international arbitration and dispute resolution and serves in leadership of leading international organizations and arbitral institutions.
In addition to international arbitration and complex commercial litigation, Imad’s practice extends to handling recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments and arbitration awards, including for judgments and awards involving states, state agencies, and state-owned entities which involve state immunity issues. Imad also advises clients in navigating complex discovery involved in international disputes. Imad has a wide variety of experience representing and advising clients across diverse economic sectors, including energy, oil and gas, electricity, renewables, technology, waste management, mining, and pharmaceuticals in numerous arbitrations
He maintains a deep understanding of his practice by frequently speaking and publishing on topics related to his practice and industry/business-sector focus. He currently holds leadership positions with the ICC International Court of Arbitration, ABA Section of Litigation, American Branch of the International Law Association, and Friends of the Hague Academy. Imad also serves on the Houston Chapter Board of Directors for Developments in Literacy, a non-profit committed to empowering children through education in Pakistan.
Steven Otillar, Partner, White & Case LLP
For nearly three decades, Steven Otillar has been a trusted advisor to clients seeking to develop, finance, buy and sell energy projects worldwide. He has an outstanding track record of handling high-profile and complex projects and transactions under Texas and English law, in both English and Spanish. He has deep experience in offshore energy projects, LNG-to-power, cross border utilization, and helping traditional E&P companies expand into low-carbon ventures. Steven has led several oil & gas and alternative energy projects in the United States while also developing a passion for working in developing markets, advising IOCs, NOCs and governments with the implementation of first-of-their-kind upstream, midstream and downstream projects.
He is currently ranked Band 1 by Chambers USA – Offshore Energy for his "tremendous expertise in offshore energy work with decades of experience representing clients engaged in significant projects in the US, Latin America and further afield." He is also a frequent lecturer and author on energy-related topics, and the former President of the Association of International Energy Negotiators (formerly AIPN). He currently serves on the Executive Committee for the Institute for Energy Law in the Center for American and International Law and is Chair of the International Committee.