Rose McKinney-James is an experienced and seasoned small business leader, clean energy advocate and independent corporate director with a long history in public service, non-profit volunteerism and private sector corporate social responsibility. The former President and CEO for the Corporation for Solar Technology and Renewable Resources, (CSTRR) and former Commissioner with the Nevada Public Service Commission, Ms. McKinney-James also served as Nevada’s first Director of the Department of Business and Industry. She is currently the Managing Principal of Energy Works LLC and McKinney-James & Associates. Her firms provide business-consulting services and advocacy in the areas of public affairs, energy policy, strategy and economic and sustainable development. This provides an opportunity to advance her extensive experience as a business, corporate and community leader. Ms. McKinney-James has over two decades of experience in advocacy in legislative and utility regulatory proceedings relative to renewable and clean energy policy and community and stakeholder outreach in Nevada and the U.S. She has helped to shape much of the energy policy framework in place in the state of Nevada. A registered lobbyist with the Nevada Legislature, Ms. McKinney-James currently represents a range of public and private entities with interests in regulatory and energy and public policy. She assists her clients by developing strategic plans and initiatives designed to be executed utilizing solutions that address unique circumstances and demands.
Working with a diverse group of advocates, Ms. McKinney-James lead the effort to facilitate the passage of the first Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard (RPS) in Nevada. This was the first of many successful collaborations resulting in significant clean energy policy advancement in the state.
Ms. McKinney-James serves on the boards of the Energy Foundation and Net Impact. She is the Immediate Past Board Chair for the American Association for Blacks in Energy (AABE). In 2013 Ms. McKinney-James was selected to serve as an Inaugural Ambassador for the C3E initiative supporting increased participation by women in the clean energy sector. Ms. McKinney-James is the past Chair of The Clean Energy Project and Chair Emeritus of Nevada Partners, a nationally recognized workforce development agency.
She has extensive experience in corporate governance and serves as a member of the board of directors of MGM Resorts International, MGM Detroit, Toyota Financial Services Bank, and NACD Pacific Southwest.
Ms. McKinney-James has been recognized by the US Small Business Administration as Small Business Advocate of the Year. She received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Women’s Chamber of Commerce as well as the Clark County Public Education Foundation. She has also been honored by the American Solar Energy Society (SOLAR NV) as the Advocate of the Year. She is the recipient of the inaugural GreenBiz Verge VANGUARD Award. Ms. McKinney-James is listed in the Black Enterprise Registry of Black Corporate Directors and in SAVOY Magazine Power 300 among the most influential African American corporate Directors.
A native of Detroit, Michigan, Ms. McKinney-James is a graduate of the Antioch School of Law in Washington D.C., and received her BA from Olivet College in Olivet, Michigan. In 2013, Olivet honored her with the Distinguished Alumna Award. Ms. McKinney-James is married and the mother of two sons.