Jennifer Garson
At a glance
Served for more than 15 years at the U.S. Department of Energy.
Former Director of the Water Power Technologies Office, where she led and crafted strategies to more than double the annual appropriations for the office.
Spent her federal career transforming DOE’s usage of innovative funding mechanisms, increasing the impact of federal funding for clean energy innovation.
Former Chief of Staff for the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Renewable Power.
Earned her B.A. in Anthropology and Environmental Studies Concentration at Kenyon College and her Master of Public Policy at George Washington University.
Connect with Jennifer on LinkedIn.
Jennifer Garson has spent almost 20 years in the clean energy sector, most recently serving for more than 15 years at the U.S. Department of Energy. Jennifer was the Director of the Water Power Technologies Office, leading the execution of the $200M office, in addition to the $150M in funding for water power through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. During her nearly six years at in the Water Power Office, she led and crafted strategies to more than double the annual appropriations for the office. She was responsible for engagement with Congressional representatives in both chambers, and has testified in front of the Senate on water power issues.
She served in key roles launching major new DOE programs and initiatives. She crafted strategy for the Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations, including the $1B Energy Improvement in Rural or Remote Areas program. She helped launch the Grid Deployment Office $800M Hydropower Electric Incentives program. And was key on the implementation for the new Partnership Intermediary Agreement ENERGYWERX, and the DOE Foundation for Energy Security and Innovation.
She spent her federal career transforming DOE’s usage of innovative funding mechanisms, increasing the impact of federal funding for clean energy innovation. This includes prizes, lab-directed funding, and SBIR/STTR. She worked in partnership with the private sector to launch programs that have supported hundreds of startups that have attracted billions in private sector capital.
Prior to the Water Office, she was the Chief of Staff for the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Renewable Power. She held senior roles in Technology to Market in EERE, the Office of Technology Transitions, and supported grid work in the Office of Electricity and the Office of the Chief Financial Officer.
She received multiple awards from the DOE Secretary and EERE Assistant Secretary in recognition for her work on the Inflation Reduction Act tax credit implementation, innovation funding mechanisms approach, and leadership in the blue economy.
Jennifer earned her B.A. in Anthropology and Environmental Studies Concentration at Kenyon College and her Master of Public Policy at George Washington University.
