REWI Welcomes Dr. Troy Hartley as Next Executive Director

The Renewable Energy Wildlife Institute (REWI), a groundbreaking independent nonprofit that works to solve renewable energy, wildlife, and related natural resource challenges through sound science and collaboration, announces the selection of Dr. Troy Hartley as its Executive Director.

Dr. Hartley was chosen following a nationwide search supported by CEA Consulting and guided by the Board of Directors Recruiting Task Force, led by 2024 REWI Board Chair Aimee Delach, Defenders of Wildlife. Dr. Hartley will assume the Executive Director role as of March 1, 2025.

Misti Sporer, Deriva Energy Environmental Director and 2025 REWI Board Chair, said “REWI is excited to welcome Dr. Hartley to the organization! He brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, and enthusiasm to a vital leadership role. Wildlife and the renewable energy industry are both at crucial inflection points in our shared trajectories and a strong, intentional, thoughtful leader is just what we need to see us into the next stage.”

Dr. Hartley brings to REWI significant experience running science-based organizations, a deep understanding of the importance of collaboration with a variety of stakeholders, and innovative ideas to advance impactful scientific work. As Director of the Virginia Sea Grant program for over 16 years, Dr. Hartley has led strategic visioning, program development and collaborative research, outreach, and engagement that inform decision-makers on a wide range of sustainability and resilience issues. He has built innovative public-private-nonprofit partnerships, raised funding to expand programming, and led multi-sector coalitions.

Aimee Delach, Defenders of Wildlife Senior Policy Analyst, Board Recruiting Task Force Lead, and 2024 REWI Board Chair, said “Dr. Hartley brings to REWI a wealth of experience managing collaboratives to deliver actionable science to solve climate change related problems. We are deeply impressed by his commitments to collaboration, leadership, and strategic vision. We are delighted to welcome him aboard to guide REWI as we continue to lead the way in providing the information and solutions we need in order to jointly address the climate and biodiversity crises.”

Dr. Hartley succeeds Abby Arnold, who will be moving on after 15+ years of leading REWI and over 30 years of tireless work on renewables and wildlife. Dr. Hartley will be supported by a strong REWI team of technical experts, led by Director of Research and Programs Dr. Eric Schauber and Director of Operations Lauren Flinn, who has been with REWI for over a decade.

Abby Arnold, current REWI Executive Director, said “I look forward to Dr. Hartley taking on leading REWI! The REWI team continues to do essential work fostering cross-sector collaboration and advancing science on key questions on wind- and solar-wildlife interactions. I’m excited to see how REWI’s work achieves REWI’s mission to rapidly develop renewables and conserve wildlife and ecosystems.”

Dr. Troy Hartley, incoming REWI Executive Director, said “Words cannot describe my enthusiasm for joining REWI as its next Executive Director! Inheriting REWI’s legacy and success built by the Board, staff, and Abby, I am thrilled to be leading and working with this amazing team to expand our reach and impact even further. I have long shared REWI’s values and mission, and believe strongly in our methods, employing collaborative science, and being a source of trusted science to make informed decisions.”

Renewable Energy Wildlife Institute (REWI) | www.rewi.org