A nationally-recognized expert on tax and energy policy, Denise Bode brings more than three decades of experience to Cornerstone Government Affairs. Denise joined Cornerstone in 2013 after serving as CEO at two of the nation's foremost clean energy advocacy associations. She led the American Wind Energy Association, the voice and national trade association of wind energy in the U.S., from 2009-2012. Prior to this position she guided the American Clean Skies Foundation. Denise was twice elected Oklahoma Corporation Commission, a statewide post with sweeping jurisdiction. As a commissioner she was responsible for the regulation of energy production and electric utilities, gasoline stations and all storage tanks, telecommunications, and environmental and agricultural activities. She chaired the hearings which developed alternative regulation of telecommunications; the result was dramatic expansion of high-speed Internet access across the state and a reduction in fees for consumers of telecommunications. Before joining the commission, Denise was president of the Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA) and led energy, agricultural, telecommunications, and financial industry lobbying efforts at the Washington, D.C. firm Gold and Liebengood. As tax counsel, Denise was actively involved in the tax reform effort of 1986. Denise was a key advisor to David Boren (D-OK) and for 9 years served as the Senator’s legal counsel and Finance Committee aide. Her public service also includes an appointment to President-elect George W. Bush’s Energy Transition Advisory Team. At Cornerstone she concentrates her efforts on policy advocacy in the areas of energy policy and tax policy - particularly through the use of coalition building and management. Denise has testified before the U.S. Congress and is a frequent guest on network and cable television. Denise's practice goup at Cornerstone, helps companies pursue public policy objectives and influence legislative and administrative decisions. The Cornerstone energy practice group draws upon the full resources of the firm, including its four dozen senior professionals in Washington and six state offices (Austin, Baton Rouge, Chicago, Des Moines, Houston, and Jackson). Denise holds a B.A from the University of Oklahoma, a J.D. from the George Mason School of Law, and a Masters of Law in Taxation from the Georgetown University School of Law.