PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Environmental Markets Association Announces 2026 Board Election Results and Inaugural Environmental Markets Pioneer Award
George Tung and Christian Hofer Elected to Serve Three-Year Terms; Andy Ertel Named First Recipient of EMA's Pioneer Award
[ANNAPOLIS, MD, Oct. 6, 2026] — The Environmental Markets Association (EMA) today announced the results of its 2026 Board of Directors election, along with the recipient of its inaugural Environmental Markets Pioneer Award, during the organization's 30th Annual Meeting in Annapolis, Maryland.
George Tung, Desk Manager, REC Sales & Trading – North America at ACT Group, was elected to the EMA board, and Christian Hofer, current EMA Chairman and Executive Director, US Environmental Trading at Castleton Commodities International, was reelected to the board. Both will begin new three-year terms.
"On behalf of the board, I want to thank our members for their continued commitment to the Association," said Christian Hofer, EMA Chairman. "I’m delighted to welcome George back on the Board. Not only does he bring diversified market experience that will strengthen our organization’s perspective, but it was George who first brought me into the EMA fold back in 2019 when we co-founded EMA’s Market Principles Committee. I'm honored to continue serving alongside such a dedicated group of leaders as we mark our 30th year of advocating for market-based solutions.”
The new board roster takes effect today at the conference. The 2026 EMA Board of Directors includes:
- Laura Duklewski, Constellation
- Lin Ge, Brookfield Renewable N.A.
- Christian Hofer, Castleton Commodities International
- Steve McComb, IncubEx
- Ken Nelson, Blue Delta Energy, LLC
- Pasquale Roselli, Enel North America
- Gates Sanford, 3Degrees
- George Tung, ACT Group
- Jack Velasquez, Marex Spectron
The EMA also thanks Sean Barwin of Carbon Financial Services, who will conclude his three-year term on the board as part of this transition.
EMA Presents Inaugural Environmental Markets Pioneer Award
In addition to the board election results, the EMA announced the winner of its inaugural Environmental Markets Pioneer Award: Andy Ertel, CEO of Restoration Climate, co-founder of Evolution Markets, and a founding member of EMA.
“This is also a special moment to celebrate how far our industry has come,” added Jack Velasquez, Director of Environment Markets North America at Marex and former EMA Chairman. “Andy Ertel was there at the very beginning, helping build the foundation this association and this industry stand on today, and it's fitting that he be the first person to receive our Pioneer Award."
The award recognizes an individual whose vision and leadership have shaped the environmental markets industry as we know it today — whether through policy, innovation, market development, or advocacy. It is not just a look back at one person's achievements; it is a celebration of the lasting mark a single trailblazer can leave on an entire field, and the path they have paved for the practitioners who follow.
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About the Environmental Markets Association
Founded in 1997, the Environmental Markets Association is a pro-environment, pro-business, pro-competitive markets industry trade association with a mission to promote open, competitive and tradable market-based solutions to solve environmental challenges while simultaneously supporting sustainable economic development. EMA does this through education, advocacy, and networking opportunities for its members and the public. Learn more and join today at www.enviromarkets.org.
About Christian Hofer
Christian Hofer has been involved in the environmental markets since 2011, when he began his career at Skystream Markets working to improve market efficiency, transparency, and liquidity through the development of over-the-counter electronic trading and voice brokerage services. At Skystream, he gained direct transaction experience with a variety of environmental commodities including RECs, Carbon, RINs, and Wetland Mitigation Credits. In 2016, he joined Sol Systems, a solar energy IPP, where he traded RECs and Capacity in support of Sol's project development and ownership activity. While at Sol, he co-developed their policy affairs arm to advocate for open, competitive, and tradable REC market design. His current role is with Castleton Commodities International on the US Environmental Trading team. He currently serves as Chair of the EMA Board, of which he has been a director since 2019. He also serves as Chair of the Market Principles Committee.
About George Tung
George Tung is a veteran of environmental markets with more than two decades of experience spanning trading, sales, and brokerage. He is currently Desk Manager, REC Sales & Trading, where he leads North American trading and client engagement in renewable energy and other environmental commodities. Prior to ACT, George spent 17 years at NextEra Energy, where he rose to Director of Power Mid-Marketing, participating in REC, emissions, and power transactions across North America, and managing a proprietary REC trading portfolio. He began his career at Natsource, BP, and Element Markets, where he helped pioneer renewable energy credit markets during their formative years. George previously served as Vice Chairman of the EMA Board (2017–2019), contributing to governance and member engagement. He brings a blend of trading acumen, client advisory experience, and organizational leadership to advance the mission of EMA and its members.
Media Contact
Taylar Ramsey-Thompson
Executive Director
Environmental Markets Association
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