Nashville Energy & Mining Summit 2025

Brian Morgenstern is the head of public policy for Riot Platforms, Inc., one of America’s largest publicly-traded Bitcoin mining enterprises. He leads the company’s advocacy efforts at the state and federal level regarding energy, environment, financial services, tax, and national security. He is on the executive committee of the Chamber of Digital Commerce and the board of directors of the Texas Blockchain Council. He previously served at the U.S. Treasury Department as senior advisor and deputy assistant secretary and as White House deputy press secretary and deputy communications director.

Senior Vice President of Strategy & Operations, Bitcoin Policy Institute

As Senior Vice President of Strategy & Operations at the Bitcoin Policy Institute, Stephen Pollock leads the organization’s development and operational efforts, driving forward its mission to advocate for sound Bitcoin policy in Washington, DC. With well over a decade of experience in business development, political campaigns, and public affairs, Stephen brings a wealth of expertise to BPI.

Throughout his career, Stephen has developed and executed comprehensive campaign strategies for dozens of state, regional, and national issues, including grassroots initiatives that have directly shaped major federal legislation. He has cultivated deep relationships with key political, business, and media leaders across 40+ states, working alongside business owners, local leaders, congressional offices, governors' teams, and the White House.

Previously, Stephen served as a state lobbyist for a multi-state government affairs division, where he honed his skills in influencing policy and navigating complex legislative landscapes. He’s also a seasoned multimedia producer, overseeing large-scale projects and creating compelling video content for campaigns and corporate initiatives. With a strong background in FinTech, angel investing, fundraising, and SaaS sales and marketing, Stephen’s diverse experience uniquely positions him at the intersection of technology, policy, and business.

Based in Nashville, Stephen enjoys unwinding by writing country songs, diving deep into Bitcoin research, and tending to his expansive garden with his wife and kids.

Kyle Schneps has advocated for Bitcoin and the digital assets industry since joining Digital Currency Group (DCG) and Foundry in 2021. He is currently Director of Public Policy at DCG and was formerly VP of Policy at Foundry. He is also the co-founder of the non-profit BTC VETS and has co-authored and edited a book entitled National Security in the Digital Age: Bitcoin as a Tool for Modern Statecraft. Kyle spent most of his career serving as a US Intelligence Officer, which was preceded by a diplomatic post as Advisor to the Special Envoy for Guantanamo Bay at the US Department of State. He is a former White House Fellow, during which time he worked across different national security and federal budgeting roles. He holds two master’s degrees from Columbia University.

Carol Haines is the Senior Vice President and Head of Power & Policy at Core Scientific, a leading provider of digital infrastructure for Bitcoin mining and high-performance computing solutions. With more than two decades of experience in the energy industry, Carol brings a wealth of expertise in energy infrastructure, deregulated markets, site selection, economic development, and policy formulation.

Prior to joining Core Scientific, Carol held several leadership roles at FirstEnergy Corp, including Director of Economic Development. In this capacity, she played a key role in driving strategic initiatives aimed at business growth and regional development. Additionally, Carol served as Director at FirstEnergy Solutions, where she successfully launched and led two sales and marketing teams, significantly growing the company’s agent and broker business.

Carol is known for her exceptional ability to build and lead high-performing teams that consistently exceed revenue targets and power acquisition goals. She excels in fostering strong, long-term relationships with clients and partners, leveraging these connections to drive business success. Her focus on delivering results while nurturing trust and collaboration has been a key factor in her continued success.

Carol holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Drexel University. In addition to her professional responsibilities, she is an active leader in the community and the energy sector. She serves as the Chairman of the Board for the Texas Blockchain Council and for Keep Akron Beautiful, a sustainability-focused nonprofit organization. Carol also contributes her expertise to the Ohio Market Leadership Advisory Board for the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) Ohio Chapter, further supporting sustainable development and green building initiatives.