Cameron Poole, originally from New Jersey, arrived at Tulane University with no clear academic direction. A decade later, he has emerged as a key figure in advancing energy-driven economic development in New Orleans. “I think Cam senior year of Tulane, even, didn’t expect this journey to land here,” Poole reflected. n nHe recently transitioned from his role as energy and innovation manager at GNO, Inc. to become director of strategy at Newlab New Orleans, a platform designed to support startups working on transformative technologies, particularly in the energy sector. The initiative will be based at the former Naval Support Activity site in the Bywater neighborhood, offering physical workspace and funding to local entrepreneurs while connecting them with global industry leaders. n n”What’s super exciting about something like Newlab is that it’s really helping build bottom-up growth in the New Orleans area,” Poole said. His current focus centers on advancing energy-related innovation in ways that stimulate regional economic expansion. n nHe highlighted the significance of Tulane’s upcoming Future of Energy Forum, scheduled for September 10–12, describing it as a vital space for shaping the future of energy in Louisiana and beyond. “At Newlab, our mission is to enable technologies that have the potential to transform industries. The Tulane Future of Energy Forum is an invaluable venue to advance conversations that will ultimately shape the energy future of Louisiana and across the globe,” he noted. n nDuring his undergraduate years, Poole interned at the New Orleans BioInnovation Center. Though his studies centered on political science, he discovered its relevance to economic development and private-sector decision-making. “Political economy is a way of viewing decision-making globally, and you can apply that to private-sector agents as well as the public,” he explained. n nAfter graduation, he joined GNO, Inc., entering the energy field without prior expertise. “I knew nothing about energy, but I knew I wanted to do economic development,” he said. “I was ready to throw myself into research to try to perform on this job.” n nEncouraging student participation, Poole urged attendees to engage with the forum’s panels and networking opportunities. “Students should 100% be dropping in,” he emphasized. n nHaving lived in New Orleans for ten years, through personal and collective challenges including the pandemic, Poole now considers the city his home. His work represents a commitment to strengthening the community that welcomed him. “I’m a guy from New Jersey who moved to New Orleans for school,” he said, “but along the way, working here, getting through a pandemic here, it became home. A home that I wanted to contribute and help build and see opportunity in.” n
— News Original —nTulane alum brings economic development to New Orleans through energynWhen Cameron Poole came to Tulane from New Jersey with an undecided major, he never suspected, a decade later, he would be a local leader in the energy space. n n“I think Cam senior year of Tulane, even, didn’t expect this journey to land here,” said Poole. n nPoole recently moved from energy and innovation manager at GNO, Inc. to a new role as director of strategy at Newlab New Orleans, a venture platform that helps startups developing critical technologies in a given region — including those required for the future of energy. n n“What’s super exciting about something like Newlab is that it’s really helping build bottom-up growth in the New Orleans area,” Poole said. Newlab New Orleans will be built at the former Naval Support Activity site in the Bywater neighborhood. It will provide a physical space and funding for local startups, giving them the opportunity to work with global leaders and companies in the energy industry. n n“I’m focusing on energy innovation and looking at how we do that in a manner that drives economic growth and development in this region,” he said. n nIn his role, Poole recognizes the importance of Tulane’s upcoming Future of Energy Forum, Sept. 10-12. “At Newlab, our mission is to enable technologies that have the potential to transform industries. The Tulane Future of Energy Forum is an invaluable venue to advance conversations that will ultimately shape the energy future of Louisiana and across the globe,” he said. n nAs an undergraduate, Poole interned at the New Orleans BioInnovation Center. He said he was surprised to find how well his studies at Tulane, which focused mainly on politics, were relevant to his role. “Political economy is a way of viewing decision-making globally, and you can apply that to private-sector agents as well as the public,” he said. n nAfter graduation, he landed at GNO, Inc. “I knew nothing about energy, but I knew I wanted to do economic development,” he said. “I was ready to throw myself into research to try to perform on this job.” n nIn that same spirit of exploration, Poole wants to encourage students to attend the Future of Energy Forum to learn from the panels and to network. “Students should 100% be dropping in,” he said. n nBy helping to bring economic growth through energy and other forms of innovation to New Orleans, Poole feels like he is giving back to the city that has become his home over the past decade. n n“I’m a guy from New Jersey who moved to New Orleans for school,” he said, “but along the way, working here, getting through a pandemic here, it became home. A home that I wanted to contribute and help build and see opportunity in.”
