Amy Estes

Amy Estes leads more than 100 members of NREL's communications team, including science and technology communications, corporate communications, and digital and scientific publishing.

Her experience in public relations and marketing strategy position her well to oversee the NREL brand, strategic planning, media relations, digital media, education programs, stakeholder and community relations, and more. Leaning on her crisis communications expertise, Estes led NREL's response to and management of COVID-19 communications. In recent years, she has also been instrumental in implementing a new, forward-looking NREL brand and tagline.

Prior to joining NREL, Estes was the senior manager of communications and community affairs at Black Hills Energy. In her position, she led a team across nine states to manage rate cases and franchise agreements and lead crisis communications efforts across the organization.

Earlier in her career, Estes worked at public relations firms LeGrand Hart and Sloane & Company, where she managed corporate client accounts, including Chevron Mining, On-Q/Legrand, American Express, and United Airlines.

Estes holds a Bachelor of Arts in communications from Stephen F. Austin State University.