Luis Bernal is the Deputy General Counsel at the Appalachian Regional Commission. In this capacity, he provides legal advice to senior leadership and operational units of the Commission on a wide range of legal matters pertaining to grants management and cooperative agreements for economic development, broadband deployment, and access to capital. Prior to joining the Commission, Luis worked at the USDA- Rural Utilities Services, where he advised leadership in the Electric Program on the design and implementation of energy efficiency programs and renewable energy projects, in particular the Rural Energy Saving Program. He also led the Puerto Rico Energy Affairs Administration (2009-2012).

In that role, he established and implemented policy for renewable energy and energy efficiency and conservation projects and investments, liaised with the US Department of Energy, and oversaw the implementation of federally funded programs and daily operations of the organization.

Luis holds a Master of Laws in Energy and Environmental Law from the George Washington University Law School and a Juris Doctor from Inter American University of Puerto Rico School of Law.