Company:
Retired
Current Position:
Although officially retired from full-time environmental consulting work, I take on energy development projects and am currently working on an energy storage project in Utah and a solar power project in Texas. I also provide environmental consulting as a subcontractor to BSI EHS Services and Solutions in the fields of energy and fuel terminals
Job duties:
In my role as a developer, my duties involve permitting strategy, financial due diligence, tax abatement negotiations, technical writing and liaison with regulatory agencies, landowners, off-takers, and other groups involved in energy projects. As an environmental consultant, I assist clients with new projects by determining the regulations applicable to their project, along with the time frame to obtain necessary authorizations and the cost for each task. I oversee others in obtaining permits.
What are you passionate about?
I love working on a project from the idea stage through implementation. Energy projects are my passion, and I have worked on clean fossil, renewable and storage energy projects.
Describe your educational history:
In 1984, I earned a BS in Civil Engineering from TAMU.
What advise would you give to the current Aggies interested in entering environmental industry?
There is a vast difference between working for industry, as a consultant or for the regulators. I have worked for regulators and, after 7 years of “training”, became a consultant for industry to help the regulated community comply with regulations. The advice is to have enough experiences with internships, etc. while in school or in the first few years after graduation to determine which of the sectors is your best fit.
If you were entering the environmental industry today, what area would you pursue? Why?
I would not change a thing about my career; if I were entering the industry today, I would start at the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to understand the regulatory environment, and then become a consultant to assist industrial clients in navigating the regulations.