Steve Hewitt – Keynote
City Administrator
Greensburg, KS
Steve Hewitt is the City Administrator for Greensburg, Kansas, and star of the Plant Green Discovery Network show
“Greensburg”. Hewitt was recently named Governing Magazine’s 2009 Public Official of the Year and City and County Magazine’s 2008 Municipal Leader of the Year, for his efforts to rebuild his community “green”. On May 4, 2007, Greensburg was destroyed by one of the largest tornados in U.S. history (EF5, 1.8 miles wide), leaving 95% of the town destroyed. After the tornado, when many people thought the town of Greensburg would not recover, Steve Hewitt demonstrated his conviction that the town could be rebuilt by taking the reins and helping to organize the effort. With a team of volunteers and townspeople, Hewitt helped coordinate the early stages of the recovery effort. The Greensburg City Council is currently working on more than 80 different projects totaling $100+ million. He is leading the charge for rebuilding “sustainable” communities. Hewitt recommended the City Council adopt a resolution stating all City Municipal Facilities would be constructed at the highest sustainable level. Hewitt continues to advocate “green” as a true revitalization tool for all Rural Communities.
Keynote Address – Embracing a New Future
In a time of many disasters (man-made, natural, and even economic disasters) Communities must embrace a better way of life. Greensburg has faced many challenges and our story is a story of inspiration and hope. I will address the need for community planning and that no matter what disaster affects your community, you can build a great future.
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Rick Sebenoler
Program Officer
USDC – Economic Development Administration
Rick is a former US Army Infantry Officer, educated at the University of Georgia, Texas A&M University and the University of Oklahoma’s Economic Development Institute. He certified as a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) professional by the US Green Building Council and has been with the Economic Development Administration since 1990.
Welcome and Opening Remarks
Terry Wegman
Executive Directory
Big Spring Economic Development Corporation
Terry is a 1972 graduate of Texas Tech. He owned and operated a small business for thirty five years. He began a new career as the Executive Director for the Big Spring Economic Development Corporation in 2007. His community involvement includes charter membership in the Greater Big Spring Rotary, serving on the Big Spring Independent School District Board of Trustees, the City of Big Spring Planning and Zoning Commission, President of St. Paul Lutheran Church and was honored as volunteer of the year in 2009 by the YMCA.
Panel – Green Power Panel – Sustainable Energy Endeavors
This panelist will discuss sustainable energy endeavors
Brenda P. Brooks
Director – Community Affairs
URENCO
Brenda Brooks is the director of
community affairs for LES, she
works on building and maintaining
partnerships with businesses,
political leaders and citizens in the
State of New Mexico.
Panel – Green Power Panel – Sustainable Energy Endeavors
URENCO USA – All Spun Up. This panelist will provide an overview of the URENCO USA project, the impact it has had on the local economy and how the project has been instrumental to the nuclear renaissance here in the United States. Sustainability is at the core of our URENCO values. We believe the future need nuclear to provide sustainable affordable power to meet the growing global demand.
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Dr. Andrew Swift
Director, Texas Wind Energy Institute,
Texas Tech University
Dr. Andrew Swift is presently Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Director of the Texas Wind Energy Institute at Texas Tech University - focused on Wind Energy Education and Workforce Development within University College at Texas Tech. His previous academic appointments include Director of the Wind Science and Engineering Research Center at Texas Tech and Dean of the College of Engineering at the University of Texas at El Paso. He completed his engineering graduate work obtaining a Doctor of Science degree at Washington University in St. Louis where he began conducting research in wind turbine systems engineering with a focus on the dynamics and aerodynamics of wind turbine rotors. Dr. Swift has worked in wind energy research and education for over 30 years, has over one hundred published articles and book chapters in the area of wind turbine engineering and renewable energy, and in 1995, he received the American Wind Energy Society Academic Award for continuing contributions to wind energy technology as a teacher, researcher, and author.
Panel – Green Power Panel – Sustainable Energy Endeavors
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aura Miller
Director of Projects
Texas, Summit
Laura Miller joined Summit in 2008 to work on the Texas Clean Energy Project, an integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) project. She served as Mayor of Dallas from 2002 to 2007. During her tenure, she led the statewide opposition against eighteen old-technology coal plants proposed for Texas, an effort that was memorialized in a documentary film produced and narrated by Robert Redford, entitled “Fighting Goliath: The Texas Coal Wars”. She also received a 2008 Climate Protection Award from the EPA for that initiative. Ms. Miller has been an advocate for coal gasification, carbon sequestration, renewables, nuclear, conservation, and energy efficiency. As Mayor, she led a real estate development boom in downtown Dallas, leveraging $190 million in city financial incentives to spark $1.3 billion in private investment. She has extensive experience with public finance, including championing the two largest bond packages in the history of Dallas and restructuring Dallas’ underfunded pension system with pension obligation bonds and private-sector investment oversight. Prior to becoming Mayor, Ms. Miller was a member of the Dallas City Council. Before she began her political career, Ms. Miller was an award-winning journalist.
Session – Texas Clean Energy Project
The Texas Clean Energy Project (TCEP) is a “NowGen” carbon capture facility that will incorporate CCS technology in a first-of-its kind commercial power plant. TCEP will capture ninety percent (90%) of its carbon – more carbon than any power plant of commercial scale yet operating anywhere in the world. As a result, TCEP’s carbon emissions will be far lower than those of any existing fossil-fueled power plant.
TCEP will be located at one of the former FutureGen finalist sites – the 600-acre Penwell site – situated fifteen miles west of Odessa, Texas. An environmental impact statement for management of the carbon dioxide captured at the site for sequestration already is prepared. Importantly, TCEP will sit atop the Permian Basin in West Texas, home of the world’s largest and most active enhanced oil recovery (EOR) operations using geological injection of carbon dioxide as the recovery method.
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Michael Degiglio
Executive Director and Chief Executive Office
Village Farms International
Michael A. DeGiglio is Executive Director, and Chief Executive Officer of Village Farms International. Mr. DeGiglio is co- founder of Village Farms and has served as Chief Executive Officer since the inception in 1990. Previously, Mr. DeGiglio served as President and Chief Executive Officer of EcoScience from July 1995 to 2001. He joined EcoScience, the former parent company of Village Farms, upon its acquisition of Agro Dynamics Inc. (ADI), in November 1992. Prior to this Mr. DeGiglio served in the Naval Air Reserves from 1983 to 2001. Mr. DeGiglio served his country in active duty in the United States Navy as an officer and jet aviator from July 1976 through January 1983, retiring at the rank of Captain with the United States Naval Reserve. Throughout his Naval career, he has held various department head positions, completed a tour as commanding officer of a jet aviation squadron, performed multiple tours overseas, and has completed numerous senior advanced management courses. Mr. DeGiglio received a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Science and Aviation Management from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida. Currently Mr. DeGiglio serves on Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Presidential Advisory Board and The Texas Israeli Exchange Fund Board for the Texas Department of Agriculture.
Panel – Sustainable Practices in Agriculture
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Mark Barnett
Co-Owner
Happy Feet Farms
We moved to the county 6 years ago to try and get away from city living. We have always had a garden even in the city but knew we needed to expand in order to provide our family with the food they needed to be healthy. We have worked towards creating a working farm and are working towards becoming self sufficient. We started raising chickens and selling eggs. We have added dairy goats and are still increasing the size of our land that is used for gardening.
“Without creating a sustainable farm the farm will be a drain on our resources and eventually will have to be stopped. With creating a sustainable farm we can create an entity that will provide for our family and the community around us. Sustainable means freedom and independence for us.”
Panel – Sustainable Practices in Agriculture
This panelist will discuss some of the trials Happy Feet Farms has faced and what they are currently working on.
Virginia Belew
Regional Services Director
Permian Basin Regional Planning Council
Virginia Belew has 30 years of experience in workforce development. She is currently administering a Department of Labor Pathways to Green Careers, along with providing the PBRPC’s regional community and economic development services to the 17 county Permian Basin area.
Panel – Pathways Out of Poverty
Virginia will moderate the panel discussion of the region’s “Propelling Green and Career Pathways” program. The alliance between the National Association of Regional Councils, the Permian Basin Regional Planning Commission, Howard, Midland, and Odessa Colleges has resulted in training programs in Weatherization, Wind Technology, Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration.
Michael Marrero
Assistant City Manager for Community Services
City of Odessa
Michael Marrero has been with the City of Odessa since 1995. In 2007, he was named as Assistance City Manager for Community Services. In this position, he is responsible for the oversight of several City Departments. Prior to being named Assistant City Manager, he was Director of Community Development, where he was responsible for the administration and oversight of a variety of programs including several housing programs. Mr. Marrero has been involved in the construction or rehabilitation of over 450 homes for low-income residents
“The issue of sustainability has become increasingly more importing. A decline in resources coupled with a greater demand for those limited resources requires that we re-evaluate the way in which we approach housing construction and energy consumption”
Panel – Pathways Out of Poverty
This panelist will discuss the City of Odessa’s Weatherization program and Green Construction. He will provide information on the importance of proper weatherization, green construction and energy efficiency.
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Abby Graves
Pathways Grant Coordinator
Odessa College
Abby is the Pathways Grant Coordinator. She has worked for Odessa College since March of 2009 and on the Pathways grant since June 2010. She graduated from Texas Christian University in December 2008.
“Sustainability is important for a number of reasons. Currently, the environmental shift that our society has taken is beneficial for everything from job creation to environmental health. If done correctly, building with sustainable materials not only cuts down on waste but it also cuts down on long term spending.”
Panel – Pathways Out of Poverty
This panelist will discus the Pathways program and what it offers in the way of job opportunities, community progress and continuing education.
Kinsey Hansen
Dean of Workforce
Howard College
Kinsey Hansen is the Dean of Workforce for Howard College, Big Spring campus. She oversees all Workforce Training, Community Education, and Career Technical Education programs within the Big Spring Campus. Originally beginning her career in Hotel Management positions, she hasworked in higher education over 5 years with experience within University of Phoenix, University of Tulsa, and now beginning her third year with Howard College.
Panel – Pathways out of Poverty
This panelist will explain the role Howard College, Big Spring Campus, will be playing with the Pathways Out of Poverty grant. She will explain the program, courses within the program, and expected outcomes.
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Michelle Voll
Deputy Project Director,
Pathways out of Poverty
National Association of Regional Councils
Michelle Voll is a management consultant and President of Consulting Services for Community Solutions. She has won the award of more than 21 million dollars in federal grants and contracts on behalf of her clients since the start of her business in 2001. In 2010, Ms. Voll assisted the National Association of Regional Councils in winning an 8 million dollar grant for the Pathways out of Poverty program from the U.S. Department of Labor. As the Deputy Project Director, Ms. Voll assists NARC in managing the project and provides technical assistance to the four sites on project implementation, training curricula, certifications, apprenticeship, employer partnerships, and resource development. Ms. Voll holds an Executive MBA from the School of Business, George Washington University, and a BA in Communications from the University of California, San Diego.
Panel – Pathways Out of Poverty
This panelist will give a brief overview of the national project with local emphasis on creating US DOL Apprenticeship Program
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Jan Crumpton
Business Solutions Director
Midland College Workforce Continuing Education
Jan Crumpton is the Business Solutions Expert for Midland College. As an author, teacher and facilitator of Leadership Programs, Real Estate Sales Workshops and Strategic Planning Sessions for 27 years; Jan is convinced that an ongoing Education is the one thing that can increase a person’s value in a down economy. She believes that to “change small and change often” will allow for continual and optimal growth in any business as well as meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the future.
“Sustainability of green technologies is at the center of Midland College’s values. Providing innovative green systems with profit built in will only allow for present and future generations to enjoy freedom and quality of life.”
Panel – Pathways Out of Poverty
This panelist will explain the role innovative HVAC solutions has on providing value to a depressed economy through the Pathways Out of Poverty grant.
Soll Sussman
Renewable Program Energy Specialist
Texas General Land Office
Soll Sussman coordinates the
division’s Texas-Mexico border
cooperation and alternative fuels
programs.The border energy
program has organized the annual
US-Mexico Border Energy Forum
since 1994.
Session – Gathering Traction for the Unconventional – New Options for Energy
Texas’ wealth of energy resources gives us the opportunity to make sensible choices for the future that find common ground for economic development and environmental protection.
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Carl Brown
Senior Program Manager
Oncor Electric Delivery/Energy Efficiency
Carl Brown has worked in the electric industry for over 24 years in various roles including, customer billing, operations, customer service, product management/development and most recently in energy efficiency since 2007.
“Through the encouragement of using renewable approaches such as Solar and Wind the customer can reduce their electric consumption in an environmentally friendly manner.”
Session – Oncor Energy Efficiency – Programs/Incentives for Renewable Measures
The presentation will provide information about incentives paid for eligible installations of Solar PV panels and Wind Generation through Energy Efficiency Programs managed by Oncor.
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Jeff Reed
Program Manager
Oncor Electric Delivery/Energy Efficiency
Jeff Reed has worked in the electric industry with Oncor for over 25 years in various
roles including, payment processing, operations, customer service, municipal support, regulatory
and most recently in energy efficiency since 2004
“Through the encouragement of using renewable approaches such as Solar and Wind the customer can reduce their electric consumption in an environmentally friendly manner.”
Session – Oncor Energy Efficiency – Programs/Incentives for Renewable Measures
The presentation will provide information about incentives paid for eligible installations of Solar PV panels and Wind Generation through Energy Efficiency Programs managed by Oncor.
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Randy Rawls
Owner, President
West Wind
Randy started his first business in 1996, (DCI) Document Concepts Inc., In 1999, he partnered in John Deere dealerships, in ownership and started companies in the golf, medical, construction, oil field, and farm equipment manufacturing. West Wind was founded in 2009 to capture opportunities in the growing green market.
Session – Introducing Small Residential Wind Energy to West Texas
The future of Wind Energy in West Texas. Co-Speaker Randy Rawls, owner of John Deere Dealerships introduces Jim Brannen, Texas Market Development Manager, with Southwest Windpower.
Jim Brannen
Market Development Manager
Soutwest Windpower
Jim has 5 years experience in the Community Wind Market and 25 years experience of providing equipment and services to the Oil & Gas, Power Generation and Water Treatment industries. Jim began working in the renewable industry at Northern Power and is now focused on the community wind industry in Texas. Mr. Brannen has extensive experience developing markets for US manufactured products in international markets, particularly Latin America. He was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Paraguay and is a graduate of Texas A&M University.
“In Texas we have been blessed with natural resources that should, with the right choices allow us to provide energy for generations to come. With the right choices we can begin to look beyond the economic results of the next quarter and the next year and prepare an infrastructure to provide clean, sustainable energy, in various forms. Working together is critical.”
Session – Introducing Small Residential Wind Energy to West Texas
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Pam Groce
Program Manager
Texas State Energy Conservation Office (SECO)
Pam has been with SECO for 14 years promoting energy efficiency, conservation and sustainablility.
“We want our children to have a bright future, still there are times when its the kids that remind us that we must care for our earth today because tomorrow is for them.”
Panel – Getting Started with Renewable Energy Projects
This panelist will discuss Texas renewable energy resources and how SECO funds public entities projects that demonstrate the use of a variety of technologies.
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Travis Brown
Renewable Energy Program Manager
Texas Department of Rural Affairs
Travis Brown is the renewable energy program manager for the Texas Department of Rural Affairs. He also serves as coordinator for the Rural Alliance for Renewable Energy and is co- chair of the Texas 25x’25 Alliance. Before joining TDRA in 2005, Travis worked three years as energy projects director for the Texas Office of Public Citizen, a consumer advocacy group. He previousy worked many years as a reporter and editor, including reporting for newspapers in Dallas, El Paso, Lubbock, Temple, Denton and Sacremento, California.
Panel – Getting Started with Renewable Energy Projects
This panelist will discuss how rural communities can use renewable energy to boost their economoies and cut their energy cost by developing their renewable energy resources. He will also discuss how rural communities can find funding for renewable energy projects.
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Enrique V. Romero
Director
UTPB Small Business Development Center
“Sustainability in any business is important because it’s what keeps our economy going and growing. When there is no perpetuity in business, economic growth becomes stagnant.”
Panel – Accessing Business and Lending Resources
This panelist will describe how the UTPB Small Business Development Center is able to provide assistance and training to individuals beginning their own business in renewable energy projects.
John Perkins
Area Director – Fort Stockton
USDA Rural Development
In 2004, John became the Area Director for the West Texas Region of USDA Rural Development. John and his small staff implement and deliver the Business and Cooperative, Community Facility, Multi-Family Housing, Single-Family Housing, and Community Programs throughout West Texas. The West Texas Region covers 22 counties and has offices in El Paso and Fort Stockton. John is based out of the Fort Stockton local office.
Panel – Accessing Business and Lending Resources
How to access USDA Rural Development programs for business financing and development.
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Judy Loden
Vice President and Portfolio Manager
Greater Texas Capital Corporation
Session – Accessing Business and Lending Resources
This speaker will discuss example of using SBA 504 loans for Green Technology and explain the loans and their green components in lending.
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Lesa Hill
Division Director
Knowledge Engineering – TEEX
Lesa Hill has served as Division Director for the Knowledge Engineering Division since January 2008, after serving as the division’s interim director for one year. Prior to that she was a program director in the Technology & Economic Development Division of TEEX where she established the Knowledge Engineering Center (KEC) IT program and has served as the director of that program since its Board of Regents approval in 1998. KEC offers services and products including instructional design, eLearning development and custom software applications to support training for university system agencies, state agencies and private companies.
Hill also was instrumental in launching TEEX’s rural economic development program, Technical Assistance for Regional Growth in Economic DevelopmenT (TARGET) program and the website www.ED-Central.com to reach out to rural communities across Texas with economic development best practices for rural areas which served as the launching pad for the success of the Economic Development program in the division today.
Hill also led the electronics and semiconductor training program from 2003 – 2007. She previously served as Strategic Business Development Manager and Marketing Manager of the division, the Texas Manufacturing Assistance Center (TMAC) and the NASA Mid-Continent Technology Transfer Center for several years.
