Guest Speakers
Kick-Off Speaker: Bob Willis, Sunrise Alternative Energy
Bob Willis is the owner of Sunrise Alternative Energy. He has a BS in Aerospace Engineering (University of Oklahoma, 1982) and an MBA (Oklahoma City University, 1991). He has been interested in alternative energy since doing wind turbine research in college. He has worked for the US Air Force, Boeing, Blackmer Pumps, and a business development company. He started Sunrise Alternative Energy in 2006 and acquired Ensun/Sunsource in 2007. Sunrise Alternative Energy provides “system” solutions to energy needs. They install and service geothermal heating and air, solar photovoltaic systems, solar hot water systems, and residential wind turbines. They also provide consulting for energy conservation and sustainability issues.
Keynote Speaker: Brad Carson, National Energy Policy Institute
In January 2010, Former Oklahoma Congressman and Cherokee Nation Enterprises CEO Brad Carson assumed a position as professor of business and law and director of the National Energy Policy Institute, a non-profit energy policy organization funded by billionaire George Kaiser's family foundation, and located at The University of Tulsa. National Energy Policy Institute (NEPI) is a GKFF effort to establish a rational energy policy that will effectively reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil. American political leaders have espoused energy independence for decades. NEPI's goal is to move beyond total oil dependence and to supplant consumption of imported oil through increased domestic energy supply, reduced foreign oil and gas demand and lower carbon emissions to include enhancement of traditional sources of domestic oil, gas and coal.
Biofuel Speakers
Steven Rhines, Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation
Steven Rhines serves as Vice President, General Counsel and Director of Public Affairs for The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation in Ardmore, Oklahoma. Prior to his current position, Rhines was a patent attorney in the Dallas office of the international law firm of Sidley Austin LLP. Rhines received a bachelor in science in mechanical engineering at the University of Oklahoma and a juris doctorate from Southern Methodist University. In addition to managing the legal affairs of the institution, Rhines oversees the legislative agenda, public relations and messaging of the Noble Foundation. The foundation is a nonprofit institution conducting agriculture consultation and educational programs as well as agricultural and plant science research to enhance agriculture regionally, nationally and worldwide.
Tyler Johannes Ph.d - University of Tulsa
Dr. Tyler Johannes current research focuses on engineering unicellular algae for the production of natural products and biofuels. In particular developing genetic and molecular techniques to help improve the production of target metabolites in the single celled eukaryotic alga. Dr. Johannes received his B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Oklahoma State University in 2002, then continued his education at the University of Illinois where he received a M.S. in Chemical Engineering in 2005 and a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering in 2008. Dr. Johannes continues to focus his research efforts in the Synthetic Biology, Directed Evolution, and Bioenergy areas.
Terry Ruse, Project Plus Consulting LLC.
Mr. Ruse currently a owns and operates Project Plus Consulting LLC, catering to the transportation fuels industry, particularly renewable fuels. For the past 25 years he has been a proponent of the renewable fuels industry. Prior to his current position, Mr. Ruse served three and a half years as COO of Agri-Ethanol Products LLC, Ten years as President of Resource Trading Corporation, and six years as VP of Sales & Marketing for Energy Fuels Development Corporation. In 2007 he was requested by President George W. Bush to represent the ethanol industry on a public panel based on his recognized ethanol industry experience and leadership. In 2003 he was appointed to the Governor's Ethanol Coalition by Gov Frank Kea ting, served on the OK Ethanol Task Force and continues to actively pursue ethanol projects for Oklahoma.
Dr. John Korstad, ORU
John Korstad, Ph.D. is a Professor of Biology and Director of the Honors Program at Oral Roberts Univ. in Tulsa, OK. He started doing algae to biofuels research during his Fall 2009 sabbatical leave. During this time he interacted with numerous people involved in algae biofuels research around the world, including Norway (former colleagues), Israel, India, Australia, Malaysia, and China. Dr. Korstad's desire is to connect various industries like local oil refineries, electrical power plants, and cement factories that produce carbon dioxide waste + local industries like waste management landfills and the city's sewage treatment plants with high nutrient loads in their waste water, and cultivate algae for biofuels.
CNG Speakers
Court Newkirk, Blue Energy Fuels LLC
Court Newkirk began his career in alternative energy fuels this year as he became the general manager of Blue Energy Fuels LLC, Tulsa, OK. Blue Energy Fuels is a joint venture of two Oklahoma manufacturers that have a combined experience of over 60 years in the oil and gas industry.
Court is originally from Enid, OK, a graduate of Oklahoma State University and has done post graduate work at the University of Oklahoma. After graduating from OSU, Court spent twenty years working in broadcast journalism at several Oklahoma radio and TV stations. He then transitioned into economic and industrial development work and completed twenty-two years helping to bring several hundred jobs and over $500 million in capital investment to several Oklahoma communities.
Blue Energy Fuels will be building CNG fueling stations for public use and for private fleets across Oklahoma and the surrounding states. Blue Energy Fuels will be branding the stations under that same name and has a goal of becoming the preeminent retailer of CNG in this region.
Court is originally from Enid, OK, a graduate of Oklahoma State University and has done post graduate work at the University of Oklahoma. After graduating from OSU, Court spent twenty years working in broadcast journalism at several Oklahoma radio and TV stations. He then transitioned into economic and industrial development work and completed twenty-two years helping to bring several hundred jobs and over $500 million in capital investment to several Oklahoma communities.
Blue Energy Fuels will be building CNG fueling stations for public use and for private fleets across Oklahoma and the surrounding states. Blue Energy Fuels will be branding the stations under that same name and has a goal of becoming the preeminent retailer of CNG in this region.
Tom Sewell, Tulsa Gas Technologies
Tom attended OSU Institute of Technologyin Okmulgee, Oklahoma where he graduated with a degree in Electrical Electronics Technology (EET). After graduating from OSU Institute of Technology he began working for Geophysical Resources as an Engineering Technician. In 1984, Tom started his own company, Sewell Electrical, a small electric company which he ran and operated himself.
In 1989 Tom Sewell began his involvement in the compressed natural gas (CNG) industry when a major oil company approached him to build a CNG station at the midway Truck Stop between Tulsa and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. As a result, Tulsa Gas Technologies (TGT) was established and the first TGT dispenser was manufactured in July, 1990. Tom incorporated his company in June, 1991 and is President in charge of Sales and Operations.
In 1989 Tom Sewell began his involvement in the compressed natural gas (CNG) industry when a major oil company approached him to build a CNG station at the midway Truck Stop between Tulsa and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. As a result, Tulsa Gas Technologies (TGT) was established and the first TGT dispenser was manufactured in July, 1990. Tom incorporated his company in June, 1991 and is President in charge of Sales and Operations.
Everett Treat, Arrow Engine Company
Everett Treat has30 plus years in manufacturing. For the last twenty years he has worked for Arrow Engine Company as Operations Manager. Arrow Engine Company, founded in 1955, provides a wide variety of engine replacement parts and engine accessory products, as well as slow-speed engines, four and six cylinder engines, stationary compressors, generator sets, and chemical injector pumps for the oil and gas industry and other industrial engine markets. Prior to his position at Arrow Mr. Treat was VP of Manufacturing for Custom Engineering and Mfg. Corp.
Geothermal Speakers
Phil Schoen, Geo-Enterprises, Inc.
Phil Schoen is the president and CEO of Geo-Enterprises, Inc., a company he founded specializing in the design and application of geothermal heating and cooling systems. Schoen has worked in the GHP industry for over 26 years and has been involved in the installation of thousands of GHP systems in the United States, Bermuda, Korea and Japan. He has designed and installed many different types of ground heat exchanger piping systems, including ones used for convenience stores, US Department of Defense projects, US Embassy housing, Indian Health Services hospitals, Indian gaming casinos and many different types of school campus buildings. Mr. Schoen also provided the geothermal training for the construction of the Birds Nest Olympic Stadium in China. Geo-Enterprises, Inc. is known world wide as a premier company in the GHP industry.
Sam Neale, AAON
Sam Neale is the Marketing Manager for AAON with headquarters in Tulsa, OK. He has a Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Tennessee, a Master’s in Management from Murray State University and a MBA from Tennessee Technological University. He is a licensed professional engineer and a member of ASHRAE. He has worked in manufacturing, application and marketing roles within the HVAC industry. AAON is engaged in the engineering, manufacturing, marketing and sale of high efficiency air conditioning and heating equipment. AAON equipment comes in a number of configurations including air-cooled, evaporative-cooled and water-cooled, as well as, air, geothermal and water-source heat pumps. For more information, please visit www.aaon.com.
Tom Williams, National Renewable Energy Lab
Tom has over three decades of experience in renewable energy R&D that encompasses:
· Assessment of new technologies from technical, economic, and business perspectives
· Development of Geothermal and Solar Power technologies as the leader of NREL’s R&D programs in these areas
· Commercializing laboratory developments through intellectual property transactions and collaborations
· Leadership of multidisciplinary teams working in all of the above areas
As manager of the NREL Geothermal Technologies Program, Tom is responsible for facilitating the development and commercialization of geothermal technology, one of NREL’s key R&D programs. Responsibilities include planning and managing R&D activities, and building strong collaborative relationships with industry and stakeholders. His educational background includes a B.S. in Chemical Engineering and an MBA from the University of Washington.
· Assessment of new technologies from technical, economic, and business perspectives
· Development of Geothermal and Solar Power technologies as the leader of NREL’s R&D programs in these areas
· Commercializing laboratory developments through intellectual property transactions and collaborations
· Leadership of multidisciplinary teams working in all of the above areas
As manager of the NREL Geothermal Technologies Program, Tom is responsible for facilitating the development and commercialization of geothermal technology, one of NREL’s key R&D programs. Responsibilities include planning and managing R&D activities, and building strong collaborative relationships with industry and stakeholders. His educational background includes a B.S. in Chemical Engineering and an MBA from the University of Washington.
Dr. James Bose, International Ground Source Heat Pump Association
Professor Bose received his B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in Mechanical Engineering from Oklahoma State University.
Before joining the Division of Engineering Technology in 1974 he taught in the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) for 10 years (1964 – 1974). The courses he taught were Automatic Controls, Machine Design, Kinematics and Mechanisms, and Hydraulic Fluid Power. He served as Deputy of Technical Support for the Oklahoma State University Field Office, Eglin AFB Florida from 1972-1974. Since 1974 he has served as the Director of the Division of Engineering Technology and since 1994 he serves as Department Head of Mechanical Engineering Technology (MET).
Dr. Bose has interests in energy conservation and specifically ground-source heat pump technology. He has been principal investigator on a number of private and government contracts, including EPRI, ASHRAE, USDOE, etc. He has authored several design and installation manuals for ground-source heat pump systems. He is active in the International Ground Source Heat Pump Association and serves as the Executive Director. He works extensively with research agencies, manufacturers and contractors, and lectures extensively on energy conservation and the benefits of ground source heat pump systems.
Before joining the Division of Engineering Technology in 1974 he taught in the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) for 10 years (1964 – 1974). The courses he taught were Automatic Controls, Machine Design, Kinematics and Mechanisms, and Hydraulic Fluid Power. He served as Deputy of Technical Support for the Oklahoma State University Field Office, Eglin AFB Florida from 1972-1974. Since 1974 he has served as the Director of the Division of Engineering Technology and since 1994 he serves as Department Head of Mechanical Engineering Technology (MET).
Dr. Bose has interests in energy conservation and specifically ground-source heat pump technology. He has been principal investigator on a number of private and government contracts, including EPRI, ASHRAE, USDOE, etc. He has authored several design and installation manuals for ground-source heat pump systems. He is active in the International Ground Source Heat Pump Association and serves as the Executive Director. He works extensively with research agencies, manufacturers and contractors, and lectures extensively on energy conservation and the benefits of ground source heat pump systems.
Wind Speakers
Kyla McNabb, Oklahoma Department of Commerce
Wind Development Specialist Kylah McNabb was hired through the CareerTech and Commerce partnership to advance this initiative and help develop training. A former researcher at the University of Oklahoma, McNabb has been project manager for a large wind development company for the two years prior to her work at Commerce. She has a bachelor's degree in climatology and now works as the Wind Energy Development Specialist for the Oklahoma Department of Commerce.
Niki Martin, Go Green Solutions, LLC
Niki Martin owns and operates Go Green Solutions, LLC a green, energy efficient and renewable energy systems provider. Niki is the Senior Client Representative for Go Green Solutions, LLC consulting, designing and implementing improvements for structural energy efficiency, wind and solar systems for residential, agricultural and commercial applications. Niki is co-owner and has actively managed Yahweh Communications for the last 3 years, an underground utility construction company with her husband, Joe Martin. For the 7 years prior to Yahweh Communications, LLC, Niki provided business consultation, marketing, research and resource development for products and services businesses and non-profit organizations.
Jody Harris, USDA
Jody Harris started her federal career in 2002 after 15 years in banking and she is the Rural Energy Coordinator with the USDA Rural Development. Since her designation Jody has injected over $2 million dollars into 45 rural energy projects statewide. She has served as the past President of the Oklahoma Renewable Energy Council and on the National review team in Washington DC.
Solar Speakers
Todd Stephens, TMS Atelier
Todd Stephens was born and raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He graduated from Jenks High School in 1994 and began his collegiate career at the University of Oklahoma. While attending the University of Oklahoma he crafted a unique reciprocal exchange program with both the Fachhochschule Augsburg and the Technical University of Berlin. The program focused on sustainable building methodologies and holistic system design integration. Todd Stephens graduated with a Bachelors of Architecture, focus on sustainable design, in 2002 and began working with one of the oldest and most respected architectural firms in Santa Fe, New Mexico, Lloyd and Associates Architects. While there he assisted in construction documentation and green building efforts. After leaving Lloyd and Associates in Santa Fe Todd moved back to his home town of Tulsa and began working with Matrix Architects, Engineers and Planners. During his three years with Matrix he worked on a myriad of project types including the Expo Squaregrounds and the BOK Arena. Todd left Matrix AEP in 2007 to launch his first business enterprise, Tulsa Biofuels, LLC, Tulsa's first biodiesel production company. Todd sold his shares of that company in 2009 and shortly thereafter began his own custom design studio, TMS Atelier. Today Todd spends most of his time consulting on green building methods and designing custom green residences for clients all over the United States.
Pamela Speraw, Sun City Energy Systems, Inc.
Pamela Speraw, Business Development Manager founded Sun City Energy Systems, Inc. in 1983 and Sun City Solar Energy Tulsa. Ms. Speraw has over 25 years consulting in business management and development, return on investment solutions, company and product strategic planning and analysis of market conditions. Pamela earned a BA in Management from Southern Nazarene University and is a certified Malcolm Baldridge Award examiner. Ms. Speraw has worked as a Marketing Analyst for the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, Director of the Technology Transfer Center in Dallas, Project Manager for the University of Texas Automation and Robotics Institute, and Business Development Manager for Arkansas Science and Technology Authority.
Barry Dicker, Decent Energy Inc.
Barry Dicker is founder and President of Decent Energy, Inc., a forward looking energy efficiency and renewable energy firm based in Leawood, KS. Decent Energy’s local offerings include residential and light commercial audits, solar air heat, solar hot water, solar electric, and advanced monitoring systems. On a regional level, Decent Energy works with small privately held U.S. manufacturers to commercialize new products, and provide them with go to market assistance and initial distribution assistance. He currently serves as a member of the board of directors of the Heartland Renewable Energy Society, the Kansas and Missouri Chapter of the American Solar Energy Society. Prior to joining Decent Energy full time, Barry was a private attorney in Cambridge and Boston, MA, where he was primarily involved in technology licensing, intellectual property, private financings, and mergers and acquisitions.
Mark Thompson, OCAST
Mark Thompson currently serves as the Director of the OCAST Tulsa area office. Mark holds an electrical engineering degree from Oklahoma State University and an MBA in finance from Oklahoma City University (OCU). He is a registered Professional Engineer and licensed in real estate. Mark has experience in agriculture, the electrical power industry, telecommunications and manufacturing. Mark has been affiliated with SBC Communications, CIENA Communications, Williams Communications and Central and Southwest Services (AEP/PSO). OCAST, through the OARS program, provides seed funding to applied research projects under terms which increase industrial R&D investment and reward collaborative efforts when combining the resources of two or more organizations is advantageous to the commercial outcome of a project. State incentive funding helps recipients leverage the capital required to develop and market a technology.
Clean Technology Speakers
Howard L. (Bud) Ground, Public Service Company of Oklahoma
Bud Ground is the Manager of Governmental and Environmental Affairs for Public Service Company of Oklahoma. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology from Oklahoma State University and he graduated with Honors from Oklahoma City University with a Masters in Business Administration. Bud has worked in the electric utility industry for the last thirty years. He has worked in production engineering, power plant operations, corporate environmental services and is currently responsible for legislative and environmental regulatory development as well as stewardship issues for PSO.
PSO has a strong commitment to protecting the environment and maintaining the company's investment in the natural resources of the state of Oklahoma. PSO is involved in a number of environmental stewardship initiatives throughout the state. Some of these initiatives include a cutting edge project that involves retrofitting clean coal technology to one of PSO’s coal-fired generating units at Northeastern Station in Oologah, Okla. The project will use carbon capture technology to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide. PSO is also the state’s largest purchaser and distributor of wind energy, with 393 wind generated megawatts under long-term contracts.
PSO has a strong commitment to protecting the environment and maintaining the company's investment in the natural resources of the state of Oklahoma. PSO is involved in a number of environmental stewardship initiatives throughout the state. Some of these initiatives include a cutting edge project that involves retrofitting clean coal technology to one of PSO’s coal-fired generating units at Northeastern Station in Oologah, Okla. The project will use carbon capture technology to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide. PSO is also the state’s largest purchaser and distributor of wind energy, with 393 wind generated megawatts under long-term contracts.
Steve Jeffery, Lafarge
Steve started with Lafarge in Florida in 1989 and has been the Production Manager for the Tulsa cement plant for the past 8 years. As a member of several production teams over the past 20 years Steve has worked to replace fossil fuels and mined materials with beneficial and environmentally sound reuse of alternatives and wastes to improve costs and decrease environmental impact of operations. Lafarge is a world leader in the manufacture of cement and construction materials and has been active for thirty plus years in the development of numerous alternative and renewable energy sources. Steve and Lafarge are involved in recovering energy from a wide variety of fuels including landfill gas, tires, and fuel quality wastes. Alternative fuel recovery is a key operational practice for Lafarge plants around the globe.
Alan Kirn, Johnson Controls LLC
Alan Kirn is a Director within the Renewable Energy Solutions business of Johnson Controls, Inc. Alan has over thirty years of experience in the energy business split between energy services within Johnson Controls, and as President of his own energy services company. At Johnson Controls Alan has had responsibility for the performance contracting business, industrial market development, and is currently responsible for the biomass business and Johnson Controls strategic partnerships in the renewable energy markets. Alan is a mechanical engineer with expertise in both the technical and the business aspects of the alternative energy industry. Johnson Controls creates quality products, services and solutions to optimize energy and operational efficiencies of buildings; lead-acid automotive batteries and advanced batteries for hybrid and electric vehicles; and interior systems for automobiles for customers in over 150 countries.
Chris Weber, PepsiCo
Mr. Chris Weber is the Senior Manager of Sustainability, PepsiCo Beverages Americas and the Plant Manager of the Pryor Gatorade Facility in the MidAmerica Industrial Park in Pryor.He also leads the PepsiCo Dream Machine Sustainability program for this region.Gatorade’s parent company is New York-based PepsiCo, the third largest beverage and food company in the world. PepsiCo currently employs about 1,200 Oklahomans. Mr. Weber, a certified plant engineer, has more than 20 years of experience with Gatorade products. He helped launch new facilities in Atlanta, Indianapolis, Oklahoma and has worked in plants located in North Carolina and Tennessee.
