In this episode of Energy Crossroads we are joined by Scott McCready, PLA, a Principal at SWA Group, a long-standing, employee-owned collective of eight independent design studios. Scott’s work is dedicated to the enhancement the social and ecological infrastructure of the urban environment, while broadening access and connectivity to open space within the city. His recent work has focused on urban parks, urban infill, and large-scale campus planning and design. 

Scott was once quoted saying, “Design can be a tool to elevate social interaction within the public realm, as well as a medium to reconnect people with nature. By synthesizing place-making and infrastructure needs, we can create environments that enrich, educate, and endure.” Listen as Scott shares his broad expertise related to the better utilization of land and resources to create more value for communities, both in public and private sectors.

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In this episode of Energy Crossroads we are joined by Rod Turner, Facilities Manager for Houston Endowment. Responsible for overseeing the daily performance of the Houston Endowment’s headquarters facility, Rod is not just thinking about building operations, maintenance, safety, and upkeep – he is focused on people, resilience, legacy, and the systems that hold it all together. A veteran of both the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force his dedication to service shines through his career and interactions with others. Thank you, Rod, for your service!

Listen as Rod discusses the importance of mission-driven philanthropic organizations showcasing their leadership in environmental stewardship, alongside community engagement. He shares details about the Houston Endowment’s holistic approach to sustainability from building systems including solar and geothermal, to native plants, to composting food waste, to the importance of employee engagement. 

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In this episode of Energy Crossroads we are joined by Nicole Alderete-Ferrini, CEO of Parade on Main, a next-generation strategy, advocacy and policy firm reimagining how public institutions build smarter, more resilient communities. As the first Chief Resilience Officer for the City of El Paso and a former city executive, she brings two decades of experience in sustainable development, crisis leadership, and systems innovation.

It's the time of the year when many coastal communities are preparing hurricane season, and the subject of resilience is top of mind. Listen as Nicole discusses how integrated sustainable strategies are helping communities evolve from crisis response mode to long term readiness. According to Nicole, resilience is not just about bouncing back, it is about building forward. 

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In this episode of Energy Crossroads we are joined by Patrice ‘Pete’ Parsons the Executive Director Texas Solar Energy Society (TXSES), where she is committed to fulfilling the organization's mission to educate and inspire every Texan to adopt solar energy as part of a clean energy future. 

Listen as Pete discusses the benefits of solar, policy opportunities to increase solar adoption, and the continued need for education about this renewable energy source. She also shares details about her exciting career journey in sustainability…a reminder to those pursuing this field, that the career trajectory is not always a straight line.

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In this episode of Energy Crossroads we are joined by Felisa Conner, President & CEO of Frazier Revitalization, an organization focused on addressing affordable housing renovation and development, family and youth programming, and resident empowerment.

Listen as Felisa illustrates how energy efficiency can improve the quality life and help to create generational wealth, and we discuss how previous practices have negatively impacted the ability of certain communities to achieve advancements in sustainability.

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In this episode of Energy Crossroads we are joined by Dr. Adele Houghton, President of Biositu, LLC, where she works at the intersection of buildings, public health, and climate. 

Healthcare facilities are critical infrastructure in our communities. During a disaster, it is important for all facets of the Emergency Management Cycle to operate at optimal levels. Listen as Dr. Houghton discusses the evolution of Climate Resilience for Healthcare Toolkits which help to ensure that hospitals and healthcare facilities can remain functional during disasters. 

For more information, check out this episode’s additional resources:

Health Care | U.S. Climate Resilience ToolkitArchitectural Epidemiology_Architecture as a Mechanism for Designing a Healthier, More Sustainable, and Resilient World

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Jonathan Kraatz, the Executive Director for the U.S. Green Building Council Texas Chapter, plays a crucial role in advancing sustainable building practices and promoting green initiatives across Texas with a focus on leadership and advocacy and industry engagement.      

Listen as Jonathan discusses how green certifications are supporting efforts to build more resilient, sustainable buildings and cities.  We also discuss exciting sustainable construction and environmental stewardship  developments on the horizon, and actions each of us can take to start making more of this a reality. 

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In this episode of Energy Crossroads, we are joined by Nisha Desai, the Founder & CEO of Intention, a startup company creating a climate impact investment platform for retail investors. Nisha is also the managing partner of the Intention Climate Fund, a microfund investing in pre-seed and seed stage climate tech startups across the US.

Listen as Nisha discusses her career journey in the clean energy space, and the upside and innovations related to climate impact investments. The information shared in this episode will excite passionate investors, and should spark interest in passive investors that are considering values-aligned investment strategies.

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In this episode of Energy Crossroads, we are joined by Dr. Erick C. Jones Jr., an assistant professor in Industrial, Manufacturing, and Systems Engineering at the University of Texas at Arlington. Dr. Jones investigates how organizations can allocate their limited resources to maximize desired outcomes sustainably, efficiently, and resiliently

Dr. Jones leads the Sustainable and Equitable Allocation of Resources, or SEAR, Lab where he leads teams working on research surrounding energy, supply chains, transportation, climate change, and more

Listen as Dr. Jones discusses the research being conducted by the SEAR Lab and shares his expertise on energy transition and resiliency, and considerations for equitable allocations to ensure that all communities can benefit.

Welcome to Energy Crossroads, where we talk Texas clean energy. We are on a mission to learn more about how clean energy impacts a wide variety of industries. We will explore conversations with industry leaders around clean energy trends and related technology, finance, the built environment, and policy opportunities impacting your organization.

This podcast is powered by HARC, an independent, environmental research nonprofit that applies science to drive energy, air, water, and resilience solutions for a sustainable and equitable future. This series is underwritten by the Texas State Energy Conservation Office.

In this episode, Amanda Tullos, founder of GreeNexus Consulting, discusses her mission to create sustainable, regenerative buildings. A licensed architect with numerous certifications, Amanda has overseen over 150 LEED-certified projects and 15 million square feet of sustainable spaces. She highlights the Living Building Challenge’s role in driving market transformation and shares solutions to real-world challenges in green building practices. You don’t want to miss this insightful conversation, tune in now.

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