Energy Crossroads

Join us for a discussion with Elizabeth Carlson about how corporate sustainability strategies are evolving beyond reporting toward operational impact, and how Houston’s World Cup sustainability efforts are leveraging energy efficiency, mobility, waste reduction, and long-term community resilience to share a more sustainable future for the region. 

We sat down with Geoff Garber of global tax services company, Ryan LLC, who works at the intersection of finance, energy strategy, incentives, and project delivery for this episode of Energy Crossroads. Geoff tells us where projects tend to get stuck, how organizations are thinking about reliability and sustainability, and why technologies like solar plus storage and geothermal are gaining renewed attention. We also explore how smaller players, from nonprofits to municipalities, are finding creative ways to participate in the energy evolution.

 In this episode, we sit down with Stephen Ward, Program Manager at the Southface Institute to explore his fascinating pivot from performing arts stage to building infrastructure.

We dive into the Building Improvement Toolkit (BIT), discuss the facilities workforce, and highlight the exciting work happening in Houston at Texas Southern University.

Join us as we reframe energy efficiency not just as a technical checklist, but as a human-driven performance that determines the health and resilience of our entire community.

In this episode of Energy Crossroads, Shaun Auckland, Senior Manager, Government and Community Engagement at SPEER shares insights on bridging the gap between lofty energy efficiency goals and real-world implementation. From local governments to community leaders, we explore how important it is for organizations and individuals to understand resources and take actionable steps - you don’t need a huge budget to make a difference! This conversation looks at rethinking how we approach energy solutions, starting by understanding what’s possible. 

In this episode of Energy Crossroads, we’re joined by Dr. Matthew Berg, CEO and Principal Scientist of Simfero Consultants, to explore the role of One Water in Texas’ evolving energy landscape.

We discuss how integrated water planning can improve resilience across power generation, industry, and rapidly growing infrastructure like data centers.

Dr. Berg shares where Texas is making progress, where key gaps remain, and why early water-energy alignment creates long-term value. The conversation looks ahead at how water constraints will increasingly shape energy decisions across the state.  

In this episode we explore the rapidly evolving energy innovation landscape and examine the frameworks shaping the oil and gas industry’s role in the shift with Gavin Dillingham, PhD.

We discuss how existing infrastructure, and decades of subsurface knowledge to accelerate breakthroughs in geothermal energy. From turning wells into heat engines to scaling solutions at industry speed, this conversation unpacks how legacy energy players are redefining what’s possible.

Join us to hear how the energy evolution is unfolding from the inside out, and why Texas is at the center.

Texas is emerging as a major hub for data center development, but that growth comes with significant energy and water implications.

In this episode of Energy Crossroads, Dr. Margaret Cook, VP of HARC joins us to explore what’s driving the data center boom and the projected electricity and water demands and implications for local communities across the Lone Star State.

The conversation delves into the need for collaborative strategies among stakeholders to address the challenges posed by this rapid development, and whether today’s approaches are enough to sustain both the industry and Texas’ long-term resource reliability.

To dive deeper into these issues and the data behind them, check out HARC’s white paper, https:/⁠/harcresearch.org/news/thirsty-data-the-hidden-water-and-energy-costs-of-texas-data-center-boom/⁠

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.

Enjoy this episode of Energy Crossroads!

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. 

Enjoy this episode of Energy Crossroads!

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. 

Enjoy this episode of Energy Crossroads!