Please note your affiliation and years of experience in the energy and/or environmental field

Currently I’m an independent consultant.  I’m CEO & President of Energy Unlimited in McLean, Virginia, with thirty years of experience focusing on energy markets, half of it in the world of consulting, and the rest in financial services and physical trading.  The two energy crises of the 1970s helped lead me to a B.S. in geology with the goal of becoming a wildcatter. 

But after oil prices crashed, the angels sang louder to me about the beauty of economics, so I garnered an M.S. from the Colorado School of Mines. 

My career began in the financial services industry in New York City, where I advised institutional clients on hedging and trading and risk management as a fundamental commodity analyst.  I attended OPEC meetings as an observer.  My strong intellectual curiosity then led me to become a practitioner in the physical energy space, leading power trading as Vice President at companies in ERCOT and the Western Electric Coordinating Council, as well initiating a natural gas storage arbitrage desk and deal structure desk in Houston for a rapidly growing company. 

More recently, my consulting career has been with the marquee firms of IHS-CERA (where I led Power, Gas, Coal and Renewables advisory services for the Americas), Energy Ventures Analysis, and Andersen. 

Any particular achievement/interest in energy/environment you would like to mention?

One of my interests is the intersection of power and natural gas markets and the evolution of various power technologies and policies.  A lot of D.C. folks know me vis-à-vis my work in natural gas; I’m the principal author of Fueling the Future with Natural Gas: Bringing It Home.  I’ve been blessed with an exciting and varied career across the various energy commodities.

In your opinion, what are important issues facing the energy industry today?

I’ve spent most of my career as a neutral and unbiased observer of markets, economics, technologies, and policies to help a wide variety of clients make strategic decisions or participate in the commercial activities of the energy industry.  Keeping energy markets competitive and efficient during the transition to a low CO2 emissions profile is paramount to the health and advancement of the global energy industries, as well as to solving global energy poverty.  Working together and sharing dialogue and best practices between the traditional and emerging technologies is key for advancement.   

How long have you been a member of NCAC? Any particular NCAC memory you would like to share with us?

It’s nearly ten years as an NCAC member.  For me, it’s always been about the people.  NCAC’s former president, Mark Lively, stands out as an exceptionally welcoming and friendly force.  I’ve finally joined my first NCAC committee and hope to become more involved, especially after my triplet daughters graduate from high school.