Staff
Robert King, CEO
As CEO for SPEER, Bob will continue to define the vision, and help develop strategies and projects that enable the organization to meet its goals. The CEO will collaborate with the other executives, to provide operational oversight and communicate directly with the SPEER Board of Directors.
As President of Good Company Associates, Bob was instrumental in bringing together the founding members and supporting the establishment of SPEER. Bob has provided visionary leadership on state and local policy in the areas of energy and electric utilities policy since 1972. Bob founded Good Company Associates in 1991, and the firm has played an important role in the evolution of utility policy, including electric restructuring, advanced meter infrastructure and smart energy technology, demand response, energy efficiency, renewable energy, energy storage, distributed generation, and performance contracting.
Continuing in his role as President of Good Company, Bob provides insightful business development support and assistance to emerging energy technology companies, or established companies wishing to offer new energy products and services. He helped develop the first commercial scale wind farm in Texas and the first transmission ‘wheeling’ project in 1995, prior to the advent of wholesale competition. He helped launch a number of ‘smart-energy’ companies, and introduce innovative market strategies for a range of technology and service providers.
Bob is a graduate of Vanderbilt University’s Engineering School, and the University of Texas’ LBJ School of Public Affairs. He is a registered engineer and trained mediator.
Doug Lewin, Executive Director
Doug has been SPEER’s Executive Director since the founding of the organization in 2011 and is responsible for supporting the development and growth of the organization. In this role, Doug manages member relations, recruitment, cultivating corporate, governmental and foundation partners, and supporting the goals of the organization.
Doug leads the City Energy Leadership Council, and other outreach programs to establish community partnerships, and expand the reach of SPEER’s programs. Doug also leads the Commission on Energy Efficiency Policy. Doug is the spokesperson for SPEER at industry events, conferences, and meetings to raise awareness of SPEER’s activities across the region.
Previously with Good Company Associates, Doug worked with the Green Corridor Collaborative, a cooperative effort involving seven community college districts, eight regional workforce boards, and a wide variety of clean energy industries organized into the Texas Green Jobs Business Council. While the Collaborative and Council covered a wide variety of clean energy occupations and associated skills, he saw first hand the potential of energy efficiency for job creation and economic growth.
Doug has been passionate about energy efficiency since he began working on energy issues at the Texas Legislature in 2006. He served as Senator Rodney Ellis’ Legislative Director where he played a key role in passing statewide green jobs legislation and supported Senator Ellis’ participation in the National Commission on Energy Policy and the Commission to Engage African Americans on Climate Change. Before that, he served as Legislative Director for Texas State Representative Lon Burnam, where he played an important part in passing Texas’ sales tax holiday on energy efficient products, which occurs annually on Memorial Day weekend.
Doug earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Texas.
Chris Herbert, Managing Director
As Managing Director, Chris will oversee day to day internal operations, including organizational communications, deliverables and reporting. Chris’ background in business management, customer service and public education is valuable to SPEER and she has been instrumental in developing new programs and communicating new ideas.
Chris leads SPEER’s initiatives to increase energy efficiency in buildings, including work on energy code implementation, adoption and compliance. She is also very involved in SPEER’s local government efforts to promote consistency and cooperation among cities and counties to increase effectiveness of energy efficiency programs and policies.
Previously as Vice President of Good Company Associates, Chris managed a variety of resource efficiency initiatives to reduce resource consumption and reduce air emissions in Texas. She was responsible for energy efficiency business development and program design for retail customer initiatives, and supporting government affairs work with several local and state agencies. She served as the Executive Director of the Fuel Cells Texas industry group, supporting demonstration sites and educational outreach. She worked with the Texas Railroad Commission, completing market analysis studies under grants from the Propane Education and Research Council.
She served for 8 years on the City of Austin Resource Management Commission, which advises the City Council in energy and water conservation, alternative energy technologies, and renewable energy sources. Prior to joining Good Company in 2001, Chris was a Patient Advocate for the Department of Veteran Affairs and was an effective participant in four biennial sessions of the Montana Legislature effecting rural health and educational issues.
Susan King, Finance Manager
Susan is the Finance Manager for SPEER. She directly oversees and manages the accounting and financial operations of the organization. Her responsibilities include accounts payable, billing and receivables, payroll, reporting to the Board Treasurer, oversight of audits and tax preparation.
Since 2001, Susan worked for Good Company Associates, as Chief Financial Officer, and took on the additional responsibilities of General Office Manager in 2008. As an integral part of the organization, Susan was involved in all day to day efforts, client accounts, collections, reporting, payroll and human resources.
While at Good Company, Susan was involved in the formation and accounting for three non-profit organizations that have been managed and staffed by Good Company. A group of national manufacturers organized to form Fuel Cells Texas, a 501 (c) (6), for the promotion of this new clean energy industry, which operated from 2001 – 2005. Good Company also provided accounting and staffing for the Texas Foundation for Innovative Communities, a 501 (c) (3), from 2008 – 1010. Susan was instrumental to the organization of SPEER, which is a 501 (c)(3) organized in 2011 and staffed by Good Company.
Before joining Good Company, Susan worked as a staff accountant for Cade & Company, a CPA firm in Dallas and passed the CPA exam in 1989. Susan graduated from University of South Florida with a Bachelor of Science degree in business in 1986.
Darrell Thornley, CHP TAP Program Manager
Darrell Thornley is SPEER’s Program Manager for US Department of Energy’s Southwest CHP TAP, and will administer the program in the states of Texas and Oklahoma, as well as support the other 7 CHP TAP teams across the US. Darrell provides technical assistance, communications, outreach, regulatory information, and other types of project assistance for businesses who would like to consider CHP projects
With over 25 years of professional practice, Darrell has accrued an extensive range of experience and knowledge in energy technologies, project financing and delivery, and energy management. He has practiced in the private, public and governmental sectors, domestic and international markets. He has construction experience ranging from tradesman (pipefitter/certified welder) to engineering, project development and management of small standby power systems, mid-size cogeneration projects, and utility scale power plants.
Before joining our team, Darrell was the Director of the Federal Energy Technologies business line at Chicago Bridge & Iron (CB&I), and a founding member of Endurant Energy, LLC, a distributed generation development company where he served as Vice President for Development and Operations. Prior experience includes responsibility for plant operations of Equity Office Property’s nation-wide fleet of 15 on-site cogeneration systems, and oversight of design and installation of new cogen systems in Midtown Manhattan, NY. Darrell was the Business Development Manager for the Chicago-area Cummins distributorship where he created and implemented the company’s first comprehensive business plan for entry into the deregulated electric market with distributed generation power systems. He has a working knowledge of Title 29, Part 1910 of the CFR’s – Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
Darrell is a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) and the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME). He is routinely featured as a speaker and panelist at industry-related conferences and seminars. Darrell received a B.S. Mechanical Engineering and a B.A. Environmental Studies from Western Michigan University.
Jim Clark, Energy Code Compliance Program Manager
Jim serves as SPEER’s program manager for the energy code compliance program, with the general objective of increasing the adoption, enforcement and understanding of building energy codes in SPEER’s region of Texas and Oklahoma. Collaborating with building code officials, builders, contractors, raters, and other stakeholders, Jim develops and delivers online and in-person training programs, expands and supports the Energy Code Ambassadors program for peer-to-peer educational outreach, provides technical assistance, and writes proposals and grant reports. Net-zero energy homes and water conservation/efficiency are two possible additional program areas for Jim’s focus in the near-future.
Jim brings to the SPEER team over 20 years of experience with the full breadth of environmental sustainability, including about 10 years with energy efficiency, building science, conventional and green building techniques, energy codes, and home energy rating. Most recently, he held positions as a self-employed HERS (Energy Star) rater and residential energy auditor (having chalked up more than 800 comprehensive audits/ratings) and the sustainable building specialist for Habitat for Humanity of Iowa.
Through earlier positions as the founder/director of the environmentally-focused Gardens on Spring Creek in Fort Collins and the water conservation specialist for the city of Fort Collins, he gained considerable experience with public education, program management and fundraising.
Jim’s credentials include a master’s degree in adult education, bachelor’s degrees in engineering and horticulture, and a LEED Green Associate certificate.
Vasudha Lathey, High Performance Buildings Program Manager
Vasudha serves as SPEER’s program manager for the high performance buildings program where she is responsible for advancing energy efficiency in the commercial buildings sector. Her work will focus on increasing implementation of building codes, improving building operations and facilitating retrofits and energy financing for energy efficiency projects. Vasudha is also responsible for the promotion and increased adoption of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)’ Better Buildings Challenge and the Architecture 2030 challenges in Texas and Oklahoma.
Vasudha has more than 14 years of international experience in technical and management consulting in areas of energy efficiency and sustainability for clients such as multiple Fortune 500 companies, World Bank, USAID, academia and governmental organizations. Her expertise includes green buildings, energy codes, demand side management, program design/implementation, urban planning and environmental sustainability.
Before joining our team, Vasudha was with Nexant Inc. serving as the Deputy Chief of Party for the USAID Partnership to Advance Clean Energy-Deployment (PACE-D) program in New Delhi, India. Vasudha managed the energy efficiency vertical of the $20 million PACE-D program, where she promoted net-zero energy buildings (NZEB) and set up NZEB pilot projects; assisted Government of India in the implementation of the Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) and the Perform Achieve and Trade (PAT) industrial energy efficiency program; and provided technical assistance to the India Smart Grid Task Force(ISGTF) for the implementation of smart grid pilot projects in India.
Vasudha credentials include a Ph.D. in Urban-Environmental planning, M.S. Building Sciences and a Bachelors in Architecture. Vasudha is a Certified Energy Manager (CEM), Carbon Reduction Manager (CRM) and a Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design accredited professional (LEED-AP). She also has a number of scholarly published papers, has presented in international conferences and serves as a technical reviewer for Wiley books and Journal of Planning Education and Research (JPER).
Kelly Herbert, Energy Efficiency Program Manager
As the energy efficiency program manager, Kelly directly oversees and manages the Building Operator Certification Program (BOC). In managing the BOC program she recruits and coordinates a pool of qualified instructors for the BOC program, as well as working with each course sponsor to ensure maximum certification.
Kelly also provides program management for SPEER initiatives like our Street Lighting project. She works with utilities, cities, energy service companies and lighting manufacturers to educate and promote more efficient street lighting.
She is also responsible for the SPEER website and external organizational communications through a variety of means. Kelly is instrumental in managing and overseeing the planning and execution of both the SPEER Annual Summit and the Annual Member Retreat. Kelly has a diverse background in legal research, web management, green building, building codes, and customer service.
Before focusing on SPEER, Kelly provided policy and regulatory analysis and support for Good Company, working with project managers on a variety of issues in Texas, California and New York. Kelly also assisted on various projects including a tree planting pilot program, lighting technologies, and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality TERP applications and grants. While completing her degree, Kelly assisted with many tasks for Good Company project managers including research, billing, collections and general office management.
Kelly received her Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice and political science from Texas State University. She is currently working on a Masters in Non-Profit Leadership and Management.
Rachel Stone, Policy Coordinator
As SPEER Policy Coordinator, Rachel is responsible for coordinating and streamlining the efforts of local governments’ energy efficiency initiatives through the City Energy Leadership Council and the development and expansion of PACE programs across Texas. Rachel also provides support and research on consensus principles, policy recommendations, and strategies established by the SPEER Commission on Energy Efficiency Policy, including research and analysis of the Clean Power Plan, 111(d) of the Clean Air Act.
Previously with Environment Texas, Rachel led advocacy efforts to improve environmental and energy policies by working with local leaders to expand solar power production and energy efficiency in buildings at the municipal and state level in Texas.
Rachel’s interest in green building was sparked while volunteering with Habitat for Humanity in Providence to find solutions to create a more sustainable and affordable housing model. Formerly, she served as an attorney at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, a law clerk with the Lower Colorado River Association, and an employee of Foundation Communities, where she has seen the impact energy efficiency has on improving the bottom line for residents, businesses, and protecting the environment.
Rachel earned her Bachelor’s degree from Brown University and her Law degree from the University of Texas.
Julie Myhre, CHP TAP Program Coordinator
Julie is serving as SPEER’s Program Coordinator for US Department of Energy’s Southwest CHP TAP, and will support the program in the states of Texas and Oklahoma. The program provides technical assistance, communications, education, regulatory information, and other types of project assistance for businesses who would like to consider CHP projects, thereby reducing its energy expense and increase energy productivity.
Julie brings 25 years experience as a Professional Engineer that includes public service for a water utility where she was responsible for the analysis of energy use for over 200 pumps and motors as well as acting as the project manager of a third-party design-build-own-operate-maintain power purchase agreement contract for a 2.3 MW wind farm. As a founder of an environmental consulting firm, she has significant business experience in revenue predictions, workload management, marketing potential customers, and managing clients.
Julie is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, American Society of Professional Engineers, and Association of Energy Engineers. She has presented and been a panelist at industry-related conferences and seminars throughout her career.
