The visionaries behind our organization are a small but dedicated staff as well as an active board of directors who are driving the solar conversation in the San Antonio community.
Since our inception, Solar San Antonio has depended on this dedicated group of professionals and business people who are committed to accomplishing our objectives and to making a difference in San Antonio’s energy future.
William Sinkin, Chairman
Solar San Antonio
Long-time San Antonio community leader and activist, Bill founded Solar San Antonio in 1999. Advocating for solar for more than 30 years, Bill hosted San Antonio’s first major solar installation on the rooftop of his bank in the 1980s. His tireless efforts to educate the community about the need for renewable and sustainable energy have produced adoption of solar technology at the CPS Customer Service Center, Bexar Country Jail, and more.
Richard Alvarado
Strategic Planning Consultant
Richard has 35 years as an executive in the non-profit sector. He is a trainer and facilitator for strategic planning, and the role and responsibilities of boards of directors of nonprofit organizations. Recognizing that fossil fuels are finite resources that continue to become more costly in terms of affordability and the environment, Richard embraces solar as a means of creating sustainable lifestyles for families of all socio-economic backgrounds.
Jasmine Azima
Jasmine Engineering, Inc.
Jasmine is a registered Professional Engineer in the State of Texas with more than 25 years of experience in design, commissioning and construction management. Once named “Young Outstanding Woman of America” and “Entrepreneur of the Year” for San Antonio and South Texas, her work includes noteworthy civic and private construction projects. Jasmine places great emphasis on high energy efficiency design and conservation standards, and has experience analyzing costs and benefits of solar applications.
W. Laurence Doxsey
City of San Antonio Office of Environmental Policy
Laurence is the Environmental Policy Director for the City of San Antonio’s Office of Environmental Policy. Doxsey oversees the development of the City of San Antonio’s Sustainability Plan to further the City’s environmental vision, commitment and innovation. Before joining the City, Doxsey was the Regional Energy Coordinator for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. He has over thirty years of experience in sustainability programming, green building, and renewable energy initiatives.
Cris Eugster, PhD
CPS Energy, Executive Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer
Cris leads the transformation for CPS Energy and the San Antonio community toward a more sustainable future as measured by economic value, environmental benefit, and social progress. Key areas include greater energy efficiency, renewable power sources, distributed generation, and consumer participation and involvement.
Dr. Eugster was the first Chief Officer for Sustainable Growth for the City of Houston, reporting directly to Mayor Bill White. The mission of the office is to develop and support programs that enable “sustainable growth” for the region and continued prosperity for the fourth largest city. Dr. Eugster worked with leaders across the community and within city government to design and implement programs that made Houston more energy efficient, accelerated adoption of renewable power, reduced waste streams to landfills, and supported clean air and water policies for the region.
Dr. Eugster was previously a Partner with McKinsey and Company, an international management consulting firm, serving senior clients on market transformational strategies. He received his PhD and MS in Electrical Engineering from MIT, specializing in quantum transport in semiconductor devices. He received a BS in Electrical Engineering from Texas A&M University. He holds two patents and has numerous technology and business publications.
Hugo Gutierrez
Falcon International Bank
Hugo is an accomplished Director of Falcon International Bank, with an extensive background of corporate operations in banking, construction, and ranching. He plays an active role in international affairs, working with many multi-cultural customers to penetrate new markets and establish successful companies. Hugo is also a member of the CPS Citizens Advisory Committee and a Commissioner of Bexar County Housing. He believes that solar energy is a key to fixing the energy crisis in this nation and to cleaning our environment.
Andrew Kelch
Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC
Andrew is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Advisors and currently serves as treasurer for the Balcones Chapter of the US Green Building Council. He is also a contributing member to Environment Texas, Texas Community Project and World Affairs Council. Observing the benefits and potential of solar applications in the midst of historic global energy transformation, Andrew wants to see sun-rich San Antonio enjoy the economic and environmental advantages of widespread solar use.
Anita Ledbetter Devora
Build San Antonio Green
Anita is the Executive Director for Build San Antonio Green (BSAG). Build San Antonio Green is our communities Residential Green Building Program, and works with Builders and Partners to certify new construction and retrofit homes here in San Antonio. Anita spent two years on staff at Solar San Antonio and is a previous Executive Director. Anita continues her dedication to educating the public and decision makers about the ways solar power improves the lives of all citizens in San Antonio.
Roy Lowey-Ball, AIA
Ford, Powell & Carson, Architects and Planners, Inc.
Roy is a principal architect and planner and is particularly interested in alternative energies such as solar. He is committed to finding ways to help fund and subsidize domestic alternative energy sources and working cooperatively with utility companies to move towards long-term energy independence.
Myfe Moore
Founder of Helotes Creek Nature Center
With more than 30 years of ranching experience, Myfe is Founder of Helotes Creek Nature Center and Director Emeritus of San Antonio Livestock Exposition. She has long been active in the community protecting San Antonio’s natural resources and advocating for responsible development.
Shelby Ruff
Solar Community
Shelby Ruff has been working with Solar Community since its inception in 2007. Shelby recently joined Solar Community full time as the Regional Director of Business Development in the San Antonio, TX region. He will be contributing to the overall company revenue growth, product and service development, HR services, all while supporting the local community with renewable energy projects and advocacy. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of Solar San Antonio. He recently supported the worldwide talent growth at Rackspace Hosting while holding positions in San Antonio, TX and London, UK, hiring over 250+ employees for the company as it grew from a high growth startup to a publicly traded company and industry leader in information technology hosting services. Shelby is currently pursuing his MBA in Management at St. Mary’s University of San Antonio, TX, while supporting the regional growth of Solar Community throughout Central and South Texas. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from St. Mary’s University while on scholarship supporting the NCAA Division II Men’s Soccer Program.
Garland Scott, PE, CEM
Air Education and Training Command
Garland is the Air Education and Training Command (AETC) energy manager where he has served as the facility energy program consultant for 13 Air Force installations. He has received several Department of Energy Awards including: 2006 Air Force Energy Champion, 2004 U.S. Air Force Renewable Energy Team, and 2001 Department of Energy Award for Effective Program Implementation and Management. Garland currently serves on the board of the Texas Solar Energy Society (TxSES) and is a member of ASES, TREIA, and the Association of Energy Engineers both national and Austin/San Antonio Chapters.
Scott Smith
Air Education and Training Command
Scott Smith retired from CPS Energy as Director of Environmental Planning and Compliance in March 2011. This department included the activities of analysts and engineers in the corporate environmental area, as well as the activities of the power plant environmental technicians.
Mr. Smith joined CPS in 1979 as an environmental analyst. In 1985, he was promoted to Supervisor of the Environmental Department, to Senior Supervisor of the Environmental Services Section in 1995, to Director of the Environmental Management Department in 2001, and to Director of the Environmental Planning and Compliance Department in 2005. He managed the development of CPS’ electric transmission line siting and routing process, co-chaired the CPS Strategic Energy Planning Committee, and was a co-founder of the CPS Solar Energy Committee. He also founded and chaired the CPS Energy Sustainability Council.
Mr. Smith served on the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) Environmental Business Council, chaired the environmental steering committees of the American Public Power Association (APPA) and the Texas Public Power Association (TPPA), served on the Large Public Power Council (LPPC) environmental committee, and served on the Advisory Board of the Texas State Technical College Environmental Program. Mr. Smith served on the Board and Executive Committee of the San Antonio Downtown Alliance and the San Antonio Community Development Corporation for River North. He has also served on the San Antonio Water Systems Community Conservation Committee, represented CPS on the SB 3 Edwards Aquifer Recovery Implementation Program Steering Committee, and was an Advisory Member of the San Antonio River Foundation Arts and Architecture Committee. He is a member of the Mission Trail Oversight Committee, and is a graduate of Leadership San Antonio, Class XXIX.
Mr. Smith received his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Texas State University and his Masters of Science degree in Environmental Management from the University of Texas at San Antonio. He is a long time resident of the King William neighborhood, and his hobbies include biking, home remodeling, fishing, and traveling.
Les Shepard
University of Texas at San Antonio, Texas Sustainable Research Institute
Les Shepard joined UTSA from Sandia National Laboratories, which is managed by Lockheed Martin Corporation for the U.S. Department of Energy, where he served for more than 27 years. Most recently, Shepard was vice president of Sandia’s Energy, Security, and Defense Technologies Division, a multi-program, science-based engineering laboratory in Alburquerque, N.M.
Dr. Landon Wellford
Heart and Vascular Institute of Texas
A cardiologist in private practice at the Heart and Vascular Institute of Texas, Dr. Wellford is also a visionary who believes that when it comes to solar energy, there is no other long term choice. In his long career as a military doctor, Landon traveled the globe and saw first hand the reasons for energy independence at home. He assisted with the design of a geothermal system at a former residence in North Carolina, made extensive efforts to improve his home’s energy efficiency, dug a well from 360 feet for clean drinking water, and paid $1.50 a day for all his utilities! Landon would like to see renewable energy technologies work together and create linkages to find the best combination of renewable energy for Texas.