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.

Staff

William Sinkin, Founder and Chairman
Bill Barker, Executive Director
Spring Hericks, Communications Director
Kathryn Word , Executive Assistant
Gabriella Peña, Communications Assistant

Board

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.

Rees Oliver, Vice Chair
Sole Proprietor

Rees has served as an independent gas and oil analyst for more than 30 years. A background in petroleum land management and economics, Rees's longstanding conviction that using hydrocarbons for energy was inefficient and wasteful made him an early supporter of solar. He stresses the need to make the transition to solar as soon as possible to benefit the planet and foreign policy, but also to focus U.S. expertise in technology to reverse the vast sums of money that disappear into unstable parts of the world.

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.

William "Bill" Flannery, PhD.
University of Texas at San Antonio

Bill has been instrumental in the development of the Management of Technology program at UTSA. His research efforts have included studies of the effectiveness of technology transfer and transition efforts of a Federal Laboratory, international trends in the biotechnology industry, and the state of technological development in the San Antonio region.   Bill's doctoral studies included the management of the Lunar Science program at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. He is also a Senior Member of the IEEE, and i nterested in the development of new technologies appropriate for renewable and sustainable energy sources.

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.

Ernest Gerlach, Director
University of Texas at San Antonio

Ernest is the Director for the Center for Economic Development at UTSA with 20 years experience in strategies, planning, economic analysis, public policy, social science research and economic/community development. Showing how solar and other renewable energy resources can support economic growth is one of his priorities for San Antonio and the South Texas region.

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.

Anita Ledbetter
Metropolitan Partnership for Energy (MPE)

Anita is the Executive Director for MPE and works with Bexar County partners to develop and implement energy and emissions reduction policies for air quality improvement, water conservation, energy efficiency, and renewable energy. She spent two years on staff at Solar San Antonio and continues her dedication to educating the public and decision makers about the ways solar power improves the lives of all citizens in San Antonio.

Robert Sohn
Silver Ventures

Robert is Senior Advisor for Planning and Development on the Pearl Brewery Project, an industrial redevelopment project with an educational and environmental focus. More than forty years' experience as an attorney includes litigation, problem solving, testing ideas and concepts before commitment and implementation, strategic planning, and due diligence for multiple entities. His concern about energy supplies, energy sources, and climate change has resulted in a lifelong commitment to helping our region develop a "resilient" future.

Andrew Kelch
Wachovia Securities

Andrew is a financial advisor with Wachovia Securities 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.

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.  

Garland Henderson
Science Applications International Corporation  

Garland has extensive project management, public and private sector leadership within classified military programs including experience on Secretary of Defense Staff and Air Force Staff. A consistent track record of successfully advocating and promulgating innovative technologies and program successes has spanned more than 22 years.

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.

Teresa Niño
National Trauma Institute

Teresa is the Director of Communications for the National Trauma Institute. She is a national and international marketing and communications consultant with experience in the Clinton Administration. Twice nominated for a Chicago Emmy, she is currently a guest host on the Public Broadcasting System (PBS) Spanish-language channel, V-Me; and a guest host for PBS' local programming, "Conversations."