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

Lanny Sinkin, Executive Director

Christine Chapa, Communications Director

Andrew Wood, Research Associate

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.

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.  

 

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.

Cody Fuller

Joeris Construction

Ernest Gerlach
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.

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

Andrew is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo 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
Build San Antonio Green

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.

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.

Patrice Parsons
Executive Director of Texas H2 Coalition

Patrice Parsonscreated the Texas H2 Coalition - an industry member organization focused on the production, storage, adn distribution of large scale hydrogen.  Previous to this position Ms. Parsons provided consulting servises to institurions and private industry.  Activities includd lobbying state and federal governments, coalition building, creation and development of stragegic plans, and fundraising. 

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, a non-profit advocacy and resource center dedicated to renewable and sustainable energy applications. 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.

 

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. A long career as a military doctor, Landon’s traveled the globe and seen 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.