Board of Directors

Vice Chair | Louis Petrik, CEO Longhorn Solar
Louis holds a B.A. in Marketing from Southwest Texas State University, and considers himself an accidental environmentalist. Before adding solar to the business offerings, he knew nothing about the environment or climate change. He now proudly wears the “Tree Hugger” badge.  Louis has been an entrepreneur for 26 years and has run Longhorn Solar for 13 years.  He is NABCEP (North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners) certified in PV Technical Sales and PV Installation Profession.

Secretary | Laura Doll, public/private energy expert
Laura’s career has focused on energy from a variety of public and private sector perspectives, including executive positions at Austin Energy, the California Power Authority, the California Public Utilities Commission, Pacific Gas & Electric Co. and regional transmission authorities in Texas and California. A common thread throughout her work has been the promotion of energy efficiency and renewable energy and the development of infrastructure to support them. At Austin Energy she was instrumental in developing Austin’s first conservation and renewable energy plan that was integrated into long-range resource planning, a first for the City’s municipal utility. She served as Chair of the Board of Directors of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), and Governor on the Board of the California Independent System Operator. (CAISO). Both organizations manage their state’s electric transmission grids with the critical responsibility for integrating renewable energy and demand response into the network.

Treasurer | Dub Taylor, WDT Consulting LLC
For more than 25 years, Dub Taylor has helped advance cost-effective, clean energy technology and policy through his work in the public sector. For twenty years, Dub was Director of the Texas State Energy Conservation Office (SECO). Prior to SECO, he was with the Texas Railroad Commission’s Alternative Fuels Research and Education Division. At the federal level, Dub served on and twice chaired the U.S. Department of Energy’s State Energy Advisory Board (STEAB). Originally appointed Chair by President George W. Bush’s Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman, he was again appointed to this role by former Energy Secretary and Texas Governor Rick Perry. Dub currently serves on the boards of PACENation, the National Association of State Energy Officials Institute, Conservative Texans for Energy Innovation and the Austin ISD Environmental Stewardship Advisory Committee. He is a member of the Austin-San Antonio Chapter of the Association of Energy Engineers, the Texas Chapter of the Energy Services Coalition, and the Texas Solar Energy Society.

Ramsey Cripe is a Senior Consultant at Schneider Engineering, with extensive experience working with municipally-owned utilities and electric cooperatives throughout Texas. He provides his clients with expertise relating to the ERCOT market, rate design, and policy development and implementation. This work includes supporting renewable energy goals and directives, from managing the incorporation of wind and solar assets into wholesale portfolios to the design and deployment of two rate tariff programs dedicated to local nonprofits and low-income customers, which are supported by energy from community solar projects. These programs have been recognized by the U.S. Department of Energy for developing new and innovative ways to increase solar access and presentations to the Texas Public Power Association and Texas Energy Poverty Research Institute. Ramsey holds a BA in Political Science from Purdue University and a Master in Public Service and Administration from the Bush School at Texas A&M University.

Amy Heart is Vice President of Public Policy with Sunrun. Sunrun has been offering home solar and storage solutions in Texas since 2017, serving Houston, DFW, Austin and San Antonio communities. Amy helps to lead Sunrun’s policy team, deploying policy solutions to expand home solar, storage, and electrification solutions. Amy works across the country to develop strategic partnerships and localized solutions to increase access to rooftop solar and storage, including low-income solar initiatives and NAACP Solar Equity Initiative. Prior to joining Sunrun in 2014, Amy worked with the City of Milwaukee developing municipality-led solar programs, solar permitting, and workforce opportunities. Through her previous work at the Midwest Renewable Energy Association, Amy worked to develop and expand nationally-accredited training programs and educational opportunities through the Midwest. Amy Heart is a graduate of Marquette University Law School and the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.

John Pouland is currently a consultant based in Austin. He previously served as Vice President for Government Affairs and Solutions at Philips where he worked with a team across federal, state and local governments on public policy issues and procurement opportunities. Prior to joining Philips, John held a similar position at Siemens where he helped start their public sector business development program. He served as Regional Administrator of the Southwest for the US GSA during the Clinton administration and was Executive Director of the Texas General Services Commission under then Governor Ann Richards. John began his career as an attorney in private practice in Dallas. He received his J.D. from the University of Houston, and his B.A. from the University of Texas. 

Karl R. Rábago operates an energy consultancy as Rábago Energy LLC, based in Denver, Colorado. He has more than 30 years of experience in energy and is recognized as an innovator and expert in utility regulatory issues relating to clean and distributed energy services and technologies. Karl serves as Chair of the Board of the Center for Resource Solutions, a San Francisco-based non-governmental organization that manages the Green-e Certification program for green power products, and on the Board of Solar United Neighbors. He has been a Texas public utility commissioner; a Deputy Assistant Secretary at the US Department of Energy; Vice President at Austin Energy; among other positions. Karl is a graduate of Texas A&M and has a law degree from the University of Texas, as well as Master of Laws degrees in environmental and military law. More information is available at rabagoenergy.com.

Eiman Siddiqui is a legislative and public policy professional with 8+ years of experience in state legislative politics. Currently, he is the Director of State and Local Government Affairs for American Express, responsible for policy and legislation in all 50 states. Previously, Eiman was a lobbyist with Davis Kaufman where he represented more than 25 clients including a solar generation company with major investments located throughout Texas. Before joining the private sector, Eiman was a legislative staffer for 3 members of the Texas House of Representatives serving as Chief of Staff, Committee Policy Director, and Capitol Director. His broad knowledge of policy includes experience in financial services, energy, insurance, and healthcare. He is also well-versed in policy impacting land use, technology, and taxation. Eiman has also engaged with national organizations including the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), and the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC).

Kenneth Thompson has served as the lead host for “The Dad-Show,” “Focus on Fathers,” and the director of the All-American Mentoring Project, a program emphasizing children from single-parent homes and low socioeconomic status.

He is the former president of the Board of Trustees for the Pflugerville Independent School District. Kenneth served on Austin Disproportionality and Disparity Advisory Committee addressing disproportionality within the welfare system and as the East Austin Youth Foundation director. Kenneth currently serves as a board member for Building Promise USA and Solar Austin with a fond appreciation for the Pathway Intern Program.

Kenneth’s appointments include serving on the National Advisory Board member focusing on Non-Resident Fathers in the Child Welfare System and the Community Advisory Board for the Travis County Family Courthouse expansion project. He served as the chair of Austin’s African American Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission.