I am a fourth-generation Houstonian. My mother - a loan officer - and my father, who worked for the railroad, built our house. By the time I was in high school, I knew I wanted to be an engineer.
I got both a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering and a Master of Science degree in industrial engineering (at night while working for Houston Lighting & Power) from the University of Houston. I also received an Executive MBA degree from Mays Business School at Texas A&M University.
Starting at HL&P – the predecessor to CenterPoint Energy’s Houston Electric utility – in 1985, I’ve been blessed with many opportunities in my career in engineering and electric operations management. I was responsible for CenterPoint Energy’s electric distribution, substation and transmission operations when Hurricane Ike hit in 2008. It was my privilege to lead a team, which has brought our electric grid into the digital age through a multiyear deployment of a smart grid system, including the installation of smart meters and intelligent grid technology. I am now senior vice president of CenterPoint Energy’s electric utility business, with financial and operational responsibility for delivering power to more than 2.2 million homes and businesses in the 5,000 square-mile Houston metropolitan area.
I am a licensed professional engineer registered in the state of Texas and serve on the boards of the March of Dimes in Houston, the University of Houston Honors College and Engineering Leadership Program, Southeastern Electric Exchange and the Texas Center for Commercialization of Electric Technologies.
My wife Jill and I are proud and busy coaches of three great kids.