UT Energy Symposium Talks Present and Future

Experts will confer around inclusive energy solutions that support needs of today and tomorrow

Addressing the complexities of today’s energy challenges, the Kay Bailey Hutchison Energy Center will convene industry leaders for its ninth annual energy symposium at The University of Texas at Austin on Friday, Sept. 13.

Titled “Energizing Tomorrow: Tackling Today’s Energy Challenges While Preparing for the Future,” the symposium will bring together industry, government, and academic experts at the AT&T Hotel and Conference Center on the UT campus. Recent geopolitical developments and advances in artificial intelligence point to the need for an inclusive approach to energy sources. Symposium speakers will offer their insights on multifaceted solutions to meet present and future energy demands while advancing decarbonization efforts.

The public and the UT community of faculty, staff, and students are invited, and agenda and registration details can be found on the KBH Energy Center website. For complimentary passes for UT community members, contact Juliana Viveros at juliana.viveros@austin.utexas.edu.

Critical Discussions

The symposium will feature panels and speakers on critical topics, including the role of liquified natural gas in energy dependability and security, overlooked issues in the energy sector, advancements in energy storage, and the transformative impact of AI on the industry.

The event will feature special guests Ambassador Kay Bailey Hutchison and Dean Lillian Mills of the McCombs School of Business. Maynard Holt, founder and CEO of Veriten, will serve as moderator.

Other speakers include:

• Dan Brouillette, former U.S. Secretary of Energy; President and Chief Executive Officer, Edison Electric Institute.
• Eric Cantor, former House Majority Leader; Vice Chairman and Managing Director, Moelis & Company.
• Jillian Evanko, President and Chief Executive Officer, Chart Industries.
• Corey Grindal, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Cheniere Energy.
• James “Jim” Hackett, President, Tessellation Services.
• Mateo Jaramillo, Chief Executive Officer, Form Energy.
• Mark P. Mills, Founder and Executive Director, National Center for Energy Analytics.
• Joshua Rhodes, Research Scientist, The University of Texas at Austin.
• Robert B. Rowling, Founder and Chairman, TRT Holdings.
• Robin Tuluie, Founder and Vice Chairman, PhysicsX.
• Michael Webber, John J. McKetta Centennial Energy Chair in Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin Cockrell School of Engineering.
• Pat Wood, Chief Executive Officer, Hunt Energy Network.
• Ashley Zumwalt-Forbes, Deputy Director for Batteries and Critical Materials, U.S. Department of Energy.

Symposium Honoree Dinner

On Thursday, Sept.12, the KBH Energy Center will honor Robert B. Rowling with its Lifetime Achievement Award for Outstanding Excellence in the Energy Industry during the 9th Annual Symposium Dinner. The award recognizes an individual who has made significant and sustained contributions to the energy industry and serves as a role model for the industry leaders of tomorrow. Previous recipients include Don Evans, Vicki Hollub, Jeff Hildebrand, Scott Sheffield, L.E. Simmons, Rex Tillerson, and James Mulva.

Rowling is the owner and chairman of TRT Holdings Inc., which owns Omni Hotels and Resorts, among other investments. Omni owns and operates 57 hotels and resorts across North America. Rowling graduated with honors from The University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree and received a Juris Doctor with honors from the Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law. He currently serves on the board of the Southwestern Medical Foundation and previously served on the national board of Young Life and The University of Texas System Board of Regents. He also served as chairman of UTIMCO, the entity that manages the University of Texas System endowments and the Permanent University Fund. Rowling is the recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award at both the University of Texas and the SMU Dedman School of Law. He has also been inducted into the Texas Business Hall of Fame.

Sponsors

The symposium and dinner are made possible by The Rowling Foundation, Tailwater Capital, and Susser Bank, along with benefactors Gibson Dunn and Plains. Brunswick Group, Coterra Energy, Energy Transfer, Howard Energy Partners, VTX Energy Partners, and White & Case are sponsors of the event. Bracewell, Cheniere Energy, Earth Resources, Granite Ridge Resources, Holland & Knight, Riverbend Energy Group, and Vinson & Elkins provide additional support.

Media Information

For media credentials, please contact Juliana Viveros at juliana.viveros@austin.utexas.edu.

About The Kay Bailey Hutchison Energy Center

The KBH Energy Center is a multidisciplinary endeavor between the McCombs School of Business, School of Law, and Cockrell School of Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin. The Center seeks to inspire, support, and strengthen the education and experience of the next generation of energy leaders; promote and facilitate fact-based discussion, study, and analysis of critical energy issues, challenges, and developments by convening energy leaders, experts, and other stakeholders, and by disseminating information that advances energy intelligence and awareness; and shape the future of energy by connecting and facilitating interaction and discourse between and among scholars and students from the University of Texas, industry leaders, legislators, policymakers, and regulators.