Kevin Doffing, Operations, Texas
Kevin Doffing is Chief Executive Officer at Blacksheep Ventures and lives in Houston, Texas. He’s been in the industry for two years.
Why is clean energy important to you? When I was deployed overseas as an infantry officer in Iraq, I saw first hand what energy insecurity means at a personal and national level. When individuals can't take care of their families and suffer a lower quality of life due to resource constraints, it breeds conflict among neighbors. At the national level, it can even lead to wars. I want the energy transition to be a just transition that lifts up humanity by empowering individuals to increase their quality of life. A transition to renewable resources removes the constraint of availability of energy and will lead to fewer conflicts.
What’s your proudest accomplishment in clean energy? A few years ago, several leaders in Houston decided to launch the city's first trade group for renewable energy. I got involved out of my interest in the sector and my experience building community groups for military veterans. I became the founding board president and launched the Renewable Energy Alliance - Houston, and it's been a huge success to organize our industry locally connecting current and future professionals in the industry.
What did you do before entering clean energy? I owned an oilfield supply company. We sold personal protective equipment predominantly to oilfield service companies and manufacturers in Houston, Texas.
How did you first get introduced to clean energy? When I left the military, I worked with a headhunter who introduced me to the company that would eventually become EDPR North America. It was shocking because I had never considered how electricity was the foundation of modern society, and then at the same time realized it was all about to undergo a cataclysmic upheaval with the shift to renewable energy. It was so exciting to think about all the possibilities and opportunities the energy transition would create.
How does clean energy impact your community? We had a bad winter storm in Texas last year that was devastating. Our aging infrastructure failed our community and I was not willing to wait for some politician to save us. We installed solar and batteries on our house. It's been amazing to have control over my power for the first time. We did it so we didn't have a change to our monthly bill, but now have the resiliency of energy storage at home. I can't express how grateful I am that my family is protected and safe from the worst of our failing old infrastructure.
What is something you wish more people knew about your job? I feel like my new call to duty is in the energy transition where I can make money for my family and build a future that they can be proud of. Plus, anyone can do sales. I mean anyone. Networking, cultivating relationships, and managing a sales funnel are all learned skills. I'm an introvert, but I get mistaken for an extrovert. These are practiced skills that can allow anyone to do sales, in clean energy or any other markets. If I can do it, then anyone can do it. There's nothing stopping you from joining the energy transition. You just have to be willing to put in the work.
Why should Congress invest in clean energy jobs, not fossil fuel jobs? Government support for clean energy is an investment in workforce development, manufacturing capacity, a robust tax base, and improved quality of life. Government funding of oil and gas would be life support for an aging industry.