JARED PATTERSON, E.M.P.
president

Texas State Representative Jared Patterson is a focused, proactive leader. For more than a decade, he has dedicated himself to serving his neighbors in public office and to his professional career in the retail electricity and natural gas industry. Over a decade ago, Jared joined the team at Rapid Power Management. He now serves on the company’s Strategic Leadership Team and drives millions of dollars of sales revenue for the company. With a passion for serving others, Jared Patterson has had the opportunity to serve in various leadership roles. From 2009 to 2013, he served concurrently on the Sachse, Texas City Council and Economic Development Board of Directors. In 2012, his peers elected him to serve as Mayor Pro Tem. In 2018, Jared was elected to serve as State Representative in Texas House District 106.

MIKE PAYNE, E.M.P.
VICE RESIDENT

Mike is E.V.P. of Commercial Operations and Corporate Counsel at Alternative Energy Development Group (AEDG). AEDG provides advisory services to commercial and industrial clients across the U.S. that reduce energy demand, reduce energy supply costs, and enhance sustainability and resiliency.  AEDG develops, finances, owns, and operates clean energy projects, and serves as Fund Manager and General Partner for the Alternative Energy Infrastructure Projects Fund I LP. Before joining AEDG, Mike served 21 years with APPI Energy where he created, developed, and managed consulting services, due diligence of energy suppliers, and corporate legal matters. He assisted with the development of relationships with trade associations.

Mike graduated with honors from Wake Forest University (B.A. ’78), the University of Miami School of Law (J.D. ’81), and the George Washington University National Law Center (LL.M. Taxation ’84). He is a member of the District of Columbia Bar.

PERRY RUTHVEN, E.M.P.
SECRETARY

Perry Ruthven is the Managing Director of Priority Power Management (PPM) in Houston, Texas. Drawing from a career that has cut across multiple industries including Energy, Technology, Logistics, Banking, and Insurance, Perry brings a wealth of knowledge and market experience to lead PPM’s Houston Region.

Perry joined PPM from PARenergy Inc., an electricity brokerage and consultancy based in Houston, Texas. As founder and president of PARenergy, Mr. Ruthven built a successful business representing diverse clients in the chemical, healthcare, commercial real estate, food service and logistics industries.

MARILYN FOX, E.M.P.
TREASURER

Marilyn is a professional accountant, specializing in utility rate regulation and other financial and policy issues. She has worked for the finance departments of municipal governments regulating electric, gas and water utilities and negotiating franchise agreements and contracts with business entities. She has also handled franchise fee and tax compliance issues. She has served as an expert witness in local, state and federal proceedings and presented testimony before the State Legislature of Texas. Marilyn has worked with clients from the public and private sector on a variety of projects ranging from franchise fee reviews and negotiations to applying the Federal Communications Commission’s Rules for pole attachment rate calculations.

DAVID C. WIERS, E.M.P.
PRESIDENT, TEPA ILLINOIS | AT-LARGE BOARD MEMBER

David C. Wiers has over 17 years of experience in creating and delivering innovative solutions in the energy industry. Mr. Wiers has participated in deregulated markets from their inception and has shared his expertise at numerous conferences and forums, advocating retail electricity and representing third-party aggregator, broker, and consultant (ABC) channels.

Wiers founded Satori Energy in 2006, which has now served over 50,000 accounts and has secured more than $140 Million in energy savings for its clients. In late 2011, Mr. Wiers assisted in the due diligence and purchase of Select Energy Partners (SEP). Mr. Wiers has led the strategic vision of the firm as Satori has continued its pattern of targeted growth through the acquisitions of Public Utility Brokers (September 2014), GOBY LLC’s procurement business (December 2014), Velocity Energy Group (January 2015), EnergyNext, Inc. (April 2015), WTX Power (August 2015), and InSource Power (October 2015).  Read more here.

PAUL WARD, E.M.P.
AT-LARGE BOARD MEMBER

Paul has been involved with TEPA since its inception and continues to share his expertise to further the mission of TEPA. He served as the 2012 President of the organization, working primarily to increase the value of membership to the supplier community in TEPA. Paul also previously served as Chair on the Discipline Committee (now Standards and Compliance) for three years to help enforce a code of conduct in the Texas market through elevating ethical standards of TEPA’s membership.

For 15 years, Paul has worked at Schneider Electric (formerly PoCo Energy Group and then Summit Energy) as a sales associate, client energy manager and director for the company. He currently also serves as the General Manager for the Schneider office in Lancaster, Texas. In this role, he is responsible for managing multiple accounts as well as managing the Lancaster team.

HUSTON ABLE, E.M.P.
AT-LARGE BOARD MEMBER

Huston Able has served as a strategic energy consultant since 2003. Over the last 17 years, he has successfully leveraged his knowledge of competitive and wholesale markets to offer a competitive edge to his clients. Based in Houston, he currently serves as the president of Able Power Management and has held other positions in the energy sector including Executive Vice President, Account Manager, Director of Sales and Vice President of Sales. As a respected energy professional, Huston has provided power solutions to large commercial and industrial businesses and brings a wealth of knowledge to his role as National Board President of TEPA. He has been involved with TEPA since its inception, eventually serving as committee chair from 2013-2016 and on the national board and Vice President in 2017. He served as the National Board President from 2019-2021.

ANDREW BARTH, E.M.P.
AT-LARGE BOARD MEMBER & MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE CHAIR

Andrew Barth is Partner and Co-Founder of CSD Energy Advisors, LLC, a national energy management firm that assists clients with the development and implementation of integrated energy solutions.  Based in Houston, TX, Mr. Barth combines fifteen years of industry experience, customer service, and technology to provide client based solutions. His areas of expertise are in the planning and sourcing of commodity procurement strategies, risk management, and the development of efficiency and sustainability initiatives.

Javier Barrios Good Energy

JAVIER BARRIOS, E.M.P.
PAST PRESIDENT

Javier Barrios is a founding member and Managing Partner of Good Energy LP, a national consulting firm headquartered in New York City with offices in Texas, Illinois and several states open to competitive energy markets. He has been instrumental in growing TEPA’s membership across the Northeast and served as the founding president of the TEPA Northeast group. An expert in Community Choice Aggregation, Energy Management and Utility Procurement, he represents several corporate and governmental institutions across the country, and has launched groundbreaking legislation and community energy programs in several states.

LAUREN BAILEY
AT-LARGE BOARD MEMBER

Lauren serves as the Director of Sales at Broker Online Exchange and has been a key player at BOX since its inception. Having held numerous roles in Account Management and Business Development, Lauren possesses exceptional talent in developing growth sales strategies, achieving financial targets, and building relationships.

CHRIS GERSCH
AT-LARGE BOARD MEMBER

Christopher Gersch is the Co-Founder and President of Navigate Power. Mr. Gersch has held numerous energy-related roles over the last 13 years. He began his career in 2004 with Hanley Group working in the option pits at the Chicago Board of Trade. Mr. Gersch managed commodity and energy trade departments at Spike Trading, Merrill Lynch, and ADM Derivatives. He used his trading expertise and founded Chicago Global Capital, LLC, a Commodity Trading Advisory Firm specializing in energy futures products.

JENNIFER UNDERWOOD
AT-LARGE BOARD MEMBER

Jennifer Underwood is responsible for the day-to-day leadership and management of APPI Energy’s mission, vision, and values. She develops and implements growth processes to cultivate company culture and future visions while overseeing leadership development. Underwood directly impacts change at APPI Energy by analyzing and interpreting data and metrics to create goals for performance and growth. She implements and oversees company policy and is responsible for the measurement and effectiveness of all processes, internal and external. Additionally. she manages the profitability, cash flow, and financial oversight of the company.

TEPA