A time for new beginings
I remember our first board meeting to discuss the current needs of Energy Institute High School - it was June of 2020. We knew too well that keeping a school like this functioning at its best would require more support than the average high school, but we also knew that Houston needed a school like this more than ever. We also sensed changing tides in the energy industry and worried that the speed of change would quickly eclipse the school’s capacity to adapt their own curriculum to match. Two and a half years later, I’m tremendously proud of what our small but mighty team has achieved:
Fundraised over $50,000.00 for STEM classrooms
Provided 50+ hours of professional development for teachers
Sent students to VEX Worlds
Upgraded the student robotics lab
Hired a part-time program coordinator
Expanded our board from three people to eight people
Built an Advisory Committee of community supporters
This list would also not be complete without highlighting the numerous professionals we’ve been able to introduce to Energy Institute High School in the way of project judges, Subject Matter Experts, resource drives, and more! All this to say, I’m immensely proud of our first chapter and what our team has accomplished.
One of the things I am most proud of is the amazing leaders who have stepped in and stepped up to sustain and grow Friends of Energy Institute. As this organization evolves from our start-up phase (as we have affectionately referred to it) and into our accelerating phase, it is truly through and with the incredible leadership of our entire board.
With that said, I am extremely proud to welcome our newest Chair and Vice-Chair of Friends of Energy Institute.
Chair
Ken Piddington is a transformational, global business technology executive who creates strategic visions and missions, positions to scale, and drives initiatives that enable high business growth. As an award-winning thought leader and published author, he is respected for his game-changing industry contributions and passion for talent development and customer satisfaction.
Currently, Ken leads as the Vice President and CIO at U.S. Silica. He is responsible for defining and executing its business technology strategy and leading its digital transformation initiatives.
Ken also serves on the Quest Oracle User Community's Board of Directors, as an Advisory Board member for the CIO Executive Council and as a mentor in their leadership development program.
In 2022 Ken received the Houston CIO of the Year Orbie award. He has been named a Computerworld Premier 100 Technology leader, is a CIO100 award winner, and has twice been recognized as an InformationWeek 500 Top Technology Innovator.
As the parent of an Energy Institute High School alumnus, Ken is committed to leveraging his technical experience and industry connections to further enrich and expand access to STEM learning opportunities across Houston ISD.
Vice-Chair
Amanda Cambrice has been volunteering with Energy Institute High School since 2018, starting as a volunteer, then a member of the Friends of Energy Advisory Council, and eventually joining the Board of Directors in 2021.
An energy industry professional, Amanda has worked at Pattern Energy, a renewable energy company, for over five years. After enjoying a 17-year career in Human Resources, Amanda pivoted to a career in Asset Management in 2021.
In addition to her work with Friends of Energy, Amanda volunteers with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, Women of Renewable Industries and Sustainable Energy (WRISE), Independent Energy Human Resources Association (IEHRA), and Blacks in Renewable Energy (BiRE). In 2022, she served as Pattern Energy’s DE&I Month Co-Chair, a member of the DE&I Council, and was awarded the DE&I Difference Maker Award by Women in Renewable Energy (WIRE).
Amanda is passionate about giving back to the community, especially to youth and underserved communities. SheAmanda strives to blend her “work/life” with her love of giving back, energy industry expertise, and spirit of advocacy. She believes her work with Friends of Energy does just that!
On behalf of the entire Friends of Energy Institute Board of Directors, I commend Ken and Amanda for their contributions and leadership during their time serving with Friends of Energy.
My time serving as Chair of the Board has been the privilege of a lifetime, and the gifts of this leadership position have been invaluable. From the people I have met to the students I have worked with — I am thankful. I also sit here on the cusp of change excited for our next chapter, which I will take part in by supporting the new Chair and Vice-Chair in the Chair Emeritus role.
We have an exciting slate of activities coming up, including celebrating the 10 year anniversary of Energy Institute High School! There has never been a better time to be involved with Friends of Energy and getting involved is as simple as a click — let’s build the STEM pipeline that will keep Houston the Energy Transition Capital of the world.
Best,
Julie Lockhart
Chair Emeritus
