Experience

Commonwealth Associates, Inc.

• United States
• Utilities
• 200 - 300 Employee

• Business Relationship Manager

  • Jul 2020 - Present

  Texas, United States I work with an amazing team to provide Business Relationship Management for Commonwealth Associates, Inc. Commonwealth is an engineering + consulting company serving utilities of all sizes from offices coast-to-coast. An EC&M magazine Top 10 U.S. Electrical Design Firm and an ENR Top 500 Design Firm, Commonwealth has been innovating in electric power for over 132 years and employee-owned and managed since 1988.



James Robertson Business Development & Management

• Utilities

• Business Development Manager ► Building Strategic Partnerships in Utilities & Professional Services

  • 2015 - Present

  Austin, TX & Remote ROBERTSON BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT & MANAGEMENT Provide part and full-time business development and management services for industry clients. Travis County Water District 10: Oversee $45M in water system improvements to include the installation of electronic meters. Direct water district staff, outside contractors, bids and negotiations. The Schneider Corporation (TSC): Built relationships in the southwest region for an Indianapolis-based 3rd -generation survey company to realize… Show more ROBERTSON BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT & MANAGEMENT Provide part and full-time business development and management services for industry clients. Travis County Water District 10: Oversee $45M in water system improvements to include the installation of electronic meters. Direct water district staff, outside contractors, bids and negotiations. The Schneider Corporation (TSC): Built relationships in the southwest region for an Indianapolis-based 3rd -generation survey company to realize initial opportunity for TSC following the Master Service Agreement (MSA) finalization. Moved status from stalled to strategic meetings with team of key electric transmission engineers within a $Multi-B+ utility, resulting in professional survey services engagement. Surveying & Mapping LLC (SAM): Grew SAM’s brand recognition inside nationally recognized utility and pipeline companies and large-scale facility operations. Relied upon trusted relationships built over years in the industry to establish and strengthen business partnerships with 15+ utilities and firms. Show less



LCRA

• United States
• Utilities
• 700 & Above Employee

• Business Relationship Manager ►Business Development ♦ Program Management ♦ Business Partnering

  • 2007 - 2014

  Austin, TX The Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) is a river authority of the State of Texas with no taxing ability. It derives its support primarily through the sale of wholesale electric services and raw water. In this role, I provided leadership in areas including Business Development, Business Relationship Management, and Business Intelligence as well as in Program and Project Management. Additionally, I vetted complex areas of EPC contract delivery and compliance. As Business… Show more The Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) is a river authority of the State of Texas with no taxing ability. It derives its support primarily through the sale of wholesale electric services and raw water. In this role, I provided leadership in areas including Business Development, Business Relationship Management, and Business Intelligence as well as in Program and Project Management. Additionally, I vetted complex areas of EPC contract delivery and compliance. As Business Relationship Manager, I developed and managed business relationships with partner utilities to promote cohesive and timely owner-responsibility decisions on information-intensive, complex project requirements. In doing so, I demonstrated exceptional skills in large-scale project management while overcoming obstacles that threatened a key project involving development of a latest technology fossil fuel power generation facility. Key contributions included: ★ Completing LCRA’s share of $1.3B+ power plant under budget and ahead of schedule following substantial damage to the steam boiler. ★ Siting and developing a multi-million dollar gas compression facility that accessed a new, large supply line to promote competitive fuel pricing. Guiding project completion under budget and ahead of schedule. ★ Effectively managing LCRA’s portion of a joint venture with Brazos Electric and LC Power that facilitated development of a complex fossil fuel steam power generation facility (Sandy Creek Energy Station) with the latest emissions equipment delivering over 900 megawatts through an electric grid serving most of the state. ★ Developing consensus between private and public entity project participants by traveling to and working at site location as management committee member. ★ Delivering multimillion dollar savings by representing LCRA’s interests in budget development and accounting activities related to capital construction, 9-figure insurance claims and project operations.

• Business Development Manager ►Project Management ♦ Risk Management ♦ Relationship Management

  • 2001 - 2007

  Austin, TX Having successfully directed key LCRA programs and projects for more than four years, I was promoted in 2001 and expanded the scope of my duties as a key member of a highly-responsive corporate development department. As Business Development Manager, I stewarded budgets of more than $200M utilized to fund LCRA’s portion of a $1.3B construction development project. As well, I identified, engaged, and managed dozens of cross-departmental internal resources on numerous projects to maximize… Show more Having successfully directed key LCRA programs and projects for more than four years, I was promoted in 2001 and expanded the scope of my duties as a key member of a highly-responsive corporate development department. As Business Development Manager, I stewarded budgets of more than $200M utilized to fund LCRA’s portion of a $1.3B construction development project. As well, I identified, engaged, and managed dozens of cross-departmental internal resources on numerous projects to maximize the development and functionality of external partnerships, suppliers, and contractors. My ultimate role was to manage numerous multi-million dollar electric industry development opportunities. Accomplishments included: ★ Managing site identification and acquisition phase of initiative to add a $200M quick-start supplemental electric generation facility to LCRA power plant portfolio and markedly reduce LCRA’s dependence on higher priced, market-supplied power contracts. ★ Reducing LCRA’s dependence on short-term power purchases from electric market by providing key business development expertise to wholesale power services business area on multi-hundred-million dollar generation equity and long-term power purchase opportunities.

• Project / Program Manager ►Business Intelligence ♦ Due Diligence ♦ Competitive Analysis

  • 1998 - 2001

  Austin, TX While serving in these roles, I quickly developed skills utilized effectively in expanded roles taken on in 2001 as Business Development Manager and in 2007 as Business Relationship Manager. As a Project Manager and Program Manager, I held authority for plant siting and development, budgeting , cost control , work and resource scheduling and quality assurance. From a business development standpoint, I managed business relationships with owners, partners, and vendors while providing… Show more While serving in these roles, I quickly developed skills utilized effectively in expanded roles taken on in 2001 as Business Development Manager and in 2007 as Business Relationship Manager. As a Project Manager and Program Manager, I held authority for plant siting and development, budgeting , cost control , work and resource scheduling and quality assurance. From a business development standpoint, I managed business relationships with owners, partners, and vendors while providing business / competitive intelligence that facilitated selection and execution of various executive initiative programs and projects. At a time when the Texas Electric market was rapidly changing as a direct result of ongoing deregulation, I provided on time and on budget management of numerous projects and programs critical to operating successfully in a changing and newly deregulated Texas electric market. Key contributions included: ★ Developing and managing LCRA's Business Intelligence Program that enhanced decision making by providing timely electric market information and analysis to key executives. ★ Receiving discretionary award for leading multi-department team that developed and formalized a confidential information program designed to evolve LCRA’s corporate communication culture and properly identify / handle competitive information in deregulated market environment. ★ Implementing and managing an executive-sponsored initiative, the Power Park Sites Project employing GIS technology to identify well-suited locations for power plant development. Prior to joining LCRA as a a Senior Business Analyst, I enjoyed early career success in roles as Mineral Royalty Manager, Electrical Journeyman and Field Supervisor with companies in Central and Coastal Texas.