taking notes

3 things you may have missed: Houstonians recognized as top climate leaders, events to attend, and more

Houston energy transition folks — here's what to know to start your week. Photo via Getty Images

Editor's note: Dive headfirst into the new week with three quick things to catch up on in Houston's energy transition.

Events not to miss

Put these Houston-area energy-related events on your calendar.

  • On December 4-5, Reuters is hosting its Energy Transition North America 2024, for key decision makers in the industry wanting to learn how to build collaborative pathways to modernize infrastructure, futureproof assets, and more.
  • The Greater Houston Partnership is putting on its Upskill Works: Energy & Energy Transition in its workforce-focused series on Wednesday, December 4. It's open to both members and non-members.
  • On December 9, a uniquely Houston event — Pumps & Pipes — will pull together experts across Houston's core industries, including energy, health care, and aerospace, for a one-day symposium.
  • Energy Tech Nexus and its partners are putting on its Jingle Mingle and the Houston Tech & Energytech Extravaganza on Dec. 11. Tickets are available online.

Who's who: 3 Houstonians named to Time Magazine's list of climate leaders

These three Houston innovators have been recognized by Time Magazine. Photos courtesy

Three Houston executives — Andrew Chang, Tim Latimer, and Cindy Taff — have been named to Time magazine’s prestigious list of the 100 Most Influential Climate Leaders in Business for 2024.

Read more about what these innovators are doing across geothermal energy, sustainable fuels, and energy storage. Click here.

From Houston to India: Rice University's newest global partnership

Rice University will open a hub in Bengaluru, India, to focus on sustainable energy, AI, biotechnology, and global research collaboration. Photo via Rice University

Rice University is launching Rice Global India, which is a strategic initiative to expand India’s rapidly growing education and technology sectors.

The new hub is expected to help advance research initiatives, student and faculty exchanges and collaborations in artificial intelligence, biotechnology and sustainable energy.

“India is a country of tremendous opportunity, one where we see the potential to make a meaningful impact through collaboration in research, innovation and education,” Rice President Reginald DesRoches says. Read more.

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A View From HETI

Lawson Gow and Kelsey Kearns have stepped into new leadership roles at Greentown Labs. Photos courtesy Greentown/LinkedIn

Greentown Labs has reshuffled its leadership, elevating Houston leaders into new roles.

Lawson Gow was named COO of the Houston- and Boston-based climatech incubator in February 2026. In his new role, he will focus on optimizing Greentown's structure, building new internal and external systems and developing a plan for growth.

Gow was named Head of Houston in July. He previously founded The Cannon, a coworking space with eight locations in the Houston area, with additional partner spaces. He also recently served as managing partner at Houston-based investment and advisory firm Helium Capital. Gow is the son of David Gow, founder of Energy Capital's parent company, Gow Media.

Kelsey Kearns, who previously served as Director of Community Strategy at Greentown, was named as Gow's replacement in the Houston-focused role. As the new Head of Houston, she will lead daily operations, work to connect the city's climate and innovation ecosystem and founders, strengthen partnerships and accelerate solutions.

"I'm honored and grateful to step into this new role," Kearns said in an email. "My goal is for Greentown to thrive so our founders can thrive! That means supporting their connection to the capital, pilots, and customers they need to grow while building partnerships across Houston's innovation ecosystem. I want Greentown Houston to become the playbook for every future Greentown expansion."

Before joining Greentown Houston, Kearns served as director of business development at Howdy.com, an Austin-based technology staffing company.

"Kelsey is such a perfect fit to lead Greentown Houston," Gow added in an email. "She's deeply passionate about the entrepreneurial community here and has worked throughout and across the ecosystem for years. She's built an awesome dream team here and has helped reinvigorate Greentown's presence and role in Houston's innovation economy."

Earlier this year, Greentown also named Julia Travaglini as the Head of its Boston incubator. Travaglini has held multiple leadership roles at Greentown since 2016. The organization named Georgina Campbell Flatter as its new CEO in early 2025.

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