About Us & References
I am the founder and President of Bob Manning Associates LLC (BMA). It is my platform from which to provide high-value, executive-level consulting service in the areas of (a) long-term energy management strategies and organization for multi-site commercial and industrial consumers, and (b) consumer insights and service development guidance for electric utility stakeholders, including integrated utilities, TDSPs, merchant power producers, retail electric providers, and others.
As a registered professional engineer, I have practiced and managed in the energy and engineering fields since 1970 and have repeatedly performed the services that are the basis of BMA’s consulting offerings.
For 16 years prior to founding BMA, I led the energy management programs for a San Antonio-based grocery retailer with over 300 stores throughout Texas. Corporate utility expenses reached $130 million per year, but have come down to near $100 million due to a combination of reduced rates and aggressive conservation efforts. Our successes were a result of sound strategy, highly skilled professional staff, and excellent support from senior management. We were able to construct a program that has verifiably driven tens of millions of dollars of waste out of the business on an ongoing and permanent basis; these savings go straight to the bottom line as revenue. At the same time we built a sophisticated purchasing strategy for procuring competitive electric power that has been described by the suppliers as “best in class.”
I was asked to represent commercial consumers as board member and Vice Chairman with the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), and did so for 7 years. The mission of ERCOT is to “direct and ensure reliable and cost-effective operation of the electric grid and to enable fair and efficient market-driven solutions to meet customers’ electric service needs.” ERCOT oversees what is arguably the most effective and efficient competitive electric market in the nation. The board included captains of the electric industry from across the state and country, and we interacted constantly with state legislators and regulators. As the market rules and protocols were being written, I provided constant feedback about how they were affecting consumers. This experience gave me tremendous insights into the electric utility industry, and I was able to develop countless close professional relationships that continue to this day.
I gained valuable experience with overseeing a municipally-owned utility system (electric, gas, water, and wastewater) while serving as city councilman in Boerne, Texas (population 10,000) for 6 years. With an annual budget for the utility of $15 million, I saw first-hand the difficulty that a small “muni” without its own generation assets has in incentivizing community energy conservation . . . the financial implications on the utility are rough.
In addition to a graduate degree in Energy Studies with an emphasis on renewable energy technologies, I had the opportunity in the fall of 2011 to serve as one of seven evaluators for 132 statewide stimulus (ARRA) grant applications under Texas’ Distributed Renewable Energy Technology program. I got to see the good, the bad, and the ugly among current renewable energy suppliers and vendors, and get a renewed sense of the state of the renewable industry.
My view of the world’s energy challenges and opportunities is very inclusive of ideas and contributions from all sources. As an example, I am co-inventor of a technology that uses oil field waste brine to develop and maintain a Salt Gradient Solar Pond. It is possible to use low-grade solar heat to separate oil from brine in production fields, and it is also possible to use the waste brine to make up for evaporation from the surface of the pond (rather than spend money to dispose of the brine).
As a registered professional engineer, I have practiced and managed in the energy and engineering fields since 1970 and have repeatedly performed the services that are the basis of BMA’s consulting offerings.
- Bob Manning was instrumental in developing an energy management strategic plan for demand and supply-side initiatives as well as the NTMWD’s energy risk profile and power buying strategy. He effectively guided the NTMWD through a thorough and detailed Retail Electric Provider selection process with confidence and professionalism. He made a potentially tedious and complicated process flow seamlessly, which resulted in the selection of two highly qualified REPs. Bob’s ability to clearly communicate complex information in a simple, easy to understand manner has been vital to the successful implementation of our energy management program.
Due to his high degree of integrity and vast knowledge of the energy market, working with Bob has been a pleasure and a great benefit to this organization. We look forward continuing work with Bob in the future. Joe Stankiewicz, Deputy Director, North Texas Municipal Water District
- Bob Manning assisted DTE Energy and members of the Michigan Legislature evaluate the merits and concerns of Retail Open Access. He demonstrated an exceptional grasp of electric markets and has drawn from his years of experience guiding H-E-B corporation in the acquisition and application of utility services, and his leadership within ERCOT and the up close observation of market dynamics and regulations, to help businesses and public policy leaders think through where to get value out of energy services. Bob's experience as a business leader provide valuable insights, but his engagement in policy development is an asset in thinking through how to best serve energy markets in the future." Renze Hoeksema, Director, State Government Affairs, DTE Energy
For 16 years prior to founding BMA, I led the energy management programs for a San Antonio-based grocery retailer with over 300 stores throughout Texas. Corporate utility expenses reached $130 million per year, but have come down to near $100 million due to a combination of reduced rates and aggressive conservation efforts. Our successes were a result of sound strategy, highly skilled professional staff, and excellent support from senior management. We were able to construct a program that has verifiably driven tens of millions of dollars of waste out of the business on an ongoing and permanent basis; these savings go straight to the bottom line as revenue. At the same time we built a sophisticated purchasing strategy for procuring competitive electric power that has been described by the suppliers as “best in class.”
- “I have worked with Bob for the past 15 years and can say that he is one of the most intelligent and insightful people I have met in my career. Bob has a strong grasp of strategic issues and can explain complex matters in a clear and concise fashion to any audience. He is a strong communicator and leader. Most importantly, he is highly principled and trustworthy” Bill Reynolds, former Group VP Facilities H-E-B
- “Bob Manning has proven skill sets in the areas of commodity risk assessment and commodity product evaluation, especially from the customer side of the meter. Bob’s breadth of experience in advising the H-E-B organization through ERCOT (Texas) electric market volatility and rule changes as well as establishing a sound corporate hedging strategy will serve him well. Bob takes a macro-approach at evaluating situations and possesses the ability to communicate solutions in laymen’s terms. Bob is relationship oriented and as such is extremely productive at connecting with individuals at all levels in an organization” . . . Jim Wood, President, Noble Americas Energy Solutions (Formerly RBS Sempra Commodities)
- “Bob is a solid business professional with broad experience in managing supermarket design, engineering, operations, maintenance, and energy. I have had the pleasure in getting to know Bob while I was working for Emerson and developing our energy services business. Bob is well liked and trusted as a business professional. His talent for building long-term business relationships as well as developing teams that want to succeed has made him successful. I would recommend him for any position where his talents and experiences would serve your business” Neal Starling, former VP Sales Emerson Climate Technologies
- “I had the pleasure of working for Bob directly for 11 years and indirectly for 14 years. Bob is a uniquely experienced leader in the Energy industry from both the supply-side and demand-side. He is a very strategic thinker, but also very results driven. I would highly recommend Bob to any energy related business for his advise and consulting services” . . . Joe Lopez, Energy Manager H-E-B
I was asked to represent commercial consumers as board member and Vice Chairman with the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), and did so for 7 years. The mission of ERCOT is to “direct and ensure reliable and cost-effective operation of the electric grid and to enable fair and efficient market-driven solutions to meet customers’ electric service needs.” ERCOT oversees what is arguably the most effective and efficient competitive electric market in the nation. The board included captains of the electric industry from across the state and country, and we interacted constantly with state legislators and regulators. As the market rules and protocols were being written, I provided constant feedback about how they were affecting consumers. This experience gave me tremendous insights into the electric utility industry, and I was able to develop countless close professional relationships that continue to this day.
- “Bob Manning and I shared many terms on the Board of Directors of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas. ERCOT manages the electric flow to 85 percent of the state's electric load, with 23 million customers, 550 generating units, and over 40,000 miles of transmission. Bob was crucial to many of the key strategic changes we developed and implemented. Bob is extremely smart, has great leadership skills and is outstanding at conflict resolution among teams or departments. It would be my privilege to work with him again someday” . . . Mark Armentrout, former Chairman of ERCOT Board of Directors
- “Bob has great insight and understands what people are really saying. He knows when people are just talking to talk” . . . Michehl Gent, Retired, North American Electric Reliability Corporation and former ERCOT Board Member
I gained valuable experience with overseeing a municipally-owned utility system (electric, gas, water, and wastewater) while serving as city councilman in Boerne, Texas (population 10,000) for 6 years. With an annual budget for the utility of $15 million, I saw first-hand the difficulty that a small “muni” without its own generation assets has in incentivizing community energy conservation . . . the financial implications on the utility are rough.
- “I had the pleasure of serving with Bob for four years on the Boerne City Council. Bob proved time and again to be a community leader with the interests of the citizens foremost on his mind. His commitment to honesty, fairness and common sense reflect the standards for his work in the public as well as the private sectors” . . . Rob Ziegler, President, Smart Wine Media and former City Councilman
- “Bob Manning is the epitome of a community leader. I've worked with and observed Bob in a number of community and government situations and have been impressed with the energy, passion, and commitment to excellence he has shown in every endeavor he pursues to improve the community. Thanks Bob for all you have done in so many areas to improve the quality of life in the Boerne area” . . . Art Wilson, Founder/Consultant - Critical Path Strategies,Inc & Independent Consultant-Art Wilson Associates,LLC
In addition to a graduate degree in Energy Studies with an emphasis on renewable energy technologies, I had the opportunity in the fall of 2011 to serve as one of seven evaluators for 132 statewide stimulus (ARRA) grant applications under Texas’ Distributed Renewable Energy Technology program. I got to see the good, the bad, and the ugly among current renewable energy suppliers and vendors, and get a renewed sense of the state of the renewable industry.
My view of the world’s energy challenges and opportunities is very inclusive of ideas and contributions from all sources. As an example, I am co-inventor of a technology that uses oil field waste brine to develop and maintain a Salt Gradient Solar Pond. It is possible to use low-grade solar heat to separate oil from brine in production fields, and it is also possible to use the waste brine to make up for evaporation from the surface of the pond (rather than spend money to dispose of the brine).