The Adam Smith Society's Austin Professional Chapter, in conjunction with our student chapter at UT Austin McCombs, will host a private Salon Dinner on March 22nd with Barry Smitherman, former Chairman of the Texas Railroad Commission, former Texas Public Utility Commissioner, and a former partner at Vinson & Elkins.

Smitherman is a nationally-recognized authority on a number of emerging energy trends and brings a unique experience and perspective on issues relating to state and federal regulations, energy project development, legislative matters, and energy litigation. He has particular insight into emerging developments such as unconventional oil and gas development, electric transmission development, renewable energy generation, and energy storage.

Join us for an off-the-record and wide-ranging conversation as we discuss the new Texas Railroad Commissioner, energy policy generally, and what we might expect, energy-wise, from the Trump Administration.

About the Speaker

Barry Smitherman is the only person to ever serve on both the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) and the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC), and is a nationally recognized authority on a number of emerging energy trends. Barry brings a unique experience and perspective on issues relating to state and federal regulations, energy project development, legislative matters, and energy litigation.

Barry’s experience at the PUCT and RRC, coupled with his service on a number of national and regional energy-focused boards and committees, gives him particular insight into emerging developments such as unconventional oil and gas development, electric transmission development, renewable energy generation, and energy storage.

Barry was appointed to the RRC in 2011 to serve an unexpired term and, in 2012, was elected statewide for a two-year term. He was later chosen by his colleagues to serve as chairman of the RRC. During his chairmanship, he also served as chair of the Gas Committee of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners from 2013 to 2014. He is also a former partner at Vinson & Elkins.

Prior to his service with the RRC, Barry was a member of the PUCT for more than seven years and served as chairman of the agency for most of 2007 to 2011. Before beginning public service, Barry spent 16 years as an investment banker. He held leadership positions with several firms, including Lazard, where he led the Houston office; The First Boston Corporation, where he was co-head of the “sunbelt infrastructure” group; J.P. Morgan Securities, where he was head of Texas public finance; and Banc One Capital Markets, where he was the National Head of tax-exempt origination. During this time, he managed billions in municipal bond offerings on behalf of state and local governments.