The Last Great Natural Resource: Experience

In California we are really aware of the gold rush. With a state overflowing with natural resources and intellectual riches - we’ve never really left behind the go-go strike-it-rich mentality of the gold rush days. That’s why I think I’ve hit the mother lode.

While putting together a strategy to service the growing needs of the booming Community Choice Aggregator (CCA) community - I discovered a gold mine of talent. CCAs, for those not in the energy-know, are community groups planning to break from the major utilities and purchase power directly from suppliers. These newly formed entities are planning to enter the complex world of energy regulation, power purchase agreements, ratemaking and community outreach and more than a dozen are coming online in California within the next eighteen months.

Enter retired energy professionals, policy analysts, judges, commissioners, program managers, executives of all stripes who have the necessary knowledge to guide new entrants into the energy world.

I’ve barely hung out my shingle and I’m amazed at the availability of top flight talent eager to work as sub-contractors and advisors. Not everybody wants to open their own small business. Lots of retired people want to work but don’t want the hassle of running their own shop. They represent an absolute gold mine of experience.

As I put together my “Dream Team” of energy advisors, I’m astonished by the depth of experience, expertise and wisdom embodied in these professionals. Every day I am learning new things and contacting fascinating people. I feel like I’ve discovered a new continent.