Kevin Skillern
Kevin has been focused on investing and strategy development in the global energy industry since 1993, and a leader in venture and growth capital investing for energy technology companies since the mid-2000s. Prior to co-founding Energy Innovation Capital, he started and led GE's investing activities in energy technology companies globally. Kevin received an MBA from Stanford, and a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin, where he graduated with highest honors.
George Coyle
George is co-founder and managing partner of Energy Innovation Capital. George is an experienced venture capital investor, having co-founded three corporate venture capital groups: Chevron Technology Ventures, ConocoPhillips Technology Ventures Investments and Energy Technology Ventures. He previously worked in Exploration & Production leadership roles at Chevron and is an active member of AAPG, SEG, and SPE. George holds an MBA from Tulane University, a M.S. in Geophysics from the University of Kansas, and a B.S. in Earth Sciences from the University of New Orleans.
David Clouse
David is a Managing Director with Energy Innovation Capital and has over 20 years of experience in venture capital, corporate innovation, and corporate business development. Previously, David worked with bp ventures, the corporate venturing arm of bp where he invested in oil and gas technologies as well as sustainable technology to help deliver bp’s netzero aims. David recently moved from Houston to Tulsa with his wife Jen, daughter Quinn, son Alexander.
Andrew Lackner
Andrew is a Managing Director with Energy Innovation Capital and has over 20 years of experience in venture capital, strategy consulting, and corporate innovation. Previously, Andrew led Accenture Bloom Capital, a program focused on expanding Accenture's access to capital to assist with the launch of Fortune 500 incubated new ventures. Andrew also worked for ten years at GE where he helped establish the energy venture capital team. Andrew lives in Boston with his wife Karen and son Jackson.
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John Freer
John Freer is an Operating Partner with Energy Innovation Capital bringing over 25 years’ experience investing, operating, and innovating energy & advanced manufacturing technology firms. John supports the EIC team by providing expert technology and operating perspectives at the screening, pipeline, diligence, and portfolio stages of the investment cycle.
Previously, John was the executive leader of GE’s manufacturing research organization, and a founding team member & technology lead for GE Ventures’ energy and advanced manufacturing practice areas. John has extensive experience in board, observer, and advisory roles, participating in more than 75 energy venture transactions over 13 years. John is often called upon to organize & lead multi-disciplinary teams in solving complex technical & operating challenges in energy venture, renewable energy, and semiconductor domains.
John holds a Master of Business Administration from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, a Masters of Engineering from Tufts, and a Bachelor of Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. John is a licensed Professional Engineer, private pilot, and co-inventor on 6 patents in advanced manufacturing.
Our Advisors
Brian Hlavinka
Brian Hlavinka is a proven innovator and leader in the energy space, focused on origination and strategic development at Williams. Hlavinka is Vice President of New Energy Ventures at Williams, a decarbonization-focused business development team committed to building a sustainable, clean energy future.
Hlavinka is the founding Vice Chairman of the Clean Hydrogen Future Coalition, a Leadership Advisory Board Member of the Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas, and an Energy-Tech Leadership Council Member of Tulsa Innovation Labs. Hlavinka provided testimony to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on the development of a clean hydrogen economy and contributed to the National Petroleum Council study on hydrogen.
Hlavinka graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Texas A&M University and holds an Executive Master of Business Administration from the University of Houston.
Reid Spears
Reid Spears is an Investment Officer at the George Kaiser Family Foundation, where he manages the Foundation’s investments in private equity, venture capital funds, and direct deals.
Reid is also involved in the Foundation’s local economic development efforts, and was previously board chair of 36 Degrees North, a support organization for entrepreneurs and high-growth startups.
Originally from Tulsa, Mr. Spears graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a B.A. in Economics and the Program of Liberal Studies and is a chartered financial analyst (CFA).
Kyle Haustveit
Kyle Haustveit is a professional petroleum engineer and is currently leading Devon Energy Ventures. Devon Energy Ventures focuses on advancing the energy addition, low carbon solutions and venture capital investments that support the core and future businesses at Devon.
He is experienced in unconventional oil and gas reservoirs with a focus on completions design, diagnostics, and field development. Kyle is passionate about applying technology to solving difficult problems. He has authored numerous technical papers and holds three patents in offset pressure monitoring. Kyle was the lead inventor on the breakthrough fracture diagnostic, Sealed Wellbore Pressure Monitoring.
He is a graduate of Montana Tech with a B.S. in Petroleum Engineering and of The University of Oklahoma with an Executive MBA in Energy.
Greg Lusardi
Greg Lusardi is senior vice president, corporate development, responsible for analyzing mergers and acquisitions, advancing venture capital opportunities, and risk activities. Prior to his most recent role, he served as senior vice president, finance, responsible for accounting, treasury, tax and risk activities.
Lusardi joined ONEOK from J.P. Morgan, where he served as an executive director, energy investment banking, primarily focused on midstream, refining, and certain utility clients. Key responsibilities included mergers and acquisitions, capital markets activity and strategic planning.
Lusardi earned a Bachelor of Science in accounting from Washington and Lee University and a Master of Business Administration from The University of Texas at Austin.
John Schwarck
John Schwarck is vice president, capital ventures, responsible for leading the initiative to invest in and partner with private energy and energy transition companies that will shape the future of the energy industry.
Schwarck joined ONEOK in 2022 from American Electric Power (AEP) in Columbus, Ohio, where he served as director of corporate venture capital, strategic investments, and partnerships. He previously held strategic planning and financial positions with, the State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio and RiverSource Investments, Ameriprise and American Express.
He is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and Chartered Market Technician (CMT) and a past guest lecturer at Ohio State University’s Fischer School of Business. An advisor for TradeJack Business Solutions, Schwarck participated in mentor programs with REVI and the CFA Society of Columbus and has held various board positions with private energy and energy related companies.
A native of St. Paul, Minnesota, Schwarck earned a Master of Business Administration in 2005 from the University of St. Thomas and a Bachelor of Science in Institutional and Investment Analysis Finance from Minnesota State University at Mankato in 1999.
Chris Miller
Chris Miller is the Director of Helmerich & Payne Ventures, responsible for strategic investments connecting H&P drilling rigs and expertise to new energy technologies.
H&P portfolio companies include those in the geothermal, completions, and LNG sectors. Chris has been with H&P since 2011, working in the areas of legal, M&A integration, and corporate development.
Chris is a U.S. Air Force veteran and holds a B.S. in Management from University of Phoenix as well as a J.D. from Ave Maria School of Law.
