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3 Houston innovators to know this week

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Editor’s note: Each week, I introduce you to a handful of Houston innovators who have recently made headlines with news about innovative technologies, investment activities and much more. This week’s batch includes a podcast with the founder of a fast-growing geothermal company, a human resources expert, and an outgoing climate tech CEO.

Tim Latimer, co-founder and CEO of Fervo Energy

Tim Latimer, CEO and co-founder of Fervo Energy, joins the Houston Innovators podcast. Photo courtesy of Fervo Energy

Geothermal energy is increasingly recognized as a major player in the clean energy mix, and while many might think of it as a new climate technology solution, Tim Latimer, co-founder and CEO of Fervo Energy, knows better.

“Every overnight success takes a decade to happen, and I think Fervo, fortunately – and geothermal as a whole – has become much more publicized recently as people realize it can be a tremendous solution to the challenges that our energy sector and climate that we’re facing,” he says on the Houston Innovators podcast.

In fact, Latimer has been optimistic about geothermal as a clean energy source since leaving his job as an oil and gas drilling engineer to pursue a dual degree program – MBA and MSc. of the earth – at Stanford University. He had decided that, faced with the reluctance of incumbent energy companies to try new technologies, he was going to find a way to start his own company. That’s exactly what Latimer did through the Stanford program and Activate, a nonprofit hardware technology program that funded two years of Fervo’s research and development. Learn more.

Karen Leal, performance specialist at Insperity

Karen Leal, performance specialist at InsperityIt’s time to think ahead, business owners. Here’s what this expert thinks you should prioritize. Photo courtesy

Regularly upskilling your staff is not only beneficial for performance purposes, but also contributes to a positive company culture, writes Karen Leal, performance specialist at Houston-based Insperity, in a guest column.

“Learning and development (L&D) programs give employees the resources to grow in their current role and prepare them for their eventual advancement to new positions and/or another role or function,” she writes. “This development should be a collaborative effort with the employee to support their growth goals. Training and development programs build and reinforce your organization’s learning culture, which encourages employees to learn from the global corporate culture and promotes their commitment.”

She goes on to outline the key benefits of developing training and development programs that impact business success. Learn more.

Kevin Knobloch, CEO of Greentown Labs

Kevin Knobloch is stepping down as CEO of Greentown Labs, effective July 31. Photo via LinkedIn

Although not based full-time in Houston, Kevin Knobloch has led Greentown Labs, which is located in the Boston and Houston areas, as president and CEO for the past several months. Last week he announced he was stepping down.

Knobloch will continue in his role until the end of July 2024.

“It has been an honor to lead this incredible team and organization, and a true privilege to get to know many of our brilliant startup founders,” Knobloch says in the press release. “Greentown is a recognized leader in supporting early-stage climate technology companies. and I look forward to seeing what this will accomplish in the years to come. Learn more.

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