Dr. Michael E. Webber is the Sid Richardson Chair in the LBJ School of Public Affairs and the Cockrell Family Chair #16 in the department of mechanical engineering at the University of Texas at Austin. In addition to his role as a faculty member, from August 2021 to September 2024, Webber served as CTO of Energy Impact Partners, a $5 billion venture fund focused on investments in cleantech and climate tech startups. Furthermore, from September 2018 to August 2021, Webber was based in Paris, France where he served as the Chief Science and Technology Officer at ENGIE, one of the world’s largest energy companies. Webber’s expertise spans research and education at the convergence of engineering, policy, and commercialization on topics related to innovation, energy, and the environment. His book, Power Trip: The Story of Energy was published in 2019 by Basic Books with an award-winning 12-part companion TV series spread out over two seasons. In 2024 Webber was selected for the Energy Thought Leader: Higher Education award by the American Energy Society and a three-year term as a Fulbright Technical Specialist by the U.S. State Department. He was selected in 2014 as a Fellow of ASME (the American Society of Mechanical Engineers), in 2018 as a member of the 4th class of the Presidential Leadership Scholars, and in 2022 for the Rockefeller Foundation’s prestigious writer’s residency in Bellagio, Italy. He was honored as an American Fellow of the German Marshall Fund and on four separate occasions by the University of Texas for exceptional teaching.

Mat Hames is an acclaimed documentary filmmaker known for exploring history and memory, with his work featured on Independent Lens, Amazon Prime, AppleTV, HBO, SundanceTV, Netflix, and Kanopy. He co-founded Alpheus Media, an Austin-based production company creating documentaries and commercial content for global brands. Knighted by King Albert II of Belgium for Last Best Hope, his WWII film on the Belgian Resistance, Hames has earned numerous accolades, including an Emmy nomination for Fossil Country and an IDA nomination for When I Rise, which premiered at SXSW. His PBS series Power Trip: The Story of Energy spans 12 hours and was filmed globally with support from the Sloan and Rockefeller Foundations. Other notable works include What Was Ours (Independent Lens), A State of Mind (four regional Emmys), The Art of Home, and Fighting Goliath, narrated by Robert Redford. Hames directs national TV commercials alongside his documentary work and oversees the staff of Alpheus Media. He lives in Austin with his wife, Beth, and their two sons, Luke and Jackson.

Beth Hames is an award-winning producer of documentaries, non-profit films, animated explainer videos, and commercials. Her focus on documentary production began 25 years ago with a sweeping project aimed at capturing hundreds of cancer survivor stories for the Livestrong Foundation, helping to pioneer the genre of online, nonprofit storytelling. Later, Beth produced Last Best Hope, 13-part series State of Tomorrow, When I Rise, and A Fighting Chance all for PBS. In 2016, her second Independent Lens film, What Was Ours, aired. What Was Ours received prestigious CPB funding from ITVS Open Call and Native American Public Telecommunications. Beth produced ten films for Rooster Teeth Docs from 2016 through 2018. Each RT Doc is a standalone feature film that focuses on various aspects of Internet culture such as gaming conventions and cosplay, screen addiction, and memes. Beth’s recent projects include the PBS series Power Trip: The Story of Energy, A State of Mind, Thirst for Power, The Art of Home, and Fossil Country. Fossil Country and A State of Mind won four regional Emmys in July of 2023. Fossil Country was nominated for a National Emmy in 2024.

Juan Garcia is an award-winning producer, educator, and content creator who believes storytelling is a powerful tool for change. His two decades of experience spans broadcast television, documentary film, and interactive learning, with a focus on creating content that educates and inspires critical conversations about sustainability, energy, and the environment. Juan has previously worked with organizations such as National Geographic, Discovery Education, Apple, Disney, and Adobe to develop innovative digital learning initiatives used in classrooms around the world. He is a producer of the award-winning PBS series Power Trip: The Story of Energy, which began airing nationally in 2020 and is now streaming on PBS and Amazon Prime, reaching over 30 million viewers in 37 countries. In addition to documentary work, Juan develops interactive learning experiences and digital campaigns that promote sustainability and energy literacy. Juan’s human-centered approach turns data into stories and issues into action. His work continues to spark curiosity and empower audiences to be part of the solution.

Laura Utt is an award-winning producer with over a decade of experience producing network television series, feature documentaries, digital media, and national broadcast news from development through delivery. She has led complex production logistics across countless international shoots, navigating fast-moving production and editorial environments. She is passionate about editorial integrity, accuracy and meaningful storytelling. When she’s not producing at Alpheus Media, she loves retreating with her family and dog to the rolling hills of the Texas Hill Country. Laura is equally inspired by discovering new cultures and exploring the world through travel, always seeking stories and experiences that broaden her perspective.