Keynote Speaker

Dr. Scott W. Tinker

Dr. Scott W. Tinker is a global energy explorer and educator bringing industry, government, academia, and nongovernmental organizations together to address major societal challenges in energy, the environment, and the economy. Following a 17-year career in the energy industry, Dr. Tinker spent 24 years as an Endowed Professor and Director of the 250-person Bureau of Economic Geology at UT Austin. He is CEO of Tinker Energy Associates and Chairman and CEO of the nonprofit Switch Energy Alliance. With Director Harry Lynch, Tinker co-produced and is featured in the award-winning documentary films Switch and Switch On, screened to millions of viewers globally. Tinker is the host of Energy Switch, an energy and climate point-counterpoint show appearing on over 80% of PBS stations and on major podcast channels, and the voice of Earth Date, featured on over 460 public radio stations nationwide. His writing appears from Forbes to Fortune to Scientific American. In his visits to some 60 countries, Tinker has given over 1100 keynote and invited lectures and presented a TEDx on The Dual Challenge: Energy and Environment. Tinker has been president of several international scientific societies, serves on many public, private and academic boards and councils, and is an angel investor bringing companies from startup to sale. He is an AGI Campbell Medalist, AAPG Halbouty Medalist, GCAGS Boyd Medalist, AIPG Parker Medalist, and a Geological Society of America Fellow.