THE SUBJECTSNick Walker: Obvious Patriot, Less Obvious Clean Transition Supporter
Nick Walker carries the weight of eight generations of Texas grit—and a personal story of loss, love, and unwavering hope. Born in Houston and raised in Sugar Land, Nick grew up in a house without a floor, in a family where an energy bill could break the bank. His father worked sunrise to sunset to hold the family together, while his mother struggled with addiction. On the very day Nick helped his mother into rehab, his father died in a tragic accident. In an instant, the fragile stability of his world collapsed. But Nick stayed. For his mother. For his sister and her children. And for a belief that things could get better. That belief became his compass.
Against all odds, he became the first in his family to go to college. He found a new home in Huntsville, Texas, where the forests and state parks became a place of healing and purpose. There, he didn’t just survive—he thrived. Nick earned perfect grades, built lifelong friendships, and started two organizations devoted to environmental stewardship and conservative values. He sees himself as a bridge—between tradition and progress, between conservation and innovation.
For Nick, clean energy isn’t a policy—it’s personal. He’s lived through the blackouts and brownouts that left his family in the dark for days, watching the food spoil and wondering why, in America, this was still happening. He believes clean energy—decentralized, homegrown, and reliable—is how we restore the dignity of work, rebuild the middle class, and give families like his a stable future.
This isn’t just about climate; it’s about survival. It’s about honoring the land that shaped him and ensuring that no child grows up in a home where a utility bill decides what’s possible. Nick believes that the energy transition is a great adventure in which Americans must embark so that neither our ancestral efforts nor our long decedents live or die in vain.
He’s driven over 3,000 miles to volunteer in hurricane disaster zones because, as he says, "we have a national bond and obligation to our fellow Americans." He’s debated policymakers in D.C. and state capitols, sat with stakeholders in boardrooms and bayous alike, and never shied away from speaking truth to power. His voice is clear, his purpose unshaken: to awaken the American spirit for the great challenge of our time. Nick’s life has been a fight—for family, for future, and for a country he loves. His vision is as bold as it is rooted in experience: a renewed America where clean energy fuels not just our homes, but our hope.
“What I know is, green energy will revitalize our middle class and restore our rust belt. A good job and a good purpose is the antidote to the nihilism, apathy, and economic stagnation which has gripped our generation.”
Elson Bankoff: Obvious Clean Transition Supporter, Less Obvious Patriot
As Co-President of the Harvard Undergraduate Clean Energy Group, Elson has spent years immersed in climate policy, consulting for hydrogen start-ups, researching EV charging infrastructure at the Salata Institute, and leading events that bring together some of the brightest minds in clean energy. She’s worked for an EV charging start-up and is founding an energy-related start-up of her own. She has tackled policy projects on load growth and affordable electricity, produced a play on climate themes Off-Broadway, and has mobilized hundreds of students to strike on the streets. Everything Elson does is to propel the biggest solution of our time to end the biggest problem of our existence.
No protest, policy class, or job prepared her for the people she met this past summer—American pioneers, problem solvers, and dreamers working on the front lines of the energy transition. They welcomed her into their homes, introduced her to their families, and trusted her with their stories. She’s shared meals with them, edited their kids’ college essays, and built connections between communities who might never have met otherwise.
Elson’s journey was never about parachuting in and parachuting out. It was about building trust, staying curious, and learning everything she could. After each trip, she returned home exhausted but energized—spending hours cross-legged on her bedroom floor, digging through ScienceDirect articles and policy briefs, determined to understand every technical challenge she had just witnessed firsthand. She became a research assistant at the Harvard Kennedy School after returning from her first trip to West Virginia, driven by a desire to deepen her understanding of what’s at stake and how we fix it.
Some of Our Stories
John Davis: The Energy Rancher
John Davis, a sixth-generation Texan, embodies the spirit of an "Energy Rancher," blending traditional values with modern innovation. With a rich background in business, notably in the roofing industry, and grounded in conservative principles, Davis has dedicated much of his life to serving his family, community, and the great state of Texas. His commitment to public service is highlighted by his tenure in the Texas House of Representatives from 1998 to 2015, where he held influential roles across several key committees including Appropriations, Public Health, Public Education, and Energy Resources, and led as the Chairman of the House Economic Development Committee. Currently, Davis contributes to the energy sector as a landowner within the 'Cactus Flats' Wind Farm in Concho County.
Moreover, John is breathing new life into Menard County by transforming an abandoned gas station into a modern electric vehicle charging hub and a local farmer's market, supporting both sustainability and community growth. His roofing & sheet metal business is still growing and thriving, having now expanded to Northern Texas and the southeastern United States.
Amashia Mabone: Mobilizing the Next Generation
Amashia Mabone is a sophomore at Lane College who loves music and plays in Lane’s marching band. While working at a drive-through McDonald's in Jackson, Tennessee, Amashia grew tired of the persistent fumes outside the window. Like many other young Americans, she also misses the snow, and she fears the extensive effects of a rapidly warming environment. She switched her major to chemistry and decided to help drive solutions. As the winner of 6K Energy’s DOE-funded scholarship, Amashia will begin working with the battery company by helping prepare Jackson for their arrival. She will work with 6K Energy and Jackson’s Parks and Recreation Department to incorporate a STEM curriculum into their eight-week student program.
Ryan Sheehy: Practical Rural Resiliency
Ryan Sheehy, a former Marine Corps officer and pilot, is on a mission to revolutionize rural energy access in Oregon. Born and raised on a cattle ranch in rural Eastern Oregon, Sheehy’s journey took him from the military to teaching leadership and conflict resolution at the University of San Diego. However, his return to his roots sparked an unexpected foray into the world of renewable energy.
Recently, Sheehy made headlines with his company, Fleet Development, securing a substantial $1 million outlay as part of a $2.3 million package in renewable energy improvements for Oregon. This funding is a crucial step toward Sheehy’s goal of bringing the resilience benefits of sustainable energy solutions to rural communities. Sheehy wants to encourage younger generations to consider working in the fast-growing renewable sector. As a member of the executive board of the Oregon Solar+Storage Industry Association (OSSIA), Sheehy lobbies state legislators, navigating the politically polarized landscape to advocate for practical solutions. At the core of Sheehy’s vision is the belief that renewable energy solutions must not only make financial and practical sense, but also be accessible to all. Through Fleet Development and his advocacy efforts, Ryan is not just shaping the future of rural energy in Oregon, but also leading the charge for a more sustainable and resilient future nationwide.
Colleen Fitts: Farm Values and Leadership
Colleen, is the development director and facilities maintenance manager at Bethlehem Farms. She makes the place go round. In 2007, after graduating from Loyola University, Chicago, she came to work at Bethlehem Farm. After two years at Nazareth Farm, she became Bethlehem's Project Coordinator. Committed to Appalachia's resilience, Colleen leads home repairs, youth engagement, and various farm tasks. She enjoys working on vehicles, framing walls, quilting, tending honeybees, canning food, and learning about fruit cultivation. Living authentically while raising her children, she embraces growth through experiences and connections.