Top 15 Geothermal Influencers to Watch in 2025
At Technica, we believe that energy transition happens not just through innovation, but through the people willing to push it forward, quietly, relentlessly, and often outside the spotlight. Geothermal energy has long been the underdog of the clean energy conversation: reliable, robust, and overlooked. But that’s changing.
Today, a growing coalition of engineers, entrepreneurs, researchers, and advocates is proving that geothermal can do far more than power a few towns near hot springs. These leaders are expanding the location possibilities of geothermal energy, harnessing it for heating and cooling buildings, and unlocking superhot rock at depth. Some are even scaling Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) to compete with fossil fuels on both price and performance. They are forging new narratives that put geothermal at the center of the clean energy transition.
This list is not about who’s been in geothermal the longest or who makes the most headlines. It’s about who’s actively shaping its future.
The 15 individuals featured here are building momentum for geothermal across policy, technology, science, and finance. Some are leading startups, others run nonprofits, advise governments, or amplify the industry through media. Together, they represent a diverse mix of roles and perspectives—but all are driving the sector forward with urgency and clarity.
Our Selection Criteria
We didn’t count followers or media mentions alone. Instead, we focused on those making measurable contributions: advancing technical breakthroughs, expanding public understanding, securing funding, influencing policy, and connecting the dots across industries. Many of them are familiar names at conferences. Others are rising stars. All are advancing geothermal as a cornerstone of a decarbonized energy future.
They’re not here to watch the transition. They’re here to make it happen.
How To Use this List
Read their bios, click on the links, subscribe to their podcasts or newsletters, or follow them on LinkedIn. Read the news and content they post, and like, share, forward, or comment if you feel it is compelling enough. Don’t be afraid to engage! That’s why we provided the necessary links to their profiles.
Did we miss anyone? Let us know! Contact us here.
Dr. Bryant Jones
Executive Director, Geothermal Rising
Bryant Jones, Ph.D., has led the U.S. geothermal industry’s flagship nonprofit since February 2023, in its mission to promote the development and use of geothermal resources for energy, heating, and cooling. Geothermal Rising has expanded its outreach to policymakers, investors, and the general public; positioning geothermal as a critical solution for decarbonizing the energy sector and delivering reliable, dispatchable clean power.
With nearly two decades of experience in public policy and government affairs, Bryant brings a strong background in navigating the intersections of science, policy, and national security. His career has included senior roles at the White House Office of Management and Budget, the U.S. Department of State, and on Capitol Hill. He is also a National Security Fellow with the Truman National Security Project, where he has focused on the geopolitical dimensions of energy transition and climate risk.
At Geothermal Rising, Bryant has prioritized strengthening the visibility and influence of the industry across federal agencies, clean energy coalitions, and international platforms. He has overseen expanded educational initiatives, industry events, and strategic partnerships, helping to reframe geothermal as a scalable, innovative pillar of the clean energy economy. Photo credit: LinkedIn
Alexander Richter
Founder & Managing Director, ThinkGeoEnergy
Alexander Richter is one of the most globally recognized voices in the industry. As the founder and managing director of ThinkGeoEnergy, the leading geothermal industry news platform, he has spent more than 15 years tracking, analyzing, and promoting industry development worldwide. His work provides critical visibility into industry trends, project announcements, investment movements, and policy shifts, making the platform an essential resource for developers, financiers, and decision-makers. He is a regular speaker and moderator at global conferences, serves on advisory boards across the sector, and has been instrumental in elevating the visibility of geothermal as a cornerstone of the clean energy transition.
Alexander’s influence extends across LinkedIn and industry events, where he frequently shares updates on emerging geothermal markets, EGS, and the role of the industry in decarbonizing heat and power. Through ThinkGeoEnergy, he has helped connect a global community of professionals and advocates, amplifying the industry’s momentum and collaboration. Photo Credit: LinkedIn
Jamie Beard
Founder & Executive Director, Project InnerSpace
Jamie Beard is a leader focused on unlocking geothermal energy at a global scale by accelerating development, reducing cost barriers, and expanding access to subsurface data. Project InnerSpace works to catalyze a globally abundant, geographically inclusive future by mobilizing cross-sector collaboration, particularly between the geothermal and oil and gas industries.
Under Jamie’s leadership, Project InnerSpace launched the InnerSpace Phase I initiative, a global effort to assess and map the Earth’s geothermal resources using cutting-edge data science and machine learning. The project culminated in the 2024 release of the Global Heat Flow Map, the most detailed interactive tool to date for identifying high-potential zones worldwide. The map is designed to serve as a foundational planning resource for developers, investors, governments, and researchers. In recognition of its impact, Project InnerSpace was named one of the highest-impact climate charities of 2024 by Giving Green and Founders Pledge. Beard’s vision emphasizes the use of existing drilling expertise and infrastructure from the oil and gas sector to scale deployment dramatically—framing geothermal not as a niche, but as a core pillar of the global energy transition. Photo Credit: LinkedIn
Tim Latimer
CEO, Fervo Energy
Tim Latimer is the visionary who began the geothermal company applying horizontal drilling, fiber optic sensing, and real-time data analytics to unlock next-generation geothermal power. Fervo’s mission is to transform geothermal into a scalable, 24/7 clean energy solution that can be deployed in more geographies than ever before. The company’s flagship projects are demonstrating how EGS can provide firm, renewable power to the grid and help decarbonize sectors like data centers and heavy industry.
With a background in mechanical engineering and subsurface operations, Tim has been instrumental in driving Fervo’s technical roadmap and strategic growth. His leadership has guided the development of deep geothermal innovations capable of accessing previously unreachable heat resources, reducing development risk and cost. Photo credit: LinkedIn
Cindy D. Taff
CEO, Sage Geosystems Inc.
Cindy D. Taff brings more than 35 years of experience in the oil and gas sector, including her most recent role as Vice President of Unconventional Wells and Logistics at Shell. There she oversaw a team of more than 350 Shell staff and 1,200 contractors across five countries, managing an annual spend of $1 to $1.2 billion. As CEO of Sage Geosystems, she leads the development of energy storage and baseload power solutions using geomechanical pumped storage. This new class of subsurface energy storage leverages pressure cycles in deep rock formations to store and dispatch renewable energy. Under her leadership, Sage is working to unlock geothermal’s potential not just for electricity generation, but as a grid-scale energy storage solution. Cindy was named one of TIME’s “100 Most Influential Climate Leaders in Business 2024. Photo credit: LinkedIn
Patrick Hanson
Board Member, International Geothermal Association
Patrick Hanson is a prominent advocate and thought leader in the industry, serving on the Board of the International Geothermal Association, with prior board service at Geothermal Resources Council (now known as Geothermal Rising). With a deep commitment to advancing the sector globally, he brings both industry expertise and a passion for community-building within the ecosystem. Patrick also serves as the North American Geothermal Sales and Service Delivery Manager at Jacobs, where he supports the expansion of the firm’s renewable energy portfolio. Over his 17-year career, he has held leadership roles including Senior Geothermal Development Manager at Expro, Director of Sales and Marketing at JRG Energy Consultants, and founder of Geo Energy Marketing LLC. His work continues a 45-year family legacy in geothermal well drilling and development. Photo credit: LinkedIn
Joselyn Lai
CEO and Co-founder, Bedrock Energy
Under Joselyn Lai’s leadership Bedrock is developing next-generation geothermal systems that use advanced drilling techniques and compact system designs to deploy clean thermal energy beneath urban and commercial buildings, without the high costs and space constraints of traditional geothermal. With a background in engineering and a deep commitment to sustainability, Joselyn’s work positions geothermal not just as a power source, but as a practical, widely deployable solution for electrifying heating and cooling in the built environment. Photo credit: LinkedIn
Dr. Susan Petty
President, AltaRock Energy
Dr. Susan Petty focuses on the development of advanced EGS technologies to unlock geothermal power in previously inaccessible locations. Under her leadership, AltaRock has pioneered innovative reservoir stimulation methods and fiber optic monitoring tools that reduce the cost and risk of development.
With more than 40 years in the industry, Dr. Petty is one of the foremost experts in geothermal resource evaluation, power plant optimization, and project financing. Her technical and policy work has shaped projects across the U.S. and internationally, from California to Indonesia and Central America. A longtime advisor to the U.S. Department of Energy, she was a key contributor to the landmark MIT study, The Future of Geothermal Energy. Her career continues to push the boundaries of what geothermal can achieve in the global energy mix. Photo credit: AltaRock Energy
Andrea Blair
Co-founder, Women in Geothermal
Blair is a key advocate for increasing female participation in the sector. Her work in promoting the benefits of geothermal energy in New Zealand has earned her recognition, including being named an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit. Andrea is the Immediate Past President of the International Geothermal Association (Netherlands/Global) and co-founder of Upflow (NZ), a geothermal consultancy, research and innovation company that builds expert teams to provide intelligent solutions to the global industry. The nexus between science, business and community is where her expertise sits. She has a deep understanding of the drivers relating to the business of science, and a proven ability to turn scientific ideas into economic gains.
A passionate advocate for diversity, Andrea is the co-founder of Women in Geothermal (WING), a global movement of men and women dedicated to empowering women in the geothermal industry. Photo credit: LinkedIn
Will Fleckentein
Founder, GeoThermOPTIMAL
Will Fleckenstein founded the startup, GeoThermaOPTIMAL to develop and commercialize advanced EGS technologies, specifically around increased reservoir efficiency and reduced drilling risk. Supported by a $5.3 million U.S. Department of Energy grant, GTO is working to make geothermal viable in hard rock environments by enabling better thermal connectivity and fracture control in deep reservoirs, key barriers to scaling EGS. The company’s innovations include new approaches to zonal isolation, real-time reservoir stimulation monitoring, and precision control of heat extraction.
In addition to his role at GTO, Will serves as the Director of Strategic Business Development in the Office of Global Initiatives at the Colorado School of Mines, where he identifies and drives research collaborations across academia, industry, and government. A former faculty member and department head at Mines, he brings decades of experience in subsurface engineering, technology transfer, and nonprofit financial stewardship. He also serves as a Principal Investigator within the DOE-funded Utah-FORGE program, a flagship effort to prove the commercial viability of EGS in the U.S. Photo credit: LinkedIn
Dr. Roland N. Horne
Professor at Stanford University
Dr. Horne is a leading expert in geothermal reservoir engineering. His contributions to the field include advancing geothermal energy production and enhancing reservoir management through research and education. He is the Thomas Davies Barrow Professor of Earth Sciences at Stanford University. He has also made significant contributions to geothermal reservoir engineering, particularly in well test analysis, production optimization, and the management of geothermal resources. Horne is well-known for his work in the development of new methods for reservoir characterization and his extensive research in the areas of well testing and reservoir simulation.
At Stanford, Horne has been involved in leading the Energy Science and Engineering department (formerly Energy Resources Engineering department), where he has mentored numerous students and researchers in the field. He is widely recognized for his expertise and has received multiple awards for his contributions to the energy sector. Additionally, Horne is an active participant in the broader energy and geothermal communities, often serving on editorial and advisory boards. Photo credit: LinkedIn
Marit Brommer
Executive Director, International Geothermal Association
Since 2017, Dr. Marit Brommer has headed this global network of more than 10,000 geothermal professionals across 88 countries. In this role, she oversees the International Geothermal Association’s strategic direction, international partnerships, and flagship events such as the World Geothermal Congress. Her leadership has helped position the IGA as a central platform for advancing geothermal energy across policy, industry, and research communities. With a Ph.D. in applied geology and geophysics from TU Delft and more than 15 years of industry experience at Shell and Total, Dr. Brommer brings deep technical and operational expertise to the geothermal space. Her background includes R&D leadership and managing complex subsurface portfolios, skills she now applies to expanding geothermal development globally.
A passionate advocate for expanding the sector’s role in decarbonization, Dr. Brommer emphasizes the technology’s versatility, not only for power generation but also for heating, cooling, and industrial applications. She frequently highlights its potential in sedimentary basins, low-enthalpy regions, and emerging markets in Asia, Central America, and East Africa. Photo credit: LinkedIn
Katherine Young
Director and Owner, Rocky Peak Geothermal
Katherine “Kate” Young provides consulting and technical services specialized in geothermal support for project developers, agencies, and policymakers. Her work ranges from regulatory navigation and permitting assistance to drilling analysis, resource assessments, and data‑driven reporting.
Before founding Rocky Peak Geothermal in late 2024, Kate spent nearly 15 years in the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), where she held the role of Geothermal Program Manager. During her tenure, she led a 250% expansion of the lab’s portfolio by spearheading major proposal initiatives and securing multi‑million‑dollar funding for research on drilling, exploration, permitting and policy frameworks.
Beyond technical leadership, Kate has played a central role in industry governance and equity advocacy. She served on the Board of Directors for Geothermal Rising (formerly the Geothermal Resources Council). She also joined the global leadership team of Women in Geothermal (WING) as part of the U.S. chair team at the 2020 World Geothermal Conference. Photo credit: LinkedIn
Trenton Cladouhos
Vice President of Geothermal Resource Development, Quaise Energy
Trenton Cladouhos is a senior geoscientist with over 30 years of experience in subsurface energy systems, including the past 14 years focused exclusively on geothermal development. As Vice President of Geothermal Resource Development at Quaise Energy, he leads efforts to unlock deep geothermal potential using millimeter-wave drilling technology to reach SuperHot Rock. Accessing these extremely deep, high-temperature formations could deliver 10x the energy of conventional geothermal. His work bridges geoscience and engineering, helping validate new drilling sites and expand the resource base for one of the most promising frontiers in clean energy.
Before joining Quaise, Trenton conducted research, development, and deployment for EGS and SuperHot Rock resources, and provided resource support for six active geothermal fields. His technical leadership spans seismic analysis, geomechanics, and reservoir modeling—key areas for scaling advanced geothermal technologies.
Trenton was featured on Earthlings 2.0 in an episode exploring how deep geothermal could deliver terawatt-scale clean energy with a fraction of the land and materials required by wind and solar. In the episode, he explains how innovations like those from Quaise could make geothermal globally scalable and available near population centers. Photo credit: LinkedIn
Will Pettitt
Global Geothermal Lead at Baker Hughes
Will Pettitt leads the global geothermal strategy at Baker Hughes, a leading energy technology and oilfield service company. His work spans the development of EGS, closed-loop and retrofitted systems, and novel applications such as defense-related geothermal power for U.S. military installations. By leveraging Baker Hughes’ integrated technology stack, he is helping position the geothermal as a scalable clean energy solution within the global energy transition.
Before joining Baker Hughes, Will served as Executive Director of Geothermal Rising. There, he led global outreach and industry coordination, supporting over 1,200 members across 44 countries and helping shape the industry’s profile in the U.S. and international energy policy. His tenure included rebranding the organization (formerly the Geothermal Resources Council) and modernizing its advocacy and communications.
A geophysicist by training with decades of industry and research experience, Will remains an influential voice in the sector. He regularly shares insights on EGS, reservoir monitoring, and geothermal’s evolving role in decarbonization, bridging technical expertise with strategic leadership. Photo credit: LinkedIn
Honorable Mentions
Phil McKenna
Senior Climate & Energy Reporter, Inside Climate News
Phil McKenna is an award-winning science journalist. As a senior reporter at Inside Climate News and regular contributor to Living on Earth, he has brought national attention to innovative industry projects, from neighborhood-scale heating networks to policy shifts transforming the gas utility model.
On Living on Earth, Phil spoke with host Steve Curwood about the emergence of shallow geothermal networks used for heating and cooling communities like Framingham, Massachusetts. His geothermal reporting at Inside Climate News includes coverage of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Liftoff report, which projects that ground-source heat pumps could serve 7 million homes by 2035 and as many as 36 million by 2050. He also reported on the nation’s first utility-led community geothermal heating-and-cooling system, built in Massachusetts.
His bylines span The New York Times, WIRED, Smithsonian, PBS NOVA, and more. He received the 2017 AAAS Kavli Science Journalism Award and holds a master’s in science writing from MIT. He was also an Environmental Journalism Fellow at Middlebury College and has long been recognized for his ability to connect cutting-edge technologies to real-world climate solutions. Photo credit: LinkedIn
Josh Prueher
CEO and Managing Partner, XGS Energy
Josh has founded and sold multiple energy technology and infrastructure companies over 15 years. Following the sale of Earl Energy, which designed and built mission-critical microgrids for the U.S. military, Josh founded and served as CEO of FlexGen, a leading utility-scale energy storage system integrator. While at FlexGen, Josh co-founded and served as CFO at Broad Reach Power, which became the largest energy storage Independent Power Producer in the U.S., deploying over $900 million in infrastructure capital in two years. ENGIE acquired Broad Reach Power in late 2023.
Early in his career, Josh was an investment banker at Goldman, Sachs & Co. in New York, where he completed over $15 billion in equity and debt transactions. He is a U.S. Navy veteran with a B.S. in History with Honors from the U.S. Naval Academy, where he was the Brigade Commander, and an M.B.A. from the University of Oxford, where he was the Fitzgerald Scholar. Photo credit: XGS Energy
Jim Hollis
Co-founder and COO, Geothermal Technologies
Jim Hollis is advancing EGS technology to deliver renewable, baseload power by tapping heat from deep, dry, and previously uneconomical rock formations. As COO, Jim leads the company’s efforts to commercialize its proprietary high-efficiency stimulation approach, which offers a lower-risk, more scalable pathway to clean geothermal energy across diverse geologies.
In addition to his work at Geothermal Technologies, Jim serves as a Geothermal Energy Advisor for the U.S. Department of Energy’s GEODE initiative, where he focuses on bridging geothermal development with oil and gas expertise to improve technical outcomes and reduce environmental impact. His role supports the effort to expand geothermal deployment nationwide by unlocking shared infrastructure, knowledge, and supply chain efficiencies between industries. Photo credit: LinkedIn
Dr. Derek Adams
CEO and Co-Founder, EarthBridge Energy
Derek Adams, Ph.D is leading the development of reservoir energy storage technology that combines the best aspects of geothermal, oil & gas technology, and energy storage to save wasted renewable power for when it’s needed, wherever it’s needed. He earned his doctorate in Earth and Planetary Science from Northwestern University and has over 15 years of experience in the energy sector. His passion for energy innovation and sustainability drove him to pursue solutions to the energy transition challenge. By building a diverse team of like-minded experts, Derek is leading EarthBridge to achieve its mission of enabling a 100% renewable power future. Photo credit: LinkedIn
Paul Brophy
President and Principal Geologist, EGS Inc.
Paul Brophy is a highly respected figure in the industry, with over 40 years of experience in geological and resource assessment services across major geothermal developments in the U.S. and internationally. After founding EGS Inc. in 1995, Paul has led exploration and development projects around the world, offering expert guidance on reservoir assessment, field development strategy, and geothermal feasibility.
Earlier in his career, Paul spent nearly a decade as District Geologist for California Energy Company, where he provided technical support to the Coso Geothermal Field, one of the largest and most productive geothermal fields in the United States. He also contributed to numerous other geothermal projects across the Western U.S. Paul’s influence extends beyond project execution. He has served as President and Vice President of the Geothermal Resources Council, and held director roles at both the International Geothermal Association and the Geysers Geothermal Association, where he has helped shape industry standards and global collaboration. His academic foundation includes advanced degrees in geophysics and exploration from top institutions in the UK and Australia. Photo Credit: LinkedIn
