Akers

Amy Lea SJ Akers

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Amy Lea SJ Akers seeks to serve the members of PEC as Director of District 7

The seven directors of Pedernales Electric Cooperative, a member-only cooperative, are responsible for the largest electric coop in the nation covering over eight-thousand square miles and serving roughly 1,000,000 residents (over 400,000 meters). With single-member districts, each district is equally represented on the board. District 7 encompasses parts of Travis, Hays, and Caldwell counties.

Representing the interests of the membership as a whole while protecting and supporting the future of the Coop, Amy Akers strives to bring balance through transparency. An attorney by trade, Amy believes in doing the right thing and standing up for your beliefs. Dedicated to the community, Amy pledges to zealously represent all member interests of PEC.

As a lifelong resident of the Texas hill country and PEC, Amy Akers carries an allegiance for balance between the sustainability and affordability of our energy resources. Raising three children, Amy is not only thinking about tomorrow – she is thinking about the future for all our children. Understanding demand will ultimately increase, Amy will continue to work hard and anticipate growth to keep costs affordable for generations.

Professionally trained in business transactions, electrical engineering, and renewable energy, Amy believes in a balance between the environment and human needs. She says, "if we do not anticipate the effects or plan our natural resource consumption, we are not protecting our future." Her knowledge of the industry and professional training will continue to be an asset to the coop and its members.

Amy’s past construction management experience and MBA training have provided her with the skills to design, plan, assign, coordinate, schedule, budget, manage, and direct multiple projects including operations, innovation, and strategy. Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with public officials, business owners, stakeholders, and the general public Amy has experience in public speaking including on controversial subjects. Ensuring and striking a balance for reliable, sustainable, renewable, and affordable energy, Amy Lea SJ Akers will continue to protect the interests of the PEC members.

Resume:

Education
    Masters of Science in Electrical Engineering (e.g.d 2025)
        Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN

    Masters of Business Administration (e.g.d 2025)
        University of North Carolina, Chappel Hill, NC

    Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering
        Texas State University, San Marcos, TX

    Doctor of Jurisprudence
        St. Mary’s University School of Law, San Antonio, TX
        Beihang University School of Law, Beijing – International Business Law

    Bachelor of Arts in Political Science
        University of Texas at San Antonio, TX
        University of Texas at Brownsville, TX

Board Experience

Pedernales Electric Cooperative – June 2015 – Present

District 7 Board Director & Board Vice-President

Provide leadership and oversight to ensure and strike a balance for reliable, sustainable, renewable and affordable energy.
Implement high-level governance as the board sets and manages debts, assets, and overall operation of the coop.
Advise on contracts and negotiations for power purchase agreements, debt financing, and other operational contracts.

Edwards Aquifer Authority – December 2014 – November 2018
District 11 Board Director

Provided leadership and oversight to manage, enhance and protect the Edwards Aquifer system for today and future generations.
Advised on the overall governance of the entity, setting operational goals, approving budgets, and overseeing federally mandated habitat conservation projects.

Professional Experience
    Vanguard Legal
        Partner – 08/2021 – Present
        Senior Counsel – 02/ 2017 – 08/2021

Corporate transactions practice representing clients across the globe with a focus on Mergers and Acquisitions.
Advise on entity and corporate structures, joint ventures, fundraises, corporate governance, real property, and technology/software procurement and licensing agreements.
Clients and deals range from private equity to publicly traded entities in various industries to include, but not limited to, the following:

utility transactions and agreements
software licensing and sales agreements
medical device licensing and sales agreements
data storage agreements
recreational firearm facility acquisition
office space / commercial property licensing and leasing
right-of-way negotiations and agreements
real property investments and acquisitions
public and private entity governance and policies
regulatory compliance
economic development
data breaches

The Akers Law Firm – November 2012 – February 2017
Owner

Business and real estate transactions practice.
Negotiated, drafted, and administered transactions to include, but not limited to, power purchase agreements, economic development, tax abatements, licensing agreements, leasing agreements, asset purchases, site selecting, permitting, and zoning.
Advised on entity structure and governance for private equity and governmental entities.