Plenary Lecture

Foundations of Excellence in Workforce Energy Education and Training in Houston, Texas

Professor John K. Galiotos
Professor of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Technology
Chair of the Houston Community College-Northeast Energy institute
Houston Community College-Northeast
555 Community College Drive
Houston, Texas 77013
john.galiotos@hccs.edu

Abstract: Houston, Texas is considered the energy capital of the world and it is the hub of approximately 4,000 energy companies and industrial organizations. To service the energy education and training needs of these vital economic resources, major educational organizations and chambers of commerce have joint forces to provide sustainable solutions to these needs. Particularly in the energy workforce populations and due to increase in retirement of workers, engineers, and scientists, Houston Community College has made headlines by incorporating the HCC-NE Energy Institute. This organization provides one-stop education and training to chemical, petrochemical, refineries, power, oil and gas, food and beverages, and bioprocessing industries. Overview and specifics regarding these profitable, booming and globally beneficial undertakings are described in this major effort. Concise, strategic, and systematic efforts have been activated and implemented to assist energy industries with these major alarming shortages of personnel, which they will be experiencing for the next 10 to 15 years.

Brief Biography of the Speaker:
Dr. Galiotos holds a BS in Chemistry form Northeaster Illinois University and an MS and PhD in Analytical and Inorganic Chemistry from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Dr. Galiotos served as Industrial Research Professor at the University of Oklahoma and Education Supervisor of Chemical technology at ITT Technical Institute.
Currently, he is Professor of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering Technology, and Renewable Energy at Houston Community College NE-. He is also the Chair of the HCC-NE Energy Institute, which he developed, implemented, and provided major input in the designing of a new 50,000 square feet building that will house the Energy Institute. He is the author of numerous publications and has made multiple presentations in Texas, US, and internationally.
Dr. Galiotos is one of the panel members of the Texas Life Science and Biotechnology and Energy Clusters. Recently, he was appointed to lead the effort of the State of Texas in the asset mapping of fuel cells and other energy generation from hydrogen industries in Texas.
Last, Professor Galiotos has received funding for projects associated with energy education from the National Science Foundation, The Sate of Texas Energy Conservation Office, The City of Houston, and major energy industry organizations.