Who We Are
At the Texas PACE Authority, we’re on a mission to empower property owners across Texas to make energy and water saving upgrades that save money, benefit the environment and their local communities. As a nonprofit organization, we administer the state’s Property Assessed Clean Energy (TX-PACE) program, working hand-in-hand with local governments to create a simple, cost-effective path for businesses, nonprofits, and industrial facilities to improve their infrastructure.
We partner with local governments to launch uniform TX-PACE programs with best practices that enable property owners to finance critical improvements—like energy-efficient HVAC systems, solar panels, and water conservation measures—through voluntary property assessments. Our streamlined approach ensures these programs can be established quickly and run efficiently, giving property owners a valuable tool to make lasting improvements without the burden of upfront costs.
Our work doesn’t stop there. We actively engage communities through education and outreach to ensure businesses and nonprofits of all sizes understand how they can benefit from PACE financing. Whether it’s a small nonprofit or a large industrial facility, we provide the knowledge and support to make energy and water improvements both economically viable and environmentally responsible. TPA offers online training to service providers so local contractors, architects, and engineers can participate. TPA is working to increase the participation of local lenders, too.
Since the passage of the PACE Act in 2013, TPA has been at the forefront of driving statewide adoption of this innovative financing solution. In collaboration with another nonprofit organization, Keeping PACE in Texas, and a coalition of over 100 stakeholders—including capital providers, property owners, contractors, and local governments—standardized guidelines, best practices, and tools were developed to simplify the implementation of PACE programs. This toolkit, known as “PACE in a Box,” is now the foundation of the programs we proudly administer in dozens of communities across Texas.
Texas PACE Authority is funded through user fees and grants, ensuring that we can focus on our core mission—without competing with private-sector providers. Our goal? To bring sustainable, energy-efficient solutions to every corner of Texas, working collaboratively with property owners, contractors, lenders, and local governments to build a more resilient and environmentally conscious future.
We Are Your Local Trusted Experts for All Things PACE
TPA Board Members
Steve Block
Board Secretary, retired; formerly Partner, real estate and banking law, Thompson & Knight, LLP
Michael Gromacki
CEO, McClarin Composites; formerly Director, Global Wind and Composite Systems, Olin, formerly President, Dixie Chemical
Hon. John Hall
President/CEO, Houston Advanced Research Center (HARC); formerly Associate VP, Environmental Defense Fund (EDF); Chairman, Texas Water Commission and the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (predecessor agencies to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality)
Charlene Heydinger
Board President, Texas PACE Authority; formerly Executive Director, Topfer Family Foundation, VP & Washington Council, Capital Cities, ABC Inc.; and General Council to Hon. Robert H. Michel, US House Republican Leader
Yarcus Lewis
Sustainability Program Lead, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, with 30 years of management experience, LEED Accredited Professional, Housing Development Finance Professional, and Certified Sustainability Practitioner. Former Sustainability Projects Supervisor, City of Plano
Diane Rath
Executive Director of AACOG from December 2014 to October 2023. Former Senior Vice President at ResCare Workforce Services. Chair and Commissioner of the Texas Workforce Commission 1996-2008. Nominated for Assistant Secretary of Administration for Children and Families at U.S. Health and Human Services. Senior Director of Public Affairs at KCI in San Antonio
Hon. Penny Redington
Retired; formerly Executive Director, Texas Association of Regional Councils; Legislative Liaison, Texas Association of Counties; and Ellis County Judge
Hon. Chris Schuchart
Retired; rancher and attorney; former Medina County Judge, businessman and attorney
Carlton Schwab
President and CEO, Texas Economic Development Council
Patrick Worrall
VP Asset Marketplace, LevelTen Energy; formerly Interim Head of Debt Capital Markets, Sunnova Energy; S.V.P Finance & Strategy, Extol Energy, Principal, Scanden; and Director, Constellation Energy
TPA Team Members
Charlene Heydinger, President
Charlene has led TPA since its inception in 2015 to serve dozens of Texas PACE programs and facilitate millions in new property investment. Ms. Heydinger was named a 2020 PACENation PACE Champion of the Year by her peers. At Keeping PACE in Texas, Charlene led the effort to establish the Texas PACE Act and to create the TX-PACE in a Box model program. In the US Congress, Charlene served as General Counsel to House Republican Leader Bob Michel, and counsel to several Committees. As VP and Washington Counsel for Capital Cities ABC, Inc. (now Disney), Heydinger represented the Company’s television, ESPN, and print interests. Charlene helped organize the startup Topfer Family Foundation. Heydinger is a member of the Texas, Washington, DC, Michigan, and US Supreme Court Bar Associations.
Dub Taylor, Chief Operating Officer
Dub Taylor joined the Texas PACE Authority after 21 years as the director of the Texas State Energy Conservation Office (SECO). Under his leadership, SECO helped the state make the most of domestic energy, reduce state and local government energy costs and promote cost-effective clean energy technologies. Prior to joining SECO, Taylor’s public sector experience includes six years with the Texas Railroad Commission’s Alternative Fuels Research and Education Division. Taylor’s private sector experience was focused on commercial real estate, property appraisal, and property tax consulting. He is a native of Dallas and a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. Dub received the 2023 PACE Nation PACE Setter Award for Excellence in Program Design and Implementation.
Amy Vanderbilt, Operations and Compliance Manager
With her diverse background and exceptional organizational skills, Amy brings a high level of efficiency to TPA’s daily operations and compliance program. She has over 20 years of experience in office management, accounting, and administrative support in a variety of industries. Amy holds a Bachelor of Science from The University of Texas at Austin.
Mariah Peake, North Texas Development Manager
Mariah Peake is a graduate of Miami University’s Farmer School of Business, where she first cultivated the entrepreneurial drive that has been key to her success. Launching her career by co-founding Ebee Management Group, she quickly established herself as a leader in the clean energy sector. As a fiduciary, she played a critical role in shaping the company into one of the nation’s recognized C-PACE consulting firms. Mariah brings over 8 years of experience and her entrepreneurial mindset and innovative approach to the TPA team, leveraging her business acumen to add value and drive results. In her personal life, she is also a dedicated equestrian competitor, reflecting the same passion, discipline, and pursuit of excellence that have marked her professional journey.
Jack Belt, Program Liaison
Jack Belt joins TPA after an extensive career in economic development and commercial real
estate. In his most recent economic development role in Fort Bend County Jack was
responsible for marketing, business development, and real estate industry relationships, among
other roles. He also played a pivotal role in establishing the TX-PACE program in Fort Bend
County. In commercial real estate, he worked in income property appraisal and feasibility, office
development, and office building leasing/sales brokerage.
Dr. Teresa Smith, Director, PACE Transactions
Dr. Teresa Smith brings over 30 years of commercial financing experience, including 13 years specializing in PACE, to her role as Director of PACE Transactions at the Texas PACE Authority. Previously, she led Strategic Growth & Development at Ebee Management Group, where, as an industry expert in sustainable development, she successfully leveraged PACE financing solutions for energy efficiency projects nationwide. Dr. Smith previously served as the Business Development Manager for the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority, where she significantly expanded the PACE program, increasing loan balances from $3 million in 2011 to $47 million in 2019. Dr. Smith holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Eastern Michigan University, an MBA in Executive Management from the University of Toledo, and a Doctorate in Business Management specializing in Leadership from Capella University.
Christine Cahill, Transaction Manager
Christine Cahill joined Texas PACE Authority as Transaction Manager after a long career supporting great leaders in the commercial real estate and construction industries. She managed the closing process for a developer/builder’s portfolio of owned properties. Christine was the Business Manager for a large federal contractor, and a Legal Assistant & Closing Coordinator at a real estate law firm. Christine holds an Associate’s Degree in Paralegal Studies, and continues to be an avid learner of transaction management and related corporate law, and stays abreast of TREC real estate rules and laws.
Marina Badoian-Kriticos, Senior Program Advisor
Marina serves as a member of Texas PACE Authority through HARC (Houston Advanced Research Center) and helps to develop the PACE marketplace across Texas. She focuses on working with project teams to expand energy and water efficiency in the built environment and helps local governments implement programs that will lead to healthier and more prosperous regions. Marina is the recipient of the 2021 US Clean Energy Education & Empowerment (C3E) Initiative award.
James Cargas, Counsel
James assists with project closing legal review. James joined TPA after 11 years as a member of the City of Houston legal department where he helped establish the Houston PACE program, which includes the city and its ETJ. James has over 28 years of energy and sustainability experience. James is a member of the DC, Michigan, West Virginia, and Texas Bar Associations, and is a former president of the Energy Bar Association’s Houston Chapter.
Jonathon Blackburn, Technical Advisor
Jonathon assists with reviewing technical and financial analyses of projects prior to closing. He also has experience managing M&A transactions for utility-scale solar, wind, and storage for a large independent power producer. He started his career as an engineer at the electric utility Southern Company with various roles in environmental and energy policy and renewable energy development. He holds graduate degrees from the University of Cambridge and Duke University. He also has a BS in Chemical Engineering and is a licensed Professional Engineer.
Deborah McCray, Creative & Technology Manager
Born and raised in South Texas, Deborah developed an early love of art and design. She designed TPA’s inaugural website in 2015 and manages TPA’s website, graphic design, marketing efforts, as well as designing, architecting, and managing TPA’s Salesforce platform. Deborah served as a professional designer in outdoor space for 10 years. Her reputation for producing designs that help businesses stand out from the crowd has been recognized by Signs of the Times Magazine on several occasions. Deborah holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design from Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi.
TPA’s Awards
(2024) PACESetter – Innovative Deal under $5 million for the Clarksville Hospital PACE Project
(2024) Texas Impact Enterprise Award, The Hunt Institute for Engineering & Humanity, Southern Methodist University (SMU)
(2023) Outstanding Nonprofit, Texas Energy Summit hosted by the Texas A&M Systems’ Energy Systems Laboratory
(2023) TPA Board Member Diane Rath received a 2023 PACE Nation PACE Setter award for Women Leaders in PACE
(2023) TPA’s Chief Operating Officer received the 2023 PACE Nation PACE Setter Award for Excellence in Program Design and Implementation
(2020) TPA’s president was named a PACENation Champion. TPA’s Senior Program Advisor was the recipient of the 2021 U.S. Clean Energy Education and Empowerment (C3E) Initiative Award
(2018) TPA was named “Access to Capital Champion” by the Minority Business Development Agency at the El Paso Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
(2016) Outstanding Non-profit Organization at the Clean Air Through Energy Efficiency Conference by the Energy Systems Laboratory of the Texas A&M University System
TPA’s Annual Reports
PACE in a Box
To expedite the establishment of local PACE programs in Texas and to facilitate a consistent, state-wide approach to PACE design and implementation, Keeping PACE in Texas, a nonprofit non-partisan association, organized a broad-based coalition of more than 130 stakeholders to develop a free toolkit for local governments to use in creating and implementing their PACE programs.
The toolkit, known as “PACE in a Box,” contains all of the design elements, documents, and implementation steps necessary for a local government to establish an effective PACE program quickly and economically. PACE in a Box is the first and only PACE program designed by market stakeholders. The open-market model creates a uniform, user-friendly, sustainable, and scalable PACE program for Texas.
Find PACE in a Box at www.KeepingPACEinTexas.org
Texas PACE Authority’s Commitment to being a Sustainable Business
The Texas PACE Authority is committed to leading Austin’s community as a sustainable green business. To find out more about AGBL and how to join the program visit the website here:
Start Saving Energy, Water, and Money Now
For more information about adopting a PACE program in your region, taking advantage of the program, or volunteering to educate municipalities and other stakeholders contact admin@texaspaceauthority.org.