Ryan Thompson
Teaching Experience
Adjunct Professor at Austin Community College - 2007 to Present
Department of Electronics and Advanced Technologies
Elements of Electrical Power Systems
- Instruction on components of generation, transmission, and distribution of electrical energy.
Industrial Safety
- OSHA and general workplace safety practices
Wind Power Systems – Mechanical
- Fluid dynamics, blade and turbine design, power train equipment, generators, transmission systems, etc.
- Installation and operation of residential and industrial wind turbines and auxiliary equipment
Work experience
Director of Utilities - Operations, June 2022 to Present
Utilities and Energy Management, University of Texas at Austin
- Direct master planning and focus on external and internal system and equipment improvements and installations for the University of Texas at Austin.
- Manage projects within the department to improve operations and plant efficiencies. Oversee and implement plant energy management initiatives.
- Review and approve equipment and construction for several large projects for campus sustainability and resiliency, supporting academic, research, and community activities.
- Manage team of engineers and technical staff working on plant projects and documentation, including technical specifications, drawings, plant emission reporting, and sustainability reports.
- Manage campus fuel purchasing and integration of new technologies to improve campus energy efficiency and transition to future energy procurement methods.
Associate Director - Power Plant and Chilling Stations, August 2018 to May 2022
Utilities and Energy Management, University of Texas at Austin
- Plan, coordinate, and oversee internal system and equipment improvements and installations for the Power Plant and Chilling Stations.
- Manage projects within the department to improve operations and plant efficiencies. Oversee and implement plant energy management initiatives.
- Review and approve equipment and construction for several large projects, including a new chilling station, a new 34 Megawatt gas-fired turbine and associated heat recovery steam generator, and a 4 million gallon thermal energy storage tank.
- Manage team of engineers and technical staff working on plant projects and documentation, including technical specifications, drawings, plant emission reporting, and sustainability reports.
Manager of Maintenance, July 2002 to July 2018
Utilities and Energy Management, University of Texas at Austin
- Plan, coordinate, and oversee all maintenance evolutions for the Power Plant and Chilling Stations.
- Direct operations of mechanical, electrical, and machinist shops, totaling 54 personnel.
- Review and approve equipment and construction for several large projects, including a new cooling tower, a new 25 Megawatt steam turbine, and new switchgear for the Utilities Department.
Power Plant Mechanic III, September 1998 to July 2002
Hal C. Weaver Power Plant, University of Texas at Austin
- Troubleshoot and perform maintenance on combined cycle power generation systems and auxiliary equipment.
- Write comprehensive maintenance reports and assist in planning extensive equipment overhauls.
Nuclear Field Machinist Mate, August 1990 to June 1996
United States Navy; U.S.S. Enterprise CVN-65
- AMR Leading Petty Officer and Water Control Watch, Lead Petty Officer on refuel evolutions for Reactors 2A, 2B, 4A, and 4B.
- Supervised operation and maintenance of reactor plant systems including turbine generators, reboilers, demineralizers, main coolant and feed systems.
- Supervised, trained, and evaluated 25 personnel.
Published: June 02, 2025