Doug Kilmer earned his BS in Geology & Mineralogy from SES in 1988 and now works as the Senior Director, Renewables – Renewables Delivery Team, TRC Companies, Inc.
Doug Kilmer earned his BS in Geology & Mineralogy from SES in 1988 and now works as the Vice President, Renewables and Hydrogen – Renewables Delivery Team, TRC Companies, Inc.
Contact: dkilmer@trccompanies.com
"The technical depth of the courses taught at OSU also set me up well to advance in graduate school and my professional career, as it gave me the ability to analyze and interpret information and data."
Where has your degree taken you?
My career path has taken me through a number of different disciplines in the environmental and now energy industries. Over the past 30+ years I have specialized in Site Characterization, Underground Storage Tank Management, Brownfields Redevelopment, and Energy Development. This path has taken me from technically oriented work to more business development and program direction, which was not expected. Today, I am fortunate enough to be involved in the development of new utility scale renewable energy developments, including solar, on and off-shore wind, energy storage, renewable natural gas and now hydrogen. I have a specialty in developing energy on Brownfield and other distressed properties. I am actually coming full circle back to geology with new opportunities related to geologic renewable energy storage, such as compressed air (CAES) and green hydrogen, as well as assisting a new geothermal company with a revolutionary drilling method which could allow this energy source to be much more widely sited. With the new energy frontier going many directions, my multi-faceted background which started at OSU is certainly an asset.
How do you feel your experience, specifically as an SES/geology student at OSU, prepared you for your career or life in general?
The breadth and depth of the program at OSU prepared me for professional development in several ways. The broad science, math and engineering disciplines I was exposed to gave me the ability to participate in a much broader range of professional projects, which made me more employable as well opened doors to pursue new types of work. The technical depth of the courses taught at OSU also set me up well to advance in graduate school and my professional career, as it gave me the ability to analyze and interpret information and data. From these roots, I have been able to pivot and improve my skills and participate in a wide range of professional endeavors to greater career satisfaction.
What is your favorite memory as a student?
Field camp was obviously memorable, as the geology out west is magnificent. The Navajo Sandstone in the Canyonlands still remains one of the most beautiful formations I have ever seen.
What advice do you have for current and future students?
Don’t be afraid to try new things, and always spend time learning no matter what stage in your career you are at. You may find that next thing that really excites you just around the corner.