Sam Gafford

About Sam Gafford

After over a decade in finance roles where I learned the details of working in energy, I got a bird’s-eye view of the industry in a pair of roles in an international organization – one in Strategy and M&A, and another in Regulatory Affairs – that gave me an understanding of the whole sweep of the energy landscape. Now with that broad perspective, I want to engage at the ground level to be part of the transformation to the new energy economy we’re seeing.In my current role in Regulatory Affairs, I help to analyze the regulatory structures of the markets we operate in and recommend and advocate for reforms that would make those markets function better. I create thought leadership pieces, such as third party research on market structures and outcomes; advise the business on regulation, such as how to participate in emerging community solar regimes; and participate in advocacy strategy, such as how to respond to proposed policy changes.Prior to that, as a manager in Strategy and M&A I orchestrated the company’s long-term strategic plan – a plan rooted in business unit go-to-market strategy but forecasted in a 20-year model of income statements, cash flow statements, and balance sheets – which gave me a soup-to-nuts familiarity with the entire business. I also did research for the company’s market participation choices, learning about segments we could (and did) join, like solar, electric vehicles, or smart homes.Underpinning all this work, though, has been a base of finance skills. I have an MBA from Rice Business in finance and have worked in Mergers & Acquisitions, Portfolio Management, and Financial Planning & Analysis (FP & A), and continue to leverage that finance skillset in whatever I do.Over my career in energy, I have accumulated a deep industry knowledge. I have experience in policy and strategic analysis, research, financial modeling, forecasting, data analysis, process improvement, project management, variance analysis, load forecasting, Excel modeling, valuation, due diligence, and competitive intelligence, among other things.

Experience

1. Co-owner

   Urbanchef, Inc

   Sep 2011 — Present

   In addition to his career as an energy professional, Sam co-owns urbanCHEF, an event hospitality business that offers hands-on cooking classes for entertainment and corporate team-building. Sam assists the CEO, Chara Gafford, with accounting and financial analysis, strategic planning and vendor negotiation.

Education

• Rice Business

  Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.), Finance

  2006 — 2008

• University of Chicago

  Bachelor’s Degree, History

  1993 — 1997

Skills

• Monte Carlo Modeling
• Solar Energy
• Cash Flow Forecasting
• Strategic Analysis
• Business Process
• Powerpoint
• Microsoft Excel
• Energy
• Energy Markets
• Company Valuation
• Electric Power
• Financial Reporting
• Ad Hoc Reporting
• Project Planning
• Finance
• Balance Sheet
• Planning
• Strategic Financial Planning
• Variance Analysis
• Project Management
• Competitive Intelligence
• Financial Analysis
• Business Process Improvement
• Financial Modeling
• Income Statement
• Business Strategy
• Analysis
• Forecasting
• Due Diligence
• Change Management
• Research
• Natural Gas
• Real Estate Management