Globinar Global Chamber® Dallas Fort Worth Metro Monthly Meetup

Topic: Clean Energy: From Local Impact to Global Opportunity  

Speakers:

Gary Covert - President of Southwest Alternatives

Gary Covert, president of Southwest Alternatives, is an entrepreneur and investor specializing in oil and gas and other alternative assets, with a focus on building cash-flowing, tax-efficient portfolios for high-income investors. He has been directly involved in scaling investments from just a few wells to more than 200, including West Texas Permian Basin wells, while working closely with operators and capital partners across the energy space. Gary helps investors understand the oil and gas space and invest with confidence—adding it alongside traditional holdings, as many high-net-worth individuals and family offices do, to reduce taxes and generate cash flow that is less correlated with public markets. 

Michael Martin - President at MM Solar Advisory

Michael Martin has a long-standing passion for renewable energy. This is his calling to high-impact, purpose-driven work. After 25 years doing cool and valuable B2B stuff in the information technology sector, Michael began his solar career in 2010 as founder/EVP of utility solar company Principal Solar, where he developed approximately 280 megawatts of projects valued at $500 million. Now, he is directing his energy into serving early solar adopters who are ready to lead with clean and safe on-site solar power in his home state of Texas. Michael has always been motivated to help companies adopt high-value solutions that enhance their positions as market and community leaders.

In parallel throughout his professional journey, Michael has been active, including board service and volunteering, with a wide range of non-profits such as schools, social service agencies, cancer foundations and environmental groups. Michael’s life is only complete when it includes doing good work serving his community…and when there is some fun involved!

Facilitator:

Stefanie Austin – Executive Director at Global Chamber® Dallas Fort Worth

Stefanie Austin is a dynamic leader whose journey exemplifies resilience, faith, and a steadfast commitment to empowering others. As the CEO of Austin Global Solutions (AGS), she spearheads a company specializing in Business Process Outsourcing and supplemental staffing services, offering innovative solutions in Call Center Support, Digital Marketing, Healthcare Management, IT Development, and more.

Stefanie’s expertise spans over a decade in Corporate America and more than 15 years in the non-profit sector. She is a seasoned Operations Executive and Healthcare Executive Leader with extensive experience in strategic business development, operations management, and performance improvement. Her accomplishments include implementing clinical efficiencies, improving patient outcomes, and successfully leading multimillion-dollar budgets and large teams. She has a proven track record of driving transformation through mergers, acquisitions, and innovative operational strategies.

In addition to her corporate endeavors, Stefanie serves as the Executive Director of Global Chamber Dallas-Fort Worth, fostering global business opportunities and connecting professionals worldwide. A lifelong servant leader, she has dedicated years to mentoring youth, supporting underserved communities, and serving in various church roles.

Stefanie is also a best-selling author, with works including My Will or His Will – Learning a Life to Surrender and My Will or His Will – Who is Your GPS? Inspired by nature and her faith, she continues to write devotionals that encourage readers to navigate life’s challenges with grace and trust in God. Her devotion to inspiring others extends to her entrepreneurial ventures, including a forthcoming book and a signature perfume line.

Rooted in her faith and guided by purpose, Stefanie is driven to bless others through her leadership, mentorship, and unwavering belief in God as her foundation.

About Global Chamber

Global Chamber® is a diverse, innovative and positive worldwide platform for CEOs, executives, investors and industry leaders across 195 countries and 605+ metros around the world to find opportunities and effectively empower growth, success and progress. We're the only chamber of commerce operating in hundreds of locations that delivers strategic connections, information and resources to facilitate exporting, importing and investing across regions and borders, while addressing climate change and advancing sustainability. Be global and UNSTOPPABLE! Global Chamber® is a registered trademark of Global Chamber, LLC since 2014.