Yesterday, I received notification from the Social Security Administration that they have approved my application for retirement benefits. My 401K, from my last job, now recognizes my retirement and I can access the funds I’ve saved there (thanks for your contribution, Classic Chevrolet!). The monthly stipend from Social Security, although insufficient to fully fund my retirement, allows me the freedom to do full-time EVangelizing, spreading the good news of vehicle electrification and renewable energy. In that role, I have already worked the 2020 Houston Auto Show, where I was interviewed by “In Wheel Time,” on ESPN Radioand on video with Bill Wadell of AccuWeather. I have been contacted by a couple more Auto Shows, so things look brighter than I expected, this early in my new gig. (stay tuned for details).
In my work with TxETRA, I attended Fully Charged Live North America 2020. There, I met people who drove EVs from Toronto, Seattle, Minneapolis and Raleigh to see the show. Who says EVs can’t drive long distances? Hundreds of the show’s attendees signed up to join TxETRA, in our mission to accelerate the adoption of all forms of electric transportation in Texas. I met some of my heroes, like Chelsea Sexton and Robert Llewellyn. Unfortunately, Robert fell ill and flew back to the UK, missing the show. His crew and others, including Chelsea Sexton and TxETRA Board Member, Janis Bookout, took to the stage and did a great job, in Robert’s absence. I hope you recovered fully, Robert!
Many of my Volt and Bolt EV customers showed up, stopping by the booth to say hi and people, who have only known me from my blog or Facebook posts, did the same. James (in the image below) was filling out the TxETRA membership form and I recognized his name. I said, “I know you.” He looked up at me and recognized me for the first time, exclaiming, “You’re Buzz Smith!” It was a fun meeting, during which we laughed a lot!
I can’t tell you happy it makes me to see these people becoming EVangelizers. Our voice is growing!
Speaking of TxETRA, I have to say how proud I am to be a board member as well as TxETRA’s Director of Dealer Outreach. TxETRA is an amazing group and their work is important. Board members include environmental leaders, EV charging company CEOs, EV owners group leaders, energy company executives, academics focused on energy, EV manufacturers, legendary environmental lobbyists and, of course, little old me. It never ceases to amaze me that this group invited me to become a board member.
During my trip to Austin, to attend Fully Charged Live, I was afforded the opportunity to sit in a committee meeting, in the Texas Capitol building. Representatives of renewable energy companies, energy infrastructure (grid) managers, environmental organizations and TxETRA presented to committee members. (I was an observer, not a presenter.) I was happy to see how the members of the committee showed great interested in EVs and their impact on the environment and electric grid.
After the committee meeting, Tom “Smitty” Smith, asked me if I’d like a tour of the Capitol building. Believe it or not, this was my very first visit to the Capitol, even though I am a native Texan and lived here all my life. Of course, I jumped at the opportunity to tour the building!
I love reading about history and the tour, guided by Smitty and one of the Sergeants at Arms, of the House of Representatives, was awesome.
One happy coincidence was Smitty’s 70th birthday happened to be during my Austin visit. He has been a powerful advocate for the environment, lobbying Texas politicians for decades. Everywhere I go, people recognize him. I am proud to call him my friend.
He and his wife Karen invited me to stay with them the nights before the show and I was happy to attend his birthday party there and to meet some of his friends. The conversation, around the dinner table, was laced with discussions of politics, history and the environment. It was so fascinating and so much more interesting than the usual party banter of sports and celebrities.
I’ll never forget the piñata!
My dad told me, many, many years ago, “Find a job, doing something you love, and you’ll never work another day in your life.“
He was right.
P.S. If you know of public speaking opportunities for me, please let me know!
