Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas In the last decade the wind industry has grown exponentially in Texas and the South Central United States. As our industry navigates the numerous legislative and regulatory issues of the next decade we need a seasoned 
governmental affairs professional like Jeff Clark leading the way said Zeina El-Azzi President of The Wind Coalition.
The Wind Coalition recently announced the hiring of Clark a veteran government affairs professional as its new Executive Director.
The Coalition is comprised of 33 member companies many of which specialize in the development of wind projects and the manufacturing of wind turbine components. The coalition is active in eight south central states:
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Texas
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Arkansas
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Kansas
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Louisiana
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Missouri
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Nebraska
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New Mexico
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Oklahoma
Wind energy is helping to meet the countrys rapidly increasing power needs and will remain vital to our future economic environmental and energy needs. I look forward to advocating for a healthy wind energy industry in our region Clark said
Texas is the national leader in wind generation with more than 10000 MW of installed capacity providing nearly 7 of Texas electricity in 2011. The state is also taking a lead role in building transmission capacity through the construction of Competitive Renewable Energy Zones (CREZ) which will relieve congestion in West Texas and allow for greater development of the abundant wind resources of West Texas and the Panhandle.
Clark most recently served as the Vice President of Governmental Affairs for TechAmerica. His work in the Texas public policy arena dates back November 1990 when he started in the Texas Capitol as a legislative aide. He previously worked as:
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National Federation of Independent Business-Texas Executive Director
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Texas Association of Business Governmental Affairs Manager
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Chief of staff for a member of the Texas House and
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Texas Department of Housing & Community Affairs governmental relations employee
Jeff Clark is an experienced governmental relations professional who has managed diverse issues across 
multiple states and brings a critical knowledge of the technology industry that is vital to the advancement of the wind industry said El-Azzi.
The Wind Coalition states are responsible for more than 15000 MW of the nations more than 48000 MW of installed capacity.
Im very excited about this new opportunity with The Wind Coalition and will work to continue the coalitions great work to harness our regions vast wind resources. Our economy relies on a reliable power grid and that grid requires a diversified mix of affordable generation sources like wind said Clark.
