William S. Spears, as a board trustee for the Wichita Falls Independent School District, sought a way to solve a budgetary shortfall for the district four decades ago. He combined proven business principles and a process based on discipline, measurement and accountability to create a program that would reduce energy use and costs while ensuring comfort for the staff and students of his hometown district’s 33 schools. His program was implemented district-wide and, even after tripling the district’s air conditioning load, electricity bills decreased significantly in the first year. This success became the nation’s first behavioral-based energy conservation program, launching Spears’ career in the energy management professional consulting services industry. He founded Energy Education, now Cenergistic, the Dallas-based energy conservation company in 1986.

Since then, Cenergistic has helped more than 1,500 clients—public schools, colleges, universities, large churches, local government and healthcare institutions—achieve 20% – 30% reductions in energy consumption without having to install new HVAC equipment, more efficient lighting or computerized controls systems. The company has been recognized as Partner of the Year or Partner of the Year – Sustained Excellence Winner by the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR® Program for 16 straight years, and is the EPA’s most active Service and Product Provider for ENERGY STAR building certifications.

Spears earned his Doctorate of Business Administration degree from the Wayne Huizenga Graduate School of Business and Entrepreneurship. He holds an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Science degree from Oklahoma State University (OSU), which established the Spears School of Business in 2004.

He served the Wichita Falls Independent School District as trustee, board secretary, board vice president and chairman of the facilities committee for six years. A renowned civic and financial leader, Spears has served on the boards of numerous local, regional and national nonprofits, civic organizations, and financial institutions throughout his career including:

• Ford’s Theatre, Washington, D.C., Founding Member, National Advisory Board
• Lincoln Forum, Gettysburg, PA, Board Member
• Oklahoma State University, Benefactor, William S. Spears School of Business
• University of Texas Medical School, Board Member
• American Cancer Society, Board Member, Co-Chairman of Cattle Baron’s Ball Fund Raiser
• Christian Businessmen’s Committee of Wichita Falls, Inc., Founder, Chairman of the Board
• City National Bank, Director (1969 – 1988), Chairman of Directors’ Loan Committee
• City of Wichita Falls Planning and Zoning Commission, Board Member
• Insight for Living, Chuck Swindoll Ministries, Board Member, Executive Committee Member
• Interfaith Ministries, Board Member, Chairman of Finance Committee
• North Texas Council Boy Scouts of America, Board Member
• North Texas Easter Seal Rehabilitation Center, President
• Red River Civil War Roundtable
• Times Publishing Company Charities, Founder and President
• Wichita Falls Board of Commerce and Industry, Board Member
• Wichita Falls Museum and Art Center, Board Member
• Wichita Falls Symphony, Board Member
• Young Life, Founder and Board Member, Wichita Falls Chapter