Alumni Profile

Alumna’s long-term focus reflected in deep Stanford ties, commitment to education, pursuit of renewable energy

When Mary Ellen Nordyke-Grace (BA ’75 French, BS ’77 CEE) goes to work at Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc. (HECO), and for its subsidiary Renewable Hawaii, Inc., she puts her considerable and broad education to use. In striving to jump-start renewable energy development in the islands, she is alternately a lawyer, an engineer, and a project manager.

You have four children who have either been here or are headed here?

To date we have four Stanford children: Aimee Grace (BA ’04 Human Biology), Nalani (BA ’06 Human Biology) Cameron (Human Biology Class of ’08), and our new freshman, Trevor (Class of ’10). Our youngest, Noelle, one of the tallest in the family and now a ninth grader, will navigate high school for a few years before deciding whether to follow her siblings. Luckily, the two eldest have now returned to Honolulu to attend medical school—their two late physician grandfathers, Robert A. Nordyke, a specialist in internal and nuclear medicine, and Archibald John Grace, a surgeon, would have been pleased.

What has made Stanford appealing to all of them?

Stanford has been a positive influence in our lives for many years. We have a long Stanford tradition, starting with my grandmother, Louise Noble Carter Cole (MA ’12), and my grandfather, Ralph Gideon Cole (BA ’12). The story goes that my grandfather proposed to my grandmother at the winged angel statue on campus. My uncle, Ralph Noble Cole, earned his BA from Stanford in 1947 and MBA in 1949. My mother, Eleanor Cole Nordyke, graduated from Stanford’s five-year nursing program in 1950 and was married in Memorial Church the same day. My father, Robert Allan Nordyke, earned his BA and MD from UC Berkeley, so we had a healthy family rivalry, especially at the time of the Big Game each year.

How has engineering played a role in your career?

My working career has capitalized on two themes: project management and flexibly applying a diverse educational background to add value to the job at hand. From critical path method (CPM) scheduling as an engineer in a major firm in Oakland, to design work at a civil engineering firm in Honolulu, to serving as project manager for two major electrical transmission line projects for HECO on Oahu, to managing large power purchase contracts, to team-based launching of Renewable Hawaii—all of these opportunities built upon skills learned in the Stanford engineering curriculum.

You’ve covered a lot of ground in your education. Tell us about that.

My educational background is broad and admittedly followed a rather circuitous path. Interestingly, enrolling in Stanford Professor Gilbert Masters’ course in Renewable Energy Systems (1976) and participation in the 4-volume Biomass Energy for Hawaii publication (Stanford University-University of Hawaii Biomass Energy Study Team, February 1977) foreshadowed my later professional work in the renewables area. Graduate degrees in Industrial Relations and Personnel Management (MSc, 1980 London School of Economics ) and law (JD 1995 William S. Richardson School of Law, University of Hawaii) proved instrumental in meeting the demands of varied positions held at a local law firm and at HECO. At HECO I’ve been a Corporate Planning Analyst, Project Manager, Power Purchase Contracts Administrator, Director of Strategic Initiatives, Director of Energy Analysis, and Renewable Hawaii Compliance Officer.

My degree in French reflected a love of international travel fostered by family camping trips abroad in the ’60s and extended student stays in Denmark and France as part of the Stanford Overseas Program in Tours.

How have you balanced your career and family life?

Juggling work and family demands can certainly be challenging. We have found that it is crucial to discover efficiencies, such as conducting activities in parallel, whenever possible. We are extremely fortunate to live within walking distance of the children’s elementary and high school, Punahou School, and the University of Hawaii. We are only a fifteen-minute drive, door to door, from my office downtown. Several family members, including my mother, live on our street and provide unfailing support. I give special credit to my husband who allows me to spearhead the business aspects at home, while he takes a lead role with household chores.

How is HECO stimulating renewable energy projects in Hawaii?

A new business model and focused small team concept propel HECO’s promotion of renewable energy development in Hawaii. Renewable Hawaii, Inc., was created in 2002 as an unregulated subsidiary of HECO and provides an innovative approach to stimulating utility-scale renewable energy projects in Hawaii. We offer minor passive equity investment in a project company after identified milestones are met, and limited early development support of selected projects. After several Renewable Hawaii Renewable Energy Request for Project Proposal (RE RFPP) solicitations since 2003, new renewable energy projects are underway on three islands. A major wind developer is pursuing a 40-megawatt wind farm on Maui. HECO seeks to meet or exceed the current Hawaii Renewable Portfolio Standard of 10% of net electric sales by 2010, 15% by 2015, and 20% by 2020.

It seems that you place great value and emphasis on education. Where does that commitment come from?

Both my husband and I hail from large families where education has always been an implicit high priority. We are willing to shoulder debt to ensure that our children have the best education possible. We’re in the thick of it right now. Putting four kids through Stanford requires a calm mindset and a long-term view. Certainly we are investing for the next 20 or 30 years, but we are very confident that our efforts will be worthwhile in the long run.