Krutka Steps Down as UW School of Energy Resources Executive Director

The University of Wyoming has announced that Holly Krutka has stepped down as executive director of the School of Energy Resources (SER) following the Energy Resources Council meeting Friday. Scott Quillinan, currently SER’s senior director of research, will serve as acting executive director while a search is conducted for the next permanent leader.

“Holly has provided exceptional leadership to the School of Energy Resources and to the University of Wyoming,” Seidel says. “Under her guidance, SER has continued to strengthen Wyoming’s position as a global energy leader through innovative research, workforce development and partnerships that serve the people of our state.”

Energy Resources Council outgoing Chair Cindy Crane also expresses appreciation for Krutka’s service.

“Holly led SER through a period of tremendous growth and impact,” Crane says. “She built a strong and collaborative team, expanded academic offerings and deepened relationships with industry, policymakers and donors. Her leadership helped ensure that SER remains a trusted partner and driver of Wyoming’s energy future.”

During Krutka’s tenure, SER has expanded academic programs and student engagement while advancing major initiatives in oil and gas, advanced coal utilization, nuclear energy, hydrogen, critical minerals and carbon capture, use and storage. The school’s research portfolio and partnerships have grown substantially, reinforcing SER’s critical role in Wyoming’s energy and economic landscape.

“Leading the School of Energy Resources has been an incredible honor,” Krutka says. “Our success has been achieved by an incredible team of faculty, staff, students and partners who are deeply committed to Wyoming. I am proud of all we have accomplished together and will be SER’s greatest cheerleader long into the future. I have complete faith that Scott will be able to step in and lead the organization during this transition.”

Quillinan is SER’s senior director of research. He currently directs over $100 million in SER grant-funded and state-funded research, is a principal investigator on several Department of Energy-funded projects and manages the SER Centers of Excellence. Quillinan received his Bachelor of Science in geology and geophysics in 2006 and his Master of Science in geology and geophysics in 2011, both from UW.

Quillinan joined UW as a senior hydrologist in 2012 and was promoted to director of the Center for Economic Geology Research in 2018. In 2021, he began in his current senior director position. He has about 13 years of experience in energy research and at least 30 publications related to Wyoming-specific topics, such as carbon capture, water, natural gas and geothermal energy.  

The Energy Resources Council and the university will launch a search for SER’s next executive director, to be led by professional search firm Spencer Stuart. The new director will guide a highly capable team in advancing energy solutions that benefit UW, Wyoming and the nation.