Meet

Our Team

Geologists
Engineers

As geologists and engineers, we work together in addressing exploration and development activities to help you find the best solution for your resource.

Our team has cumulative experience of over 100 years in geology and engineering.

Blackrock Geoscience was founded in 2006 by Lisa Safford-Kuscu in Pocatello, Idaho. Our company has undergone consistent and steady growth in operations and services since 2006.

In 2016, Blackrock Geoscience received Idaho’s Outstanding Business Award from the Small Business Development Center, an organization supported by the U.S. Small Business Administration.

We maintain long-term relationships with repeat clients. Our affiliations with industry-leading experts compliment our services enabling us to offer turnkey development services.  Our team is nimble and provides a fast turnaround on project implementation.

Our vast network of resources provides you with the opportunity to benefit from unique capabilities not offered by most companies.  This applies to exploration, partnership-building, and procurement.

Lisa Kuscu

Lisa, founder of Blackrock Geoscience, is a geologist with 24 years of experience specializing in geologic project development and implementation, resource assessment, project management, procurement and budgeting.

As President of Blackrock Geoscience, Lisa focuses on leading initiatives to develop new projects and partnerships, finding practical solutions to exploration and development planning, helping clients to understand their geothermal resource and opportunities, cost-effective integration of exploration tools and data, and minimizing risk and maximizing returns to clients through careful planning.Lisa is experienced in the field designing and conducting a wide range of exploration activities including drilling operations.

Lisa has a Master’s degree in Environmental Management and Engineering from Idaho State University and a Bachelor’s degree in Geology from the University of South Florida.Lisa is a licensed Professional Geologist and a member of the Geothermal Resources Council.

Leland L. "Roy" Mink

Roy has over 45 years of experience as a geologist and is globally recognized for his experience in the geothermal field. Roy was instrumental in developing the first geothermal power plant in Idaho where binary power plant technology was first demonstrated. He is a former U.S. Department of Energy Geothermal Program Manager and has held faculty positions with Southern Methodist University, University of Alaska Fairbanks, University of Idaho, and Boise State University. Roy is an expert in all aspects of resource assessment and geothermal development including PPA’s, project financing, and geothermal policy.While maintaining his own consulting firm, Mink GeoHydro, Dr. Mink is also a regular Blackrock team member and senior advisor for Blackrock’s geothermal projects.

Roy has a Ph.D. from the University of Idaho; an MS degree in Hydrology from the University of Idaho; and a BS degree in Mathematics and Science Education from Idaho State University. He is a member of U.S. Geothermal Board of Directors, Greenfire Energy Technical Advisory Board, Greenfield Energy Board of Directors, and the Geothermal Resources Council Board of Directors.

Daniel Hand

Daniel has over 25 years of experience as a Mechanical Engineer in the private sector developing and designing sustainable energy projects including geothermal, biomass, solar, hydropower and wind resources.

While Dan maintaining his own consulting firm, Sustainable Engineering, he is also a Blackrock Geoscience team member who focuses on performing economic and market feasibility reports, developing creative options for development of geothermal resources in a tight market, providing geothermal technology evaluation and consultation, and providing capital budget estimates and design for geothermal development projects. Dan is well-informed on implementing different strategies for meeting green energy goals of clientele including the private sector and Government which includes a detailed knowledge of various financial incentives.

Dan has an MS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Arizona and a BS in Mechanical Engineering from West Point Military Academy. He is a former Army Ranger and retired Army Engineer Officer.