42 Renewables brings years of experience to clean energy development

Ja has over 20 years of finance, legal and renewables leadership experience. As an investment banker and tax lawyer, Ja structured and placed complex financial instruments and structured and executed M&A transactions across sectors, including financial services, media, telecom, energy (both traditional and renewable), consumer products and industrials. Ja was the Former President and Chief Executive Officer of Onyx Renewable Partners L.P.

Prior to joining Onyx, Ja worked at The Blackstone Group, where she was a Managing Director on the Structured Solutions team of Blackstone Advisory Partners. While at Blackstone, she led the renewable energy investment banking practice, covering wind, solar and other technology companies. Ja structured multiple tax equity financing transactions for solar and wind projects. Prior to The Blackstone Group, Ja was a tax associate at the law firm of Shearman & Sterling, LLP in New York and worked on complex M&A, capital markets, cross-border finance and private client matters from 2001-2008.

Ja serves on the Board of Directors for the American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) and previously served as Chairman of the Board of Assessment Review for the town of Pound Ridge, New York and was a member of the Board of Directors and Treasurer for the not-for-profit group, Internationals Network for Public Schools.

Ja received a Juris Doctor degree, cum laude, from Georgetown University Law Center and a bachelor’s degree in economics from Brandeis University.

Mr. Brian is a nationally recognized and industry-awarded executive with expertise in renewable energy development, mergers and acquisitions, asset management, engineering, construction, and procurement that stems from 28 years of experience in the power market.

Throughout his career, David has maintained a consistent track record of success having developed and closed over 3.2GW of distributed generation and utility scale solar projects across the United States.

As a veteran, and innovator of clean energy, Mr. Brian has an earnest conviction that promotes successful entrepreneurship and profitability. His leadership includes starting renewable business units for two of the largest EPC’s firms in the United States, MMR Group and Helix Electric Inc., securing more than $2.5B in contracts and assets as well as exceeding stakeholders’ growth and investment goals. In addition, Mr. Brian founded PVI, a development, construction, operation, and maintenance company that was acquired by First Solar Energy that operates out of Las Vegas, NV. David has initiated several pilot programs with utilities and public entities as well as originated microgrids in California and Hawaii. He has developed and partnered with firms such as First Solar, First Wind, SunEdison, Clearway, AES, Tesla, SolarCity, SpaceX, Solar Reserve, Sempra, REC, EDF, and SunPower.

Mr. Brian led development for Onyx Renewable Partners and extended the firms footprint across the continent as well as established a solid presence in Hawaii. In support of Ja Kao’s vision and stewardship, they forged a national solar portfolio that set a standard for ESG investment across the industry.

David is a graduate of the University of Nevada-Las Vegas with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and management and holds a master’s degree in electrical engineering and technologies.

Sophie has over 8 years of experience in the renewable energy sector. Beginning her career designing solar residential systems, she has evolved in the renewable industry, holding roles in design engineering, project management, and now landing in business development. She has supported in either the development, contracting, engineering, or construction of over 100MW of solar, storage, and distributed energy assets throughout her time at varying energy companies-- SolarCity, Engie, JLM Energy, and most recently, Onyx Renewables. Sophie is a graduate of University of San Diego with a B.S./B.A. in Mechanical Engineering.

Jeff has over 10 years of experience in the commercial and renewable construction industries.  Prior to 42 Renewables, he spent 5 years at Onyx Renewable Partners L.P focusing on project management. During his tenure, he oversaw the construction of over 25 MW across 6 states, ensuring EPC partners met project milestones from NTP through Commercial Operation. Prior to this, Jeff worked for 5 years as a project accountant and project manager for his family’s commercial roofing business.  Early in his career, Jeff worked as an analyst at an event driven investment adviser, focusing on tax, legal and regulatory catalysts. Jeff is a graduate of Stony Brook University with a degree in Economics.

John has 5 years of experience in the energy sector, and 3 years as a renewable energy developer. He spent the last 3 years of his career on the business development team at Onyx Renewable Partners L.P, where he focused on in-house project development, and led the acquisition and development of 3^rd party solar portfolios with various clients across North America. While leading project development in more than 10 States, John has successfully developed over 15 MW’s of C&I, distributed generating solar assets, as well as the negotiation and execution of over 20 MW’s of behind the meter Power Purchase Agreements. John is a graduate from the University of Alabama with a degree in Geology and minor in GIS, where he earned his GIS certification.

Sam has 5 years of experience in the renewable energy sector. He spent the last 2.5 years at Onyx Renewable Partners L.P. focusing on business and project development across behind-the-meter, community solar, and utility offtake projects throughout North America. Prior to this, Sam worked at Scotiabank on the power & utilities investment banking team. He began his career at Con Edison in the company’s Strategic Planning group working to grow the company’s utility and renewable energy businesses. Sam is a graduate of Franklin & Marshall College with a degree in public policy and environmental science and obtained a master’s degree in sustainability management from Columbia University.

Justin has been practicing law since 2014. Prior to 42 Renewables, he was in-house counsel at Onyx Renewable Partners L.P. for 5 years. While at Onyx, Justin was involved in the firm’s project and company acquisitions and dispositions, project financings, project development, asset management, and day-to-day corporate matters. Before Onyx, Justin was in-house counsel at the Marwood Group, an advisory and financial services firm. Justin graduated magna cum laude with a BA in Business & Economics and Spanish from Ursinus College. Justin earned his JD with distinction from Ohio Northern University College of Law and is licensed to practice in New York.

Jenna Casserly is the Director of Accounting at 42 Renewables LLC. She is involved in all aspects of accounting, including the month-end close process, day-to-day processes (such as cash management, accounts payable, and accounts receivable), as well as special reporting and projects. She manages the coordination, consolidation, and analysis of the firm’s financial reporting. Prior to joining 42 Renewables, she worked at Onyx Renewable Partners L.P. for 7 years where she was responsible for general ledger accounting and development of accounting procedures, while working closely with the Controller on audits and reporting. Jenna earned a bachelor’s degree in Accounting and a minor in IT from Monmouth University.

Julie has over 6 years of experience in the Renewable Energy Sector. Prior to joining 42 Renewables, she was part of the Business and Project Development team at Onyx Renewable Partners, L.P.. Julie has experience in origination, strategic partnership development, contract negotiations, project financing analytics, interconnection and incentive applications. Julie prides herself in providing hands-on customer service throughout the lifecycle of a project. She has successfully negotiated and/or provided project management oversight for over 30 MW of projects and successfully developed a total of 18 MW of DG Assets that include solar and energy storage solutions. Julie is a graduate from San Francisco State University with an emphasis in Environmental Studies and holds certificates in Leadership and Project Management Execution tactics.

David Watts is the SVP, Controller at 42 Renewables LLC.

Prior to joining 42 Renewables, David was the VP of Finance at Elevate Brands, an eCommerce retail company. While at Elevate, David was responsible for all accounting operations, including external reporting, the month end close process, accounts payables and receivables, treasury, and tax compliance.

Before joining Elevate, David was the Assistant Controller at Onyx Renewable Partners for 4 years. David also has 8 years of experience in public accounting, performing various financial statement audits including international public companies.

David earned both an MS and a BS in accounting from the University of New Hampshire and is a Certified Public Accountant in the State of New York.