Arno Harris, CEO
Arno Harris is the CEO of Recurrent Energy, a leading developer of solar power projects for utilities and large energy users. Recurrent Energy is using proven solar technology to meet rising energy demand with clean power plants located right where they're needed most. Prior to Recurrent Energy, Arno was general manager of EI Solutions, serving large-scale commercial and government solar customers. EI Solutions was formed when Arno sold his pioneering solar business, Prevalent Power, to Energy Innovations in 2005. Arno's previous experience includes founder and leadership roles for high tech startups. His background combines marketing, business development, and consulting with experience serving such clients as Berlex, Toyota Motor Sales USA, GlaxoWellcome, MCI, Apple Computer, Hewlett-Packard, Nikon Precision, IKEA International and NBC Digital Publishing. Arno writes about solar and renewable energy on his blog Clean Energy Future.
Patrick Caramante, SVP, Engineering,
Construction & Operations
Pat has over 30 years experience in the power generation industry, including 10 years in renewable energy technologies. He leads Recurrent Energy’s Engineering, Construction & Operations group, which is responsible for the design, installation, and testing of Recurrent Energy’s portfolio of distributed-solar projects. He was most recently Vice President of Engineering for FirstWind LLC, where he was responsible for technical support to FirstWind’s development, construction, and operations groups. Previously, Pat was Vice President of Garrad Hassan America, the leading independent engineering/consulting firm to the global wind power industry, where he helped to grow the firm by almost 50% in two years. Pat also served as General Manager of Wind Operations at FPL Energy (now NextEra Energy), where he was responsible for the operation of over 750 MW of wind powered electric generating plants. His experience prior to joining the renewable energy industry includes time at General Electric, Con Edison of NY, EBASCO, and ABB, working in almost every aspect of power generation. Pat holds an MS in Management and a BE in Mechanical Engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology and is a registered Professional Engineer in the state of New York.
Judith Hall, SVP, General Counsel
Judith has over 20 years of power industry experience in the capacities of both legal counsel and consulting engineer. She serves as Recurrent Energy’s General Counsel, providing oversight of the company’s corporate, transactional, governance and compliance matters. Previously Judith served as Associate General Counsel of Babcock & Brown, a global infrastructure and advisory firm. Judith began her legal career in private practice with Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman where she represented energy, real estate, development and technology companies in complex transactional matters. Before law school Judith provided engineering consulting services to electric power utilities, the US Department of Energy and the Electric Power Research Institute, specializing in probabilistic risk assessment. Judith received a BS in Mechanical Engineering with honors from UC Berkeley, a JD cum laude from UC Hastings, and an LLM in Business Law from UC Berkeley Law. She serves on the Board of Trustees of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and is a three-time Ironman triathlete through the Team in Training program.
Sheldon Kimber, SVP, Development
Sheldon brings over a decade of experience in energy finance and development to Recurrent Energy. He leads all North American project development, expansion, and origination activities. Formerly the vice president of finance at Recurrent Energy, Sheldon was instrumental in developing and negotiating the company’s existing projects, fund raising efforts, and joint venture agreements. Previously, he spent five years at Calpine, working on gas-fired power projects and power purchase agreements with large energy customers. He also worked as an investment banker for industrial and natural resource companies at Goldman Sachs, and in Accenture’s strategy consulting practice, specializing in power price forecasting and asset valuation projects for utility clients. Sheldon holds an MBA from UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business and a BA in Economics from Kenyon College.
Karl Knight, Managing Director,
International Development
Karl brings nearly 20 years of global financing, M&A, and strategic partnership advisory experience to Recurrent Energy. As Managing Director, International Development, Karl is responsible for growing the company’s distributed solar project pipeline in Europe and emerging markets worldwide. Previously, he was Managing Director of Finance and Development for Regenesis Power, a commercial solar services company. Prior to entering the solar industry, Karl held several senior roles in technology investment banking at GCA Savvian, Credit Suisse First Boston and Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette. Karl holds an MBA from New York University's Stern School of Business and a BA in Finance from the University of Wales.
Michael Metzner, CFO
Michael has over 20 years of experience in the energy business. As CFO, he oversees all of the Recurrent Energy's financial operations including corporate and project capital raising, financial planning & analysis, treasury, tax and accounting. Prior to joining Recurrent Energy as CFO, he was Executive Vice President and CFO at First Wind. Earlier, Michael was Senior Vice President and Treasurer at Exelon, the Chicago-based utility company, where he was responsible for multiple departments within Exelon Finance including Treasury, Enterprise Risk Management, Investments and Investor Relations. Prior to becoming Treasurer, he served in a number of positions at Exelon, including Vice President of Investor Relations, Vice President of Strategy, Planning and Analysis for Exelon Generation Company, and more. Before joining Exelon in 1999, Michael served in a variety of positions with Atlantic Richfield Corporation (ARCO), where he'd been since 1988. He holds a BA from the State University of New York, Brockport, and an MBA from the University of Chicago.
Fred Vaske, VP, Project Finance
Fred brings nearly 20 years of experience in project and asset finance, valuation and consulting to Recurrent Energy. He leads the Project Finance group and is responsible for securing debt and equity financing for the company’s transactions worldwide. He was most recently Director of Structured Finance for SunPower Corporation, where he structured and negotiated power purchase agreements with U.S. commercial customers and led the sale of $100 million of solar PV project portfolios to Morgan Stanley and GE Energy Financial Services. Prior to entering the solar industry, Fred spent a decade in the big-ticket asset finance industry, including 7 years with GATX Capital where he was a Vice President in the Structured Finance group and led the financing of portfolios of aircraft, railroad rolling stock, and technology assets. Fred holds an MA in Economics from Washington University in St. Louis and a BA in Mathematics and Economics from Claremont McKenna College.