Wind Energy America Management
The Wind Energy America management team has extensive experience in the wind energy sector, including development, construction, project management and operations with companies recognized as industry leaders. Our team also has excellent relationships with utilities, developers, turbine manufacturers, consultants and others who are key to any developer’s success. Having relationships with governments and other key stakeholders give Wind Energy America an advantage in getting projects done. The Wind Energy America team has relationships with state geological staff, state economic development staff, Bureau of Land Management staff, state land trust staff, university meteorological faculty, utility company executives, county commissioners, Indian tribe land management and environmental advocacy organizations. These relationships will allow us to move projects through the development process more quickly than other developers.
Mel Wentz
Mel has over 30 years of experience of diversified experience in engineering, construction, project development and financing of engineered facilities and power generation projects. He was formerly President of TXU Development, a wholly owned subsidiary of TXU Corp (Energy Future Holdings). Experienced in marketing and sales of design, fabrication, construction, and maintenance services to the process, utility and commercial construction markets. Extensive experience in management, administration, financial analysis, project financing, and asset management of cogeneration and independent power plants. He has Structured and financed over 200 MW of wind energy projects, has joint ventured to develop a 300 MW geothermal plant in Indonesia, developed three coal-fired generation projects in China (386 MW) and developed and sold a 250 MW gas-fired plant in India. In addition, Mr. Wentz has managed a portfolio of 10+ operating projects including wind, biomass, coal and gas-fired generating plants. Master of Business Administration, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Double Major - Math/Engineering - St. Vincent College- Latrobe, PA
Brian Hill
Brian has over 24 years of experience in the energy industry including, project development, engineering and construction management for conventional fossil and renewable energy projects such as wind energy, bio-diesel, digester gas projects. He has also provided management consulting services to major industry clients and has led several successful startup companies. Brian has helped place 248.9 MW of wind energy into service and was project manager for an additional 335 MW that was placed in service in 2008. He has participated in the development of an additional 300 MW of peaking capacity that is currently in service and has power plant development experience in over 20 states. He has performed project development and project management services for companies including Airtricity North America, TXU, FPL Energy, Exelon (ComEd and PECO), Duke Energy (Cinergy), Calpine and Constellation. Mr. Hill is recognized as an expert in power development and has published and presented papers at several industry conferences. Master of Business Administration, Loyola University, Chicago, IL Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Professional Engineer - Wisconsin
Colin Jackson
Colin began his career as a CPA and has 22 years of experience in corporate financial management, financial analysis, planning, treasury operations and corporate finance. His experience includes roles in both public and private companies including CFO, VP - Operations Finance, and Director of Treasury. Colin has managed the financial operations of companies with annual revenues of over $200MM and a privately held investment group with $1B+ under management. He also managed the public offerings of $1.1B of corporate debt securities and executed $300MM in swaps transactions. His experience includes positions at Exxon Corporation, Campbell Soup Company, The Times Mirror Company and Deloitte & Touche. Master of Business Administration, Kellogg Graduate School of Management, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL. Bachelor of Arts, Economics, University of California, Los Angeles.