Our Team
Leadership Team
Doug Golden
Chief Operations Officer
Doug Golden
Chief Operating Officer
Pier LaFarge
Co-Founder & CEO
Pier is an entrepreneur, hunter and fly-fisherman based in Washington, DC. He loves to build and scale human systems and believes fiercely in the power of business model innovation to bring customer-first disruption where it is needed most. At ICF International, he co-founded a new consulting offering that helped corporate & municipal customers procure their building energy systems. Realizing that customers needed something better than their existing options, he quit his job and co-founded Sparkfund in 2013, working alongside major energy providers to change forever how building systems are delivered and managed.
Pier LaFarge
Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Dan Leff
Dan Leff, a senior advisor at Broadscale, has extensive operating experience building, leading and restructuring global energy services, industrial manufacturing, and technology and software companies. Previously, Dan worked as CEO of Hara Software, COO of Invensys Energy Management, CEO of Enron Energy Services, CEO of FMES and CEO of Pilot Energy. Dan serves as a board member of ServiceChannel, the Trudeau Institute, Point Positive, and on the advisory board of Carter Morse & Mathias. He was previously on the boards of Viridity Energy, Hara Software, Credit Acceptance Corporation (NASDAQ: CACC), the YMCA Camping Services Council of Greater New York and the National Sports Academy in Lake Placid, NY. Dan holds a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Union College in Schenectady, New York and has four children with his wife Pam of thirty-four years.
Dan Leff
Executive Chairman
Jonathan Plowe
President
Jonathan is an industry-leading innovator with over two decades of private sector experience spanning capital markets, structured finance, tax equity, renewable energy project finance, and corporate taxation. Most recently, Jonathan co-founded Tax Equity Advisors, LLC, a tax equity investment management firm that raised and deployed $400 million of tax equity into solar energy projects across the United States. Previously, he was Managing Director of Bank of America Merrill Lynch’s renewable energy solutions business, where he led the development of the bank’s world-class renewable energy project finance initiative and spearheaded award-winning rooftop solar transactions. Before joining Merrill Lynch, Jonathan was a corporate tax attorney with Skadden, focused on financial products, M&A, and structured finance. Jonathan holds a philosophy degree from Cornell University and a law degree from The George Washington University Law School. He lives in New York State with his wife and three daughters.
Jonathan Plowe
President
Tanner Smith
Chief Revenue Officer
Tanner is a passionate energy tactician responsible for Sparkfund's strategic partners, fulfillment network, and National Account customers. Tanner comes to Sparkfund with an array of expertise on large scale implementations in the commercial lighting market. As V.P. of National Accounts at Maxlite, he leveraged product expertise and specialized in growth within ESCOs and National Account Distributors. Prior to Maxlite, Tanner designed and executed hundreds of lighting projects for various Fortune customers at Pinnacle Solutions. Tanner is a graduate of Arizona State University with a degree in Sustainability and Urban Planning.
Tanner Smith
Chief Revenue Officer
Sparkfund™ Team
Peyman Allahvirdizadeh
EVP, Talent & Culture
Peyman is an experienced recruiter with a passion for everything People Operations, diversity, equity, and inclusion. He believes economic growth and environmental sustainability are mutually exclusive. Prior to joining Sparkfund, he worked at wikiHow as a Talent Acquisition Manager, as well as helping wikiHow grow their international websites. Peyman graduated from San Francisco State University in 2014 where he studied International Business. When not at work he spends his time riding his bike, cooking, buying fresh cut flowers, writing poetry, or designing performing art pieces.
Peyman Allahvirdizadeh
EVP, Talent & Culture
Maddie Allen-Sandoz
Sr. Manager, Business Development
Madeline is a pragmatic environmentalist who believes building energy efficiency is a critical tool in lowering global energy consumption. She is interested in how innovative business solutions can be used to unlock the potential of energy efficiency.
Madeline holds a BS in Civil and Environmental Engineering with a focus in Sustainability Buildings from the University of Pittsburgh. She has over 8 years of experience in the renewable and energy efficiency field. At Sparkfund, Madeline supports mechanical engineering and building operations efforts. Prior to joining Sparkfund, Madeline was a lead development engineer at Johnson Controls.In addition to her work in energy efficiency, Madeline is passionate about home remodeling and building preservation. She recently renovated her home in the Germantown section of Philadelphia and looks forward to her next project.
Maddie Allen-Sandoz
Sr. Manager, Business Development
Rahi Ashar
Associate, Talent & Culture
Rahi Ashar
Associate, Talent & Culture
Erin Augustine
Director, Brand Strategy
Erin Augustine
Director, Brand Strategy
Imani Bailey
Manager, Marketing
Imani is a creative marketing professional with top-of-funnel awareness and a strategic marketing background. After spending time working in sales enablement, integrated marketing, and consumer insights, Imani is well-rounded from concept to creation.
She holds a bachelor's in marketing from Georgia State University. In her free time, Imani enjoys reading non-fiction books, traveling the world, and spending time with her dog Thursday. She is also huge foodie with a self-proclaimed specialty in dessert tasting.
Imani Bailey
Manager, Marketing
Jodine Bautista
Sr. Manager, Customer Experience
Jodine Bautista
Sr. Manager, Customer Experience
Evelynne Bayar
Sr. Director, Operations
Evelynne is an experienced project management professional serving as a Senior Director on the Sparkfund's Operations Team. She has a diverse background spanning multiple industries, including construction, HVAC, oil & gas, foundry, and IoT. She earned a BS in Chemical Engineering and a BA in Chemistry from Virginia Tech, and an MBA with a specialization in Project Management from Louisiana State University. At Sparkfund, she strives to provide excellent construction and delivery experience to customers who are utilizing Sparkfund's Technology Subscription and to drive operational excellence.
Evelynne Bayar
Sr. Director, Operations
Payton Beach
Manager, Program Management
Payton Beach is very interested and passionate about engineering and the role it can play in energy efficiency and helping the environment by means of technology.
Payton Beach
Manager, Program Management
Matt Bosch
EVP, Partnerships & Growth
Matt is responsible for strategy, execution, and growth for the Utility vertical of Sparkfund's business. His background is hyper-focused on energy software, spanning the Wholesale Energy Market to the Utility-Customer relationship. Prior to Sparkfund, Matt led a segment of Client Success Managers at Opower covering $20M+ in annual recurring revenue. With a primary focus on building enduring client partnerships, Matt was responsible for strategic account management and technical delivery of SaaS products at 30+ US Utilities. Additionally, Matt spent nearly 5 years in Accenture's Utility Management Consulting practice. During that time he worked with Regulated Utilities, Regional Transmission Organizations, and Energy Traders on the business implications of a rapidly advancing software landscape. Matt holds a BSE in Mechanical Engineering (Energy Focus) from the University of Michigan.
Matt Bosch
EVP, Partnerships & Growth
Carolyn Braganca
Manager, Talent & Culture
Carolyn is an experienced recruiter with a passion for creating and maintaining organizational cultures where all employees can grow and thrive. She is responsible for growing the Sparkfund team and facilitating a strong company culture that contributes to the success of both the company and every individual team member.
Before joining Sparkfund, Carolyn worked in recruiting at a third-party recruiting firm as well as in attorney recruiting at a large law firm. She earned her bachelor’s degree in English Literature from Elon University in North Carolina.
In her free time, Carolyn enjoys reading, watching the latest Marvel movie or tv show, going on walks with her dog Captain, and trying out multiple different hobbies.
Carolyn Braganca
Manager, Talent & Culture
Tobias Broadnax
Content Writer Specialist
Tobias Broadnax
Content Writer Specialist
Dave Brubacher
Manager, Project Finance
Bio coming soon.
Dave Brubacher
Manager, Project Finance
Logan Cannon
Director, Financial Planning & Analysis
Bio coming soon.
Logan Cannon
Director, Financial Planning & Analysis
Jeff Cheek
Director, Vendor Management
Bio coming soon.
Jeff Cheek
Director, Vendor Management
Phil Croker
AVP, Structuring & Risk Management
Phil is a driven problem solver on the Structuring & Risk Management Team. Prior to joining Sparkfund, Phil managed the operational activities for the bilateral utility demand response programs at EnerNOC. His past experience also includes researching energy efficiency solutions at Boss Controls, an energy management start up, and working with the Energy Innovation Center of Pittsburgh, a non-profit that fosters green workforce development. Phil graduated from Middlebury College with a degree in Environmental Economics.
Phil Croker
AVP, Structuring & Risk Management
Aidan Dwyer
Manager, Structuring & Risk Management
Aidan Dwyer
Manager, Structuring & Risk Management
Lauren Efird
AVP, Business Development
Bio coming soon.
Lauren Efird
AVP, Business Development
Brian Ely
Sr. Program Manager, Commercial Real Estate
Brian Ely
Sr. Program Manager, Commercial Real Estate
Hanson Ely
Sr. Manager, Lighting Solutions
Hanson Ely
Sr. Manager, Lighting Solutions
Jason Gaudreault
AVP, Delivery & Safety
Jason Gaudreault
AVP, Delivery & Safety
Peter Gephart
Energy Auditor
Peter Gephart
Energy Auditor
Kathy Gicobbi
Sr. Manager, Proposals
As Senior Proposal Manager for Sparkfund, Kathy is responsible for managing the successful development of compliant and competitive proposals through effective collaboration across teams that include internal staff, corporate partners, and utility programs. By applying her experience and establishing best practices in proposal management she develops, leads and delivers high quality proposal submissions that are technically and financially sound, responsive, and compliant. Prior to joining Sparkfund, Kathy was Proposal Manager/Technical Write for Honeywell International Inc.’s Energy Services Group providing Energy Savings Performance Contracting (ESPC) proposal development with a focus on state, municipal, local government agencies, school districts and universities. Kathy has 29 years of proposal management experience and is Foundation Certified by Association of Proposal Management Professionals.
Kathy Gicobbi
Sr. Manager, Proposals
Melissa Hutchings
Manager, FinCo
Bio coming soon.
Melissa Hutchings
Manager, FinCo
Ben Hill
Director, Project Development
Ben is an engineer and scientist by training, with a background in energy efficiency, renewable energy, and materials science research. At Sparkfund, Ben supports building technology engineering and fund management operations. His past experience at ICF includes supporting EPA, DOE and Natural Resources Canada in the development, analysis, and implementation of energy efficiency programs. Prior to his time as a consultant, Ben worked as a metal materials engineer at Apple, developed Solarize programs throughout Virginia with the Local Energy Alliance Program, and researched semiconductors at the DOE's Lawrence Berkeley National Lab and at the University of Virginia. He graduated from UVa's School of Engineering and Applied Science with a BS in Materials Science and Engineering and a minor in Physics.
Ben Hill
Director, Project Development
Minyoung Ihonde
Director, Program Management
Min is responsible for managing and growing the commercial programs with strategic partners at Sparkfund. She brings more than a decade of experience from a major engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) company in the energy industry, working with International Oil Companies (IOCs), National Oil Companies (NOCs), and developers on global energy infrastructure projects, with values of up to $10 billion. Prior to joining Sparkfund, Min worked at KBR where she sold, developed and executed complex energy projects. Her experience covers diverse market sectors such as LNG, refining, petrochemicals, power and energy transition, including hydrogen, biofuels and carbon capture & sequestration. Most recently, she was the Business Development Manager responsible for growth and strategy for the project delivery group at KBR. She also has hands-on experience, having spent time on construction sites, supporting field engineering and managing site subcontractors. Min holds a Bachelors of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Lehigh University and a Masters of Engineering degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Houston. She is a registered Professional Engineer in the State of Texas.
Minyoung Ihonde
Director, Program Management
Clare Johnson
Associate, Delivery
Bio coming soon.
Clare Johnson
Associate, Delivery
Taylor Johnson
Associate, Customer Success
Taylor has over a decade of professional sales and customer relations experience primarily focused on
client acquisition, retention and success. He excels at building rapport, developing strategies to increase
efficiency and believes that people are the most important factor in any business. With an extensive background in leadership and business development, he’s passionate about building relationships and continual growth.
When he’s not at work, Taylor enjoys archery and hunting, relaxing by the pool with a cold drink and some country music along with spending quality time with family and friends. His motto is “we all have the same 24 hours in a day, it’s what we do with them that makes all the difference.”
Taylor Johnson
Associate, Customer Success
Michael Kulas
Director, Project Management & Delivery
Michael Kulas
Director, Project Management & Delivery
Quan-Chi Le
Sr. Director, Asset Management
Quan-Chi is a finance professional with a background in portfolio management, capital markets, and fixed income analysis. She is a Sr. Director, Asset Management on Sparkfund's FinCo team, and is responsible for ensuring a diversified portfolio with strong credit capacity. Prior to joining Sparkfund, Quan-Chi worked at Freddie Mac as a portfolio manager to the Liquidity and Contingency book. She is a CFA charter holder and a graduate of the University of Virginia with a BA in Economics - Finance Concentration and a BA in East Asian Studies. In her spare time, Quan-Chi enjoys rock climbing, yoga, and reading.
Quan-Chi Le
Sr. Director, Asset Management
Greg Lee
Director, Safety & Compliance
Greg Lee
Director, Safety & Compliance
Ryan Macdonald
Sr. Manager, Structuring & Risk Management
Ryan MacDonald
Sr. Manager, Structuring & Risk Management
Nick Matthews
Sr. Director, Project Development Engineering
Nick is a materials engineer by education, a systems engineer by experience, a mechanical engineer by licensure, and an environmental engineer by passion. He came to Sparkfund from the engineering consultant Brown and Caldwell where he was a mechanical engineer focused on HVAC and process systems. Nick's excitement for building mechanical systems and desire to positively impact the environment intersected beautifully to find the perfect home at Sparkfund where he can exercise his passion for finding innovative solutions to technical challenges.
When he's not at work, Nick enjoys spending time with his family, playing board games, and exploring whatever corner of the world he finds himself in. He is a big fan of kookaburras, okapis, all things foxes, and the color blue. No! yellOOOOOOOW...
Nick Matthews
Sr. Director, Project Development Engineering
Jessica Marroquin
Manager, Contracts
Jessica Marroquin
Manager, Contracts
Farrell McClernon
Sr. Director, Growth
Farrell is an ardent environmentalist and proud member of the Revenue team at Sparkfund, focused on expanding our network of partners. Her passion for fighting climate change stems from several years spent living aboard a sailboat in the South Pacific, where she was quite literally forced to build a symbiotic relationship with the environment.
Before joining the team at Sparkfund, Farrell cut her teeth in the energy sector at Voltus, the leading monetization platform for distributed energy resources in North America. At Voltus, she was responsible for developing and executing on the go-to-market strategy for commercial partnerships. Prior to that, she spent a decade working in the technology sector, primarily focused on partnership strategy and development.
When she’s not fighting the good fight, Farrell can usually be found enjoying the great outdoors in her beautiful home in the San Juan islands.
Farrell McClernon
Sr. Director, Growth
Michael McLenahan
EVP, FinCo
Michael is a seasoned specialty finance professional with expertise in portfolio analysis, credit operations and asset management. At Sparkfund, he works to deliver maximum shareholder value through risk management and portfolio optimization. In addition to managing the daily collateral reporting, he coordinates with the Underwriting and Operations teams to transition partners and projects into Portfolio Management. He comes to Sparkfund after working in Government Contract Finance at Federal National Commercial Credit and in Healthcare Finance at CapitalSource. Michael is a graduate of Miami University with a BA in Management Information Systems and a BS in Philosophy. He enjoys travel, sports and spending time with his family.
Michael McLenahan
EVP, FinCo
Doug Millar
Director, Technical Sales
Doug works with clients to learn their operations and goals and developing energy optimized solutions to achieve those goals. He has over 30 years of experience with proven success in the field of optimized energy use, energy conservation, efficient HVAC in new construction, efficiency upgrades and implementation of capital projects in existing buildings. With extensive experience in energy management, mechanical systems, electrical systems, renewable energy and energy storage, Doug’s knowledge and capabilities are especially significant in developing and providing a total facility or campus aggregate solution.
Prior to joining Sparkfund, Doug served as a senior regional director for a national energy optimization project development and implementation consulting firm with a strong presence in the Washington DC area.
Doug is a current board member of the AEE National Capital Chapter and serves as a committee member on the Tysons Partnership Sustainability Council. He holds CEM, CBCP, EBCP & OSHA 30. He is a U.S Navy Veteran with a BS in Finance from Rutgers University. He also earned professional certifications in mechanical and electrical engineering concepts from New York University and the Johnson Controls Institute to further cultivating his industry expertise. Doug enjoys watching his son’s play sports, attempting to play guitar and playing ice hockey.
Doug Millar
Director, Technical Sales
Kwame Mukasa
Manager, Program Management
Kwame is a member of the Program Management team at Sparkfund. His previous experience includes the Investment Banking Analyst Program at Citibank, and research on environment and economic development in China with Middlebury College. Kwame enjoys using Geographic Information Systems and data to better understand the relationship between the human and natural world. He graduated from Middlebury College with a degree in Environmental Economics. Kwame is excited about the future of energy infrastructure technology and the impact it will have on emerging markets.
Kwame Mukasa
Manager, Program Management
Robyn Munici
Sr. Manager, Program Management
As Senior Manager, Program Management Robyn is responsible for working cross-functionally to deliver Sparkfund's programs in partnership with our utility partners. Robyn comes to Sparkfund with over 10 years of energy efficiency and sustainability program implementation experience, most recently as Program Manager at Franklin Energy. Robyn has worked with various utility clients, trade ally partners, implementation partners and customers directly to develop and implement energy efficiency programs. Robyn approaches program management with a strong focus on problem solving, providing outstanding customer service and team/stakeholder engagement. Robyn holds a BA in Public Policy Studies and an MS in International Public Service both from DePaul University in Chicago. When she's not working, she's enjoying time with her two children (preferably outside when Chicago weather is cooperating), buying books that she may or may not actually read, and listening to podcasts.
Robyn Munici
Sr. Manager, Program Management
Luke Orem
Manager, Project Development
Luke Orem
Manager, Project Development
CJ Powell, Jr.
HVAC Auditor
CJ Powell, Jr.
HVAC Auditor
Nick Poole
Associate, Vendor Management
Nick Poole
Associate, Vendor Management
Spyros Qendro
Manager, Credit
Bio coming soon.
Spyros Qendro
Manager, Credit
Brendan Reed
Sr. Director, Business Development
Brendan is responsible for growing business as a part of Sparkfund's Direct to Customer and Utility sales verticals. He brings extensive experience communicating the benefits of new energy technologies and "as-a-service" models to the company. Brendan's background is in accelerating growth and market access to clean energy products like solar, battery storage and electric vehicles. Previous to Sparkfund he worked for the policy arms of Tesla and SolarCity, engaging lawmakers to increase consumer access to electric vehicles, promote grid benefits of solar generation and streamline local regulations on solar and battery system construction. He also worked with utilities to develop incentive programs and customer education campaigns aimed at promoting clean energy technologies. Prior to working in policy Brendan sold residential and commercial solar at a time when third-party owned financial products were just getting off the ground. Brendan has a degree in communications from the University of Delaware, home of the Fighting Blue Hens.
Brendan Reed
AVP, Distributed Energy Resources
Paul Roberts
Sr. Director, Treasury
Paul is a seasoned financial professional with expertise in accounting, tax and financial reporting. At Sparkfund Paul is responsible for all aspects of the company's financial management, including corporate accounting, fund accounting, transaction management and financial reporting. Paul brings over 20 years of experience in the lease industry to Sparkfund from Saab Aircraft Leasing, where he led the accounting and reporting operations for the portfolio of over 175 aircraft. Paul is a graduate of Virginia Tech with a BS in Accounting. When he is not at Sparkfund, you will find Paul travelling with his family, coaching little league, or playing in the yard with his kids.
Paul Roberts
Sr. Director, Treasury
Patch Ronald
Controller
At Sparkfund, Patch assists the CFO with the fund accounting, financial reporting, treasury management, accounts payable, and accounting policy functions. Prior to joining Sparkfund, Patch was a Senior Associate in the Assurance practice of PricewaterhouseCoopers, where he planned and executed financial statement and internal controls audits of various financial institutions in the Washington, DC metro area, including a Fortune 100 mortgage banking entity, a national credit union, and various real estate entities. Patch is a graduate of the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan.
Patch Ronald
Controller
Trey Scott
Manager, Project Development
Trey Scott
Manager, Project Development
Cayla Slack
Manager, Business Development
Cayla Slack
Manager, Business Development
Rick Singer
Manager, Construction
Rick Singer
Manager, Construction
Dale Smith
Sr. Commercial Counsel
Dale Smith
Sr. Commercial Counsel
Eric Swenson
Sr. Manager, Structuring & Risk Management
Eric Swenson
Sr. Manager, Structuring & Risk Management
Jose Varela
Associate, Service
Jose Varela
Associate, Service
Christiane Walker
Sr. Manager, Business Development
Christiane Walker
Sr. Manager, Business Development
Ryan Wright
Manager, Structuring & Risk Management
Ryan Wright
Manager, Structuring & Risk Management
Michael Wurzbacher
AVP, Program Development
Michael is a driven Project Manager who focuses on removing impediments to achieve customer success. At Sparkfund, Michael is responsible for working with channel partners to implement the Sparkfund Technology Subscription™ and build programmatic rollouts with core customers. Michael joins Sparkfund from Grant Thornton where, as a Senior Associate, he used Agile management practices to facilitate the development of a federal agency financial application that processed $3 billion of annual transactions. He also created a customer support center and managed releases using DevOps practices. Prior to Grant Thornton, he had a two year fellowship with the Bloomington Economic Development Corporation where he supported efforts for local business retention, expansion, and relocation. Michael has a MPA from the School of Public and Environmental Affairs at Indiana University and a B.S. in Psychology from the University of Kentucky.
Michael Wurzbacher
AVP, Product
Vanessa Zeigler
Sr. Director, Program Management
Vanessa Zeigler
Sr. Director, Program Management
Board of Directors
Dan Leff
Dan Leff has extensive operating experience building, leading and restructuring global energy services, industrial manufacturing, and technology and software companies. Previously, Dan worked as CEO of Hara Software, COO of Invensys Energy Management, CEO of Enron Energy Services, CEO of FMES and CEO of Pilot Energy. Dan serves as a board member of ServiceChannel, the Trudeau Institute, Point Positive, and on the advisory board of Carter Morse & Mathias. He was previously on the boards of Viridity Energy, Hara Software, Credit Acceptance Corporation (NASDAQ: CACC), the YMCA Camping Services Council of Greater New York and the National Sports Academy in Lake Placid, NY. Dan holds a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Union College in Schenectady, New York and has four children with his wife Pam of thirty-four years.
Dan Leff
Executive Chairman
Reuben Munger
Reuben Munger founded Vision Ridge Partners in 2008 in order to bring decades of value investing experience to bear on what he saw as the financial opportunities presented by sustainable solutions. A former Managing Director with The Baupost Group, LLC, a leading investment firm with over $25 billion in assets, Reuben has also been a consultant to Texas Pacific Group and an Investment Banker with James D. Wolfensohn, Inc. His passion and expertise in electrified mobility, renewable electricity generation, the built environment and other assets make him a leader in sustainable investing. Reuben is a board member of Securing America’s Future Energy, a founding member of the Executive Committee of the Electrification Coalition, and a member of the League of Conservation Voters board of directors and serves on the boards of numerous private companies. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from Washington and Lee University with a B.A. in Politics and Economics and a B.S. in Business Administration.
Reuben Munger
Managing Partner & Founder, Vision Ridge Partners
Mark Lantrip
Mark Lantrip recently retired from a 40-year career at the Southern Company where he most recently served as Executive Vice President and as CEO and Chair of Southern Company Services. In addition, Lantrip served as the Chair of the unregulated Southern Energy Resources group comprised of Southern Power, PowerSecure and Southern Holdings. He was responsible for overseeing the company’s unregulated growth and innovation business strategies; overseeing Southern Company’s industry-leading R&D organization; and its development of new technologies for the generation, delivery and use of energy. Furthermore, Lantrip was the Southern Company executive sponsor for customer, marketing, growth, and innovation activities across the regulated companies.
A thought leader at the Southern Company, Mark was instrumental in shaping strategy and recognizing as well as adopting technology and innovation to transform the industry. He was previously Southern Company Treasurer and EVP Finance Southern Company Services. Other experience includes generation planning, financial planning and risk management.
Mark Lantrip
Operating Partner, Energy Impact Partners
Pier LeFarge
Pier LaFarge is an entrepreneur, hunter and fly-fisherman based in Washington, DC. He loves to build and scale human systems and believes fiercely in the power of business model innovation to bring customer-first disruption where it is needed most. At ICF International, he co-founded a new consulting offering that helped corporate & municipal customers procure their building energy systems. Realizing that customers needed something better than their existing options, he quit his job and co-founded Sparkfund in 2013, working alongside major energy providers to change forever how building systems are delivered and managed.
Pier LaFarge
CEO, Sparkfund
Lindsay Luger
Lindsay Luger has more than a decade of successful experience as an investor in energy technology companies. As a Vice President of Digital Power Capital and Wexford Capital, Ms. Luger worked on dozens of venture capital and growth equity transactions and has expertise in all key areas necessary for successful technology investing, ranging from deal sourcing, analyzing, due diligence and transaction structuring to portfolio oversight and exits. In addition, Ms. Luger gained operating experience by serving as Vice President of Finance at two portfolio companies. She holds a BA in Psychology from Columbia University (Magna Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa).
Lindsay Luger
Partner, Energy Impact Partners
Edward "Ed" Schlect, Jr.
Ed currently serves as Strategy Advisor for Avista Corporation, after retiring in January 2023 from the role of Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer. Schlect has over 30 years experience in the energy industry, and is serving or has served on numerous boards including EDO, Trove Predictive Data Science (acquired by E Source), Lumen Bioscience, Open Energy Solutions, Spirae, and Ignite Northwest.
While at Avista, Ed focused on driving growth for the company through service innovation, emerging technologies and new ventures in line with Avista’s core energy business. Schlect rejoined Avista in 2015 after serving as a founder of Ecova, an energy information firm, where he served in executive roles, including director of operations, vice president of product development, vice president of consulting services and executive vice president of corporate development. Schlect led the strategic planning for the company, evaluation of new energy technologies and merger/acquisition initiatives. These led to seven transactions which brought new services to customers and the eventual sale of Ecova to deliver value to shareholders.
Ed has a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from Washington State University and has completed a course in Operations Management at Harvard Business School. He has held a license as a Professional Engineer and certifications as a Green Building Engineer and as Certified Energy Manager. Ed serves on the board of directors of the Union Gospel Mission Foundation in Spokane, Washington, and is an avid cyclist, aspiring farmer, and woodworker.
Ed Schlect
Strategy Advisor, Avista Corporation
Shounok Sinha
Shounok Sinha has over a decade of successful experience as a clean energy developer and investor. He currently serves as Managing Director at Constellation Technology Ventures (CTV), which is the venture investing arm of Constellation Energy. Shounok leads CTV’s investment strategy and is responsible for supporting the growth of the venture portfolio.
Prior to joining CTV, Shounok led the Investment Structuring and Product Development team within Constellation’s Renewables and Distributed Energy business. Shounok led new product development, financial structuring, and M&A across a variety of energy technologies focused on clean, resilient, and agile generation technologies & infrastructure projects.
Shounok holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Instrumentation Engineering from BMS College of Engineering, India, and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Maryland at College Park.
Shounok Sinha
Managing Director, Constellation Technology Ventures
Advisors
Sparkfund's Advisory Board includes:
- Tom Amis, Chairman of Amis, Patel & Brewer, Principal & Strategy Lead: Controlled Environment Foods, Equilibrium Capital.
- Kate Brandt, Sustainability Lead at Google
- Richard Graves, Chief Impact Officer & Co-Founder at CleanChoice Energy
- Brandon Hurlbut, Co-Founder at Boundary Stone Partners
- Dan Reicher, Executive Director at Steyer-Taylor Center for Energy
- Ray Rothrock, Partner Emeritus at Venrock
- Ron Smith, President at Curtis H. Stout