The team at Leyline has been there, and done that – both as investors and as renewable energy developers ourselves. With decades of combined industry experience, and close to 200 projects under our belt, we’re uniquely positioned to help hard-working renewable energy developers take advantage of today’s opportunities.
In 2020, the North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association named Leyline as the Clean Energy Innovator of the Year for “exemplifying true leadership that has already impacted North Carolina’s clean energy market in a significant way” and “demonstrating exemplary vision to create a new path forward in the clean energy industry.”
Team
Erik Lensch
CEO
About Erik Lensch
- Pronouns: he/him
- CEO, Entropy Solar, 2014-2016
- Founder & CEO, Argand Energy Solutions (solar development, finance & installation company), 2006-2014; sold to Entropy Investment Management/York Capital, 2014
- Renewable Energy Diploma Series at North Carolina State University, Solar Energy International (SEI) training
- BBA, Marketing, Radford University, 1992; Certified Investment Management (CIMA), Wharton Executive Education Program, University of Pennsylvania, 2005
- Vice President at Bank of America; Vice President in Private Client Group at CS First Boston
- Member, Board of Visitors of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Member, Vistage International
Eric Rubinstein
EVP & Chief Investment Officer
About Eric Rubinstein
- Pronouns: he/him
- VP Finance & Strategy, Silicon Ranch Corporation, a solar power developer, owner and operator from 2014 to 2018.
- C Level financial executive responsible for building assets in excess of $1 Billion in assets under management.
- Led closings of over $700 Million in complex and varied renewable energy financing structures.
- BA, Classics and Archaeology, Haverford College, 2004
Hitesh Raikwar
VP/Head of Technology & Innovation
About Hitesh Raikwar
- Pronouns: he/him
- Expert in building technology and growing products, teams and processes with innovative and cost-effective approaches to solve business problems
- More than 20 years of technology and innovation experience in the finance domain
- VP – Global Payments Technology, Deutsche Bank, 2010-2022
- Technology Lead with Goldman Sachs, Bank of America, and ABN AMRO for a decade
- Strong expertise in transforming businesses by innovating and creating technology, products and services
- Agile implementer, certified in Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe)
- Bachelor of Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee
Dylan Angelini
Project Manager
About Dylan Angelini
- Pronouns: he/him
- BSBA, William Peace University
Richard Bethune
Associate Director
About Richard Bethune
- Richard Beh-thoon | Pronouns: he/him
- Decade of experience in banking and private equity including closing over $2 billion in structured financings and site control transactions in the energy sector
- VP Investments, IFC Investment Management
- Began career at Citigroup in New York
- Master of Business Administration, Duke University – Fuqua School of Business, 2014
- Bachelor of Arts & Jefferson Scholar, University of Virginia, 2007
Sherrie Bridgers
Executive Administrator/Office Manager
About Sherrie Bridgers
- Pronouns: she/her
- Over 15 years of experience as an executive administrator and administrative assistant
- Bachelor of Business Administration and Management, Elizabeth City State University, 2000; Master of Business Administration, Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University, 2010
Grace Carter
ESG and Special Projects Analyst
About Grace Carter
- Pronouns: she/her
- Bachelor of Science in Engineering, James Madison University, May 2020
Daniel Copple
Director of Technical Services
About Daniel Copple
- Pronouns: he/him
- Technical Services Manager, Development Analyst, Clean Line Energy Partners, 2010-2017
- Managed transmission line engineering for 700-mile project connecting Oklahoma wind to eastern markets; oversaw technical inputs for $1 billion engineering, procurement and construction contract
- Responsible for interconnection, t-line engineering & construction planning
- BA, Political Science and Energy Policy, Rice University; post-bachelor’s course of study in Electrical and Power Systems Engineering, University of Idaho; MS, Engineering and Environmental Management, Duke University
Vipul Devluk
Director – Origination
About Vipul Devluk
- Pronouns: he/him
- Decade of experience at EDP Renewables, a wind & solar developer, owner and operator
- Extensive experience across the renewable energy value chain, including asset management, technology analysis, capital equipment procurement, and power marketing and origination
- Bachelor and Master of Systems Science Engineering (Economic Systems and Energy & Transportation Systems), University of Pennsylvania, 2009
Dee Dixon
Director of People Operations
About Dee Dixon
- Pronouns: she/her
- Certified Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR)
- HR career spans over two decades and includes a diverse background in supporting both large and small sized organizations in various industries
- Areas of expertise employee engagement, strategic initiatives, talent optimization, change management, compliance, and risk management
- Bachelor of Science, Health and Human Services, Davenport University
Tiara Dorsette
Development Analyst
About Tiara Dorsette
- Tee-air-uh | Pronouns: she/her
- Sustainability Intern, 2021; gained insight and experience in renewable energy development with a focus on waste-to-energy projects
- Researcher, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, 2019-2020; published a life cycle assessment of large scale governmental solar applications in the Renewable Energy Journal
- Bachelor of Environmental Studies (Sustainability), University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, 2020
Melissa French
Associate, Portfolio Management
About Melissa French
- Pronouns: she/her
- Vice President, Palmetto Power Management, LLC, 2020-2021
- Asset Management, Cypress Creek Renewables, 2018-2020
- Engineering Student Employee, Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), 2017; contributed to research and analysis with the Energy Storage and Distributed Generation sector
- Duke University, Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering, 2018
Dhrumil Gandhi
FP&A Analyst
About Dhrumil Gandhi
- Skilled analyst with expertise in financial statements
- Investment Analyst, Ceera Investments, LLC, 2018-2022
- Master of Business Administration, Finance, St. John’s University, 2018; Bachelor of Business Administration, The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, 2015
Kiah Glenn
JEDI Manager
About Kiah Glenn
- Pronouns: she/her
- Accomplished diversity education professional who seeks to open new channels of understanding and action for diverse populations
- Assistant Director, Center for Race, Ethnicity and Diversity Education, Elon University
- Student Development Coordinator, Duke University
- Master of Arts, Duke University; Bachelor of International Relations and Affairs, Seton Hall University
Todd Kice
Managing Director – Origination
About Todd Kice
- Pronouns: he/him
- Worked in the renewable energy and finance industries for 17 years and most recently spent 13 years developing and financing utility scale solar projects
- Vice President, Hecate Energy, 2012-2022; helped finance 2,491 MW of solar projects currently operating or under construction and built a pipeline that included 3.2 GW in PPA negotiations plus over 15 GW of early-stage large utility scale projects
- Finance Manager, OCI Solar Power, 2011-2012
- Finance Manager, Enfinity Corporation, 2010-2011
- Master of Business Administration, concentration in Finance, University of Kansas; Bachelor of Political Science and History, Duke University; Chartered Financial Analyst
Zach Lucy
Technical Services Associate
About Zach Lucy
- Experienced researcher, project developer, and energy analyst with expertise in the design and financing of renewable energy and green building projects.
- Graduate Student Research Assistant, North Carolina State University, 2019-2021; explored how to reduce financial risk in large-scale wind projects through improved hedge design and energy storage.
- Development Intern, Heelstone Renewable Energy, 2020
- Solar Installer/Researcher, Energetica, 2019; worked with a Bolivian NGO to develop solar and wind energy systems throughout the country.
- Project Manager, 7+ years of experience managing green building/energy efficiency projects
- MS, Natural Resources (Renewable Energy), North Carolina State University, 2021; BA, Environmental Sciences, University of Virginia, 2007
- Certificate in Renewable Energy Management and in Photovoltaic Design and Installation from the NC Clean Energy Technology Center
Janson Mao
Director of Structured Finance
About Janson Mao
- Jan-son | Pronouns: he/him
- Experienced commercial transactions and legal professional specializing in project finance, project development and M&A transactions in the renewable energy industry
- Associate General Counsel, 8minute Solar Energy; managed all legal matters across an 18+ GW utility-scale solar and battery storage development pipeline, led closings of project finance and project sale transactions, corporate debt facility and corporate equity capital raise, and supported execution and compliance across the full suite of project development contracts, including PPA, EPC, O&M and equipment procurement contracts
- Corporate Counsel, Cypress Creek Renewables; led closings of debt, tax equity and M&A transactions across a diverse portfolio of utility-scale solar and community solar projects
- Over a decade of finance and M&A experience at major international law firms, including representing developers, lenders and tax equity investors in the Project Finance Group at Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP and Chadbourne & Parke LLP, as well as representing large institutional clients at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
- BA, Yale University; JD, Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law
Libby McCravy
Accounting Manager
About Libby McCravy
- Lib-EE Mk-CRAY-VEE | Pronouns: she/her
- Licensed CPA with a public accounting background in both tax and assurance practices
- Skilled in accounting, tax accounting, internal controls, financial accounting, financial reporting, and finance technology
- Director of Financial Operations, Investors Title Company and Affiliates, 2018-2021; Manager of Financial Operations, 2016-2018
- Assurance Professional, EY, 2013- 2016
- Master of Taxation, University of Mississippi, 2012; Bachelor of Business/Commerce, Rhodes College, 2011
- Certified Public Accountant since 2013
Allan Oduor
Technical Services Associate, Technical Services
About Allan Oduor
- Allan Oh-doo-or | Pronouns: he/him
- Undergraduate Researcher at FREEDM Systems Center; contributed to projects involving small-scale solar + storage, direct current microgrids, energy efficiency for lighting fixtures & transactive energy
- Research assistant at Wake Forest University; worked on investigation into the efficacy & value of sustainable cotton initiatives
- BS, Physics, North Carolina A&T State University; MA, Sustainability, Wake Forest University
Paulette Oxner
Closing Manager – Loan Servicer
About Paulette Oxner
- Pronouns: she/her
- Director of Shared Services, Metropolitan Life Insurance Company & Assistant Director of Timberland Finance Group
- 25+ years of experience closing large commercial loans across the United States, Canada & Brazil
- BA, Paralegal Studies, Eastern Kentucky University
Erica Reidy
Director of Investments
About Erica Reidy
- Eh-rick-ah Reed-ee | Pronouns: she/her
- Business development and renewable project acquisition experience
- Worked at Nautilus Solar Energy, a solar developer, acquirer, and asset manager; led project acquisitions of over 34 MW of solar C&I projects totaling $80M in investment and drove company entry into new MN and MA community solar markets
- Spent time on the renewable energy teams at NYC-based Silverpeak Partners, Sol Systems, and Enel Green Power North America
- BA, Biology and Environmental Studies, Bowdoin College, 2014; MBA, MIT Sloan, 2020
Joshua Schaff
Managing Director – Origination
About Joshua Schaff
- Pronouns: he/him
- Accomplished in capital structuring and advisory across renewable and conventional power, energy, and infrastructure projects with 17+ years of experience in finance
- As Senior Director of Structured Finance, NORD/LB, from 2009 to 2021, led complex, large-scale project finance transactions
- Associate Vice President of Infrastructure Finance, Moody’s Investors Service, from 2003 to 2008, responsible for portfolio of power, transportation, water, and special situations credits
- Master of Public Policy, Johns Hopkins University; Bachelor of Arts, Lawrence University
Christy Searl
Managing Director – Origination
About Christy Searl
- Diverse experience as a lawyer, originator and investor
- Deputy General Counsel Americas, Head of U.S. Sales, SVP Bankruptcy and Restructuring – GLAS Americas
- Director – Underwriting, Business Development, Burford Capital
- Senior Vice President, Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. (Bankruptcy Estate)
- Senior Vice President, Lehman Brothers Inc.
- Associate, Chadbourne & Parke LLP (now Norton Rose Fulbright LLP)
- Georgetown University Law Center (Juris Doctorate); Brown University (Bachelor of Arts)
Richa Shah, CFA
Senior Investment Associate
About Richa Shah, CFA
- Rich-ah Shah | Pronouns: she/her
- Renewable Project Finance and Asset Management and Strategy Consulting experience
- Worked at New Columbia Solar, a DC-based C&I solar developer, owner, and operator; Successfully financed over 12MW of C&I projects through tax equity and back leverage structures
- Experience working with consulting firms like Deloitte and KPMG in the Financial Advisory Practice
- Bachelor of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering, University of Mumbai; MBA, Georgetown University.
Andrew Slaughter
Associate Engineer, Technology and Innovation
About Andrew Slaughter
- Pronouns: he/him
- Organizational development and data management experience
- Grant-funded researcher in U.S. energy markets and policy; Worked on developing novel approaches to community solar financing and promoting consumer adoption of sustainable practices
- BA, Environmental Studies, University of Pittsburgh, 2013; MEM, Energy, Duke University, 2020; MBA, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, 2020
Averie Thomas
Investment Associate
About Averie Thomas
- Pronouns: she/her
- Diverse energy and investment experience in public and private sectors, consulting, and buy-side investing at D.C. Department of Energy and Environment; U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Investment, Energy, and Infrastructure; Castalia Advisors; and T. Rowe Price
- Associate Vice President at T. Rowe Price
- Fellow, Clean Energy Leadership Institute, 2022
- Master of Arts in Energy, Resources, and the Environment and Infrastructure Finance, Johns Hopkins University, 2022
- Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Applied Math, Davidson College, 2016
Todd Tilzer
Managing Director – Portfolio Management
About Todd Tilzer
- Pronouns: he/him
- Diversified expertise in underwriting and portfolio asset management
- Managing Director, Asset Management, Walker & Dunlop Investment Partners, 2016- 2022
- Director – Underwriting, Republic Financial Corporation, 2011-2016
- Master of Business Administration, University of Colorado; Bachelor of Advertising, Bradley University
Amanda Yip
Sr. FP&A Analyst
About Amanda Yip
- 8+ years of experience in the financial industry including fintech, investor services, investment management, financial services, private investment banking and private venture capital
- Senior FP&A Analyst, McClurg Century Investments, 2019-2022
- Director of Business, Business Aviation Group, 2019-2022
- OTC Derivatives Senior Operations Supervisor, Brown Brothers Harriman, 2017-2019; Financial Reporting Analyst, 2014-2017; Alternative Products Analyst, 2013-2014
- Bachelor of Applied Mathematics, University of Colorado at Boulder, 2013
Board of Directors
James Antoniotti
Board Member
About James Antoniotti
- Private equity and investment banking professional
- Principal, Newlight Partners
- Associate, Soros Fund Management
- Bachelor of Business Administration, University of Notre Dame
Richard Byrne
Board Member
About Richard Byrne
- Telecommunications and wireless professional
- Co-founder, President and CEO, TowerCo, LLC, 2004-2018
- President, Tower Division, SpectraSite Communications, Inc.,1999-2003
- Bachelor of Business Management, Bloomfield College
Erik Lensch
CEO
About Erik Lensch
- Pronouns: he/him
- CEO, Entropy Solar, 2014-2016
- Founder & CEO, Argand Energy Solutions (solar development, finance & installation company), 2006-2014; sold to Entropy Investment Management/York Capital, 2014
- Renewable Energy Diploma Series at North Carolina State University, Solar Energy International (SEI) training
- BBA, Marketing, Radford University, 1992; Certified Investment Management (CIMA), Wharton Executive Education Program, University of Pennsylvania, 2005
- Vice President at Bank of America; Vice President in Private Client Group at CS First Boston
- Member, Board of Visitors of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Member, Vistage International
Mark Longstrength
Board Member
About Mark Longstrength
- Private equity and investment banking professional
- Partner, Newlight Partners
- Managing Director, Soros Fund Management
- Bachelor of International Economics, Georgetown University
Stephanie Mann
Board Member
About Stephanie Mann
- More than 25 years of experience advising companies on capital structure, growth strategy, M&A and capital raising
- Chief Strategy Officer, Live Oak Bank
- Previously Managing Director, Citi, Investment Banking
- Master of Business Administration, The Wharton School; Bachelor of Arts, Stanford University
Eric Rubinstein
EVP & Chief Investment Officer
About Eric Rubinstein
- Pronouns: he/him
- VP Finance & Strategy, Silicon Ranch Corporation, a solar power developer, owner and operator from 2014 to 2018.
- C Level financial executive responsible for building assets in excess of $1 Billion in assets under management.
- Led closings of over $700 Million in complex and varied renewable energy financing structures.
- BA, Classics and Archaeology, Haverford College, 2004
ley-line
noun
Apparent alignments of human-made sites and natural land forms, these ancient straight paths were believed to have spiritual significance and were sometimes associated with sources of energy. We’ve adopted the term as a symbol of our commitment to finding and supporting more modern efforts to generate renewable energy.
