ABOUT

Who We Are

Painted Desert Energy (PDE) is a mission-driven utility-scale solar developer focused on Turning Power into Positive Energy. Learn more about our mission in Our Mission and Why Us sections. PDE experts have the experience and expertise to take a project from Conception to Electrification. Because PDE has a team of experts that understand, and have completed, projects all along their, typically, 2-year development…we can pick up a project anywhere along the path to completion and take it to the finish line.

Our Focus & Values

VALUES

PDE is built on a foundation of strong cultural values: Passion, Honesty, Expertise, Relationship Driven and Fun & Creative. These values serve as a blueprint by which we operate everyday.

SAVING MONEY

Investing in renewable energy is investing in a cleaner world. That's why we do our best to make it easy, reliable and profitable.

ENVIRONMENT

Not only do our solar projects reduce global warming for our children and grandchildren, but we are also helping real people improve their lives today with meaningful positive impact to their living conditions

ANALYTICS

Understanding the entire process from conception to interconnection to electrification is what separates us from the competition.

TRUST

Every relationship we have is built on transparency and trust. At the end of the day, we are looking for win-win partnerships.

Executives

Jon Schwartz - PDE CEO

Jon Schwartz

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Jon Schwartz

Jon Schwartz, is a proud father of three amazing boys and married to his wonderful wife of 14 years. Jon has enjoyed a 20+ year career working for two fortune 100 companies in the Global finance and payroll processing space.
Responsibilities included revenue growth, launching new products as well as identifying acquisition targets and emerging markets.

Over his time in business, Jon has focused on setting corporate goals and initiatives, building and developing US and global teams and fostering external partnerships. 

While consulting for some of the worlds largest public and private organizations, Jon has developed and worked with global teams in Asia Pacific, America’s, EMEA and LATAM establishing and executing on global processes, financial strategy, ROI and overall global process management in over 140 countries around the world.

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Mark Treacy

Chief Investment Officer

Mark Treacy

Mark's 'investments' in life and business are clearly visible through his 26-year marriage; 3 loving children; and successful initiation, operation, (and ultimately profitable liquidation!) of multiple commercial ventures. His fun-loving demeanor and consideration for people are hallmarks of Mark's professional character and personal appeal.

Mark is currently owner of one of the largest RV dealerships in Arizona and has owned and operated several successful Business-to-Business and Business-to-Consumer organizations over a span of more than 25 years.

His commitment to the partners, staff, vendors, and community surrounding each endeavor are what have identified Mark as an admired businessman and industry leader. Mark's ability to 'size up' the environments and people that he operates with have also gained him recognition as an intelligent, smart and compassionate contributor to the collective success of those he has served with throughout his career.

Mark brings the insights and rewards of his success to Painted Desert Energy and is helping to guide and improve the strength, impact, and service that PDE is committed to bringing to the renewable energy industry.

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Tim Hennessey - PDE Headshot

Tim Hennessy

Chief Strategy Officer

Tim Hennessy

Tim Hennessy is a hands-on technology and business leader mixing management and technology expertise to enhance and build businesses in the power and renewable energy sectors. His insights into strategic market directions lead him to pioneer and introduce California’s SGIP energy storage incentive program in 2008. He has most recently gained considerable experience with EV Charging and Fleet-as-a-service models particularly in developing total solutions for EV charging hubs.

He has held senior executive roles in multiple early-stage companies and raised over $100m in equity investments. His positions have included Executive Vice President of Helios Energy, President of Prudent Energy, CEO of VRB Power Systems, Managing Director of LECTRIX (a Bechtel: AEP: Siemens JV), Vice President of PacifiCorp Energy Services and Power Quality Manager for ESKOM. In addition to leadership and management roles, he has expertise in energy storage, micro-grids, renewable energy systems including PV and wind, extensive product, and project development
experience.

He has served on the boards of several public companies and holds 65+patents covering Vanadium Redox flow batteries, wind turbine technology enhancements and self-healing grids. He serves as an advisor to “The Center for Renewables Integration”.

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Doug McCorkle - PDE Headshot

Doug McCorkle

Chief Branding & Culture Officer

Doug McCorkle

Doug McCorkle has over 35 years of sales, marketing, and branding success. He “grew up” in the hotel business and, most recently, was the head of Brand Strategy for Fairmont Hotels & Resorts where he helped develop, and then refine, their brand strategy and promise of Turning Moments in Memories. A consistent promise, consistently delivered for over 20 years. Previously he was a senior executive at Promus Hotels (now Hilton) where he led the Homewood Suites brand worldwide (#2 in its category), and Sales and Marketing for Hampton Inns worldwide (#1 in its category). Before that he was a senior executive at Doubletree Hotels & Resorts and Marriott Hotels & Resorts.

Doug retired 5 years ago but was so excited about the opportunity at Painted Desert Energy that he decided to “unretire”. Prior to coming out of retirement to join PDE, Doug consulted the growing leadership team on creating its brand promise: Turning Power into Positive Energy by being Trusted Experts in Renewable Energy. Additionally, he helped them develop their Values Blueprint. As the Chief Branding & Culture Officer, he leads the company in pursuit of bringing the brand to life and delivering on its Values Blueprint every day.

Doug is the proud father and stepfather of 3 teenagers and is happily married. In his spare time (which he has much less of these days!) he likes to play pickleball and is a certified instructor for the sport.

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Brandon Kaufmann

Chief Business Development Officer, Power Markets, Power & Natural Gas Trading, Transmission Specialist

Brandon Kaufmann

Brandon is a highly accomplished business executive, energy industry veteran and Business Development expert. Brandon has over 20 years of high-level business experience and started his career with premier brands like Citigroup, Bank of America and Merrill Lynch. Later he joined Alliance Bernstein where he furthered his business development expertise on a global scale working with companies like Nomura, IBM Tokyo, Ford, Verizon and Time Warner.

Brandon then moved into the energy business with Shell Trading where he spent 13 years as a power and gas trader. During his tenure there, he managed over 300 power plants and industrial customers across the western U.S. Additionally, he honed his skills in trading power in the hourly, daily and futures markets. Brandon is an expert in the CAISO, MISO, MID-C and ERCOT real-time and day-ahead markets, including tariffs, operational processes, plant dispatch and market fundamentals.

Brandon is a graduate of Harvard University where he had a very successful career as a competitive wrestler and helped his team win the Ivy League Championship. He is also the proud father of a young daughter and loves to spend his spare time walking his dog on the beach and watching the two of them play in the sand.

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Project Development Team

Jack McDermott

Interconnection

Jack McDermott

Jack McDermott has several accomplishments and years of experience with interconnected small and large scale solar farms and commercial rooftops across the nation.

He has worked on over 3.5GW of solar projects and has successfully interconnected over 1500 MW of utility and small scale solar projects for Dominion, Clenera, SunEdison, Eon, ImModo, Recurrent Energy, CIM in SCE and PG&E Service Territory. His recent project experience includes a 2.7GW project that consist of 20,000 acres and will be considered the world's largest solar project after completion.

Jack specializes in developing large utility scale solar PV wind generation projects focusing on landfill and commercial/industrial net metering. He understands the complete interconnection and development process and is knowledgeable in site selection, switch yards, utilities, tariffs, PPA contracts and legalities.

In 2015, he received an award from PG&E for assisting with process improvement efforts.

Jack McDermott apart of the Board of Directors for:

  • Red Cross of Santa Cruz County
  • Cabrillo College Energy Management Technology
  • Visiting Nurse Association
  • O'Neill Sea Odyssey Program
  • United Way of Santa Cruz County
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Brice Casebeer, PE

Project Engineering

Brice Casebeer

Brice is a founding partner of Stellavise Engineering in San Diego, California where he leverages his valuable development and construction experience to advise clients on critical design and construction decisions.

Brice attended the University of California, Santa Barbara and earned a bachelor of science in mechanical engineering. Brice holds a Professional Engineering license in the field of electrical engineering. His passion for renewable energy led him to his first career role as a project manager for a start-up solar developer in San Francisco, California. This experience provided Brice with the skills required to successfully manage all aspects of solar projects, including development, design, construction, operations and maintenance.

Later, Brice joined a European independent engineering firm and helped establish their first U.S. office. As the first American employee, Brice played an integral role in establishing the firm’s U.S. presence and credibility. As a project manager, he learned the essentials of solar project finance and the technical aspects that can disrupt a project’s financial viability.

At Stellavise, Brice utilizes his well-rounded experience in the solar industry to develop creative solutions that meet the needs of all key solar project stakeholders.

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Matt Baxley, PE

Project Engineering

Matt Baxley

Matt is a founding partner of Stellavise Engineering in San Diego, California where he leads the company’s engineering design and technical consulting services. After graduating from Kansas State University with honors in electrical engineering, Matt began his professional career at a large, international engineering design firm where he managed the electrical design of a broad range of project types, including solar energy generation, mission critical facilities, data centers, laboratories, and large commercial developments. In this role, Matt developed sound design principles and acquired the requisite knowledge and experience to become a licensed professional engineer.

Matt then joined a growing independent engineering and consulting firm that specialized in solar photovoltaics. As a project manager, he led a team of engineers and consultants in the technical review, energy estimation and risk analysis of large scale PV projects for developers, utilities, banks and EPC contractors. Matt became acutely aware of the common concerns within the investment community and the particular technical aspects that can impact a solar project’s bankability.

Matt uses his experience managing the engineering design and technical due diligence of over 350MW of photovoltaic systems to create robust, efficient and cost-effective system designs that address long-term reliability risks and attract potential investors.

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Matthew Burmeister

DIRECTOR, PROJECT DEVELOPMENT

Matthew Burmeister

Matthew Burmeister is the Director of Project Development for Painted Desert Energy (PDE). Prior to working in partnership with Solar Development Consultants, and the Tempe Micro Estates replication team, Matthew was employed at VALI Homes, an award winning sustainable developer based in Phoenix, Arizona.

Matthew graduated summa cum laude from Arizona State University with a Bachelors of Science in Sustainability and Minor in Business. He has also achieved his Masters of Sustainability Solutions at ASU. During his time at Arizona State, he has worked with world leading sustainability scientists and managed consulting projects with organizations such as Mayo Clinic, First Solar, M3F, FORM, and the City of Phoenix Environmental Department.

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Strategic Partners

Excelsior Energy Capital Logo

Excelsior Energy Capital

www.excelsiorcapital.com

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Strategic Advisors

Troy A. Eid - PDE Headshot

Troy A. Eid

Legal Counsel

Troy A. Eid

Troy A. Eid (rhymes with "side") co-chairs the American Indian Law Practice Group at Greenberg Traurig, LLP (www.gtlaw.com). He is the President of the Navajo Nation Bar Association - the largest legal services organization in the country that directly serves a Native American tribal government - and is the former United States Attorney for the District of Colorado, appointed by President George W. Bush. During the Obama Administration, Troy chaired the Indian Law and Order Commission, the advisory board to the President and Congress for strengthening public safety for all 574 federally recognized tribes.

Troy is frequently selected as a mediator to resolve disputes between Native American tribes and energy companies, and between tribes and state governments. He also represents tribes and companies in federal criminal and civil investigations. He was named the 2022 Lawyer of the Year in Colorado by Best Lawyers in America, and is ranked as one of the nation's top 10 experts in Native America Law in the latest Chambers USA Guide. Before joining GTLAW, Troy served on the cabinet of former Governor Bill Owens as Chief Legal Counsel to the Governor and as Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Personnel & Administration, responsible for Colorado's 72,000-employee state workforce and civil service system.

Troy grew up in Wheat Ridge, Colorado and is a graduate of Stanford University. After college, he served in the Reagan Administration as Special Assistant to the Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission. After graduating from the University of Chicago Law School, he clerked for Judge Edith H. Jones of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Troy and his wife of 32 years -Allison H. Eid, a Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit - met at Stanford as undergraduates and have two children. An aging yet optimistic ultramarathoner, Troy holds Master's Division titles in trail races ranging from 10 k to 104.8 miles.

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Clinton Jim - PDE Headshot

Clinton Jim

Navajo Culture / Interpreter

Pat Jim - PDE Headshot

Pat Jim

Navajo Culture Advisor

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Phylissa Herbert

Kelsey Land Preservation Committee

Phylissa Herbert

Phylissa Herbert is a member of the Kelsey Land Preservation Committee (KLPC). Phylissa is a resident of the Kelsey range, where the Nahata Dziil 1 (NDS1) & Nahata Dziil 2 (NDS2) projects are being developed. The KLPC provides vital advice, along with the Office of Navajo Hopi Indian Relocation, to PDE regarding the land surrounding NDS1 & 2 to ensure that the land is preserved for future generations and continued grazing is improved in terms of forage levels.

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Lee John Horseson

Kelsey Land Preservation Committee

Lee John Horseson

Lee John Horseson is a member of the Kelsey Land Preservation Committee (KLPC). Lee is a resident of the Kelsey range, where the Nahata Dziil 1 (NDS1) & Nahata Dziil 2 (NDS2) projects are being developed. The KLPC provides vital advice, along with the Office of Navajo Hopi Indian Relocation, to PDE regarding the land surrounding NDS1 & 2 to ensure that the land is preserved for future generations and continued grazing is improved in terms of forage levels.

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Calvin Tso

Kelsey Land Preservation Committee

Calvin Tso

Calvin Tso is a member of the Kelsey Land Preservation Committee (KLPC). Calvin is a resident of the Kelsey range, where the Nahata Dziil 1 (NDS1) & Nahata Dziil 2 (NDS2) projects are being developed. The KLPC provides vital advice, along with the Office of Navajo Hopi Indian Relocation, to PDE regarding the land surrounding NDS1 & 2 to ensure that the land is preserved for future generations and continued grazing is improved in terms of forage levels.

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Marena Russell

Kelsey Land Preservation Committee

Marena Russell

Marena Russell is a member of the Kelsey Land Preservation Committee (KLPC). Marena is a resident of the Kelsey range, where the Nahata Dziil 1 (NDS1) & Nahata Dziil 2 (NDS2) projects are being developed. The KLPC provides vital advice, along with the Office of Navajo Hopi Indian Relocation, to PDE regarding the land surrounding NDS1 & 2 to ensure that the land is preserved for future generations and continued grazing is improved in terms of forage levels.

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Project Success Team

Greg Jones

Director, Infrastructure & Technologies

Greg Jones

Greg Jones has over 35 years of professional technology experience in computer hardware, software, and infrastructure management. In the 1980’s he contributed to the initial stages of a national expansion of the Carl’s Jr. restaurant chain out of Southern California.

Since then, he has helped to facilitate the structured development of numerous corporate operations in retail, sales, sales training, restaurant operations, and 501(c)3 non-profits.

Greg is highly experienced in all sectors of business development and operations and is fluent in many of the business world’s most commonly used software platforms.

He previously served as the Executive Administrator to the Founder and President of an international Biblical counseling and training ministry (Victorious Christian Living International) in Phoenix for 20 years and has also been a personal mentor, counselor, trainer, and member of their National Conference Speakers Team.

Along with his responsibilities at Painted Desert Energy (PDE), Greg also helps to facilitate and teach a 3-yr men’s discipleship program for the international Christ Quest Institute out of Phoenix, Arizona.

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Christin Christopher

Director of Finance & Controller

Christin Christopher

Christin Christopher born/raised and currently resides in Northern Arizona with her husband of 22 years and is a proud mother of two children. Christin has over 25 years’ experience in accounting and financial analysis. Responsibilities have been to implement new accounting systems, payroll analytics, streamline processes, data management, and audit review.

Christin is a strong believer that an individual never stops learning, because there is always room for growth and improvement. Over her time in the professional world, Christin has worked in a variety of industries, from beauty, payroll tax processing, grocery inventory, and semiconductor.

Christin holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from The University of Phoenix, is green belt certified in Six SIGMA, as well as a certified QuickBooks Professional.

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