MANUFACTURING & TECHNOLOGY
{ ENERGY }
CHRISTOPHER DAVEY
JAMES HUGHES
Davey is an Australian based in the U.S. with deep expertise in the energy and financial markets. Davey serves on numerous boards and co-founded the Arizona Energy Consortium. As president of EnviroMission, Inc., he is responsible for bringing the Solar Tower solution to the U.S. EnviroMission’s Solar Tower will deliver reliable electricity, while using no water in a cost-competitive manner. Davey is also a principal at the boutique consulting firm Desert Sky Ventures. Business advice: “When looking to deliver a disruptive technology, you must power forward in the face of naysayers. There are always stakeholders that would prefer the status quo or to say no, and in many cases the status quo is not the future.”
Hughes has nearly 20 years of experience in the global energy industry. Before joining First Solar, he served as the CEO of AEI, an electric and natural-gas business with a presence in 19 countries. Prior to that, he was president and chief operating officer for Prisma Energy. He has a law degree from University of Texas at Austin. Toughest challenge: “Many of my colleagues in the traditional energy world have asked why I wanted to come to First Solar in the middle of this difficult period for the solar industry. It is exactly this difficulty that makes it an interesting opportunity for the company and the marketplace. I have always endeavored to do things that matter and make a difference in the world. In energy, that means doing things at a meaningful scale.”
President EnviroMission, Inc. enviromission.com.au
MARK HOLOHAN
MARK BONSALL
General manager and CEO Salt River Project (SRP) srpnet.com Bonsall was named SRP’s general manager in April 2011. Bonsall is an industry leader, having served as a member of the Task Force on Electric System Reliability by invitation of the Secretary of Energy. Currently, Bonsall is a member of the Greater Phoenix Leadership board of directors, an Executive Committee member for the Electric Power Research Institute, and board vicechairman of the Large Public Power Council. Childhood aspirations: “First, I wanted to be a garbage man because of the uniform and the truck. Then a doctor, but that didn’t last either as I hated shots and needles. I did like to design and build things, so it was my father who suggested engineering. A pretty good suggestion as it turned out.”
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CEO First Solar firstsolar.com
Solar division manager Wilson Electric wilsonelectric.net
Holohan launched and leads Wilson Electric’s solar division, which designs and builds solar systems for the large building market. The company has installed more than 60 megawatts of systems. Holohan has 37 years of experience in the energy industry, including renewable energy, energy management and power production. Holohan is a 14-year solar industry veteran and holds MBA and engineering degrees. He serves as president of the Arizona Solar Energy Industry Association. Business advice: “Politics create greater uncertainty in solar than in most businesses. It is important for leaders to assess this risk and consider diversification and other measures to mitigate risks.” Surprising fact: “I am a fourth-generation Arizonan on my father’s side of the family.”
JODI JERICH
Executive director Arizona Corporation Commission azcc.gov Jerich is the first female executive director of the Arizona Corporation Commission. She oversees the daily operations of 300 employees and manages a $26 million budget. Prior to her current role, Jerich held high level positions in state government, including chief of staff for the Arizona House of Representatives and director of a state agency. Toughest challenge: “My biggest
challenge to date is my current challenge to incorporate up-todate technology with historical government practices at the commission. The commission is working to give Arizona businesses and regulated utilities the ability to file documents electronically instead of filing paper documents.” Surprising fact: “I am a mother to two boys. I have developed a tolerance — and even a mild appreciation for — bathroom humor.”