Vote Solar Welcomes Three New Board Members
Jon Carson, Stephanie Chen, and Zaid Ashai join Vote Solar board
Vote Solar, a national non-profit advocacy organization, announced today three new clean energy leaders representing diverse perspectives have joined its board of directors. The new board members are Jon Carson, Founder and Managing Partner of Trajectory Energy Partners, Stephanie Chen, Energy Equity Director at The Greenlining Institute, and Zaid Ashai, CEO of Nexamp.
“We’re honored to welcome three dynamic visionaries to Vote Solar’s governance team. Each bring unique vision and distinct expertise in clean tech entrepreneurialism, energy markets, and social change,” said Adam Browning executive director of Vote Solar. “We need everyone at the table to move our country to 100% clean energy. The guidance and perspectives of Stephanie, Zaid, and Jon bring significant new resources to our strategy to bring solar to the mainstream.”
Jon Carson, based in Highland Park, Illinois, is the founder of Trajectory Energy Partners, a Midwest solar development firm that works closely with landowners and communities to develop community solar and small utility scale projects with strong local support. Mr. Carson’s career in clean energy spans both the private and public sector, where he served in the Obama administration as the Chief of Staff at the White House Council on Environmental Quality and as the Deputy Assistant to the President and Director of the Office of Public Engagement. Mr. Carson was also the executive director of Organizing for Action, and more recently the Senior Director of Solar Ambassadors at SolarCity.
“I’ve seen firsthand the impact Vote Solar has had across the country moving solar policy forward, and I’m excited to join the team and support the organization’s great work,” said Jon.
Stephanie Chen, based in Oakland, is the Energy Equity Director at The Greenlining Institute, where she directs Greenlining’s advocacy in energy policy, working to ensure that the environmental and economic benefits of clean energy reach California’s communities of color. Over the last ten years, Ms. Chen’s work has driven investments in solar, energy efficiency, and other clean technology into environmental justice and low-income communities, and promoted pathways to meaningful employment and entrepreneurial opportunities for people of color in California’s growing clean energy economy.
“Vote Solar is a wonderful advocacy partner in the push for 100% clean, affordable energy here in California. I’m excited to join such a dynamic team working to bring clean power to communities across the country,” said Stephanie.
Zaid Ashai is the CEO of Nexamp, a Boston-based leader in the transformation to the new energy economy with proven solar energy and storage solutions. Nexamp manages the complete solar project lifecycle, from development, design and construction to financing, operations and maintenance. Mr. Ashai has been involved in renewables for more than a decade and has served on a number of boards, including MyEnergy, Power Assure, Retroficiency and Nexamp, where he currently serves as the chairman. Previously, Mr. Ashai has also worked at Good Energies and was a general partner at the venture firm PJC.
“It’s so important that we work together as an industry to advance solar applications and promote the ongoing adoption of renewable energy sources,” said Zaid. “I look forward to working with this board and continuing the great work Vote Solar has been doing for us all. With more and more states embracing aggressive goals for clean energy, education and lobbying are critical to ensure that solar leads the way in our national energy future.”
Ms. Chen, Mr. Ashai, and Mr. Carson join David Crane, Danny Kennedy, Kris Mayes, Sheridan Pauker, Rob Wallace, and Sanjay Wagle on Vote Solar’s board of directors.