Power52 Co-Founder Rob Wallace Joins Vote Solar Board of Directors

Vote Solar, a national nonprofit solar advocacy organization, announced today that energy industry veteran and community leader Rob Wallace has joined its board of directors.

“We are thrilled to welcome our newest board member Rob Wallace, whose leadership empowering communities with local solutions represents the best of what the clean energy economy has to offer,” said Adam Browning, executive director of Vote Solar. “Rob’s personal mission of building a more equitable future will strengthen Vote Solar’s commitment to a clean energy economy that serves everyone.”

“Leveraging solar energy as a catalyst to investing in jobs and healthy communities has long been Vote Solar’s mission, and I look forward to integrating my own hands-on perspective of working for energy justice at the local level into Vote Solar’s board,” said Mr. Wallace. “Investing in our youth and in our frontline in at-risk communities with employment opportunities is in Power52’s DNA. We founded Power52 on the belief that it is our responsibility to rebuild our cities, and it’s clear that transitioning our nation to a modern clean energy economy will play an essential role in in that effort.”

Mr. Wallace is a solar entrepreneur who is also focused on solutions to breaking the cycle of poverty, unemployment, underemployment and incarceration in Baltimore communities. In 2015 he co-founded Power52 Foundation with real estate executive Cherie Brooks and NFL Hall of Famer Ray Lewis. Power52 Foundation provides NABCEP-certified solar installation training to at-risk individuals, providing pathways for jobs in the clean energy industry. Power52 Energy Institute, owned and operated by Power52 Foundation, recently became the first private clean energy career school in the state of Maryland approved by the Maryland Higher Education Commission. Twenty-two graduates have successfully completed the Energy Professional Training program at Power52 Energy Institute. Power52 is considering expanding its programs in Illinois.

“Rob brings a unique perspective of local community-building solutions and deep energy industry experience,” said Danny Kennedy, energy entrepreneur and Vote Solar board member. “Successfully transitioning to the US to a clean energy economy means that everyone reaps its economic and health benefits, and leaders like Rob are working to ensures that no one is left behind. We’re thrilled to welcome him to Vote Solar’s board.”

Mr. Wallace has more than a decade of experience in program management, renewable energy systems design and development, systems implementation, training and technology management. He has developed and built more than 100 MW of solar and wind projects in the U.S. and Africa.

Mr. Wallace also has experience managing engineering, design, and development of all renewable energy projects for a host of private and public clients, including the University of Maryland Medical Systems, Johns Hopkins University, City of Baltimore, Carroll County Government, CHIMES International, and the Federal Government. He has also worked in the power market, focusing on frequency response, energy arbitrage and battery storage.

Mr. Wallace sits as Chairman of the board for CHIMES International and has served as President of the Baltimore Chapter of the American Association of Blacks in Energy.

He joins David Crane, Danny Kennedy, Kate Gordon, Kris Mayes, Sheridan Pauker and Sanjay Wagle on Vote Solar’s board of directors.