Mark Patkunas, Chief Executive Officer, formed Higher Power Energy, LLC in 2005 with 6 partners. Higher Power Energy has a portfolio of Wind Energy Projects that has 1,700 MW’s under development and over 2,000MW’s of potential wind projects in early stage development. HPE completed is first commissioned wind farm in 2010 and has commissioned over 1000 MW’s of operating projects since then with great partners. Mark has worked every aspect of Developing Wind Projects including: Town Hall meetings, Land Acquisition, Lease Negotiations, Met Tower Installations, Interconnection Studies with Utility Companies, Turbine Supply Agreements and Financing. Mark has the ability to acquire land easily throughout the Great Plains due to the strong family ties that they have. Mark is also currently a Captain for a Major Airlines and served in the United States Air Force flying the F-16 for 9 years in active duty and reserve status. Mark holds a Bachelors of Science Degree from Southern Illinois University. Majored in Aviation Management, Aviation Law and Minored in Aviation Flight.
Lance Wilkerson, Chief Operating Officer, Co-founded Higher Power Energy, LLC in 2005. He is responsible for all operational aspects concerning wind farm development and operation. He currently handles all wind data collection and management of all project wind data. He manages interconnect studies, site surveys, geotechnical studies, environmental studies and permitting. He also supports financial analysis, project modeling, budget development and third party consultants. Lance also currently serves as a line Captain and Check Airman for a Major Airlines. He has been involved with pilot hiring, pilot checking and training for the last 15 years as a flight operations management pilot. From 1991 to 1994 Lance was employed as a Captain for United Express Airlines based in Springfield, Illinois. Lance has a background in aerospace engineering and aviation from Iowa State University and graduated from flight school in 1989 as an Airline Transport Pilot.
Michael T. Miller, Consultant. Michael has a distinguished 25+ year management career leading successful start-ups and serving in C-level positions public organizations and currently serves as a consultant for Higher Power Energy. Michael has extensive experience in renewable energy project development and project finance. He provided the equity investment in Sun Edison’s first solar rooftop project in 2004 and created private placement memorandums for renewable projects and corporate equity. Currently Michael participates in the development of over 2,000 MW of wind and solar projects and works with a network of private equity groups and financial institutions to provide project funding to renewable projects worldwide. Michael also served as the Chief Strategy Officer for Sixth Gear and participated on the small team that raised $180M in private equity and a $1.0B+ debt facility. Michael was instrumental in the start up of AmeriCredit Corp and held several leadership positions including Chief Credit Officer and Chief Operating Officer from 1991-2003. Michael holds an MBA from Northwestern’s Kellogg Graduate School of Management and an undergraduate degree in finance from Texas A&M University.
John C. Graybeal, Vice President. Co-founded Higher Power Energy, LLC in 2005. John is responsible for representing Land Owners and corporate operations. John has a degree in Industrial Technology and is responsible with the application of engineering principles and offers technical skills in support. He works toward optimization, industrial processes, planning procedures and technologies applications. He is responsible for implementing processes for management, operation, and maintenance of operation systems. He is a current Captain for a Major Airlines. In addition he is a Lieutenant Colonel in the Air National Guard and former F-16 Fighter Pilot and C-130 Cargo Pilot who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Advisory Board: In addition to the strong management team, HPE has an advisory board that is considered to be the best in renewable energy. Members include: Jeffrey Chester a partner at the law firm of Kaye Scholer, LLP, Rebecca A. Klein a Principal of RA Klein & Co., and former Chairperson of the Public Utility Commission for the State of Texas.