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OUR TEAM AT AEGIS RENEWABLE ENERGY
Aegis Renewable Energy employees are a diverse team of dedicated professionals with a solid track record of experience in the field of renewable energy. Our employees are known throughout the industry for their work ethic, efficiency, reliability, and teamwork, ensuring that Aegis projects are completed on time and on budget.
MEET THE TEAM
Nils Behn - Chief Executive Officer, President
A leader and innovator in the renewable energy field for over 23 years, Nils has continued to broaden his experience and knowledge in successful integration of renewable energy solutions. As a Senior Project Manager for nine years with Northern Power Systems, he gained extensive experience in commercial and military solar electric power system manufacturing and installation. In addition, his role included wind turbine manufacturing, engineering, permitting, and deployment of wind energy conversion systems. As the Director of the Alteris Renewables Wind Division, he contributed to the rapid growth and success of the Wind Division to become the leading Community Wind EPC in the Eastern USA. Following a merger of Alteris Renewables and RGS Energy, Nils successfully spearheaded a spinoff of the Wind Division, forming an independent corporation, Aegis Wind, LLC. The further success and growth of Aegis Wind to include solar energy solutions, has resulted in the company evolving into Aegis Renewable Energy, Inc.
Sonia Behn - Vice President
As the financial controller for Aegis Renewable Energy, Sonia is responsible for all accounting-related and finance activities for Aegis. She oversees all financial reporting, operating budgets, monitors variances, and budget deficiencies. Sonia started her career in renewable energy in 2011 when she became part of the Aegis Renewable Energy team. She works closely with the Aegis executives to ensure all departments are working efficiently and effectively. She understands the complexities of running a renewable energy business and can shift as effectively and quickly needed to obtain financial balance and strengthen the company’s financial health. Her capabilities to understand the multiple facets of the company and see the whole picture allows her to communicate and educate her team and assist with guiding the growth of Aegis. With her background in Environmental Science, she holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Resources. She is an advocate for environmental stewardship and supports renewable energy to combat climate change. For over 10 years she has been a female leader in the construction and renewable energy sectors and has worked to support and advocate for women in business in the construction and renewable energy fields. She served as a board member in 2018-2020 for Amicus Solar Cooperative, a solar cooperative with over 70 leading solar companies in the United States.
Brian Degen - Chief Operating Officer
Brian brings to Aegis nearly 40 years of senior leadership experience across a wide range of industries, including renewable energy and environmental services and technologies. He has served as COO of a residential and commercial solar energy systems provider, COO and Director of Marketing for an environmental services organization, and CEO, CFO, and Lead Board Director of a highly innovative IOT water-tech company that was successfully sold to an industry-leading water analytics firm. He has also been CFO or COO of multiple growth stage or start-up businesses, Partner of a buy-side private equity advisory firm, and Founding Managing Director of a small private equity firm. Brian began his career with six years in high tech manufacturing at Data General Corporation and successfully launched operating divisions at Fidelity Investments and IDC. Brian earned an MBA and a BS in Industrial and Operations Engineering – both from The University of Michigan.
Bonnie Batchelder - Chief Financial Officer
Bonnie is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in the State of Vermont, New Hampshire and Massachusetts, with over 30 years of experience. She is the owner of Batchelder Associates, PC. Bonnie has extensive experience in fiscal management, auditing, financial planning, tax planning, DBE certification, job costing, bidding, and strengthening of internal controls for contract management and accounting procedures. Bonnie has been part of the senior leadership team for over 11 years. She manages Aegis' financial activities and the companies financial initiatives. She also provides support with strategic planning.
Martin Veit - Director Of Construction
Martin serves as our Director of Construction, overseeing the teams that manage projects from site evaluation through construction. His focus is on safe, high-quality solar and storage infrastructure that will solve our planet's climate crisis. He came to Aegis with 5 years of experience installing, troubleshooting, and managing construction sites in the solar industry with fellow Amicus partners Sun Common and iSun. Prior to that, Martin worked in wilderness therapy and ran a company building ropes courses and facilitating leadership training in Austria, the country he grew up in. Martin lives in the Mad River Valley, Vermont, with his wife and daughter where he enjoys mountain biking, skiing, and hiking with his dog Willow.
Aaron Lavallee - Inside Sales Manager
Aaron joined the Aegis team in 2021. As the Inside Sales Manager, Aaron works to provide education and excellent customer service while building relationships with current and prospective clients. Aaron has a great desire to create local and community wide renewable energy projects that will provide clean energy at a competitive cost and lower environmental footprint. His passion for a sustainable environment and greener future stems from a lifelong love of the outdoors. Prior to working for Aegis Renewable Energy, Aaron worked in the outdoor industry as a Customer Service Manager. His early years of employment found him engaged in environmental testing and hazardous waste remediation. Aaron holds a BA in Environmental Studies and Sustainability. When not out scoping sites for Solar Projects or reading environmental impact statements (for fun!), he can be found skiing the backcountry of Vermont and spending time with his family in Waterbury, Vermont.
Austin Brose - Project Manager
Austin brings several years of solar experience to Aegis. He has 2 years experience leading commercial solar installations in New England. He is an experienced renewable energy project manager, commercial crew lead, and residential roofing specialist. Having extensive experience with commercial solar installations he enjoys working with Aegis' customers, subcontractors and vendors. Austin is responsible for all aspects of project execution. Having grown up overseas, Austin developed a passion for bringing clean energy to his community. In his free time, Austin can be found mountain biking in the summer or splitboarding in the winter.
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Rachael Chione - Project Manager
Rachael has over 15 years of project management experience, much of it in the renewable energy and energy efficiency fields. Prior to joining the Aegis team, she was an Operations Manager where she developed a residential solar program and managed commercial solar electric contracts. Her role encompassed residential sales, financial management, project management, permitting, procurement, and design. Her experience with energy efficiency was in the agriculture industry, specifically in assisting poultry farmers nationwide with the implementation of lighting, heating, and ventilation energy efficiency upgrades via USDA NRCS programs. Rachael takes pride in her technical aptitude, self-starter mentality, and fearless approach to learning. She enjoys snowboarding, hiking, and foraging for nature's bounty.
Ronda Bonvouloir - Office Manager
Ronda has over 30+ years of administrative experience, ensuring prompt customer and vendor service. She brings 2+ years of experience as an HR Generalist, along with a strong work ethic and dedication to her role as Office Manager. Ronda is very organized and detail oriented, which is beneficial to all aspects of her position, especially for the Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable roles. Her ability to organize and manage tasks and projects has made her an integral part of the Aegis team. She also participates regularly as a volunteer for many local non-profits. Ronda’s everyday happiness lies with her husband Ken, and her lovebird Olive.
Chris Alger - Director of Operation & Maintenance & Safety
Chris is a 25-year customer service professional. He is a strong communicator and believes in prompt follow-through and teamwork. Chris' 10 years of service management experience has resulted in a track record of continual business and process improvement and strong leadership. His lifelong maintenance background drives his growing knowledge and excitement in the renewable energy field. Chris holds a BA in Business and is nearing completion of his MS in Organizational Leadership. In his free time, Chris enjoys golfing, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.
Aaron West - Operation & Maintenance Senior Service Technician
Aaron is a skilled solar technician. He has over 10,000 hours of experience working with electricity and earned his Electrical “Journeyman’s” License in October 2021 and also holds a certificate in OSHA 10 safety training. He comes with many years of solar and electrical experience which includes the installation of multiple commercial solar arrays. As Aegis’s lead Electrician and O&M technician, he specializes in troubleshooting and preventative maintenance services. Aaron prides himself on providing exceptional quality workmanship. When he is not working, he enjoys spending time with his wife.
Sam Richardson - Operations & Maintenance Service Technician
Sam has over 3 years’ experience as an electrical apprentice and 2 years studying Level 1-3 training in electrical journeyman classes. He also holds a certificate in OSHA 10 safety training. He brings a unique skill set to Aegis and specializes in technical issues and troubleshooting, software updates, and fleet monitoring. His attention to detail ensures quality workmanship and efficient service processes. He is certified as an FAA part 107 unmanned Aircraft Pilot. He utilizes this training by flying the drone for preventive maintenance purposes which uses aerial thermography to detect issues with solar arrays. In his free time, he enjoys spending time outdoors.
Hunter Behn - Operations and Maintenance Service Technician
Hunter has over 1 year experience as an electrical apprentice and completed level 1 training in electrical journeyman classes at Vermont Technical College. He has over 3 years working in the field on new solar projects as a general laborer as well as supporting the operations and maintenance team. He enjoys working outside. He enjoys hiking, kayaking and playing chess in his free time.
Jared Thompson - Operations and Maintenance Service Technician
Jared is new to solar operations and maintenance. He has experience with residential and commercial electric and has a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Norwich University. Jared spent the last 4 years as a logistics officer in the U.S. Army in Alaska and has wildland firefighting experience in Alaska and Oregon. In his free time, he is a volunteer ski patroller and enjoys being outdoors.
Daniel Banawa - Solar Designer
Daniel is an energetic, passionate, and result-oriented solar designer with more than 8 years of technical and design experience for large-scale MW PV systems. Daniel is based in the Philippines, and prior joining Aegis, he was involved with utility solar PV and PV storage projects in the Philippines. He has played a significant role in system engineering design, design verification, and optimization for a variety of utility-scale projects. He has extensive experience with PVsyst software for energy estimation, post-processing performance analysis, and engineering design optimization. Aside from that, he is proficient in advanced CAD and AutoDesk, Helioscope, and PVcase. As Aegis Solar Designer, Daniel works cross-functionally with sales, project management, business development, and the construction team to ensure that all design deliverables related to PV are met. When he is not working, he enjoys spending time with his family.
OUR BOARD OF ADVISORS
Jito Coleman - Board of Advisor and Principle, Green Toolbox
Jito brings many years of renewable energy expertise and business leadership to the Aegis board. Formerly, President and Chief Engineer at Northern Power Systems in Waitsfield, VT for over 28 years, he has been at the forefront of renewable energy for over three decades. Jito is currently the Owner and Principal of Green Toolbox Consulting, providing services to support a wide variety of clients with a desire to explore or expand their involvement in renewable energy.
Don Walters - Board of Advisor and Experienced Solar Executive
Don is an experienced executive with a comprehensive knowledge of all facets of the power sector. His results-oriented leadership style and his hands-on approach have been successful with companies executing new strategies or growing their existing business. His experience at companies such as Constellation A, Calpine, Kelson, and Nexamp included positions in business development, financing, EPC, O&M, and asset management. Don is currently the founder of OPES21, a company focused on providing solutions to the power industry for the 21st century with an emphasis on renewable energy.
Seth Henry - Board of Advisor and Executive Chairman of smartShift Technology
Seth is the CEO of Algorex Health Technologies, and an investor in and advisor to several growth technology companies. Seth’s experience as an executive and/or founder includes several high growth and innovative technology businesses including Arcadia.io, smartShift Technologies and C-bridge internet. His focus as an executive is creating differentiated offerings that result in satisfied, repeat customers.