Jeff Bernicke Named CEO of NativeEnergy
Will lead company in next phase of growth through expansion of impact investment practice to deliver shared value to businesses
BURLINGTON, VT, July 15, 2014 /3BL Media/ – NativeEnergy, Inc., a leader in the carbon offset market for more than a decade, announced today that Jeff Bernicke has been promoted to Chief Executive Officer. Bernicke has been President of NativeEnergy since 2010 and will retain his role as President.
Tom Boucher, co-founder and former CEO, stated, “As part of our planned transition over the past few years, Jeff has been instrumental in the Company’s growth and leadership, demonstrating a clear vision for the next phase of expansion.” Boucher remains Chairman of the Board.
In his new role, Bernicke will build out NativeEnergy’s project development capabilities to deliver not only high quality carbon offset projects but broader impact investments for its corporate clients. The project-based investments deliver multiple value streams over their life through more reliable and productive supply chains, healthier communities, reduced exposure to climate risk, enhanced revenues, and lower costs.
According to Bernicke, “The NativeEnergy business is evolving. Our founders Tom Boucher and Tom Stoddard created a brilliant financing model that has allowed over 60 carbon-based projects to be financed and built. They all offer lasting, important, and measurable environmental benefits and strong social value. The Company will build on that solid foundation to bring our customers investments that deliver environmental, social, and—this is essential—measurable business value.”
Notable customers that have supported their business and sustainability goals by investing in NativeEnergy projects include Ben & Jerry’s Homemade, a subsidiary of Unilever; Aveda Corporation, owned by the Estée Lauder Companies; Clif Bar; DesignTex, a Steelcase company; Eileen Fisher, and Keurig Green Mountain.
Over the years, NativeEnergy has been known for small-scale wind projects, like the Greensburg Wind Farm in Greensburg, KS and seven turbines at several Indiana Schools. In addition, the Company has completed many farm-based projects that reduce greenhouse gases and improve economics for small farm operations. Recently NativeEnergy has partnered with Triple Quest to develop safe water projects in Africa and Central American communities. These Gold Standard validated projects provide essential health benefits, reduced risks in supply communities, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
Bernicke has almost 20 years of experience in business development, strategy, and finance in renewable energy and clean technology. Prior to joining NativeEnergy, Bernicke held senior positions with GE-AES Greenhouse Gas Services, DTE Energy Resources, and the Environmental Capital Network (precursor to Cleantech Venture Network). Jeff holds an M.B.A. with distinction and an M.S. in resource ecology from the University of Michigan and B.S. degrees in business and engineering from the University of Pennsylvania.
About NativeEnergy
Founded in 2000, NativeEnergy is an expert provider of carbon offsets, renewable energy credits, and carbon accounting software. Through its Help Build™ carbon offset model, businesses and individuals help finance new wind, water, biogas, solar, and other carbon reduction projects with strong social and environmental benefits. More than 60 community-scale NativeEnergy Help Build™ projects have been made possible due to investments from business and individuals, reducing 2 million metric tons of greenhouse gases. In total, NativeEnergy has more than 6 million metric tons under contract in Help Build™ offsets, vintage offsets and RECs. All NativeEnergy carbon offsets undergo third-party validation and verification. Many clients are pioneers in corporate social responsibility, including eBay, Keurig Green Mountain, Ben & Jerry’s, Interface, Stonyfield Farm, Esurance, and National Geographic. Learn more at www.nativeenergy.com.
