• COMPANY OVERVIEW
• LEADERSHIP TEAM
• BOARD OF DIRECTORS
• ADVISOR TEAM

Advisor Team

• Colonel Buzz Aldrin, Ph. D.
• Erle Nye, J.D.
• James W. Keyes
• Peter B. Dauterman
• Rocky Dhir, J.D.
• Scott Deatherage, J.D.
• Rebecca "Becky" Halstead, Brigadier General (retired)
• Carl Hefton
• J. Peter Lynch
• Steve Perkins
• Matthew A. Thompson, Ph. D.
• Mike Warren, J.D.

• Jim Young

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Colonel Buzz Aldrin, Ph. D.

Since retiring from NASA and the Air Force, the legendary astronaut Buzz Aldrin, Ph.D., has remained at the forefront of efforts to ensure America's continued leadership in human space exploration. Buzz devised a master plan for missions to Mars - the "Aldrin Mars Cycler" - a spacecraft transportation system with perpetual cycling orbits between Earth and Mars.  He has received three U.S. patents for rocket systems and schematics.

Buzz's years of aerospace experience, matched with his dedication and continued support of solar power and research for renewable energy sources, aligns him directly with Principal Solar's bottom-line initiatives.

In 1966, Buzz performed the world's first successful spacewalk on the Gemini 12 orbital mission.  On July 20, 1969, Buzz and Neil Armstrong made their historic Apollo 11 moonwalk, becoming the first two humans to set foot on another world.  Upon returning from the moon, Buzz was decorated with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest American peacetime award. 

Buzz was educated at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, graduating third in his class with his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. Selected by NASA in 1963 into the third group of astronauts, Buzz was the first with a doctorate and became known as "Dr. Rendezvous." 

Buzz's recent turns on Dancing With The Stars, 30 Rock, and WWE Raw Live are helping to keep space on the forefront of everyone's minds.

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Erle Nye, J.D.

Erle Nye is one of the best recognized and distinguished executives in the electric power industry.  Mr. Nye currently serves as chairman emeritus of TXU Corp, the world's leading traditional and highly successful energy utility. He served in a number of key positions at TXU Corp., including chairman of the Board, CEO and president. In addition, he served on the Board of Directors of TXU Corp. from 1987 to 2005, and currently serves on the board of S&C Electric Company. His expertise extends to a number areas in the energy industry, including engineering, financial, legal, operations and regulatory.

Nye served as chairman of the Board of the Edison Electric Institute and co-chaired the CEO Task Force on Critical Infrastructure Protection. He is past chairman of the Board of Directors of the Electric Power Research Institute, North American Electric Reliability Council, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, and the Nuclear Energy Institute.  Nye was appointed chairman of the National Infrastructure Advisory Council by President George Bush. He served on the Advisory Committee to the President's Commission on Critical Infrastructure Protection and on the U. S. Department of Energy's Electric System Reliability Task Force.  He is a registered professional engineer and a member of local, state and American Bar Associations.

He holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Texas A&M University, a Juris Doctor from Southern Methodist University, and a Doctor of Science, honoris causa, from the Baylor College of Dentistry.

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James W. Keyes

James W. Keyes is a Horatio Alger recipient and definition of the "rags to riches" American Dream.  He currently serves as chairman of Key Development LLC and draws on his impressive track record as CEO and chairman of Blockbuster Inc. to serve as advisor to Principal Solar. James is renowned for his leadership and ability to solve complex business challenges based on his considerable experience overseeing national retail chains.

Prior to joining Blockbuster in 2007, James served as the President and CEO of 7-Eleven from 2000 until 2005, retiring upon its sale to Seven & I Holdings Co. He also served as CFO and COO during his 21 years at the company. Under his leadership, the company experienced record sales and profits and implemented new retail systems technology that improved product assortment decisions in every store. He also ushered in a new era for 7-Eleven through the introduction of a host of new electronic services. Prior to serving as president and CEO, Keyes held a variety of positions at 7-Eleven, including chief financial officer, executive vice president and chief operating officer. Keyes retired from 7-Eleven upon the sale of the company in 2005. Previously, Keyes worked for Gulf Oil, and in 1985 joined CITGO Petroleum, which was then a subsidiary of 7-Eleven Inc.

James graduated cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa with a Bachelor's degree from the College of the Holy Cross in Massachusetts, and earned an M.B.A. from Columbia University..

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Peter B. Dauterman

Currently director of Pegasus Funds, Peter Dauterman brings 30 years of experience in corporate finance, business development, marketing, and tax strategy to Principal Solar. An active community participant, Peter is on the Advisory Board of The Legacy Center for Public Policy, a non-partisan public policy think tank, and the Board and Executive Committee of the Lee Park and Arlington Hall Conservancy.

In addition to having led the formation of more than 50 Regulation D (Reg D) private placements, Peter applied his entrepreneurial skills by launching three Dallas-based companies: Available Self Storage, Inc, which he served as president and CEO;
Internet Global Services, Inc., which he co-founded and served as executive vice president of Business Development until it was sold to the public company NOVO Networks (now Berliner Communications); and Automated Pay Services, which he served as president and CEO.

Peter is a graduate of Texas Christian University's Neely School of Business in Finance and Management, and The Green Hill School in Dallas, where he is a former member of the Board of Trustees and Finance Committee Chair and recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award.

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Rocky Dhir, J.D.

Rocky Dhir is an attorney, an entrepreneur, and an innovator.  At his law firm, Dhir & Associates, Rocky practices commercial litigation and acts as a legal advisor and outside general counsel to innovative start-up ventures.

In 2000, Rocky established Atlas Legal Research, LP.  Atlas specializes in outsourcing appropriate legal services to its team of attorneys in India and the United States.   Through his work as Atlas’ CEO, Rocky is helping in-house and law firm attorneys achieve more while spending less.  Rocky’s two primary responsibilities at Atlas encompass (1) working with clients make sure that Atlas provides them with helpful, high quality work product and (2) providing training and feedback to Atlas’ attorneys.

Rocky received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Chicago and his J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School, where he served on the Michigan Law Review.  After law school, Rocky completed a federal judicial clerkship for the Hon. Jerry Buchmeyer of Dallas. 

A published legal author and frequent speaker on legal outsourcing best practices, legal innovation and social media, Rocky was named by his peers as a Texas Rising Star in both 2008 and 2009.  He was on the Planning Committees for the 2010 and 2011 South Texas College of Law Employment Law Conference, and he has been appointed as a 2010-11 co-chair of the CLE subcommittee for the Appellate Section of the State Bar of Texas.  Rocky is also a proud member of the Rotary Club of Dallas and the Mac Taylor Inn of Court in Dallas.  He lives in Dallas’ Uptown with his wife, Shefali.

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Scott Deatherage, J.D.

Scott Deatherage, J.D., a partner at Patton Boggs LLP, advises clients on a variety of environmental, renewable energy, climate change, and greenhouse gas regulation. Scott's practice focuses on permitting, compliance, administrative law, and judicial litigation on a variety of environmental issues including air emissions, wastewater discharges, hazardous waste, hazardous substances, and toxic substances.

Scott authored Carbon Trading Law and Practice, a comprehensive practical guide to the U.S. and international practice of carbon emissions trading. The book includes a thorough examination of climate change and greenhouse gas regulation, emissions trading, international and EU law, other reduction programs, carbon credit financing, and the U.S. regulatory regime for greenhouse gas emissions and emissions trading.

Scott earned his B.A. with highest honors from the University of Oklahoma and his Juris Doctorate, cum laude, from Harvard Law School.

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Carl Hefton

Carl Hefton brings more than 35 years of business and advisory experience to the Principal Solar team. Carl currently sits on advisory boards for the College of Business at University of North Texas, the Dallas After School Network, and the Richardson Hospital Authority. Carl is a partner with Dallas Social Venture Partners and is engaged with a number of not-for-profit organizations in various capacities including strategy and fundraising.

Previously, Carl was a founding partner of Entrust Capital Advisors, CEO and president of Viscern, Inc., a professional services firm that provided strategic, on-site fundraising and other consulting services to over 10,000 faith-based and not-for-profit organizations throughout the United States, helping to raise over $12 billion. Carl was also a CPA with Arthur Andersen & Co.

Carl's passion for building companies stems from his experience as an advisor partner with HRB Capital, a private equity investment group; a partner/mentor with Tech Wildcatters, a technology start-up accelerator; a general partner with a hedge fund; and involvement with several start-up organizations in various capacities from investor to Board member.

Carl graduated summa cum laude from the University of North Texas with a B.B.A. in Accounting.

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J. Peter Lynch

A pioneer in the renewable energy sector of the investment banking industry and regarded as an expert in renewable energy. Peter brings a wealth of knowledge from his 35 years as a Wall Street security analyst, independent security analyst and private investor in small, emerging technology firms.  He has raised over $500MM in every sector of the industry, including photovoltaics, solar thermal, wind and biomass. 

Peter has served as a financial/technology consultant to a number of renewable energy companies, and currently spearheads the development of commercial-scale solar projects in the Northeast U.S.  In addition, Peter works with a number of scientific advisors and associates focused solely on identifying the next generation of renewable technologies.

While serving as contributing editor for the Photovoltaic Insider Report for 17 years, Peter provided thought-leadership on a global basis to major energy companies, utilities and governments, bringing to light leading-edge technologies in the energy industry.

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Rebecca "Becky" Halstead, Brigadier General (retired)

Becky Halstead brings a broad depth of knowledge to the Principal Solar team. As founder of STEADFAST Leadership, Becky mentors the corporate sector in leadership training and inspirational speaking. As a member of the Board of Advisors for several companies, Becky provides logistics and leadership expertise.

Becky's tremendous success and passion for educating, training and inspiring leaders and developing cohesive teams is rooted in her 27 years serving the United States Army, from which she retired as a Brigadier General. In Iraq, Becky led over 20,000 soldiers and 5,000 civilians, and commanded eight out of her 11 years in the army. Becky has achieved historic milestones, becoming the first female graduate of the United States Military Academy to achieve the rank of General Officer, the first female Commanding General to command in combat at the strategic level and the Army's first female Chief of Ordnance.

Becky earned her B.S. in engineering at the United States Military Academy at West Point, her M.S. of Military Art and Science, and her M.S. of National Resource Strategy (Manufacturing focus) from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, Washington D.C.

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Steve Perkins

Steve Perkins is a highly accomplished business leader with over 40 years experience in the information technology, financial, and communications industries. Steve's successful track record in building companies and growing start up entrepreneurial ventures will be a key asset in driving the development of Principal Solar.

At T. Boone Pickens' prestigious BP Capital Ventures, Steve was responsible for evaluating the investment quality of non-traditional energy technologies, including new solar technologies. Steve was a minority investor in, and took active role with several of these companies. At VideoChamp, a web-based delivery vehicle that enables athletes to send full-length game films and edited footage to college coaches and pro scouts via e-mail, Steve acts not only in guiding the current direction of the company as a member of the Board of Directors, but also in the evolution of future product development and system enhancements. Steve sits on the Board of Directors of NeoFirma, the leading provider of exploration and production information services that energy companies use to manage their businesses more effectively. During Steve's years in the information technology sector, he held a variety of executive management positions in development, professional services, client services, marketing, and sales.  

Steve was a co-founder and Group president of Sterling Commerce, a spin-off from Sterling Software.  Additionally, Steve has been instrumental in the growth of large structured companies, including Computer Technology and UCC (renamed UCCEL and now a part of Computer Associates) as well as small, entrepreneurial enterprises.

Steve obtained his BS in Mathematics at Eastern New Mexico University and MS in Computer Science from Washington University in St. Louis.

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Matthew A. Thompson, Ph. D.

Matthew Thompson is a scientist with 23 years experience in semiconductor process development and yield enhancement at Motorola and at Freescale Semiconductor.

At Motorola's Advanced Process Development Laboratory, he developed vertical gate oxidation processes and equipment. In a collaborative research and development project that included Motorola and IBM, he designed Synchrotron x-ray optics for deep submicron lithography, and supported x-ray mask design.  The project culminated with a successful fabrication of fully functional memory chips using x-ray lithography.  In another industry research project, Matthew worked with Motorola and Lucent Technologies to develop 200 mm mask manufacturing processes for a novel projection electron beam lithography technique.  In addition to these advanced lithography research projects, he developed computer algorithms for Complimentary Phase Shift Masks, leading to volume manufacture of products with 50 nm gates using 248 nm imaging tools.  At Freescale Semiconductor, he worked to improve profitability and performance by development and deployment of Design for Manufacturability methodology.

Matthew holds six patents in areas such as electronic design processing, x-ray mirror design, and advanced e-beam lithography, and optical and photo mask design.

Matthew earned a B.S. in Physics at Texas Tech University, and a Ph. D. in Physics at The University of Texas at Austin.  His doctoral research on electronic and magnetic properties of ultra-thin crystalline films pre-dates the popular terminology: "nano-technology".

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Mike Warren, J.D.

Mike Warren, J.D., brings business and energy legal expertise to the Principal Solar team. Mike has represented clients including wind power developers and landowners on matters ranging from powerline routing to U.S. interests in acquisition of Central American utility. A member of the State Bar of Texas, State Bar College, and registered professional engineer, Mike is also co-developer of U.S. and U.K. patents for energy systems applications.

Previously, Mike founded a developing technology company focused on energy management, policy, and financing. From 1996-2003, Mike served as general counsel, Project Management, for an energy services and marketing company. Leading up to that, Mike was retained as legal council, Regulatory Management, for an electric utility services company, and led Plant Engineering at a manufacturing and electric service company where he began his career in the role of Power Service Engineering.

Mike holds his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering with distinction from Texas A&M University and received his Juris Doctor from Southern Methodist University School of Law, where he was a member of the Board of Editors, Journal of Air Law and Commerce.

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Jim Young

Jim Young brings considerable talent and an impressive breadth of knowledge and experience as advisor to Principal Solar. An innovative business leader, Jim is chairman of The Margate Group, served as chairman of Teleportec, providers of advanced video conferencing, and joined EDS, one of the nation’s largest multinational information technology equipment and services companies, in 1965 as a systems engineer.

During his tenure at EDS, Jim also worked in sales and marketing, managed corporate communications and strategic planning. He is recognized for leading numerous special projects for the corporation, including the JASON Project, the world’s premier distance learning program. In addition, he spent more than twelve years as executive assistant to the chairman of EDS.

He is a past member of the National Speakers Association. He earned a B.S. in Mathematics from Mississippi State University in 1960 and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Public Service from Central Michigan University.

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