Here you can meet the people who make up Secure Futures, from our partners and staff to our advisers. All of our full-time employees are co-owners of the company.
Partners
Anthony Smith, PhD
President and Chief Executive Officer
Tony brings over 30 years experience in energy efficiency, solar energy, and community economic development in Vermont, Pennsylvania and Virginia. He served as founding first chairman of the Philadelphia Solar Energy Association; founding Executive Director of the Community Energy Development Corporation in Philadelphia; business consultant in creating the Vermont Energy Investment Corporation (which later formed the first energy efficiency utility in the country); Commodity Trading Advisor in energy futures; National Program Leader for USDA in Community-Based Entrepreneurial Development; and founding Executive Director of the Staunton Creative Community Fund, Inc.
He serves as a board member of the Virginia Renewable Energy Association (VA-REA) and a founding member of the Virginia Distributed Solar Alliance. He earned his Masters in Architecture from the University of Pennsylvania, and a PhD from the Wharton School of Management, University of Pennsylvania.
Hugh Stoll
Chief Technology Officer
Hugh is a master electrician with more than 14 years experience in renewable energy generation (solar photovoltaic and hydroelectric facilities) as well as petroleum industry facilities, controls and automation. Hugh has designed, owned and/or managed several renewable power generation installations in Washington, Virginia and North Carolina. Hugh designed the plant automation system for the nations first variable speed permanent magnet hydroelectric generator – a DOE funded research project.
He brings further capacity in commercial and industrial scale demand side energy management as a designer and installer of energy efficient control systems. Hugh was the owner/operator of an electrical contracting firm in Washington state and now resides in Harrisonburg, Virginia in a home with a 11 kW solar photovoltaic system he designed and installed. He holds a BA from Eastern Mennonite University.
Eric Hurlocker
Principal at GreeneHurlocker, PLC
Eric is a principal at GreeneHurlocker, PLC in Richmond, where he has practiced since July 2012. With over twenty years of experience in practicing and advising clients in the areas of energy law, commercial transactions and general corporate work, Eric brings a legal perspective to Secure Futures, LLC.
Eric works closely with renewable energy development companies and has appeared on behalf of clients before the Virginia State Corporation Commission. He is a former partner in the Richmond, Virginia offices of Williams Mullen and former senior in-house corporate and energy attorney at PPL Corporation in Allentown, Pennsylvania, and at Virginia Power in Richmond, Virginia.
Matt Ferguson
Solar Energy Attorney
Matt Ferguson is an investor, attorney and strategic research and management consultant. He invests in clean infrastructure companies and assets. He represents organizations in securing financing agreements in his law practice. His research and consulting is on operating and governance structures that are optimally capitalized and function as intended.
Prior to Matt’s present activity he was Counsel at Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton (KTS) advising clients on the tax aspects of transactions and business activities in the energy innovation, infrastructure and creative sectors. Before KTS, he was the Founder of the Renewable Energy Practice at CohnReznick and served as the firms National Practice Leader. He has served on the Boards of Directors of the American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE), Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA) and the Solar Electric Industry Association (SEIA). He continues to be active in the broad spectrum of the developing and evolving clean energy economy.
Calvin “Cal” Redekop
Partner
Cal brings a lifetime of academic and business leadership experience, including positions as a professor, dean and vice president at numerous American and Canadian colleges and universities, and the successful development of farm equipment and solar companies. Growing up in Montana during the Dust Bowl (1930-1937) instilled in Cal a deep appreciation of the power of nature and faith, addressed in his (2000) publication of Creation and the Environment: An Anabaptist Perspective on a Sustainable World (Center Books in Anabaptist Studies) and Enchantment and Despair: Montana Childhood Stories, 1925 – 1937.
Officers
President and Chief Executive Officer Anthony Smith and Chief Technology Officer Hugh Stoll are listed in the Partners section above.
Maggie Davison
Chief Operating Officer
Maggie joined the Secure Future’s team in June 2015 as Administrative Officer. She manages the day-to-day operations, contract administration and human resources. She brings 25 years of experience in business administration, accounting, and human resources with telecommunications, highway construction, and retail businesses.
Maggie earned her Bachelor’s degree in Business and Organizational Development from Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, VA. She received an MBA with non-profit specialization from Marylhurst University in Portland, OR.
Erik Curren
Chief Marketing and Policy Officer
Erik oversees outreach for Secure Futures in marketing and communications. And, with CEO Tony Smith, Erik manages the company’s government relations and regulatory affairs.
Erik brings 25 years experience in corporate communications, including a stint at Los Angeles and San Francisco offices of Hill and Knowlton, the world’s oldest and largest public relations agency. Since 2009, Erik has run the Curren Media Group, a marketing agency focused on the solar power industry. He has published two books about solar power: The Solar Sales Leap in 2016, the first guide to online marketing for solar energy companies, and then, in 2018, The Solar Patriot: A Citizen’s Guide to Helping America Win Clean Energy Independence.
Erik also draws from his experience as a local elected official — since 2012 he has served as a city councilman in Staunton, VA — to support the company’s public policy outreach.
R. Macon Rich
Chief Financial Officer
Macon provides leadership in the area of financial analysis and management for Secure Futures’ solar projects and for Secure Futures as a corporate entity. He brings considerable experience in family-owned business development, credit analysis for Dominion Bank, financial management as a former Financial Director for a home healthcare agency, and production and logistics experience in the Staunton, VA with Gannett Company and Target. He received his MBA in Finance from Duke University.
Staff
Andrew Grigsby
Customer Solutions Manager
Andrew serves as the Customer Solutions Manager for Secure Futures and is based in the company’s Richmond, VA office. Andrew came to Secure Futures in 2017 after stepping down from the Executive Director position at the Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP), a non-profit headquartered in Charlottesville with a mission to bring clean energy solutions to families, businesses, and communities across Virginia. Prior to joining LEAP in 2015, Andrew spent 14 years as founding principal of the green consulting firm Commonwealth Sustainability Works and 3 years with the Sustainable Communities Initiative of the City of Austin, Texas. Andrew has spent more than 20 years as an entrepreneur, educator, and leader for sustainability and building up his special expertise in the areas of sustainable community development and design, green building, and distributed energy resources and the clean energy revolution.
He holds a NABCEP Entry Level Achievement Award. His formal education includes a master’s degree in community and regional planning from The University of Texas and a bachelor’s degree in social theory from Virginia Commonwealth University.
Ryan McAllister
Business Development Manager
Ryan joined Secure Futures in 2019 and serves as the Business Development Manager. Ryan’s responsibilities include coordinating outreach and managing relationships with Secure Futures’ customers. He brings over ten years’ experience in education, banking and renewable energy. Additionally, he spent two years serving as a Peace Corps volunteer in Mauritania and Rwanda. Ryan holds a Bachelor’s degree in History from Penn State University and a Master’s degree in Economics from the University of London SOAS.
Sam Stoner
Sustainability Manager
Sam has been a part of the Secure Futures team since 2016. He manages the an array of marketing programs including sales collateral, company website, videos, photography and illustrations. Sam became a FAA-certified drone pilot in 2018. Sam’s interest in conservation grew out of his experiences at Eastern Mennonite University where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Environmental Sustainability in 2016.
Andrew Yoder
Fintech Manager
Andrew serves as the Financial Technology (or “Fintech”) Manager for Secure Futures, managing the energy production of the installed solar systems, conducting technical and economic analysis for solar feasibility studies, and coordinating the operation and maintenance of installed solar systems. Andrew previously served as an intern with Secure Futures during his senior year of college. A native of Pennsylvania. Andrew graduated from Eastern Mennonite University in 2016 with a BA in Economics and Environmental Sustainability.
Kelly McDonald
Senior Software Engineer
Kelly serves as the Senior Software Engineer for Secure Futures, bringing software and hardware innovation to many aspects of the business including data collection, data analysis, product development and systems integration. With more than 20 years of experience with software and a passion for “making things,” Kelly is excited to combine so many of his interests with the opportunities and challenges that come with renewable energy. Kelly started working with Secure Futures in 2017. He has a BS in Computer Science and Mathematics from Sterling College.
Loren Swartzendruber, D. Min
Senior Business Development Associate
(Eastern Mennonite University President Emeritus)
Following several years as a parish pastor following graduation from Eastern Mennonite University (EMU) and Eastern Mennonite Seminary, Loren spent 35 years as an administrator in higher education. He served as president of Hesston College (KS) for 10 years and retired in 2016 after 13 years as president of EMU. Loren served as chair of the Council of Independent Colleges in Virginia, as a board member of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and on the board of the Evangelical Environmental Network.
Loren was president of EMU in 2010 when the university partnered with Secure Futures to install a 104 Kwh solar array on the roof of the Sadie Hartzler Library. At the time it was the largest commercial solar array in Virginia.
Christie Thalhimer Silverstein
Impact Investment Fund Advisor
Christie serves as the Impact Investment Fund Advisor for Secure Futures in our Richmond, VA office. Christie serves as the Impact Investment Fund Advisor for Secure Futures in our Richmond, VA office. Her passion for renewable energy and creating a sustainable future led her to join the company in December 2017. Christie’s interest in joining the Secure Futures team grew from her involvement with The Community Foundation of Richmond’s RVA Solar Fund, of which she is a founding member. The RVA Solar Fund is an innovative and collaborative effort to encourage solar energy growth in the Richmond region.
Before her work with Secure Futures, Christie served as the Regional Development Director for five centers with the YMCA of Middle Tennessee. During her years in Nashville, TN, she developed her passion for sustainability and healthy living and started her own business as a health & wellness and decluttering coach. Christie is a graduate of Wake Forest University.
C. Brent Douglass
Senior Facilities Development Associate
Brent serves as Senior Facilities Development Associate for Secure Futures. Brent’s career leading facilities management and capital project teams spans 40 years, primarily for higher education institutions. He served as senior facilities administrator for Randolph-Macon College, St. Mary’s College of Maryland, Longwood University and most recently, Mary Baldwin University, and was Vice President for Facilities and Development at Wintergreen resort. Prior to his higher education career, Brent was self-employed as master electrician and president of a small construction and consulting company.
Home for Brent is a farm in Augusta County, Virginia and among his many passions are historic renovation and conservation. He served as a board member and president of the Nature Foundation at Wintergreen. Brent is a graduate of Dartmouth College and holds an executive management certification from The University of Notre Dame.
Susan Elwell, MS
Business Development Associate
Susan is based in Virginia Beach and serves as Secure Futures’ business development representative in the Virginia Tidewater region. Her responsibilities include outreach to schools, hospitals and companies in southeastern Virginia. Susan holds her M.S. degree in biology from the University of Virginia. She has extensive experience in the medical industry with roles ranging from sales and marketing management to research and development.
Riley Murray, MSIE, CMRP
Project Manager
Riley is responsible for project management and business analytics at Secure Futures. He has extensive experience in industrial engineering, technical project management, facilities maintenance and asset reliability. Riley is a Certified Maintenance and Reliability Professional. Previous employers include James Madison University, Hollister Incorporated, RR Donnelley, and General Electric.
Riley holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Industrial Engineering, and a Graduate Certificate in Applied Statistics from Penn State University. He serves on the Augusta County Recycling Committee. He served on the Publicity, and Bid Selection Committees for Solarize Augusta, a cooperative to help homeowners purchase solar energy systems at a discount. Riley is a founding member of the Friends of the Middle River water conservation group.
Joseph Mumaw
Technical Coordinator
Joseph serves as Technical Coordinator. His responsibilities include daily monitoring of Secure Futures solar assets, the generation of Solar Renewable Energy Credits (RECs), and creating annual reports. A 2018 graduate of Eastern Mennonite University, Joseph earned his degree in Economics as well as Environmental Sustainability, and a minor in Spanish.
Thane Hostetler
Research Projects Coordinator
Thane serves as Research Projects Coordinator. His responsibilities include developing a database detailing ordinances relating to solar energy in localities and utilities across Virginia, along with additional policy research projects. A 2018 graduate of Eastern Mennonite University, Thane earned his degree in Environmental and Social Sustainability, as well as History.
Nicole Duimstra
Marketing Coordinator/Membership Coordinator VA-REA
Nicole serves as Marketing Coordinator for Secure Futures in our Richmond, VA office. In her role, Nicole assists the marketing team in events outreach and content production. She also serves as Membership Coordinator for the Virginia Renewable Energy Alliance (VA-REA). Nicole’s passion for creating a sustainable future, particularly in the renewable energy industry, began during her time at the University of Virginia. She majored in Global Development Studies in Sustainability and Economics, in which she primarily focused her studies on sustainable policy, business development, and community planning.
Lucas Miller
Customer Solutions Coordinator
Lucas serves as the Customer Solutions Coordinator. His responsibilities include managing the Throwing Solar Shade program, monitoring our solar panel arrays, and using that data to create reports. Lucas graduated from Eastern Mennonite University in 2019 with a major in Economics and a minor in Psychology.
Advisers
Matt Ruscio
Program and Policy Adviser
Matt advises the Company’s program, policy, portfolio, and communications development activities. Matt has over three years of experience in the solar industry, focusing on marketing and sales, business transactions and policy. A native of Virginia, Matt graduated from St. Lawrence University (NY) in 2012 with a BA in Environmental Studies and Government. Matt is currently pursuing a MBA at UNC Kenan-Flagler School of Business.
Johann Zimmerman
Structural Engineer
Johann provides engineering design services for Secure Futures, LLC in developing dual use raised truss structures and solar panel installation and mounting systems. He has practiced engineering for over 30 years in areas such as structural renovation and alterations; analysis and design for new construction; and projects incorporating sustainable building practices and renewable and alternate energy sources.
His services include existing condition inspections and analysis, construction inspections; analysis and design of structural systems including footings, columns, beams, and floor, wall and roof systems and retaining walls; plan review and value engineering; and Construction Consulting. He has worked extensively in the Central America and the United States. He is a registered Professional Engineer in the District of Columbia, Pennsylvania, Maryland, New York and Virginia.
