Brad Souza – CEO of Valta Energy

Brad brings over 20 years of experience in the energy industry and a strong commitment to renewable energy to his role as CEO of Valta Energy. His dedication to shifting the industry from a centralized to a distributed generation model has led to nearly 200 MW of distributed renewable energy projects.

With a diverse background spanning energy efficiency, mechanical engineering, cogeneration systems, utility infrastructure, and renewable energy Brad has served a wide range of sectors, including Commercial, Industrial, Government, and Education. Brad is passionate about building high-performing teams that drive meaningful impact in the energy landscape.

Brad holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Resources Engineering from Humboldt State University and an MBA from the University of Southern California Marshall School of Business.

Chelsey Kapp – Vice President of Legal Transactions 

As the Vice President of Legal Transactions at Valta Energy, Chelsey leads the Project Finance Department with exceptional expertise and experience. Her responsibilities include overseeing tax equity and debt transactions and sales and acquisitions of assets. Chelsey’s leadership ensures smooth execution and successful outcomes for these financial transactions. Her meticulous attention to detail ensures compliance with legal requirements while safeguarding Valta’s interests. She oversees corporate governance matters for over 250 entities associated with Valta. She organized due diligence responses during a significant private equity investment worth $100 million into the company. She provides guidance, transparency, effective communication, and adherence to legal standards. With a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from the University of California San Diego, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Finance from Chapman University, and a Juris Doctorate from the Chapman University Fowler School of Law, Chelsey brings a well-rounded skill set to her position at Valta Energy. Her expertise in finance and law enables her to navigate complex legal transactions while supporting Valta’s growth and success.

Grady Tucker – Vice President of Human Resources 

As Vice President of Human Resources, Grady brings a wealth of experience and accomplishments to his role.

As a retired military commander, Grady has received numerous accolades, including the Purple Heart and Commendation Medal with Valor for Heroism. Throughout his military career, Grady demonstrated exceptional leadership skills and expertise in various areas, such as HR management, tactical law enforcement, communications, space satellite technology, global positioning technology, and unmanned aerial vehicles. His diverse background makes him a versatile and accomplished leader. At Valta Energy, Grady oversees all Human Resource functions, Information Technology, and Health Safety and environmental responsibilities. He has a proven track record of fostering strong working relationships with high-level executives, including former Presidents of the United States, heads of state, and senior foreign officials. Grady excels in employee relations, benefits administration, and operational analysis. He is specifically trained in Diversity and inclusion through the Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute’s rigorous program. In addition to his military background, Grady has served as an adjunct professor of Business Management at Webster University. He also participated in an international exchange program as an International Requirements Manager in Ottawa, Canada. Additionally, his construction experience stems from leading a combat engineering unit that provided heavy-repair capability and construction support. He holds several certifications, including Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification, Strategic Human Capital Management certification, and Strategic Human Resources Business Partner certification. He is also OSHA certified. Grady holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management, a graduate certificate from the EBV program at Cornell University’s SC Johnson School of Management, and an MBA from the University of Southern California Marshall School of Business. Grady Tucker brings invaluable expertise to his role as Vice President of Human Resources at Valta Energy. His dedication to fostering strong working relationships and prioritizing the well-being of employees ensures a positive and thriving work environment.

Joshua “JC” Andrews – Vice President of Origination & Development Operations

As Vice President of Origination and Development Operations, JC has over ten years of experience in Program Management and Operations. JC has worked across diverse industries, including renewable energy, aerospace, and defense contracting. At Valta Energy, JC has played a pivotal role in key strategic initiatives for development, origination, and project management. He has successfully overseen the implementation of projects totaling over 30MW across the United States. JC holds certifications as a Project Management Professional (PMP) and Lean Six Sigma Black Belt. These qualifications highlight his commitment to delivering results efficiently and effectively. With a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from California State University Fullerton and a Master’s degree in Strategic Intelligence from Northeastern University, JC brings a unique blend of financial acumen and strategic thinking to his role. His expertise in program management and his industry knowledge make him an invaluable asset to our team at Valta Energy. JC’s dedication to driving successful outcomes ensures that our company continues to thrive in the renewable energy sector.

Matthew Martunas – Vice President of EPC 

As Vice President of EPC, Matt is responsible for leading the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction Division at Valta Energy. With over 15 years of experience in the C&I solar industry, Matt brings a wealth of expertise to his role. Throughout his career, Matt has successfully managed the oversight and execution of more than 250 MW of solar PV and battery storage installations in the northeast region. His extensive experience includes leading multiple departments involved in utility-scale PV and energy storage EPC projects. Matt’s comprehensive understanding of critical path analysis, risk mitigation, project management principles, and budget control ensures efficient and successful project execution within his departments. His strategic leadership drives excellence throughout all stages of project development. Prior to joining Valta Energy, Matt held positions as Director of Operations and Senior EPC Manager at two prominent C&I solar companies in the Northeast. These roles provided him with invaluable insights into industry best practices and further honed his skills as a leader in the field. With his deep knowledge of renewable energy systems and proven track record in managing complex projects, Matt is an invaluable asset to our team at Valta Energy. His expertise contributes to our success in delivering high-quality EPC services while driving innovation within the industry.

Michael Wilson – Senior Vice President of Finance

As the Senior Vice President of Finance at Valta, Mike plays a critical role in overseeing and leading the company’s financial planning and analysis (FP&A) as well as treasury functions. With over 13 years of experience in the renewable energy industry, Mike has demonstrated his ability to effectively lead, assist, and manage solar assets throughout his career. Mike’s journey began at Southern California Edison, where he started as a financial analyst and project manager. Through his dedication and expertise, he quickly progressed within the industry to assume multiple senior roles in treasury and FP&A at esteemed organizations such as Edison International, Cypress Creek Renewables, and, most recently, SOLV Energy. With his deep understanding of financial analysis methodologies coupled with his background in project management within the renewable energy sector, Mike is able to provide valuable insights into driving sustainable growth for Valta. He consistently strives for excellence by implementing best practices that optimize treasury management practices while mitigating associated risks. Mike holds an MBA in Finance from Pepperdine University’s Graziadio Business School. He also attended Boston College and Tsinghua University in China. His dedication to financial planning, analysis, and treasury management ensures our company’s continued success in achieving its strategic objectives while maintaining strong fiscal health.

Taylor Zuccolotto – Vice President of Capital Markets 

As the Vice President of Capital Markets at Valta Energy, Taylor plays a crucial role in overseeing the company’s capital raising and structuring efforts. With his extensive experience in the renewable energy industry, Taylor brings valuable expertise to drive successful financing initiatives for Valta. Before joining Valta, Taylor served as the Senior Director of Capital Markets for Sunnova Energy, where he led tax equity, debt, and asset-backed securities (ABS) transactions in the United States. His strategic approach and understanding of capital markets enabled him to raise funds to support Sunnova’s renewable energy projects successfully. Prior to his tenure at Sunnova, Taylor spent five years at Sunrun in their Project Finance group. During this time, he played a key role in raising over $1 billion in capital to support the deployment of residential rooftop systems. His experience in project finance provided him with valuable insights into structuring financial arrangements that supported sustainable growth. Taylor began his career in leveraged finance at Bank of America Merrill Lynch. This early experience equipped him with a strong foundation in financial analysis and deal structuring. Taylor holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and Finance from the University of Southern California. Taylor’s expertise drives successful capital-raising initiatives while ensuring optimal financing structures for renewable energy projects. His ability to navigate complex financial markets enables Valta to secure the necessary funding for its operations and expansion plans.