LEADERSHIP TEAM

OUR TEAM

OUR MISSION

We believe that operating with integrity and honesty is the only way to do business. Our mission is to generate operational savings for our clients and leave a positive impact on the environment and communities we serve. We do this for our clients on two fronts. Energy management and conservation, and renewable energy generation. While no two projects are the same our strategy is steadfast. We combine financial and technical aspects of a project to reach the greatest possible energy savings.

Shane served as a Naval Aviator who extended his tour to fly combat missions in Afghanistan after the September 11 attacks. On April 1st, 2001, while assigned to the elite Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron One (“World Watchers”), Shane gained international recognition when his EP-3 aircraft experienced a mid-air collision with a Chinese fighter jet over international airspace. LT Osborn successfully recovered the damaged aircraft from an 8,000-foot inverted dive and landed it safely on the Chinese island of Hainan. For 12 days, LT Osborn led his 23 crew members through captivity by the Chinese military. For his actions, he was presented with the Distinguished Flying Cross by President Bush along with the Meritorious Service Medal for his leadership.

Shane graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a Mathematics and Statistics degree with an emphasis in Actuarial Science and Operations Research. The Aspen Institute labeled him a “rising star in American politics” and selected him a member of its prestigious Aspen-Rodel Fellows Program in Public Leadership. He is also a founder of the Nebraska Soldiers’ Foundation, dedicated to helping soldiers and their families cope with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Shane is a former Executive Committee member of the National Association of State Treasurers. He completed his term as Treasurer of the State of Nebraska in 2011 – the youngest person ever to hold that office. During his tenure, Treasurer Osborn oversaw $9.6 billion in transactions and $17.5 billion in pension investments. Believing that elected officials have a duty to show the public how their tax dollars are being spent, Shane created a website called NebraskaSpending.com that discloses every aspect of the State’s spending. It has been described as the most comprehensive state spending website in the country. Under Shane’s leadership, Nebraska earned multiple national fiscal efficiency awards and was one of the top-performing state pension funds through the recession.

In addition to being a serial entrepreneur, Shane recently spearheaded a Business Development team in Municipal Finance for an SDVOSB broker-dealer and maintains securities licenses. He was instrumental in making the firm a top ten co-manager in the nation during its first year in business.

Sam Wheeler

SAM WHEELER

MANAGING DIRECTOR

Sam brings 30+ years of Business Ownership and Management experience in all facets of commercial and industrial real estate. Self-driven with a guiding vision to always be pursuing more efficient solutions through innovative technologies that maximize property performance and sustainability, while minimizing capital expenditures and overhead. This type of real estate asset optimization prolongs the life, value and efficiency of commercial and industrial properties by utilizing alternative energy technologies, with self-funding, turnkey programs and services.

As Managing Director, Sam exercises daily oversight and engagement with all departments of the company from business-development, to project-development and design, to ongoing operations and construction.

Sam started his first company in the early 1990’s where it quickly grew to over 200 employees and expanded into 4 states over the first 2 years of operation. The business expanded into several privately owned companies in commercial/industrial Energy Management and General Contracting Services.

Sam’s skill set also includes commercial real estate development. He started with raw land acquisitions in 2001 acquiring an expansive knowledge base in the engineering and entitlements process that led to large-scale master planned communities ranging from 5 to 3,100 acres.

Sam’s drive, vision and experience is a true asset for RWH Energy and its clients.

MELISSA MURANTE

OPERATIONS DIRECTOR

Melissa Murante has worked in fundraising and development for approximately two decades. She has worked successfully to build systems, relationships and funding sources for a variety of organizations large and small across the country. Melissa is a gifted presenter and trainer with a passion for creating processes and campaigns designed for long-term sustainability. After graduating from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Melissa worked on Capitol Hill focused on legislative policy and press relations. After moving back to Nebraska, she continued her career in politics working for Congressman Terry, Senator Hagel and Governor Johanns.

After working in the political sphere, Melissa moved into non-profits and worked for local organizations as well as consulting for organizations across the country. Melissa has also worked in the private sector in banking and managed the family business.

Melissa’s areas of expertise are management, operations, relationship management, training and recruitment. She has a proven record of growing small to mid-size business revenue, building successful teams, developing new business and implementing the overall strategy and goals of the organization while leading change. An experienced leader with extensive knowledge in the private and public sector, Melissa enjoys working with people from various cultures, economic backgrounds and has developed excellent interpersonal communication skills both inside and outside the organization.

CHRISTOPHER DOWNS

DIRECTOR & VP SYSTEMS ENGINEERING

Chris is a native of Philadelphia. He graduated from Cardinal O’Hara High School and then went on to obtain his Bachelors of Science in Mechanical Engineering at Drexel University. He has worked throughout many cross-sections of the energy industry, where he has gained 21+ years of experience in complex project execution for industry leading corporations.

Chris’ has broad experience, which includes; Consulting, Master Energy Plans, Commissioning, HVAC & Automation, Electro-Mechanical Systems Design, Design Build, Power Generation (Fuel Switch, Geothermal, Storage & Renewables), Micro-Grids, Smart Grids / Asset Monetization (Demand Response, Ancillary Services, Real Time Energy Management & Procurement), Optimization & Energy Efficiency, M&V Provisions, Funding & Complex Contract Structuring.

Chris aims to leverage his knowledge and diverse network of resources to position RWH Energy as the best-in-class, Trusted Consultant and Partner in the Energy Industry.

In his spare time, Chris enjoys time with his family and friend, Fishing, Camping, Cooking, Traveling, Building Things, and Collecting Rare Coins & Minerals.

JUSBYN LOCKARD

DIRECTOR OF RENEWABLE AND SUSTAINABLE ENERGY​

Jusbyn comes to the RWH Energy team with years of experience across many sectors. Some of these include: Construction Development for Residential, Commercial, Industrial, and Environmental, Social, and Governance, as well as Energy Service Contracting, (ESCO), consulting for municipalities, schools, universities, hospitals, commercial, and industrial clients. He has 18(+) years of Senior Project Management experience in the areas of General Construction, Sales, Development of Solar PV and Thermal, Biomass, Hydrogen, Geothermal, Mechanical, Electrical, IT, Civil, Engineering, Plumbing, Architectural, and Power Generation. Jusbyn has been dedicated to excelling as Senior Project Manager on the construction of over 1.6GW of Solar Throughout the United States worth over $1 billion (+). All of his projects have been completed under budget and ahead of schedule.

STEPHEN MCGREER – PE, LEED AP

DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING

Steve McGreer has worked in the energy efficiency field for his entire career, helping a wide variety of clients ranging from K12 schools to the nation’s largest prison in Chicago, to U.S. Navy bases in Japan. Steve works with clients to help make their facilities the best buildings and investments possible by applying technical solutions as well as creative financial solutions such as PACE financing, 45L tax credits, rebates and other incentives.  Over his career he has helped lead energy-focused retrofit projects for approximately 20 million square feet of buildings, and he has performed studies resulting in over $300M in PACE financing approvals.

Joshua Lippiatt

JOSHUA LIPPIATT

DIRECTOR OF LIGHTING SOLUTIONS

Josh was born and raised in Salem, OH, graduated from Salem High School, and then went on to get his associate’s degree in Business Management & Accounting at ITT Tech. After graduation, he was hired as a Regional Sales Representative for a residential and light commercial lighting firm. This position launched his career in the lighting and energy industry. In his spare time, Josh enjoys working out, golfing, traveling, and enjoying time with his family and friends.

Josh brings 15 years of comprehensive experience in client relation management primarily focused on the sales of energy-efficient technologies to ESCO (Energy Service Company) and other energy efficiency contractors. He specializes in growing sales and cultivating relationships with new and existing ESCO partners throughout the United States leading to long-term customer relationships and overall revenue growth. Josh has worked in various areas of the industry including manufacturing, distribution, and turn-key contracting. His experiences allow insight into all aspects of the industry. For over a decade his efforts have included investment-grade auditing, comprehensive design, and implementation of advanced lighting and lighting controls systems. His goal is to successfully position RWH Energy as the industry leader in lighting technologies and design as well as work with other team members to bring additional ECM’s (Energy Conservation Measures) to market such as solar, wind, CHP, microgrids, and HVAC UVC to grow market share. Josh’s success is attributed to his comprehensive knowledge of products and services combined with an educational sales approach that delivers custom-designed projects specific to each client and their direct energy efficiency goals.

Mr. Koenig is an attorney with extensive experience in federal and commercial energy sectors with an emphasis on multiyear contracts. This includes both conventional and renewable energy projects as well as emerging energy technology commercialization.  His background includes over four years at an investment bank specializing in financing paid-from-savings government contracts.  

Mr. Koenig is a 1981 graduate of West Point and commanded a helicopter detachment on the German border during the Cold War.  After leaving the military, he served in the Reagan White House, the Office of the Secretary of Defense, and President Reagan’s personal staff in California. In addition to a BS in engineering from West Point, he has a MA in international relations from University of Southern California (Munich campus) and a JD from Scalia Law School.

BRANT DESHOTELS​

Lighting Solutions Consultant​

After graduating high school in Louisiana, Brant joined the Marine Corps Reserves as a Combat Helicopter Mechanic. During his service, Brant was a Dual Qualified Plane Captain on both AH-1W “Cobra” and UH-1N “Huey” helicopters. His primary duties included pre-flight and post-flight inspection of aircraft to certify their safety for flight status, launch and recovery of aircraft on the flight line, work and oversight of aircraft maintenance, and educational training of junior Marines learning the skills required to earn their plane captain designation.

Brant also proudly served his country with two tours in Afghanistan from 2003 – 2005 with HMLA-773 “Red Dogs” Light Attack Helicopter Squadron in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

After a notable career, Brant received an honorable discharge from the Marine Corps and went on to graduate from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette with a Business Management degree. Upon graduation, he began a long, successful career in financial services working for several large firms such as Northwestern Mutual, J.P. Morgan, and Iberia Financial Services. Throughout his career in the finance world, Brant has had a long-standing passion and an entrepreneurial spirit for green energy. This eventually led to a career change focusing on new challenges. Brant went on to earn a Master Certificate in Project Management from Villanova University while working as an independent contractor and consultant to a small energy company. This experience led to his consulting work with RWH Energy.

AMIR SHUJA

STRATEGIC ADVISOR

Amir works on the firm’s financing of renewable energy production across cultivating, originating, and developing energy assets. Multiple technologies are funded through this expertise. These project types can range from Distributed Energy Generation, Onsite power solutions, Renewable Gases as well as Solar energy production and Asset backed structured financing products.

In addition, Amir acts as an advisor to financial and industrial companies seeking to maximize their renewable energy production potential, create complementary revenues, integrate ESG decision criteria for external investors, establish captive funding business units and improve governance, operational processes and procedures.

Prior to joining RWH Energy, Amir worked for 22 years in the fixed income capital markets divisions at several global banking firms. He focused on securitized products (balance sheet and third party asset managers) holdings through their lifecycle (beginning with origination, trading, risk management, disposition). He holds a Masters in Chemical Engineering (and Bachelors) from Cornell University.

HAVE QUESTIONS?

DROP US A LINE