Investment Team
US OFFICE
Tomakin Archambault
Managing Partner, CEO
Tomakin oversees the strategic direction and financial performance of GSSG Solar and its investments. Tomakin plays a key role in fundraising efforts and is involved in the structuring of all GSSG transactions. Before founding GSSG Solar, Tomakin was the VP of Finance & Investment and co-head of the Global Special Situations Group at SunEdison and oversaw the execution of several creative financing structures. Previously, he was an original member of a wind and solar investment platform at a private investment fund where he originated, structure, and invested in solar portfolios across the U.S. Earlier in his career, he consulted at the Rocky Mountain Institute. Tomakin received his B.S. in mechanical engineering with honors from University of Denver and his M.S. in civil engineering from Stanford University.
Jason Stevens
Senior Advisor
Jason oversees technical activities and operations at GSSG Solar, including the technical diligence of potential transactions and is a member of the company’s investment committee. Jason is involved in assessing the technical and operational viability of all solar assets at GSSG Solar to ensure they meet all requirements for investment. A veteran of the solar industry since 2001 and an early employee of SunEdison, prior to his role as a co-founder at GSSG Solar, Jason was the Managing Director of Operations within the Global Special Situations Group. Previously, Jason was the VP of Engineering. Procurement & Construction (EPC) for SunEdison where he led a several hundred person team responsible for the development, design, permitting, and construction of over 300 MW of solar projects across a variety of applications, customers, and geographies. Prior to SunEdison, Jason worked in BP’s solar division in both a business and product development role. He has evaluated technical feasibility, operational optimization, and the resulting financial impacts across a wide range of solar project technologies. He received his B.S. in mechanical engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute (VA Tech) and an MBA from University of Texas, Austin.
Charlie McDaniel
Partner, Head of Origination
Charlie leads origination and acquisition activities. As a co-founder at GSSG Solar, he sources new investment opportunities for GSSG Solar and has overseen the diligence of over 4.0 GW of utility-scale opportunities in Japan. Charlie spent 5 years at SunEdison where he was most recently a Director of M&A within the Global Special Situations Group where he sources and evaluated the preliminary financial, technical and strategic attractiveness of solar projects and led the acquisition of over 2 GW of project pipeline. He joined SunEdison in the distributed energy program and was an architect of SunEdison’s Channel Partner Program, which asses over 100 MW of projects in the commercial sector. Prior to SunEdison, Charlie was an FP&A analyst at Mervyn’s department store, where he developed the solar program for their store rooftops. Charlie earned his B.A. from Truman State University and was a member of the collegiate soccer team. Charlie also holds an MBA from the University of San Francisco.
Adrian Archambault
Partner, Head of Valuation
Adrian manages the valuation team at GSSG that develops and audits the financial models used in structuring and valuation for each GSSG project and portfolio. Since joining as a co-founder in 2013, he has overseen the valuation of over 4 GW of pipeline and manages the tax and debt structuring of each of the Company’s projects (including successful duct syndication in both Mexico and Japan). He also performs most of the policy research in both the U.S. and Japanese markets. Adrian graduated phi beta kappa from Stanford University with a degree in earth systems and a minor in economics. He was the Lorry I. Lokey intern at Environmental Defense Fund and conducted carbon cycle research on the remote Pacific Island of Palmyra Atoll.
DAVID MARTUS
Director, Investor Relations
David oversees the fundraising & investor relations functions at GSSG Solar. He is an experienced private markets professional with two decades of buy and sell side expertise. Most recently he spent six years at Kerogen Capital managing investor relations & fundraising and prior to that spent eight of the previous twelve years as a Senior Portfolio Manager at Colorado PERA, a $45 billion public pension plan, where he oversaw a $4.6 billion global portfolio (invested and committed capital) of private equity, natural resource, venture capital, distressed debt and mezzanine investments. He was an active participant on numerous partnership Advisory Boards and was an observer to the Board of Directors for several co-investments. Prior to joining Kerogen, David worked at Forbes Private Capital Group in origination, project management and distribution capacities. David graduated with a B.S. and a M.B.A. from the University of Colorado at Boulder and is a Chartered Financial Analyst.
BRANDON SHENFIELD
Investment Manager
Brandon joined GSSG Solar to manage the origination, development, and financing of the Company’s U.S. solar project investment activity, primarily in New Hampshire. He has spent the last nine years in consulting, investment, and development in the energy space. His experience includes production analysis for upstream Oil and Gas and financial modeling for a portfolio of energy companies for a venture capital firm. Most recently, he was responsible for the budget formation, financial analysis, project development, and contract negotiation for a portfolio of energy storage projects at RES Americas, growing their constructed projects from 8 MW to 280 MW in 5 years. Brandon earned his BSBA at the University of Colorado and holds a PMP certification.
Nina Peranni
Controller & Compliance
Nina manages the corporate finance activities of GSSG and its affiliates, including tax, accounting and compliance matters. For over a decade, she has actively worked in accounting and tax roles providing leadership and strategic direction on financial operations. Prior to joining GSSG, she held lead accounting positions with private investment firms managing diversified portfolios in the energy and real estate markets. Nina holds a BBA in Finance from the University of North Texas and a Masters in Accountancy from Texas State University.
CARSON WESTERFIELD
Project Manager
Carson is the project manager for GSSG’s U.S. market portfolio. He brings expertise in plant design and construction with over 200 MW of residential, commercial, and utility-scale solar project experience in multiple markets. Most recently, he was a foreman at Titan Renewables, and supervised the construction and O&M of over 15 commercial solar projects on Walmart Supercenters and Tesla carports in California, Ohio, Arizona, and Texas. Prior to his solar career, he was an educator and community organizer which required developing strong relationships with multiple stakeholders. Carson holds a B.S. in International Studies at Spring Hill College, and a M.A. in International Security at the University of Arizona.
JENNIFER BEU
Accounting Manager
Jennifer oversees the accounting activities and reporting duties for GSSG Solar and its affiliates in the US and Taiwan. Prior to joining GSSG, she worked for a biotechnology company managing all aspects of accounting and human resources. Jennifer began her career as an audit associate with KPMG, LLP after receiving her BSBA/MSBA in Accounting at the University of Colorado.
PHILIP LAWRENCE
Associate
Philip Lawrence is involved in the development and financing of the Company's US portfolio. He is a recent graduate of the University of Denver with a bachelor’s degree in International Business with minors in Sustainability and Finance.
JAPAN OFFICE
Yoshiyasu Sumi
Director, Country Manager (Japan)
Sumi manages GSSG’s Tokyo office and has developed the local asset management capabilities of the company in Japan. Prior to joining GSSG as Country Manager in 2016 (he started consulting for GSSG in 2014), he spent 6 years at Octave Japan KK and lead asset management, structuring, transaction management, reporting, accounting and compliance as an Executive Director. He worked on various transactions, including asset management of a loan portfolio for a major U.S. real estate fund ($1.0+ billion enterprise value), asset management of a European-based real estate fund, and the project development and asset management activities for two international solar investment funds. Previously, Sumi worked at Capmark Japan KK where he oversaw secondary market transactions, loan pricing on over 15 real estate backed syndication/securitization transactions and was responsible for working out defaulted real estate debt, developing pricing models, and implementing an in-house accounting management system. He started his career as a financial analyst at Hitachi Chemical and obtained a B.A. in economics from Keio University in Tokyo. Sumi is fluent in Japanese and English.
Toshimichi Wago
Director, Asset Management
Toshi manages the asset management team in Japan including technical operations. He leads all aspects of EPC, O&M, design, construction management, asset management, reporting from initial investment through to operations. He works to establish cross-functional, cross-disciplinary solutions for GSSG’s projects. Toshi brings nearly 20 years of engineering and project management experience to GSSG. Prior to joining GSSG, Toshi worked for Schlumberger Technology Corporation in both the USA and Japan. He held roles at Schlumberger ranging from design engineering to project management, where he most recently was a project manager in the Schlumberger’s Acoustics R&D department and lead multicultural and multidisciplinary teams of up to 20 engineers in Tokyo. Toshi received a B.S. in electrical engineering from Pontificia Universidad Javeriana (Colombia) and a M.S. in mechanical engineering from Rice University. Toshi is a native Spanish speaker and is fluent in both Japanese and English.
SATOSHI IWASE
Director, Project Finance
Satoshi is responsible for sourcing and structuring project debt for GSSG’s portfolio of projects. As a seasoned veteran of the finance industry, he started at Nomura Real Estate and has since spent over 20 years in New York and Tokyo structuring ABS, originating CMBS and investing in various types of asset-backed loans and securities. For each assignment, he worked at, respectively, Citibank, Capmark Japan and Shinsei Bank where he also provided financing himself to renewable energy projects immediately prior to joining GSSG. Satoshi received a B.A. in economics from Waseda University and a MBA from Simon Business School at University of Rochester. He is a native speaker of Japanese and fluent in English.
Katsumi Tanno
Senior Project Manager, Asset Management
Katsumi is responsible for overseeing project development, module design layout and construction of solar photovoltaic (PV) power plants in Japan. His role involves managing the activities relating to these project stages, and ensuring the projects achieve quality, budget, and schedule performance metrics. He started his career managing telecommunication construction projects with a focus on quality control, safety and schedule management. Prior to joining GSSG in 2018, Katsumi worked as a project manager with experience in sales, PV design and construction management of 5 solar projects in Japan.
Shouhei Saiki
Asset Manager
Shouhei manages current and future renewable energy project asset management activities during construction and operation in Japan. Prior to joining GSSG, Shouhei worked for an O&M start-up established by a foreign renewable energy firm where he developed a business strategy as Director. Shouhei also managed multiple roles from O&M services development and sales activities to internal cash management with the goal of a profitable solar business with overseas and domestic clients. Shouhei received a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Chuo University and is fluent in English and Japanese and proficient in Thai.
Takashi Ikeda
Senior Project Manager
Takashi manages project development activities in Japan. He supports all development activities including permitting, interconnection, site control, and local stakeholder management. Prior to joining GSSG, he worked for several renewable energy companies primarily focused on project due diligence and development. He received a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Aoyama Gakuin University (Japan).
Hidemitsu Arai
Project Manager, Project Development
Hidemitsu manages project development activities in Japan. He supports all development activities including permitting, interconnection, site control, and local stakeholder management through the start of construction. He has been in the solar industry since 2010 as CFO of a racking manufacturer and as head of M&A for a module manufacturer and has overseen the development activities of various projects. Prior to renewables, he managed a science museum, and supervised the accounting systems, business planning and finance departments within a chain of restaurants. As CFO of an IT company, Hidemitsu directed various M&A operations. Hidemitsu majored in economics at Ryutsu Keizai University and holds a masters in accounting from Waseda University.
Ai Yamanaka
Manager, Project Finance
Ai takes initiative in supporting project financing, directing investor/lender interface, and maintaining compliance for all projects under management. Prior to joining GSSG, she managed due diligence and documentation process for M&A transactions as a paralegal at one of the leading law firms in Japan. During her stint at a financial service company, she also gained corporate legal and governance expertise. Ai earned a B.A. in financial accounting from Saitama University and holds a national surveyor accreditation.
Shinobu Yoshitomi
Director, Public Relations
Shinobu manages Public Relations and Government Relations activities for our Japan office. She is an experienced coordinator for complex working environments and projects and has extensive experience facilitating international business, trade, culture and education relations in Japan and U.S. She served as Executive Director for Japan America Society of Colorado for 6 years in the U.S. and was involved in variety business, cultural and educational programs working with both public and private sectors. She also served as General Manager, Consumer Affairs, Research & Communications for the U.S. Meat Export Federation for 5 years in Japan—responsible for marketing, advertising, PR programs, research projects, and other consumer related projects to promote U.S. meat industry. She received a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from University of Colorado, Boulder. Shinobu is fluent in both Japanese and English.
Tomoko Ogasawara
Accounting Manager
Tomoko manages accounting activities for GSSG Solar Japan and its affiliates in Japan. She brings experience in accounting and FP&A along with US GAAP and Japan GAAP. Prior to joining GSSG, she has worked as finance controller with solar power businesses and as accounting manager for insurance businesses. Tomoko earned her Associate’s Degree in Business from Otaru University of Commerce and a B.A. in Economics from Hokkaigakuen University.
TAIWAN OFFICE
Michael Wu
Senior Manager of Project Finance
Michael manages project finance relationships and negotiations with financial institutes in. Prior to joining GSSG, Michael spent 10 years within the finance department in URE (previously named NSP) for PV solar power plants. Michael was involved in overseas investments in the Dominical Republic and the first phase of the world’s largest airport-based solar project in Indiana, USA. Before entering the PV solar field, Michael worked with DBS (HK), Taipei Fubon Bank (both in HK and Taipei), and Taishin International Bank (Taipei). Michael was awarded a Master of International Management in 2002 from the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota. His native language is Cantonese and is fluent in Mandarin and English.
BARTON HSU
Project Manager
Barton manages design, permitting, procurement and construction activities in the Taiwan solar market and provides recommendations regarding potential investments. Barton worked at CTCI, Formosa Renewable and GE Gas Power before he joined GSSG. He has more than twelve years EPC management experience in the energy industry including combine cycle and solar PV power plants.
Bruce Hsu
Project Site Manager
Bruce provides on-site construction management to ensure successful achievement of key project metrics with an emphasis on safety, schedule, budget, and quality management. Prior to joining GSSG, Bruce spent more than 15 years in relevant EPC management roles at Cheng Loong Corporation, Far Eastern New Century Corporation, and CIEL ET TERR TAIWAN Co., Ltd. He is fluent in Mandarin, Hakka, and Taiwanese.
Vincent Chen
Investment Associate
Vincent leads project finance, project development, and policy research for GSSG’s Taiwan portfolio. Vincent brings a diverse set of experience in business development, financial planning, and research in sustainable development and climate resilience to this role. Prior to joining GSSG, Vincent was the senior business development manager at Jupiter Intelligence, a climate risk analytics firm, where he led the development of the company’s strategy in the utility, industrial, financial, and pharmaceutical sectors. He also led the development of Lucid Motors’ vehicle grid integration plans to enable more flexible use of electric vehicle batteries as a grid resource. Vincent received his master’s and bachelor’s degree with honors from Stanford University, where he focused his studies on environmental economics, renewable energy, and climate policy. A Taiwan native, Vincent is fluent in English, Taiwanese, and Chinese.
Cathy Chung
Project Office Manager
Cathy oversees the administrative activities of the organization in Taiwan and supports both project and operations teams. As an office manager, Cathy has abundant experiences on administering company operation/office functions and supporting senior management as well as project teams in the hi-tech, pharmaceutical, and offshore wind industries. She received her MBA degree at National Chengchi University. She is fluent in Mandarin and English.