What sets Orion Energy apart is our people, whose experience and expertise in developing and implementing successful wind energy projects are second to none. At every stage of a wind energy project, from the initial wind assessment through operation and maintenance, Orion Energy’s dedicated professionals are the best in the business.

Orion Energy principals include:

Kathryn Arbeit
Kathryn is responsible for Orion Energy’s project development in the Northwestern US, Texas, and Canada.

Before joining Orion Energy, she was Senior Project Consultant at Nexant Inc., where she managed the design and development of energy efficiency and renewable energy programs for a variety of utility clients.

Kathryn received a BS degree in Earth Systems Science with a focus in Energy Science and Technology from Stanford University.



Reid Buckley
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Orion Energy, Reid is responsible for all of Orion Energy’s North American development activities.

Reid has been in the wind industry since 1992, holding senior development and finance positions at Tomen Power Corporation and Kenetech Windpower Inc. before joining Orion Energy. At Tomen and Kenetech, Reid was responsible for development, finance and implementation of wind energy projects throughout the western United States and managed the purchase and sale of numerous wind power assets.

Prior to working in the energy industry, Reid was a management consultant at Bain & Company.

Reid received both a BS degree in Engineering Mechanics and a Master’s degree in Public and Private Management from Yale University.


Gene Buuck
Gene leads Orion Energy’s and Renewable Development Company’s off-shore wind energy development efforts. Gene is also a Director of RDC.

He has been in the energy field for over 25 years, with experience in a broad spectrum of fuels and generating technologies totaling more than 12,000 megawatts of installed capacity. Gene has been responsible for projects in the United States, Europe, and Asia.
Gene received a BS degree in Business Administration from Valparaiso University.


Jim Eisen
Orion Energy’s Vice President and General Counsel, Jim has been involved in energy and project development since 1986. Jim has overseen the legal, financial, and development efforts for more than 1,000 MW of installed wind energy capacity.

Before joining Orion Energy, Jim was Vice President and General Counsel for Kenetech Corporation and Vice President and Assistant General Counsel for Catellus Development Corporation.

Prior to entering the energy field, Jim practiced general corporate law with the law firms of Heller Ehrman, and Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle.

Jim received a BS degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a JD from New York University’s School of Law.



Al Germain
Al is Director of Wind Resource Assessment for Orion Energy and RDC. He is responsible for all site identification, wind resource assessment, data acquisition and analysis, site optimization and energy forecasting.

Al has more than 20 years of experience in the wind industry with Orion Energy, Kenetech Windpower Inc., FloWind Corporation, and as a consultant to energy companies in the United States, Europe and Asia. He has led site identification efforts for over 1,500 megawatts of installed wind energy capacity in the United States, Latin America, Europe and Asia.

Al received a BS degree in Agricultural Engineering from the University of Wisconsin, and a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and Atmospheric Science from Oregon State University.


Michael Haas
Michael is President of Orion Energy and Director of Renewable Development Company Ltd (RDC).

Michael has been involved in the wind industry since 1990, serving in management and executive positions at Kenetech Corporation before founding Orion Energy. While at Kenetech, Michael led the development, finance, implementation and construction for projects totaling 350 megawatts of installed capacity and directed over 1,000 megawatts of contracted projects through various stages of development worldwide. He also served as General Manager of the “56-100” Wind Turbine Division, responsible for the engineering, manufacturing, operations and maintenance of over 500 megawatts of wind turbines.

Prior to Kenetech, Michael worked for the McDonnell Douglas Corporation.

Michael received a BS degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Missouri-Rolla, and a Master’s degree in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering from Stanford University.



Jason Hannigan
Jason is Counsel to Orion Energy, and supports Orion Energy's real estate and development activities throughout North America. Before joining Orion Energy, Jason practiced real estate, telecommunications and energy law at the law firms of Thelen Reid & Priest and Stoel Rives.

Jason received a BA from the University of California at San Diego in Political Science with a focus on international relations, and a JD from Boalt Hall School of Law at the University of California at Berkeley .

Wayne Hoffman
Wayne is responsible for Orion Energy’s land management program and supports North American development activities.

Wayne has been in the energy industry for fifteen years, with ten of these in wind energy. As Western Region Environmental Manager for Duke Energy, Wayne was responsible for licensing and permitting major power plants in California, including managing the permitting consulting teams and regulatory processes.

Wayne worked with Flowind and Kenetech Windpower Inc. in the areas of environmental permitting, marketing and business development, and asset acquisition.

Prior to working in the energy industry, Wayne was an environmental planner in local, state, and federal offices and a private consultant.
Wayne received both a BA degree and a Master’s degree in City and Regional Planning from Ohio State University.

Erin Lannon
Erin is Orion Energy's office manager and project support assistant.

Prior to Orion, Erin worked in the alternative energy field as an office manager for Sun Frost, a solar-powered refrigerator manufacturer in Arcata, California.

Erin received a BA degree in Economics and Geography from the University of Montana in Missoula.

Pete Mallonee
Pete is responsible for construction planning and operations and maintenance activities, and he also works with landowners throughout the U.S. 

For nearly 20 years Pete has played a central role in the construction and operation of wind energy projects in the U.S., Latin America, Europe, and Asia.

Laurie Mazer
Laurie supports North American development activities and is responsible for working with landowners throughout the Great Plains.

Previously she has worked in both education and conservation biology.

Laurie received a BS degree in Biology from Reed College.

Emily Molina
Emily is Orion Energy's real estate paralegal. Emily assists Orion Energy's real estate and development activities throughout North America.

Emily comes to Orion with over 20 years of paralegal experience in the real estate development and leasing industries. Prior to joining Orion, Emily was Litigation Paralegal at Catellus Development Corporation .

Prior to joining Orion, Eric worked for the United States Air Force, Flightsafety International and United Airlines in avionics hardware as well as simulator software.

Eric recieved a BS degree in geography and geographic information systems from the University of Tennessee.

Kathryn Sowers
Kathy is Orion Energy's office manager in Fowler, Indiana. 

Prior to joining Orion, Kathy worked as a bookkeeper for nearly 10 years at Gambs, Mucker & Bauman law firm in Lafayette, Indiana. 

Kathy received her Associate's Degree in Accounting and is currently working toward a degree in Business Administration from Ivy Tech State College.

Maria Wong
Maria is responsible for Orion Energy's digital mapping and wind resource assessment as well as the management of Orion Energy's wind resource database.

Maria has been a Geotechnical Engineer for Fugro ( Hong Kong ) Limited.

Maria received a BS degree in Civil Engineering from UC Davis.