About Mission Energy: Our Story
Mission Energy was founded in 2019 by six like-minded solar energy entrepreneurs. Together, they drew on their collective expertise in consulting, clean energy, project finance, and construction management. Since 2019 Mission Energy has partnered with clients across the United States, successfully completed more than 50 projects totaling across 15 states. Together with the Catholic Climate Covenant, Mission Energy has developed and managed a standout program, Catholic Energies which provides assistance to Catholic organizations seeking to transition to clean energy.
Who We Are
Mission Energy empowers organizations – from nonprofits to commercial enterprises – to achieve their goals through clean energy solutions. We provide solar and storage systems that enhance operational efficiency and drive positive impact.
Our Core Values
We care for our clients as thoughtfully as we care for the planet.
We treat people with respect and projects with patience. The journey to solar is long but we’re there every step of the way, fully accountable, fully transparent, fully committed.
Trust
To serve the best interests of our clients, we must earn their trust every day; foster trusting relationships with our partners who also serve them; and act with respect, transparency, and integrity towards all.
Collaboration
We draw on a diverse collective of expertise and experience, and seek first to listen to our clients’ needs and unique perspectives, in order to create solutions that maximize impact.
Empowerment
We equip our clients with knowledge and data, simplify the process, present financing options, and provide ongoing support so they can make informed decisions about clean energy.
Innovation
We strive to continuously improve our approach to designing solutions and adding value to clients, to ask questions, rethink our assumptions, and be proactive, curious, and committed to continuous learning.
Results
We accept responsibility and are accountable to our clients, partners, and company to deliver the expected positive benefits of each project.
Care
By fully committing to our mission and vision, we demonstrate our genuine care for each other, our planet, and our communities.
Meet the Team
Laura Clark
Vice President, Operations
Vincenza Ferrara
Project Manager
Page Gravely
President
Art Helmus
Director, National Accounts, Solar and Battery Storage
Dan Last
Co-Chief Executive Officer
Robert Quist
Chief Investment Officer
Jeff Rauenhorst
Co-Chief Executive Officer
Joe Zietz
Director, Business Development
Meet the Advisory Board
We’re grateful to these business leaders for their superior guidance on best practices, innovation, and growth strategies.
Bill Baird
Bill is an advisor to nonprofits and Catholic dioceses and parishes. He served as a Parish Consultant for the Dynamic Catholic Institute advising parishes on leadership, communications and organizational success. Prior to that, Bill worked in the Archdiocese of Baltimore as the Chief Financial Officer and Executive Director of Management Services leading Fiscal Services, Facilities, Risk Management, IT and Investments. He joined the Archdiocese in July 2010 from Brown Advisory, where he was the Managing Partner of Brown Advisory Securities, in charge of the broker dealer division. Prior to that, Bill spent 18 years at Alex Brown and its successor companies, Bankers Trust and Deutsche Bank. Bill holds a Bachelor of Business Administration and an MBA from Loyola University Maryland.
Susan Dennin
Susan has served as Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA) Senior Director of Communications and Marketing since 2017 and is responsible for guiding the communications and digital strategy. She is keenly focused on mission-driven branding, engagement and development through innovative storytelling and marketing campaigns. Before joining CCUSA, she was the Director of Communications for the Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City, Utah. Susan began her career in accounting, finance and business development while working at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and American Express. She further established her strategic leadership as a Managing Director of Research and Development (R&D) for an educational software company that has paved the way toward providing adaptive early childhood education programs nationwide. She has an MBA from Brigham Young University and is a Ph.D. candidate in Organization and Management.
Susan Gravely
Susan is the CEO and Co-founder of VIETRI, Inc, a lifestyle brand of Italian artisan-crafted dinnerware and home and garden accessories. With approximately 40 employees, VIETRI serves a customer base of over 2,000 specialty retailers and department stores in all 50 states and internationally. Often described as a “modern fairy tale”, VIETRI is regularly featured in House Beautiful, Oprah, Elle Décor, Martha Stewart Weddings, Brides, and Coastal Living. In 2014, Susan was named the Legacy Award winner by WithIt, the women’s leadership development network serving the home furnishings industry. She is proud to be a member of the Executive Committee of the Women’s Leadership Council at UNC in Chapel Hill. She is a frequent guest speaker and panel participant at the Business Schools of UNC - Chapel Hill, Duke University, and other universities and organizations in the area. Susan attended Salem College and holds a BA in Education and an MS in Recreational Therapy from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Mike O’Sullivan
Mike recently retired from NextEra Energy after leading their renewable and M&A efforts for the past 19 years as their senior vice president of development. Mike and his team invested (on behalf of NEE’s shareholders through their Resources unit) approximately $40 Billion into over 250 solar, wind, storage and nuclear/fossil projects over the last two decades. He received a BS in civil engineering from the University of Notre Dame and an MBA from the University of Chicago.
Steve Rhoades
Steve is the CEO of Petra Systems. Petra Systems creates new revenue streams by transforming utility streetlight assets into the foundation of 5G and Smart City / Smart Grid networks. He is also a partner at Stonecroft Capital LLC, a middle market investment bank based in Boulder, CO. Stonecroft Capital provides a comprehensive suite of strategy and transaction advisory services aimed at fostering growth and liquidity. His education includes a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Physics from the University of Illinois.
