Lyndon Rive – Founder, Chief Executive Officer
Lyndon Rive is the chief executive officer of SolarCity, a single-source provider of solar power financing, installation and support. After co-founding the company in July 2006, Rive has grown SolarCity to become California's leading residential solar installer, with more installations in the state than any other company in 2007. Prior to SolarCity, Rive founded Everdream, an industry leader in software and services for large-scale distributed computer management. Lyndon negotiated the company’s partnership with Dell Computer, which acquired Everdream in 2007. A lifelong entrepreneur, Rive founded his first company at the age of 17 in South Africa, and in his spare time has been a member of the U.S. National Underwater Hockey Team.
Peter Rive – Founder, Chief Operations Officer
Peter has held several senior technology positions throughout his career focusing on streamlining operational activities through the use of advanced software. Before he co-founded SolarCity, Peter held the position of Chief Technology Officer at Everdream, where he designed a software platform to centralize computer management. Everdream was recently acquired by Dell with the intent of using this technology to manage and control millions of its computers.
Elon Musk – Chairman
Elon Musk is the founder and CEO of SpaceX - a space launch vehicle company. SpaceX is the third company founded by Elon. Prior to SpaceX, he co-founded PayPal, the world's leading electronic payment system, and served as the company's chairman and CEO. PayPal went public in early 2002 and was sold to eBay later that year for $1.5 billion. Elon's first company was an Internet software company called Zip2. He co-founded Zip2 in 1995, serving initially as CEO and then as CTO. Zip2 was sold to Compaq in 1999 for over $300 million in an all cash transaction. Elon has a strong interest in green technology. He is chairman of the board and the primary investor in Tesla Motors, a new all electric American car company. In addition, he is a trustee of the X Prize Foundation and the Musk Foundation, both of which have a strong interest in promoting renewable and environmentally friendly energy technologies.
Charles Ferer – Chief Financial Officer
Charles Ferer is responsible for Accounting, Finance, Banking and Human Resources at SolarCity. He brings over twenty years of experience in leadership roles at high growth companies in a variety of industries, including such consumer products and financial services companies as PepsiCo, GAP, Inc, Transamerica and Central Garden and Pet. Mr. Ferer was recently Group CFO at Central Garden and Pet. Previously, from August 2001 to May 2006, he was CEO and President of MaxEx, which provided supply chain and logistics outsourcing services to mid-sized businesses. Mr. Ferer also worked as CFO of Color Spot, a Kohlberg private equity company, CFO of Old Navy and Vice President of Strategy/M&A at Transamerica Real Estate Information Companies. Mr. Ferer holds an MBA in Finance from Indiana University and a BA in Economics from the University of Puget Sound.
David Arfin – VP, Customer Finance
David Arfin is a serial entrepreneur with strong financial, business development, and marketing skills. David founded FirstEnergyFinance.com (acquired by SolarCity), was co-Founder and CEO of GlooLabs, Inc (acquired by Cisco Systems), co-Founded Flywheel Communications, and was Founder and CE of CLE Group (acquired by Practicing Law Institute). Prior to launching companies, David was a Lobbyist in Washington DC for the Association of American Universities, a Coro Fellow in Public Affairs in Los Angeles and an Intern in the Israeli Knesset. David received an MBA from Stanford, an MA in Public Policy Analysis from the Claremont Graduate University, and a BA in Political Science from UCLA, where he was elected Phi Beta Kappa and a regular of Pauley Overnighter Club. David served as President of the Board of the Gideon Hausner Jewish Day School and is a utility infielder for the SolarCity Sluggers.
Diana Helfrich – VP, Marketing
As SolarCity’s vice president of marketing, Diana is responsible for the company’s marketing, branding, communications and community programs. Diana has spent the last twenty years driving growth for both public companies and early-stage technology companies that have achieved market success through Initial Public Offerings. She has held a variety of executive positions, including vice president of marketing for BigBand Networks—a leading provider of video networking solutions to service providers worldwide, and vice president of marketing for Copper Mountain Networks—a pioneer of DSL technology. Diana has also worked in marketing roles at Autodesk, Wells Fargo and the Council on Education in Management. Diana holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of California at Berkeley and an MBA from St. Mary’s College.
John Lefebvre – Managing Director, Sales & Business Development
John is responsible for SolarCity's sales, regional development, and partner relationships. At Lam Research Corporation, Mattson Technology and General Electric, John grew product divisions into muti-million dollar organizations. John has a BS in Electrical Engineering from Clarkson University, a MS in Electical Engineering from Syracuse University and a MBA from the University of British Columbia and ESADE. John is committed to the advancement of renewable energy technologies and has spent countless hours advising renewable technology startups, consulting for venture capital firms and volunteering with GRID alternatives, a non-profit solar provider to low income families.
Chris Edgett – Director, Field Engineering
Before joining SolarCity, Chris worked with PowerLight Corporation, the world’s largest PV construction company. Chris created PowerLight’s construction management group and was responsible for implementing in excess of 25 megawatts of solar power projects scattered throughout the world. At SolarCity Chris’ responsibility is to oversee SolarCity’s construction practices with the goal of increasing quality and efficiency.
Jim Brady – Director, Electric Vehicle Services
Jim is responsible for the deployment of electric vehicle smart charging stations. The global objective is to have EV installations utilize solar power energy to complete zero emission charging at home and business. Charging Station deployments for Tesla Motors and V2G, vehicle to grid emerging projects are underway. He has over 15 years experience with planning utilities, including national network planning and engineering for Cingular Wireless. Jim has a BS in electrical engineering from Cal Poly, an MS in telecommunications from the University of Colorado at Boulder and is a state licensed electrical contractor. Jim supports planet friendly alternate energy solutions and smart home and vehicle concept initiatives.
Brian Sullivan – Director, Business Development
With over seven years of experience in the solar industry, Brian lends his knowledge to expanding SolarCity’s broad reach; including regional office expansion and channel partner development. As the owner of Palo Alto Solar, Brian designed and installed over 300 solar installations in the San Francisco Bay Area. Before being acquired by SolarCity, Palo Alto Solar was one of the most innovative photovoltaic companies on the peninsula; constantly driving the market price down. Brian has a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California, Davis.
Nicole Ratner – Director, Marketing
Nicole is head of SolarCity’s corporate Marketing and Brand development including advertising, events, creative services and PR. Prior to joining SolarCity, Nicole oversaw various marketing positions at some of the largest corporations in Silicon Valley. Most recently, she was a senior global advertising manager for Oracle Corporation, where she lead successful efforts to develop integrated global programs involving key media partners and analysts, and oversaw management of the company's global advertising agency. Nicole has won numerous awards for her work, and holds a bachelors of science degree from the University of California, Davis.
Ben Tarbell – Director, Products
Ben is responsible for SolarCity’s new product development and deployment. His goal is to bring innovative ideas and products to the solar energy industry that will help to make solar energy more reliable, cost effective and accessible. Prior to joining SolarCity, Ben was responsible for product development at Miasolé, a thin-film solar cell start-up in Silicon Valley; he led the sustainable product design offering at IDEO in Palo Alto; and he worked at the clean tech venture capital firm Nth Power in San Francisco. Ben has a BS in mechanical engineering from Cornell University, an MS in mechanical engineering design from Stanford University, and an MBA from Stanford University. Ben’s commitment to the clean energy field extends to his volunteer work with GRID Alternatives, a non-profit organization that installs solar systems in low-income housing.