Leadership
With the leadership and direction from Founder & CEO Lee Maher, the SolarBlue team is passionate about protecting the planet for future generations. This passion is the key driver in the development of the business and the aggressive approach to building one of the largest renewable energy companies. Lee Maher’s enthusiasm in saving energy through green energy production and energy conservation is the guiding factor in SolarBlue’s mission to protect and preserve the Earth’s natural resources. In addition, SolarBlue strives to create and enhance shareholder value, as well as create mutually beneficial relationships with business partners and a rewarding work environment for associates.
Lee J. Maher
Chairman & CEO
Lee Maher, the Chief Executive Officer and founder of SolarBlue, has extensive experience in leading high-growth companies. Prior to SolarBlue, Mr. Maher co-founded Unicorp National Developments Inc., Central Florida’s largest commercial and retail real estate developer. Under his leadership, Unicorp became the largest developer of CVS Drug Stores in the nation. The company’s portfolio consists of over 50 commercial properties including shopping centers, and other stand-alone retail shops. Mr. Maher has extensive background in commercial real estate with over 22 years experience in real estate development and commercial construction. He has completed many noteworthy projects in Orlando, including the largest urban renovation project in the United States. Mr. Maher attended both Florida State University and Nova University, and holds his Florida Real Estate Broker’s license and Class A General Contractor’s license.
Peter J. Watzka
President & COO
Mr. Watzka served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Ritz-Carlton Development Company, LLC. Mr. Watzka was previous Chief Customer Officer and Executive Vice President - Marketing, Sales, Service, Operations – for Marriott Vacation Club International (MVCI), the leisure division of Marriott International (NYSE:MAR). Mr. Watzka joined MVCI in 1990 as Vice President of Marketing and Sales and has been instrumental in helping grow sales from $50 million to its current multi billion dollar level. He was named Senior Vice President of Sales and Service in 1994. Mr. Watzka holds a B.S. degree in Industrial Engineering from Cornell University in 1971. He received All-American honors in baseball and was inducted into the Cornell Sports Hall of Fame in 1995. Additional affiliations include, President of Psi Upsilon fraternity and active involvement in alumni relations. He also serves on the National Advisory Board for Arnold Palmer Hospital and is active in Children’s Miracle Network and community causes.
Syed Jafri
Chief Technical Officer
Mr. Jafri has over 20 years of engineering experience in the energy industry. He brings a high level of expertise in all aspects of project management such as analysis, design, acquisition, vendor negotiation and contract negotiation. Mr. Jafri has an extensive background in many areas of new and clean technology involving hydropower technology, electric/hybrid drive technology, and other renewable energy technology. He has served as engineering project lead for various Fortune 500 companies and in global markets. Mr. Jafri holds a Masters of Science degree in Arch. Engr. From North Carolina A&T and a Bachelor of Science degree in Mech. Engr. From North Carolina A&T. He also holds an A.S. degree in Electrical Engr from Pakistan as well as a Bachelor of Science in Physics (Minor in Statistics) from Pakistan. Syed’s other credentials include: Six Sigma Black Belt – Quality; Life Member of ASME & Life Member of AEE.
Gin Kinney
Vice President of Business Development
Ms. Kinney represents the company in all aspects of sales, investor relations and marketing communications. She brings nearly a decade of experience in the energy, renewable and sustainability sectors, working as a consultant for companies such as The Energy Group of America, GAI, and Heritage Green. Prior to her work in the green sector, Ms. Kinney served in marketing and communications roles in the healthcare and hospitality industry, working with Fortune 500 companies such as Marriott, Starwood, Hilton and others. Ms. Kinney received her BA in Journalism from the University of Georgia.
Jim Shonkwiler
VP, Development
Jim is an executive-level project developer with experience through the entire deal cycle. Prior to joining SolarBlue, Jim served as the Project Delivery Owner & VP, Resort Development for Marriott Vacation Club. He has an exceptional ability to move seamlessly between the entrepreneurial worlds of start-up companies and the formal process and structure of the classic Fortune 500 company.
Jim has two engineering degrees from the Ohio State University and an MBA from the University of Florida. He is a professional engineer and Master, Project Management Professional (PMP).
Jim has lectured at Cornell University and the University of Central Florida (UCF) and has a certification in Hotel Development, Finance & Asset Management from Cornell University.
David Knight
VP, Project Management
Knight’s project management experience is extensive. He began his career working for city planning and economic development offices in Phoenix and Springfield, Mo. Later, he joined Butler Rosenbury and Partners in Springfield where he provided local and national clients with planning and development services for commercial and industrial projects. Most recently, he worked at Marriott Vacation Club International (MVCI – timeshare division for Marriott International, Inc.) for more than a decade. Hailing from Yorba Linda, Calif., Knight attended the School of Architecture and Environmental Design at Arizona State University (Tempe, Ariz.) earning a Bachelor of Science degree. His academic achievements continued receiving a Master’s Certificate of Project Management from Villanova University (Villanova, Pa.), and he completed the Crummer Graduate School of Business Management program at Rollins College (Winter Park, Fla.).
