Our Company
Management Team
Executive Profiles
Mark E. Conroy
President and CEO
Mark was named President and CEO of MegaWatt Solar in June 2009. He joined iEnergies-Novus Energy Partners in January 2008 after 28 years of global sales, service and operations experience at General Electric. Mark serves as Vice Chairman of the Board of the Solar Energy Industries Association. Prior to his present role, he served as General Manager of GE Solar Technologies. Mark also held GE positions as Power Systems Executive & General Manager for GE Structured Services, Region Executive- N. Asia-Hong Kong , Region Executive- Western USA and GE Nuclear Services Executive. Mark conceived and facilitated the invention of a solar powered water filtration system that GE developed for the 2004 Asia Tsunami. Mark attended the University of Delaware and holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering with an emphasis on solar energy.
Dr. Mark A. Preston
COO
Mark Preston joined Megawatt Solar in September 2009 and is currently COO. Mark has more than 25 years experience developing both technology and products around power electronics and electro-mechanical systems. Before joining Megawatt Solar, Mark served in executive roles at GE, Glacier Bay, and Northern Power Systems. At GE Mark led the Global Electronic Systems Technology Center and product development programs in multiple business units. At Northern Power Systems Mark led the development of a 100kW direct-drive wind turbine. Mark’s experience also includes United Technologies and starting his own business. Mark is the author of more than 10 publications and he has been granted 18 patents. Mark holds a BSME from the University of Massachusetts and a Ph.D. from the University of Sussex.
J. Christopher Clemens, PhD
EVP- CTO, Co-Founder
J. Christopher Clemens is a professional astrophysicist and cofounder of MegaWatt Solar. He is a professor of astrophysics at The University of North Carolina, where he conducts research in stellar astrophysics. Dr. Clemens also serves as director of the Abraham Goodman Laboratory for Astronomical Instrumentation and is on the board of directors of the Southern African Large Telescope, the largest telescope in the Southern Hemisphere. He has 20 years of experience in the design, construction, and operation of opto-mechanical systems.
Charles R. Evans, PhD
VP- R&D, Co-Founder
Charles R. Evans is a theoretical physicist and cofounder of MegaWatt Solar. A professor of physics and astronomy at The University of North Carolina, Dr. Evans has 25 years of experience in applying mathematical analysis and numerical techniques to the solution of complex physical problems. Dr. Evans is leading the analysis of how the shape of the flexible composite mirrors in the MegaWatt Solar design can be specified and controlled, and he is piloting the design of the thermal management system.
Russell M. Taylor, PhD
Systems Consultant, Co-Founder
Russell M. Taylor is a Research Professor of Computer Science, Physics & Astronomy, and Applied & Materials Sciences at The University of North Carolina, and a co-founder of MegaWatt Solar. Dr. Taylor is the co-director of the UNC NIH National Research Resource for Computer Integrated Systems for Microscopy and Manipulation, and is the Chairman of the board for NanoManipulator Inc. His research interests include scientific visualization, distributed virtual worlds, haptic display, and interactive 3D computer graphics.
James K. Floyd
VP- Operations
James K. Floyd manages all aspects of MegaWatt Solar's operations, including project management, manufacturing, purchasing, and quality assurance activities. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from Pennsylvania State University and has extensive experience in the field of operations management and quality control. Prior to joining MegaWatt Solar, Mr. Floyd served as Quality Manager and Systems Operations Manager for Areva T&D in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, where he was responsible for the financial performance of all projects and the management of the 2006 ISO certification process.
Justin S. Gravatt, MBA
Analyst
Justin Gravatt joined MegaWatt Solar as an Analyst in May of 2009 and supports business development through his work in evaluating government policy, industry trends, and competitive positioning. Prior to joining MegaWatt Solar, Justin worked for SJF Ventures as an Analyst where he evaluated clean technology investment opportunities. Justin also worked as an independent contractor for 7 years in the Motion Picture industry where he managed power system installations and lighting designs for major Hollywood production companies. Additionally, Justin spent 2 years at Motorola where he was responsible for ramping new semiconductor manufacturing processes into high-volume production. Justin received a BS in Materials Science and Engineering from Virginia Tech and recently graduated from the MBA Program at UNC’s Kenan-Flagler Business School.
Elizabeth Exum
Controller
Elizabeth Exum has served as controller at MegaWatt Solar since July, 2008. Prior to joining the company, Ms. Exum served as a consultant to a variety of venture-backed, development-stage companies focusing primarily in life sciences and technology. Ms. Exum has over fifteen years of experience working with start-ups with both domestic and international exposure. Previously, Ms. Exum was controller of Merix Bioscience, an immunotherapy company developing new treatments for cancer and other autoimmune diseases. Ms. Exum began her career at the international accounting firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from NC State University.