Who We Are

For Mainers, by Mainers.

Dirigo Solar was founded in 2015 and within six months was awarded the largest solar contract in the history of the Maine Public Utilities Commission.

The rapid growth of our venture required an expanded team with a  track record in large scale solar. In 2017, we selected BNRG Renewables based in Dublin, Ireland – a proven leader in utility scale solar both in the EU and the US. Together, Dirigo and BNRG formed a joint venture, BNRG Maine, LLC, which develops and finances the PUC portfolio as well as other projects in the development pipeline.

Bob Cleaves,

Co-Founder and Principal Investor

A fourth generation Mainer, Bob has achieved national recognition for his achievements in the renewable power and fuel sectors. A lawyer turned entrepreneur, Bob began his professional career at the U.S. Department of Justice, where he prosecuted white collar crime as part of DOJ’s Honor Program. Following a career in private practice, he joined Wheelabrator Technologies and was instrumental in helping to shape environmental attribute tracking systems in ISO-NE and PJM. He ran the Washington, D.C.-based Biomass Power Association from 2008 to 2019, and played a lead role in expanding Section 45 production tax credits, accessing alternative fuel programs (LCFS and RFS) for the biofuels industry, and engaging with EPA, states and NGO’s on carbon policies both in the US and abroad. He is passionate about deploying sustainable, cost-effective energy solutions to help grow Maine’s rural economy.

Nick Mazuroski

Co-Founder

Nick is a founding member of Dirigo Solar and Director of BNRG Maine. With over a decade of experience in the renewable energy sector, his focus has been on business origination, development, operations, and fundraising. Prior to Dirigo Solar, Nick was VP of Operations for the Biomass Power Association, the nation’s leading trade organization for biomass power producers, representing more than 2,000 MW of installed capacity. Nick studied Politics, Philosophy, and Economics at Oxford University, and earned his BA in Political Science from Bates College.

Hannah Yardley

US Legal Counsel

Hannah began working with Dirigo Solar in 2022, after four years working as in-house counsel for a hedge fund administrator.  After graduating from Emory Law School with distinction, she clerked for one year with the Maine Supreme Judicial Court in Augusta.  Hannah is a graduate of Vassar College, where she majored in International Studies and earned a correlate sequence in Africana Studies.  She grew up in in the Greater Portland area, enjoying its access to many sunny and pebble-filled beaches.  In high school, Hannah and her two friends won a grant to install solar panels on the school.  She is excited to expand on this brief experience in a big way through her work with Dirigo Solar.

Audrey Puleio

Senior Project Manager

Audrey Puleio is the Senior Project Manager for Phase 2 of the Maine portfolio. In the four years at BNRG Dirigo, Audrey has brought over 50MW of projects to NTP. She actively collaborates across teams, working with local contractors in securing environmental permitting and grid feasibility, and helps build strong communities for a more sustainable state. She specializes in transactional due diligence, creatively approaching complex development obstacles, and transitioning projects from development into construction. Audrey holds a dual degree in Environmental Studies and Religious Studies from Bates College.

Nick Sampson

Senior Project Manager

Nick grew up in southern Maine enjoying the state’s outdoors and expansive natural environment with his family and friends. After graduating from Bates College with a degree in Environmental Studies and Economics, Nick spent time in the western United States, but was eventually drawn back to his home state. During college and his time out west, he developed a passion for renewables and working to slow climate change. Nick has been working in the Maine solar industry since 2014, and joined Dirigo Solar in 2022. Prior to Dirigo, Nick spent more than five years working in development and sales on DG and commercial projects in the state. At Dirigo, Nick manages the development of utility scale systems, and is excited to be working on projects that simultaneously reduce the state’s carbon emissions and electricity rates.

Julia Pons

Project Manager

Julia joined BNRG in 2023 as a project manager for the Maine Phase 3 portfolio. Julia is passionate about serving the local Maine community and environment through communication and collaboration. She brings 5+ years of project and people management experience from the international non-profit sector.

Tyler Davis

Project Manager

Tyler is a Project Manager for Phase 2 of the Maine portfolio. After moving to Maine in 2016, Tyler has worked in the construction, natural gas, and solar industries. Having worked across the state building energy, electricity, and critical infrastructure projects, Tyler is passionate about delivering low-cost clean energy to Maine communities. Tyler’s prior work as a foreman with a civil contractor and in utility regulation gives him a unique perspective for delivering thoughtful long-term solar solutions. As a Project Manager, Tyler works with landowners, local policymakers, and contractors to build the relationships that underpin Dirigo’s projects. Tyler holds a degree in Government and Law from Lafayette College and is currently enrolled at the University of Maine Law School as a Flex Time Student.

Jack Duggan

Assistant Project Manager

Jack is a recent transplant to Maine, who spent his childhood summers exploring its woods and river. Shortly after graduating from Colby College with an Environmental Policy and Economics degree, Jack joined BNRG Dirigo with the purpose of reducing Maine’s climate impact. Working as an Assistant Project Manager for the Portland office, Jack manages projects and helps with permitting and planning, site origination, budgeting, and other support for the Maine portfolio. Previously, Jack worked for the Sustain Mid-Maine Coalition, a grassroots non-profit, as an analyst mapping the relationship between Maine’s farmland and solar development.

Construction

Adam Farkes

Head of Construction

Adam is currently running construction in the United States and supporting construction globally for BNRG. He has over ten years of heavy construction experience, including direct project coordination and site field management experience, and multiple years of solar experience. Previously, he has directed the installation of over 200 MW of solar PV projects and over 150 MWh of battery storage projects in Maine, Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, Florida, Texas, and Rhode Island.

Rusfid Haroon

Senior Project Manager, Construction

Rusfid joined BNRG as a Senior Project Manager in early 2023 and is currently working on the Maine Phase 2 Portfolio. Having completed both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Energy Engineering, he brings over five years of experience in PV and Battery Storage estimation and construction. He has led several project teams and worked in partnership with Project Operations and field management to foster positive professional relationships, develop employees and oversaw safe construction of high quality, profitable and on schedule projects.

Todd Sikora

Construction Manager

Todd joined BNRG as US Construction Manager in the fall of 2022, after working as a Commercial Solar installation Superintendent for various renewable companies. His work has spanned the East Coast and he has been responsible for overseeing the installation of 200 plus MW of solar. Todd has 15 years of experience as an electrician and 4 years of experience in PV site development and construction. He is responsible for contract management, including the management of the site based supervisory teams, monitoring of projects progress, construction and erection activities, including quality assurance and site health/safety.