Layne Ashton

About Layne Ashton

Utility-scale Renewables Professional: A strong and confident leader with over 26 years of proven renewables and operations leadership experience in the energy sector, spanning cross-functional business activities including: developing greenfield renewable energy projects to “boots on the ground” management of fuel processing and manufacturing facilities; strategic planning; business development; large-scale capital projects development; turn-around/revitalization of distressed facilities and projects.SKILLS & ACCOMPLISHMENTS • Highly effective STRATEGIC LEADER who established, implemented and maintained the strategic risk management, insurance and risk tolerance program of a large market cap, MULTI-BILLION DOLLAR, publicly-traded food manufacturing company. • Results-driven MANAGER who directed the transition of two fuel processing plants from the construction to operational production.Powerful NEGOTIATOR who, among other successes, negotiated a difficult-to-insure risk transfer program with a $9 MILLION commercial insurance spend.• Innovative PROBLEM-SOLVER who created and directed an AWARD-WINNING risk, safety and loss control/prevention program recognized by both federal and state agencies as well as industry associations.• Key LEADER of diverse, cross-functional and multidisciplinary teams, including one team that conducted an extensive insurance broker selection request for proposal (RFP) process, which resulted in a $730k year-over-year net premium savings.• Trusted TROUBLE-SHOOTER selected by the CEO of a BILLION DOLLAR company to turn around a floundering manufacturing operation, guiding it to PROFITABILITY for the first time in 3 years.• Engaging PUBLIC SPEAKER who has presented and spoken dozens of times to industry associations, government leaders, business leaders, educators and the public.

Experience

1. Director - Senior Project Development Advisor, Utility-scale Solar & Battery Storage Development

   ENGIE North America Inc.

   May 2022 — Present · Boise, ID, US

   Drive all development activities of utility-scale solar projects from early stage through NTP.• Currently developing multiple early to mid-late-stage solar projects in PJM and ERCOT, with prior experience developing projects in MISO and Southwest/WECC markets.• Lead all community and local leadership outreach; regulatory and local jurisdictions outreach; environmental site assessment; local/state/federal permitting; transmission/interconnection; land acquisition; title; etc.• Engage and select consultants through RFPs, manage their activities, review and approve their findings, identify red flags and/or fatal flaws, find ways to mitigate potential issues, and ensure implementation of requisite activities.• Lead cross functional teams and SMEs throughout development, including, but not limited to: Engineering, Pre-Construction, Delivery, EPCs, Interconnection, Land Agents, Real Estate & Title, Environmental, GIS, Power Marketing, Finance, M&A, and Legal.• Lead Development due diligence on target M&A acquisitions.• Forge and lead positive relationships with key stakeholders, including but not limited to permitting agencies, regulatory authorities, internal SMEs, landowners, consultants, and the public.• Take a leading role in working with SMEs to support energy offtake, financing, and project M&A.• Lead and mentor direct reports.

Education

• Georgetown University

  Master's Degree, Government & International Relations (Latin American Area Studies)

• Universidad Internacional: The Center for Linguistic & Multicultural Studies, Cuernavaca, Mexico

  Certificate, Immersion Spanish language & Latin American Cultural Studies Training

• Duke University - The Fuqua School of Business

  Certificate, Executive Innovative Leadership

• University of Utah

  Bachelor's (two Bachelor's Degrees) & a Certificate in International Relations, Political Science and Spanish

Skills

• Operations Turnaround
• Leadership
• Government Liaison
• Business Operations
• Workers' Compensation Claims
• Contract Negotiation
• Business Turnaround
• Traditional Fuels
• Safety Management
• Program Management
• Loss Prevention
• Risk Management
• Geothermal
• Manufacturing Operations
• Energy Business Development
• Customer Relationship Management (Crm)
• Business Development
• Risk Assessment
• Process Improvement
• Sustainable Energy
• Safety Management Systems
• Strategic Planning
• Corporate Policies
• Business Relationship Management
• Project Management
• Renewable Energy
• Budgeting
• Business Process Improvement
• Executive Management
• Property & Casualty Insurance
• Operations Management
• Risk Mitigation
• Training
• Corporate Governance
• Mergers & Acquisitions
• Contract Management
• Workers'​ Compensation Claims
• Strategy
• Nuclear Liability Insurance
• Product Marketing