Search
Close this search box.

THE ROCKLAND TEAM

Members of the Rockland Management Team

Scott Harlan
Scott Harlan Co-Managing Partner
Jim Maiz
Jim Maiz Co-Managing Partner
Jon Beach
Jon Beach Partner
Will Zapalac
Will Zapalac Partner
Nolena Meche
Nolena Meche Chief Financial Officer
Alonzo Ramirez
Alonzo Ramirez Senior Vice President
Austin Peterson
Austin Peterson Principal
TJ Smith
TJ Smith Principal
John McMullan
John McMullan General Counsel | Chief Compliance Officer
Investment Team
Hugo Sabournin - Vice President

Mr. Sabournin joined Rockland Capital in 2017. His primary responsibilities include evaluation and analysis of investment transactions.

Previously, Mr. Sabournin worked as an analyst with Moelis & Company in their investment banking group.

Mr. Sabournin holds a BA with double major in Economics and International Studies from Northwestern University.

Ramon Sanchez Romero - Senior Associate

Mr. Sanchez Romero joined Rockland Capital in 2020. His primary responsibilities include evaluation and analysis of investment transactions.

Previously, Mr. Sanchez Romero worked as an analyst with Barclays in their Latin America M&A investment banking group.

Mr. Sanchez Romero holds a BA in Economics and a Minor in Computer Science from Boston University.

Augus Gu - Associate

Ms. Gu joined Rockland Capital in 2024. Her primary responsibilities include evaluation and analysis of investment transactions.

Prior to joining Rockland, Ms. Gu worked as an associate with 547 Energy, a private equity fund focusing on energy transition investments in the United States and Europe.

Ms. Gu holds a BA with double major in Mathematics and Finance from Washington University in St. Louis and an MS from Columbia University.

Zemichael Habtegiorgis - Associate Analyst

Mr. Habtegiorgis joined Rockland Capital in 2023. His primary responsibilities include evaluation and analysis of investment transactions.

Prior to joining Rockland, Mr. Habtegiorgis worked as an analyst with Credit Suisse in their Energy and Transition investment banking group.

Mr. Habtegiorgis holds a BS in Mathematics and Economics from St. Lawrence University University.

Sophie Lai - Associate

Ms. Lai joined Rockland Capital in 2024. Her primary responsibilities include evaluation and analysis of investment transactions.

Prior to joining Rockland, Ms. Lai worked as an analyst with TPH&Co., the energy business of Perella Weinberg Partners.

Ms. Lai holds a BS in Economics and Earth & Planetary Sciences from Yale University.

Paul McCullough - Associate

Mr. McCullough joined Rockland Capital in 2022. His primary responsibilities include evaluation and analysis of investment transactions.

Prior to joining Rockland, Mr. McCullough worked as an analyst with Stifel in their Energy investment banking group.

Mr. McCullough holds a BBA in Finance & Business Honors from Texas A&M University.

Matt Sheng - Associate

Mr. Sheng joined Rockland Capital in 2024. His primary responsibilities include evaluation and analysis of investment transactions.

Prior to joining Rockland, Mr. Sheng worked as an analyst with KeyBanc Capital Markets in their Energy investment banking group.

Mr. Sheng holds a Masters and BBA in Accounting from the University of Texas at Austin.

Operating Partners
Shane Litts - Senior Advisor

Mr. Litts was a lead investment professional with Rockland Capital since its inception and was on the Investment Committee. His responsibilities at Rockland included business development, deal structuring and he was involved in the commercial management and disposition of many of Rockland’s portfolio assets.

Mr. Litts has worked in the power industry since 1998 and has led due diligence and commercial negotiations on many transactions. Prior to Rockland, he focused on acquisitions, divestitures and restructurings of independent power projects at El Paso Merchant Energy and had previously worked on independent power project restructuring transactions at Cinergy Capital. Earlier, Mr. Litts spent five years in the financial services industry.

Mr. Litts is a CFA charterholder and has a BA in Economics and an MBA in Finance both from the University of Texas at Austin.

David Yeager - Senior Advisor

Mr. Yeager was a founding member of Rockland Capital in 2003. His primary responsibilities include business origination, structuring and financing of Rockland projects. Mr. Yeager has been involved in the management of several of Rockland’s portfolio companies.

Mr. Yeager has over 20 years of experience, from both a commercial and banking perspective, in the domestic and international power business. Prior to joining Rockland, Mr. Yeager worked in the independent power project acquisition and restructuring business. He was one of three founders of Cinergy Capital & Trading and later as commercial lead for several successful acquisitions and restructurings of projects at El Paso Merchant Energy. In addition, he managed El Paso’s European power asset group, where he brought the restructuring model to the European IPP sector. Earlier, Mr. Yeager worked in both the Project Finance and Interest Rate Derivatives Groups at TD Securities in New York.

Mr. Yeager is a CFA charterholder and holds a BS from Rutgers University and an MBA from Duke University.

Asset Management
Carla Banks - Vice President*

Ms. Banks began working with the Rockland team in 2010. Her key responsibilities include commercial management of Rockland’s projects and due diligence and asset valuation of Rockland’s acquisitions.

Ms. Banks has over 12 years of energy industry experience. Prior to joining Rockland, she focused on commercial development, forecasting, asset valuation, and strategic analysis at Complete Energy Holdings. Ms. Banks worked for five years at Dynegy, Inc., where she developed forecast and valuation models and detailed market trend analyses of potential M&A opportunities for the board of directors and executive management team. In addition, she managed personnel that supported asset management, investor relations, risk management and energy trading.

Ms. Banks holds a MA and PhD in physics from Rice University and a BS in physics with a concentration in mathematics from the University of the South in Sewanee, TN.

John Bergeron - Vice President*

Mr. Bergeron began working with the Rockland team in 2020. His key responsibilities include commercial management of Rockland’s projects in the United States and United Kingdom.  He is also involved in due diligence and asset valuation of Rockland’s acquisitions.

Mr. Bergeron has over 19 years of energy industry experience. Prior to joining Rockland, he worked in real-time power trading, as well as East cash power trading with Entergy-Koch and Merrill Lynch Commodities Power Trading Group.  For the last nine years, he was Manager of the Northeast Power Desk for Entergy Nuclear Power Marketing.

Mr. Bergeron holds a BS from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge.

Matt Becker - Vice President*

Mr. Becker began working with the Rockland team in 2021. His key responsibilities include commercial management of Rockland’s projects in the United States and United Kingdom.  He is also involved in due diligence and asset valuation of Rockland’s acquisitions.

Mr. Becker has over 19 years of industry experience. Prior to joining Rockland, he managed the commercial affairs for the Texas, New England and Canadian power asset fleet of Engie NA.  Since 2002, Mr. Becker has been with Engie in roles including gas supply, power sales, commodity hedging and asset management.

Mr. Becker completed the Energy Risk Management Graduate Program and has a BBA in Finance both from the University of Houston.

Elena deLaunay - Vice President*

Ms. deLaunay began working with the Rockland team in 2014. Her key responsibilities include commercial management of Rockland’s projects and due diligence and asset valuation of Rockland’s acquisitions.

Ms. deLaunay has over 20 years of energy industry experience. Prior to joining Rockland, she developed and managed the Energy Management Agreement Business for Merrill Lynch Commodities Power Trading group for the last ten years.

Ms. deLaunay holds a BS in Electric Engineering with a concentration in Management Information Systems, programming and network design from Cornell University in Ithaca, NY.

David Evinrude - Director*

Mr. Evinrude joined Rockland in 2024. His primary responsibility is providing support to the Asset Management Team.

Mr. Evinrude has over 20 years of experience in the power generation industry and is technically versed with LM2500 and LM6000.  Prior to joining Rockland, Mr. Evinrude held various positions with General Electric, Alghanim International and ProEnergy Services in the power generation industry including service engineer, plant management and director of commercial applications.

Mr. Evinrude served in the U.S. Navy from 1989 to 1995, honorably discharged and holds a BS and MS in Business Administration from University of Phoenix.

Keith Feemster - Vice President*

Mr. Feemster joined Rockland Capital in 2016. He oversees asset management and plant operations activities at various Rockland-owned power plants.

Mr. Feemster has over 35 years of experience in the power generation industry that includes construction/startup, operations, maintenance and asset management. His experience also includes over 10 years as a plant manager.  Prior to joining Rockland, his experience includes various positions with Houston Lighting and Power, Dynegy, InterGen, General Electric, NAES, and ProEnergy Services.

Mr. Feemster is a graduate of the Army Intelligence School and has an AA from Westshore Community College.

David Gerhart - Vice President*

Mr. Gerhart joined Rockland Capital in 2018.  He oversees asset management and plant operations activities at various Rockland-owned power plants.

Mr. Gerhart has over 30 years of experience in the utility industry.  His experience includes positions in operations, asset management, construction and project management. Prior to joining Rockland, Mr. Gerhart held senior and executive level positions with several entities in the power industry.

During his career, Mr. Gerhart has developed a diverse background in the regulated and non-regulated utility industry serving in operations, asset management, construction and project management, both domestically and internationally.  Prior to joining Rockland, Mr. Gerhart held senior and executive level positions with Seminole Electric Cooperative, GDF Suez and Foster Wheeler.

A U.S. Navy veteran, Mr. Gerhart earned a MS in Business Administration from Concordia University and a BS in Mechanical Engineering.

Rachal Havens - Vice President*

Ms. Havens joined Rockland Capital in 2017.  She supports the asset managers in overseeing asset management, regulatory compliance, and plant operations activities.

Ms. Havens has over 20 years in the power generation industry with a diverse background in operations and maintenance management, project management, Environmental Health & Safety management, and administrative operations. Prior to joining Rockland, she held various positions at Sabine Cogen, L.P., Air Liquide Large Industries U.S., LP, and has experience as a legal assistant.

Ms. Havens holds a GSP designation through the Board of Certified Safety Professionals having earned a BS in Occupational Safety and Health from Columbia Southern University.

Doug Hester - Manager*

Mr. Hester joined Rockland Capital in 2024. His key responsibilities include commercial management of Rockland’s power plants.

Prior to joining Rockland, Mr. Hester worked in Commercial Asset Management for Talen Energy’s ERCOT fleet after previously holding roles as an ERCOT Real Time Power Trader with Twin Eagle Resource Management and EDF Energy NA and in Data management with Uniper Global Commodities NA.

Mr. Hester holds a BBA from Texas State University in San Marcos.

Justin Hoffman - IT Systems Manager*

Mr. Hoffman joined Rockland Capital in 2021.

Mr. Hoffman oversees the IT infrastructure at Rockland’s corporate office and various Rockland-owned power plants.

Mr. Hoffman has over 20 years of experience in the IT industry that includes designing, implementing and delivering scalable IT infrastructures across many industries such as oil and gas, emergency response, healthcare, legal, non-profit, finance and power generation. Prior to joining Rockland, his experience included working in the managed service provider space for 19 years, serving multiple roles as a network engineer, systems administrator, consultant, disaster recovery specialist and a trainer for both staff and clients.

Mr. Hoffman has an AS in Computer Network Systems and holds several IT certifications with professional industry standard vendors such as Barracuda, Cisco, Datto, Microsoft and WatchGuard.

Kurt Hook - Vice President*

Mr. Hook joined Rockland Capital in 2024.  He oversees asset management and plant operations activities at various Rockland-owned power plants.

Mr. Hook has over 30 years experience in the power generation industry.  Prior to joining Rockland, he held senior and executive level positions with FP&L Energy, Wood Group, Ethos Energy, PIC and most recently with IHI Power Services.

Mr. Hook is a U.S. Navy veteran and holds an AS degree in Business Administration from City University in Bellevue, WA.

Roger Lee - Performance Engineer*

Mr. Lee joined Rockland Capital in 2023.  His primary responsibility is Performance Engineering for various assets in the Rockland fleet.

Mr. Lee has over 17 years experience in the power generation industry including commissioning, operations, maintenance and plant management.    Prior to joining Rockland, he held various positions with Caithness Energy, Northern Star Generation, CAMS and Ethos Energy.

Mr. Lee holds an Honorable Discharge from the U.S. Navy.

Eric Lucier - Vice President*

Mr. Lucier joined Rockland Capital in 2022.  He oversees asset management  and plant operations activities.

Mr. Lucier has over 25 years experience in the power generation industry including construction/startup, operations, maintenance and asset management.  Prior to joining Rockland, he held various positions with WIN-Waste Innovations, NextEra Energy, GDF Suez, International Power, Calpine and the Merchant Marine.

Mr. Lucier holds a BS in Marine Engineering and MS in Facilities Management from Massachusetts Maritime Academy.

Roger Moreno - Senior Compliance Specialist*

Mr. Moreno joined Rockland in 2022, as Senior Compliance Specialist.

Mr. Moreno has over 28 years of experience in Environmental, Health, and Safety compliance, including 20 years of compliance management in the electric power and steam generation industry, 5 years in manufacturing and 3 years in Agency Investigation, most recently as a Title V Air Compliance Investigator at the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

Mr. Moreno has a MS in Environmental Management and a BS in Finance from the University of Houston – Clear Lake. 

Bill Paff - Vice President*

Mr. Paff joined Rockland Capital in 2014. He oversees asset management and plant operations activities at various Rockland-owned power plants.

Mr. Paff has over 30 years of experience in the power generation industry that includes development, construction, engineering, operations, maintenance and asset management. Prior to joining Rockland, his experience includes various positions (domestic and international) with Marubeni Power International Inc., MPR Associates, Calpine, Intergen, Sithe Energies and General Dynamics Electric Boat Division.

Mr. Paff has a MS in Mechanical Engineering and a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Clarkson University.

Joey Ramirez - Asset Support Manager*

Mr. Ramirez joined Rockland in 2022.  His primary responsibility is providing support to the Asset Management Team.

Prior to joining Rockland, Mr. Ramirez worked for a Turbine Service group, specializing in Instrumentation, Controls and Electrical Systems on Gas, Steam and Nuclear Turbines in North and South America.

Mr. Ramirez served four years in the U.S. Air Force and has many years experience working in refinery and chemical plants.

Shaun Rutz - Vice President*

Mr. Rutz joined Rockland Capital in 2023.  He oversees asset management and plant operations activities at various Rockland-owned power plants.

Mr. Rutz has over 15 years experience in the power generation industry.  Prior to joining Rockland, he managed commercial assets and associated real time desks, and held various commercial management positions, with EquiPower Resources, Dynegy, CAMS, Calpine and GenOn.

Mr. Rutz holds a BA in Economics from the University of Calgary and a MS in Finance from Southern New Hampshire University.

Mike Strutt - Whitetower Energy Limited - CEO

Mr. Strutt joined Rockland’s UK generation company, Whitetower Energy Limited (“Whitetower”), as CEO in 2019. He oversees asset management and plant operations activities at the various Whitetower power plants in the UK.

Mr. Strutt has over 20 years of experience in the power industry worldwide that includes development, engineering, operations and asset management. Prior to joining Whitetower, he held Senior Management positions with Rolls-Royce in their Energy and Marine divisions. Mr. Strutt’s experience also included reciprocating engine development, heading up a Technical Services division and working on new technology sectors.

Prior to the power industry, Mr. Strutt’s career was in the marine engineering/shipbuilding sector for both commercial and naval marine projects working for Vosper Thornycroft and Babcock.

Mr. Strutt is a graduate of the school of marine engineering Southampton and additionally holds environmental and health and safety qualifications.

Fabian Trujillo – Senior Compliance Specialist*

Mr. Trujillo joined Rockland in 2024, as Senior Compliance Specialist.

Mr. Trujillo has over a decade of experience in the power generation industry that includes Plant Operations, Environmental, Health, Safety and NERC compliance. Prior to joining Rockland, he held various positions with Luminant, CAMS, Worley, and NAES.

Mr. Trujillo has an AAS in Power Plant Technology from Tyler Junior College. 

Mike Tulk - Vice President*

Mr. Tulk joined Rockland Capital in 2021.  He oversees asset management and plant operations activities at various Rockland-owned power plants.

Mr. Tulk has over 27 years experience in the power generation industry.  Prior to joining Rockland, his experience includes various positions with Stewart & Stevenson, General Electric, Aquila, Caithness Energy, Ethos Energy and NAES.  Mr. Tulk is technically versed with GE LM2500, LM5000, LM6000 and Frame 7E units.

Mr. Tulk served in the U.S. Navy from 1987 to 1991 and received an Honorable Discharge.

J. Scott Yaeger - Vice President*

Mr. Yaeger joined Rockland in 2020.  He serves as the General Manager over Rockland’s MISO fleet and also has chief responsibility for marketing, originating and hedging those assets.  He also has project development responsibilities and serves on RFP response teams.

Mr. Yaeger has over 30 years of experience in the energy industry and prior to working for Rockland, he was employed with Ameren and Peabody Energy.  He has served in various roles including Director of Transportation, Director of Project Development, Project Manager & EPC Contract Administrator, Manager of Generation Fleet Optimization, Manager of Real-Time Trading and Transmission Marketing among others. Mr. Yaeger has also had numerous board affiliations including among them the National Coal Transportation Association and the Surface Transportation Board Rail Energy and Transportation Advisory Committee.

Mr. Yaeger holds a BS degree in Electrical Engineering from Missouri University of Science & Technology and an MBA from Saint Louis University.  Scott is also a registered Professional Engineer in the State of Missouri.

Jeff Zelik - Vice President*

Mr. Zelik joined Rockland Capital in 2018.  He oversees asset management and plant operations activities at various Rockland-owned power plants.

Mr. Zelik has over 30 years of experience in the combustion and power industry.  He has a wide range of experience in power generation including power generation associated with hazardous waste and trash incineration, land-fill off gases, coal-fired and oil-fired boilers, petroleum coke fired CFB’s, gas-fired and oil-fired turbines, refinery gases, hydroelectric dams, and photovoltaic arrays.  Mr. Zelik was as a NAES Corporation project manager and plant manager for 10 years at Rockland facilities.   Mr. Zelik’s career spans over 40 years working for various organizations including PPG Industries, Von Roll, Laidlaw, GWF Power, Foster Wheeler, NAES Corporation, and WorleyParsons.

Mr. Zelik has BS in Chemical Engineering from Penn State University.

*Employee of third-party contractor

Finance, Accounting & Administration
Chase Beyrand – Financial Manager

Mr. Beyrand joined Rockland Capital in 2021.  His responsibilities include reviewing and preparing financial information and accounting schedules, including financial statements for Rockland’s various funds, investment entities, and management company.

Mr. Beyrand has over 12 years of combined accounting experience in various roles.  He was a Manager in the assurance services group at Whitley Penn LLP, as well as a Senior Associate within the assurance services group at RSM US LLP, and a Manager in the assurance services group at Pattillo, Brown, & Hill, L.L.P.

Mr. Beyrand is a CPA with the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy and holds a BBA in Accounting and Finance from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor.

Amy Fowler – Financial Manager

Ms. Fowler joined Rockland Capital in 2020.  Her responsibilities include reviewing and preparing financial information and accounting schedules, including financial statements for Rockland’s various funds, investment entities, and management company.

Ms. Fowler has over 20 years of combined accounting experience, most recently as a Controller with National Oilwell Varco (“NOV”).  She was responsible for revenue recognition compliance and financial reporting and analysis for the global sales team for the last eleven years, and prior to that was Plant Controller for NOV’s drill pipe manufacturing plant in Navasota, Texas.

Ms. Fowler is a CPA with the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy and holds a BBA in Accounting from Texas A&M University.

Bridgette Gage – Financial Manager*

Bridgette Gage joined Rockland Capital in June 2024. Her responsibilities include, assisting with and reviewing prepared financial information and accounting schedules, including financial statements for Rockland’s various funds, investment activities, and management companies.

Bridgette has over 17 years of combined accounting experience, most recently before joining Rockland, as an experienced senior associate from a big 5 accounting firm, where she was responsible for providing payroll and accounting support for Private Client Accounting Services.

Bridgette has an MBA and a Bachelor of Accounting from the university of South Africa.

Jonathan Heflin – Director of Accounting - Portfolio Companies*

Mr. Heflin has over 9 years of combined accounting experience in various roles.  He was an Associate in the audit services group at Grant Thornton LLP as well as a Senior Associate and Manager within the tax services groups at Seitz, Demarco & McGovern, PLLC and Middleton Raines Zapata LLP.  In addition, Mr. Heflin worked as a Director & Senior Accountant in the power generation division at Consolidated Asset Management Services.

Mr. Heflin holds a BBA in Finance and a Master of Business Administration from Texas A&M University.

Bonnie Marugg – Director of Accounting - Portfolio Companies*

Ms. Marugg joined Rockland Capital in 2018.  Her responsibilities include reviewing and preparing financial information and accounting schedules, including financial statements for the funds’ portfolio companies.

Prior to joining Rockland, Ms. Marugg was a Financial Reporting manager at Carriage Services, Inc.  Ms. Marugg was in charge of financial reporting and analysis.

Ms. Marugg is a CPA with the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy and holds a BBA in Accounting from Sam Houston State University.

Debbie Williams – Director of Accounting - Portfolio Companies*

Ms. Williams has over thirty-five years of  accounting experience with the last twenty-two in the power sector.

Ms. Williams joined Rockland Capital in 2012 as the Financial Manager of the Eagle Point plant.  Her responsibilities include oversight and preparation of accounting and financial information for multiple portfolio companies. 

Prior to joining Rockland, Ms. Williams held various accounting positions with Mannington Mills, Inc. and Cumberland Paper & Supply Co.

Astrix Portillo - Senior Accountant

Ms. Portillo joined Rockland Capital in 2017. Her primary responsibilities include entering financial close information and journal entries into Rockland’s accounting software, assisting with financial statement preparation and performing treasury management functions for the funds, investment entities, and the Management Company.

Previously, Ms. Portillo was an Accounts Receivable Specialist and spent prior years in various accounting positions.  Ms. Portillo holds a BBA in Accounting from University of Houston Downtown.

Veronica Samperio - Junior Accountant

Ms. Samperio joined Rockland Capital in 2020.  Her primary responsibilities include cash management, entering journal entries and processing payments for Rockland’s various funds and management company.

Previously, Ms. Samperio held accounting positions at San Jacinto River Authority and The Boeing Company.  Ms. Samperio received her BBA and MS in Accounting from Texas A&M University.

Kristin Warnke - Director of Administration

Ms. Warnke joined Rockland in 2010.  Her responsibilities include the smooth running of Rockland’s corporate offices, including facilities management, vendor services, equipment, communication and IT services.  In addition, Ms. Warnke is responsible for the planning, development, organization and execution of corporate conferences and events.

In addition, Ms. Warnke works with the General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer on a variety of matters affecting the firm, its funds and the portfolio companies; she also serves as Rockland’s Business Continuity and Information Security Officer.

Previously, Ms. Warnke was an administrative member of JP Morgan’s Principal Investments group.  Ms. Warnke holds a BA in Communication from Stephen F. Austin State University.

Shauna Weise-Morrison – Senior Corporate Paralegal

Shauna Weise-Morrison joined Rockland Capital in 2024, as Senior Corporate Paralegal supporting the General Counsel.

Previously, Ms. Weise-Morrison was a Corporate and Investment Funds Paralegal at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, LLP, primarily supporting a variety of sophisticated and complex international clients in the areas of open and closed ended alternative investment funds (AIFMs) across a multitude of asset classes including private equity, real estate, credit, energy, technologies, growth secondaries and infrastructure. Her funds practice focused on the support of entity formations in Luxembourg, investment closings, investor transfers, ongoing compliance and regulatory reporting.

Since 2012, Ms. Weise-Morrison has worked in the legal field supporting Commercial Lending and Infrastructure Financing, Real Estate, M&A and Funds practices, as well as assisting bond counsel, general counsel and special counsel for a wide variety of Texas Municipal Utility and Special District clients.

Ms. Weise-Morrison holds a BA in English/Print Journalism studies from The State University of New York at Plattsburgh. Her early career highlights include working as a communications officer and spokesperson for the New York State Lottery, managing marketing and public relations for The Transitional Learning Center in Galveston, Texas, serving as the Director of Marketing for the Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber of Commerce, and writing for The Montgomery County News and Dock Line Magazine in Texas.

Scott Harlan

Co-Managing Partner

Mr. Harlan is a Co-Managing Partner, a founding member of Rockland Capital and is on the firm’s Investment Committee. He is responsible for deal origination, management, strategy and business operations. Mr. Harlan has served on the board of most of Rockland’s portfolio companies.

Since 1982, Mr. Harlan has experience in all aspects (M&A, commercial, technical and operational) of the electric power business. Prior to founding Rockland in 2003, he focused on the independent power acquisition and restructuring business at El Paso Merchant Energy and Cinergy Capital & Trading. Earlier, Mr. Harlan was involved in building a power marketing and trading business for Koch Industries and has over ten years of electric power marketing and power plant engineering experience with Delmarva Power.

Mr. Harlan has a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Virginia Tech and an MBA from the University of Delaware.

Jim Maiz

Co-Managing Partner

Mr. Maiz is a Co-Managing Partner, a lead investment professional with Rockland Capital since early 2003 and is on the Investment Committee. He is responsible for the origination, evaluation and closing of Rockland acquisitions and has taken the lead on the commercial management of several Rockland portfolio companies.

Mr. Maiz has worked in the domestic energy industry since 1998. Mr. Maiz has both technical and commercial experience. Prior to joining Rockland, his focus was on executing acquisitions, restructurings and divestitures of independent power projects at El Paso Merchant Energy, where he led and supported several successful transactions. Prior to El Paso, Mr. Maiz spent eight years with the Royal Dutch/Shell group of companies. The commercial roles he held included both power plant development at Coral Energy and the acquisition and development of domestic natural gas properties at Shell Exploration and Production Company.

Mr. Maiz holds an MBA from Tulane University and a BS in Engineering from the University of South Florida.

Jon Beach

Partner

Mr. Beach rejoined Rockland in 2013 after having worked with the firm from 2006 through 2010. His primary responsibilities include origination, evaluation and structuring of investment transactions. He is also a member of the Investment Committee.  Between Rockland positions Mr. Beach worked with Partners Group, where he was an Investment Manager focused on the origination and management of power and infrastructure investments.

Previously, Mr. Beach worked for two years as an analyst in the Global Energy and Power Group in the Investment Banking Department of Merrill Lynch. There he worked on mergers and acquisitions, as well as equity and debt financings.

Mr. Beach holds a BA in Mathematical Economic Analysis and a MA in Chemistry both from Rice University.

Will Zapalac

Partner

Mr. Zapalac has been an investment professional with Rockland Capital since 2003. His primary responsibilities at Rockland include origination, evaluation and structuring of investments. Mr. Zapalac also plays a key role in the management of the commercial affairs of Rockland’s portfolio companies.

Since 2001, Mr. Zapalac has worked in the energy industry. Before Rockland, he was involved in acquisitions, restructurings and divestitures of independent power projects at El Paso Merchant Energy. During his time at El Paso, Mr. Zapalac was involved in transaction due diligence, structuring, negotiations and valuation. Previously, he worked as an engineer in the oil field services industry.

Mr. Zapalac received a BS in Engineering and an MBA in Finance both from the University of Texas at Austin.

Nolena Meche

Chief Financial Officer

Ms. Meche is Rockland’s Chief Financial Officer and is responsible for the financial management and administration of Rockland, its funds and portfolio companies.

Ms. Meche joined Rockland in 2010 serving as Controller Portfolio Companies until June of 2019.  She has over 29 years of experience in finance and accounting; primarily focused within the energy sector since 2004. Prior to joining Rockland, Ms. Meche was Controller for Complete Energy and also worked several years as a manager in the financial reporting group at Browning-Ferris Industries, Inc., a then publicly-held waste services company. Ms. Meche was also previously a Manager with Arthur Andersen LLP.

Ms. Meche is a CPA with the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy and holds a BBA from the University of Houston.

Alonzo Ramirez

Senior Vice President

Mr. Ramirez joined the Rockland team in 2019.  He oversees the firm’s asset management, plant operations and is involved in technical due diligence efforts for Rockland acquisitions.

Mr. Ramirez has over 25 years of experience in the power generation industry.  Prior to joining Rockland, he managed a fleet of operating assets in North America for ENGIE North America.  Mr. Ramirez’s experience includes various positions in operations, maintenance, asset management, and field experience.

Mr. Ramirez served in the United States Navy from 1992 – 2001, graduated from Northwood Business University with a BBA in Management and holds an AS in Marine Engineering.

Austin Peterson

Principal

Mr. Peterson joined Rockland Capital in 2010. His primary responsibilities include origination, evaluation and structuring of investment transactions.

Previously, Mr. Peterson worked as an analyst for UBS Investment Bank. There he focused primarily on M&A and financing transactions in a variety of industries.

Mr. Peterson holds an MBA from The University of Texas at Austin and a BS in Accounting from Brigham Young University.

TJ Smith

Principal

Mr. Smith joined Rockland in 2016.  His primary responsibilities include evaluation and analysis of investment transactions.

Previously, Mr. Smith worked as an investment associate at Zelnick Media Capital, a middle-market private equity firm focused on the media and communications sector.  In addition, Mr. Smith worked as an analyst with Bank of America Merrill Lynch in their Power and Utilities investment banking group.

Mr. Smith holds a BS in Finance from Penn State University.

John McMullan

General Counsel | Chief Compliance Officer

Mr. McMullan is Rockland’s General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer where he is responsible for all legal and regulatory aspects of Rockland, its funds, and its portfolio companies.

 

Mr. McMullan joined Rockland in 2022.  He has over 20 years of energy experience representing private equity firms, commodity trading houses, developers, and construction companies.  Prior to joining Rockland, he was General Counsel at Hudson Sustainable Group and was Associate General Counsel at EDF Energy North America.  He also spent several years as a shareholder in private practice developing, building, buying, selling, and financing energy assets.

 

Mr. McMullan received a BBA in Finance from The University of Texas at Austin and a JD from Harvard Law School.