Mr. Ahearn has over 24 years of executive management experience in engineering, environmental and energy fields. He has served as the leader of companies focused on energy technology development, energy trading, energy service, environmental consulting-engineering and real estate development. His responsibilities have included the purchase, sale and successful start-up of numerous businesses.
As CEO of Alea Management, LLC Mr. Ahearn has formed partnerships with OEM, cogeneration and renewable energy companies seeking assistance in the execution of their strategies. By assessing the business opportunity and identifying temporary and long-term management resources necessary to execute, Mr. Ahearn positions the partner for long-term success.
Previously, as the CEO of Trigen (2005-2007) Mr. Ahearn partnered with the Harvard Endowment Fund (who's investment was ultimately converted to an interest in Trigen through the private equity firm Denham Capital Partners) to pursue the roll up of the District Energy business in the United States. This goal was ultimately achieved, starting with the agreement to purchase the Trigen assets from Suez in 2005, followed by substantial organic growth and culminating with acquisitions in Atlanta, Las Vegas and Los Angeles. Where none existed, a corporate infrastructure was constructed creating a fully integrated, national platform with over 500 employees operating in eleven cities, serving 250 million square feet and generating 3.5 GW of thermal energy and 250 MW of electrical power. Trigen was sold to Veolia, the largest operator of District Energy systems outside of the U.S., for $788 million in December of 2007, doubling investors' money in just over 2 years.
From 2000-2004, Mr. Ahearn served as Co-founder, President and CEO of Virdigen, (2000-2004) a company that assisted investor owned utilities in the development of renewable energy portfolios.
From 1990-1999, he served as President and CEO of Heartland Development Corporation (1990-1999), the unregulated arm of Wisconsin Power and Light Holding Company, where he led in the restructuring and development of a portfolio of companies including: the development of a the first FERC approved utility affiliate electric trading company (ultimately converted into a JV with Cargill), a 700 employee environmental consulting and engineering company serving energy intensive industries, and a $250 million affordable housing business.
As an executive with Bucyrus International (1973-1989), a Fortune 500 Company and manufacturer of large mining equipment, Mr. Ahearn founded and served as Managing Director of Minserco, the company's engineering and construction subsidiary. Prior to that, he served as Managing Director of Bucyrus Africa, the company's largest subsidiary and was a member of the management buy out team that took the company private in 1988.
Mr. Ahearn earned a BA from Hartwick College in 1971 and undertook graduate studies in mathematics and sciences at the State University of New York, Oneonta in 1972.
Mr. Ahearn has served as Chairman of the Board of ThermoChem Recovery International (a gasifier technology producer), a board member of STS (Soils Testing Service, a 500 person Civil and Environmental Consulting and Engineering Company), a board member of Orion Lighting and Energy Services (Lighting Manufacturer) and as Chairman of the Technology Transfer Committee of the Cardio Vascular Advisory Board of the Medical College of Wisconsin.
