Our team brings decades of expertise successfully developing, permitting, financing, and operating large-scale renewable energy projects.
Jake Stephens
Principal / CEO
NewSun Energy’s founder, Jake Stephens, has 20 years of experience as an executive and entrepreneur in renewable energy and utility power project development. Under his leadership, NewSun has successfully developed large-scale solar facilities in Oregon and built a $10B pipeline of solar, wind, and energy storage projects. Prior to founding NewSun, Jake co-founded U.S. Solar and led Greensun Energy, helping to pioneer industry-leading solar projects across the United States.
Jake’s multidisciplinary expertise spans regulatory, legislative, and market dynamics, enabling him to advocate effectively for the role of distributed generation in Oregon’s energy future. He is dedicated to elevating the solar industry in Oregon and shaping policies that protect competition and support sustainable growth.
Jake grew up in Florida and holds degrees from the University of Arizona and Virginia Tech. His business philosophy centers on strong community relationships and reinvestment, which has guided NewSun’s Community Benefits Fund in supporting rural education and healthcare, public arts, 4-H, and environmental initiatives. Outside of work, he enjoys cycling, playing guitar, and spending time outdoors with his family.
Executive Team #1
Max Yoklic
VP, In-House Counsel, Permitting & Real Estate
For seven years, Max has been advising renewable energy companies on successful project development matters ranging from real estate and permitting to corporate structuring, complex regulatory compliance, policy and legislation, and transactions.
Max is a leading permitting expert in the Pacific Northwest, having participated in successful permitting efforts for over 2GW of wind, storage, and solar. With years of experience in transactional work and business development, Max has advised on or overseen more than $1B in transactions. After starting his career at Stoel Rives LLP, Max joined the NewSun team.
Originally from Tucson, Max has a Bachelor’s in Biomedical Science from the University of Arizona and a Juris Doctorate focused on Environment and Natural Resources from Lewis & Clark School of Law. When not advocating, Max spends time riding boards, rockhounding, playing soccer with his kids, or making music.
Jon Bickerton
SVP, Finance & Accounting
Jon brings deep financial and tax expertise to NewSun’s leadership team, drawing on a distinguished career in public accounting, including his role as a tax partner at Arizona’s largest locally owned CPA firm. With a focus on tax credits, mergers and acquisitions, and renewable energy, he has built a reputation for structuring complex transactions and delivering strategic financial solutions.
At NewSun, Jon plays a key role in advancing project finance initiatives while overseeing the company’s accounting and compliance framework. His experience spans nearly $400 million in debt and tax equity transactions, providing the financial discipline and transactional insight that support NewSun’s continued growth.
Jon holds dual degrees in Finance and Accounting from the University of Arizona and is passionate about deploying capital efficiently to accelerate the clean energy transition.
Alex Swerzbin
VP, Power Marketing & Transmission
Alex supports the Pacific Northwest’s transition to a cleaner, more resilient energy grid by advancing practical, market-ready strategies. He focuses on navigating complex market and regulatory environments, contributing to policy discussions, and collaborating with partners to create durable, forward-looking solutions.
With 20 years of experience in the energy sector, Alex has developed a strong understanding of Western energy markets. His background includes trading, scheduling, origination, transmission, policy, and compliance program management. Prior to joining NewSun Energy, he held roles at EWEB, Avangrid, and PNGC Power, where he contributed to transactions, strategic initiatives, policy efforts, and operational improvements.
Alex grew up in Oregon and earned his MBA from Willamette University, concentrating in finance, marketing, and leadership. Outside of work, he enjoys coaching youth basketball, spending time outdoors with his family, and relaxing in the sauna.
Mike Evans
VP, Market Development & Special Projects
Mike has worked in the power generation industry for 45 years, focused on power plant development and grid operations. He most recently served as General Manager, Regulatory Affairs, Shell Energy North America (US), L.P., responsible for wholesale gas, power and renewable energy products in the Western U.S.. He focused on state and federal power and transmission policy and power plant and grid operations, testified before FERC, served on several WECC committees, and led numerous industry advocacy organizations.
Mike started his career in gas turbine design and systems engineering. He then worked for 6 years developing and building 14 power plants (1430 MW) in 5 states. Working at a utility, Mike drafted portions of the California ISO and PX protocols and tariffs, later managing bidding and dispatch of the generation fleet. Mike has a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, and an MBA from San Diego State University and is a registered Professional Engineer in California. Mike enjoys skiing and running.
Executive Team #2
Max Yoklic
VP, In-House Counsel, Permitting & Real Estate
For seven years, Max has been advising renewable energy companies on successful project development matters ranging from real estate and permitting to corporate structuring, complex regulatory compliance, policy and legislation, and transactions. Max is a leading permitting expert in the Pacific Northwest, having participated in successful permitting efforts for over 2GW of wind, storage, and solar. With years of experience in transactional work and business development, Max has advised on or overseen more than $1B in transactions. After starting his career at Stoel Rives LLP, Max joined the NewSun team. Originally from Tucson, Max has a Bachelors’ in Biomedical Science from the University of Arizona and a Juris Doctorate focused on Environment and Natural Resources from Lewis & Clark School of Law. When not advocating, Max spends time riding boards, rockhounding, playing soccer with his kids, or making music.
Jon Bickerton
SVP, Finance & Accounting
Jon brings deep financial and tax expertise to NewSun’s leadership team, drawing on a distinguished career in public accounting, including his role as a tax partner at Arizona’s largest locally owned CPA firm. With a focus on tax credits, mergers and acquisitions, and renewable energy, he has built a reputation for structuring complex transactions and delivering strategic financial solutions. At NewSun, Jon plays a key role in advancing project finance initiatives while overseeing the company’s accounting and compliance framework. His experience spans nearly $400 million in debt and tax equity transactions, providing the financial discipline and transactional insight that support NewSun’s continued growth. Jon holds dual degrees in Finance and Accounting from the University of Arizona and is passionate about deploying capital efficiently to accelerate the clean energy transition.
Alex Swerzbin
VP, Power Marketing & Transmission
Alex supports the Pacific Northwest’s transition to a cleaner, more resilient energy grid by advancing practical, market-ready strategies. He focuses on navigating complex market and regulatory environments, contributing to policy discussions, and collaborating with partners to create durable, forward-looking solutions. With 20 years of experience in the energy sector, Alex has developed a strong understanding of Western energy markets. His background includes trading, scheduling, origination, transmission, policy, and compliance program management. Prior to joining NewSun Energy, he held roles at EWEB, Avangrid, and PNGC Power, where he contributed to transactions, strategic initiatives, policy efforts, and operational improvements. Alex grew up in Oregon and earned his MBA from Willamette University, concentrating in finance, marketing, and leadership. Outside of work, he enjoys coaching youth basketball, spending time outdoors with his family, and relaxing in the sauna.
Mike Evans
VP, Market Development & Special Projects
Mike has worked in the power generation industry for 45 years, focused on power plant development and grid operations. He most recently served as General Manager, Regulatory Affairs, Shell Energy North America (US), L.P., responsible for wholesale gas, power and renewable energy products in the Western U.S.. He focused on state and federal power and transmission policy and power plant and grid operations, testified before FERC, served on several WECC committees, and led numerous industry advocacy organizations. Mike started his career in gas turbine design and systems engineering. He then worked for 6 years developing and building 14 power plants (1430 MW) in 5 states. Working at a utility, Mike drafted portions of the California ISO and PX protocols and tariffs, later managing bidding and dispatch of the generation fleet. Mike has a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, and an MBA from San Diego State University and is a registered Professional Engineer in California. Mike enjoys skiing and running.
Executive Team #3
Max Yoklic
VP, In-House Counsel, Permitting & Real Estate
For seven years, Max has been advising renewable energy companies on successful project development matters ranging from real estate and permitting to corporate structuring, complex regulatory compliance, policy and legislation, and transactions.
Max is a leading permitting expert in the Pacific Northwest, having participated in successful permitting efforts for over 2GW of wind, storage, and solar. With years of experience in transactional work and business development, Max has advised on or overseen more than $1B in transactions. After starting his career at Stoel Rives LLP, Max joined the NewSun team.
Originally from Tucson, Max has a Bachelor’s in Biomedical Science from the University of Arizona and a Juris Doctorate focused on Environment and Natural Resources from Lewis & Clark School of Law. When not advocating, Max spends time riding boards, rockhounding, playing soccer with his kids, or making music.
Jon Bickerton
SVP, Finance & Accounting ___________
Jon brings deep financial and tax expertise to NewSun’s leadership team, drawing on a distinguished career in public accounting, including his role as a tax partner at Arizona’s largest locally owned CPA firm. With a focus on tax credits, mergers and acquisitions, and renewable energy, he has built a reputation for structuring complex transactions and delivering strategic financial solutions.
At NewSun, Jon plays a key role in advancing project finance initiatives while overseeing the company’s accounting and compliance framework. His experience spans nearly $400 million in debt and tax equity transactions, providing the financial discipline and transactional insight that support NewSun’s continued growth.
Jon holds dual degrees in Finance and Accounting from the University of Arizona and is passionate about deploying capital efficiently to accelerate the clean energy transition.
Alex Swerzbin
VP, Power Marketing & Transmission
Alex supports the Pacific Northwest’s transition to a cleaner, more resilient energy grid by advancing practical, market-ready strategies. He focuses on navigating complex market and regulatory environments, contributing to policy discussions, and collaborating with partners to create durable, forward-looking solutions.
With 20 years of experience in the energy sector, Alex has developed a strong understanding of Western energy markets. His background includes trading, scheduling, origination, transmission, policy, and compliance program management. Prior to joining NewSun Energy, he held roles at EWEB, Avangrid, and PNGC Power, where he contributed to transactions, strategic initiatives, policy efforts, and operational improvements.
Alex grew up in Oregon and earned his MBA from Willamette University, concentrating in finance, marketing, and leadership. Outside of work, he enjoys coaching youth basketball, spending time outdoors with his family, and relaxing in the sauna.
Mike Evans
VP, Market Development & Special Projects
Mike has worked in the power generation industry for 45 years, focused on power plant development and grid operations. He most recently served as General Manager, Regulatory Affairs, Shell Energy North America (US), L.P., responsible for wholesale gas, power and renewable energy products in the Western U.S.. He focused on state and federal power and transmission policy and power plant and grid operations, testified before FERC, served on several WECC committees, and led numerous industry advocacy organizations.
Mike started his career in gas turbine design and systems engineering. He then worked for 6 years developing and building 14 power plants (1430 MW) in 5 states. Working at a utility, Mike drafted portions of the California ISO and PX protocols and tariffs, later managing bidding and dispatch of the generation fleet. Mike has a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, and an MBA from San Diego State University and is a registered Professional Engineer in California. Mike enjoys skiing and running.
Executive Team #4
Max Yoklic
VP, In-House Counsel, Permitting & Real Estate
For seven years, Max has been advising renewable energy companies on successful project development matters ranging from real estate and permitting to corporate structuring, complex regulatory compliance, policy and legislation, and transactions. Max is a leading permitting expert in the Pacific Northwest, having participated in successful permitting efforts for over 2GW of wind, storage, and solar. With years of experience in transactional work and business development, Max has advised on or overseen more than $1B in transactions. After starting his career at Stoel Rives LLP, Max joined the NewSun team. Originally from Tucson, Max has a Bachelors’ in Biomedical Science from the University of Arizona and a Juris Doctorate focused on Environment and Natural Resources from Lewis & Clark School of Law. When not advocating, Max spends time riding boards, rockhounding, playing soccer with his kids, or making music.
Jon Bickerton
SVP, Finance & Accounting
Jon brings deep financial and tax expertise to NewSun’s leadership team, drawing on a distinguished career in public accounting, including his role as a tax partner at Arizona’s largest locally owned CPA firm. With a focus on tax credits, mergers and acquisitions, and renewable energy, he has built a reputation for structuring complex transactions and delivering strategic financial solutions. At NewSun, Jon plays a key role in advancing project finance initiatives while overseeing the company’s accounting and compliance framework. His experience spans nearly $400 million in debt and tax equity transactions, providing the financial discipline and transactional insight that support NewSun’s continued growth. Jon holds dual degrees in Finance and Accounting from the University of Arizona and is passionate about deploying capital efficiently to accelerate the clean energy transition.
Alex Swerzbin
VP, Power Marketing & Transmission
Alex supports the Pacific Northwest’s transition to a cleaner, more resilient energy grid by advancing practical, market-ready strategies. He focuses on navigating complex market and regulatory environments, contributing to policy discussions, and collaborating with partners to create durable, forward-looking solutions. With 20 years of experience in the energy sector, Alex has developed a strong understanding of Western energy markets. His background includes trading, scheduling, origination, transmission, policy, and compliance program management. Prior to joining NewSun Energy, he held roles at EWEB, Avangrid, and PNGC Power, where he contributed to transactions, strategic initiatives, policy efforts, and operational improvements. Alex grew up in Oregon and earned his MBA from Willamette University, concentrating in finance, marketing, and leadership. Outside of work, he enjoys coaching youth basketball, spending time outdoors with his family, and relaxing in the sauna.
Mike Evans
VP, Market Development & Special Projects
Mike has worked in the power generation industry for 45 years, focused on power plant development and grid operations. He most recently served as General Manager, Regulatory Affairs, Shell Energy North America (US), L.P., responsible for wholesale gas, power and renewable energy products in the Western U.S.. He focused on state and federal power and transmission policy and power plant and grid operations, testified before FERC, served on several WECC committees, and led numerous industry advocacy organizations. Mike started his career in gas turbine design and systems engineering. He then worked for 6 years developing and building 14 power plants (1430 MW) in 5 states. Working at a utility, Mike drafted portions of the California ISO and PX protocols and tariffs, later managing bidding and dispatch of the generation fleet. Mike has a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, and an MBA from San Diego State University and is a registered Professional Engineer in California. Mike enjoys skiing and running.
