NuGen Solar seeks out professionals to work in our internal team that have a wide range of expertise and backgrounds to create voice and oversight across our portfolio that is both diverse and inclusive, in order to best serve our customers and communicate with our expansive external partners.
Our Advisory Board
Kerry Cooper
Advisory Board Member
View Bio
Kerry Cooper is an experienced consumer and retail executive and board member with a successful history of building and growing businesses, teams and developing great cultures. Kerry serves on several boards and is a Venture Advisor at Acrew Capital. Kerry has served on the PG&E board since June 2020, joining as it came out of bankruptcy and serves on both the finance and comp committees. Kerry also serves on the boards of Upstart (UPST- AI-based lending), Mozilla, Fictiv (new product development in the cloud), and Gradient (heat pumps). Kerry is an active angel investor with ~20 angel investments. Kerry’s latest operating role was President and COO of Rothy’s, leading marketing, merchandising and operations at the wildly popular San Francisco-based company, manufacturing bags and shoes from recycled materials.
Kerry was recognized in 2020 by the National Retail Foundation as one of the 5 People Shaping Retail in 2020. Prior to joining Rothy’s, Kerry was CEO of Choose Energy, a Kleiner Perkins-backed energy marketplace, sold to Red Ventures in early 2017. Prior to Choose Energy, Kerry served as COO and CMO of e-tailer ModCloth.com, where she scaled marketing, merchandising, supply chain, customer care, and fulfillment efforts across the US. Before ModCloth, Kerry led marketing and strategy for Walmart.com as CMO and VP of Global Ecommerce. Prior, she served as SVP of Retail and Planning for the Dockers brand at Levi’s. Kerry has previously served on the boards of BevMo! (2017-2020), Choose Energy (2013 to 2016), Weddington Way (2015 to 2017, sold to GAP 2017) and Wirecutter (NY Times) Advisory Board (2017 to 2019). She holds an MBA from Harvard University and an undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Texas at Austin.
Lisa Frantzis
Advisory Board Member
View Bio
Lisa Frantzis is a partner in Guidehouse’s Energy, Sustainability and Infrastructure segment, responsible for decarbonization go to market initiatives such as clean hydrogen, e-mobility, and renewable energy solutions. Throughout her close to 40 years of consulting experience, she has determined clean energy integration options for utility companies; identified energy program options for international government agencies; developed business strategies for clean energy manufacturers; and conducted due diligence for financial firms considering clean energy investments. She led Guidehouse’s Hydrogen Consortium, Building the Clean Hydrogen Economy with 22 companies working together to create and launch innovative pilot projects/hubs that use clean hydrogen to decarbonize heavy transport, increase renewables integration, and decrease emissions in the U.S. energy sector. She also recently worked with a major automotive OEM on their clean energy strategy.
Lisa was a senior managing director at Advanced Energy United (formerly Advanced Energy Economy – AEE from 2013 – 2022), a national business association whose mission is to transform state and Federal policy to ensure a more secure, clean, and affordable U.S. energy system. At AEE, she led the Utility Advisory Committee and CEO/Executive Forums that addressed business model reforms and regulatory changes needed to accelerate the transition to a 21st century energy and transportation system. These initiatives convened utility executives, public utility commissioners, and advanced energy companies to develop a vision for reform that is responsive to the needs of each state and drives concrete action.
Lisa was appointed to the Department of Energy’s Electricity Advisory Committee in 2021 and is an Emeritus Ambassador for the U.S. Clean Energy, Education & Empowerment (C3E). She was given the New England Women in Energy and the Environment Leadership Award in 2019 and serves on the Boards for the Northeast Clean Energy Council, LineVision and CMC Energy Services, Inc. She is a former Board member for the American Council on Renewable Energy; Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA); and Solar Business Association of New England.
Andrew Goldberg
Advisory Board Member
View Bio
Andrew Goldberg is the Chief Financial Officer of Jay Cashman, Inc. (“Cashman”) and its affiliated companies, which operate in three vertices: construction, renewable energy, and real estate. He is responsible for managing approximately 15 companies and 250 entities that operate domestically and abroad. He has been with Cashman for over 14 years and brings nearly 25 years of finance experience.
In addition, he is President of two Cashman Companies, Patriot Renewables and Patriot Renewable Energy Capital (“Patriot). He is responsible for strategy and finance activities at Patriot, specializing in transaction structure, tax, sourcing, financing and M&A.
Before joining the Cashman, Andrew was involved in the financial operations of a real estate investment firm with more than $10 billion in assets under management throughout 120 funds consisting of 1,500 properties. While there, Andrew structured over 75 transactions with total development costs exceeding $1 billion.
He has been actively involved with YPO New England since 2017 and is the current Finance Officer. He holds a B.S. in Finance and Economics from Bentley University.
Kara Milner
Advisory Board Member
View Bio
Kara Kelly Milner is a passionate education advocate committed to local, state, and national equity and advancement efforts. She is a member of the Teach for America – Rhode Island Advisory Board and was a founding Advisory Board member for the Rhode Island Campaign for Achievement Now. In her home community, Kara helped found the Bristol-Warren Education Foundation, serving as Board Chairperson for the organization’s first four years. She was a Trustee of the Moses Brown School for eight years and has served on the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts (RISCA) since 2017.
Kara has been a proud supporter and ad hoc advisor to David and NuGen Capital since the business’ inception. Her ongoing guidance and unwavering passion play a pivotal role in NuGen’s continued success, and she is delighted to join accomplished members of the inaugural NuGen advisory board. She holds a B.A. from Dartmouth College and an M.A. from the University of Virginia. She and David live in Bristol and are the parents of three children: Teo (23), Elise (20), and Frieda (15).
Our Staff
David Milner
Founder & CEO
View Bio
David Milner has served as the Chief Executive Officer of NuGen Capital since its founding in 2009. Mr. Milner is responsible for the strategic direction and capital allocation of the NuGen platform.
Over the past 20 years, Mr. Milner founded, operated and exited from successful investment companies and businesses in energy and real estate. David currently serves on the Board and as an Advisor to several companies, including Eaglebrook Advisors (Eaglebrook Advisors), Corner Ventures (www.cornerventures.com), DAS Climate Partners and others. Prior to NuGen, David was a Director of Climate and Alternate Energy at Hastings Funds Management (www.hfm.com.au), a private equity fund based in Australia and owned by Westpac Bank.
For his volunteer and non-profit work, David is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Sidwell Friends School in Washington, DC and the Samuel Huntington Fund and a Director of the RISC Fund. David has a B.A. in Economics from Middlebury College and attended the University of Chicago, Graduate School of Business as a National Fellow.
Laura Frazier
Managing Director, Strategic Partnerships & Operations
View Bio
Laura Frazier joined NuGen Capital in 2016 and serves as the Managing Director of Strategic Partnerships & Operations. Formerly the Director of Operations and Administration, Laura’s dedication to excellence has underpinned her success and has led to several promotions throughout her 7 years at NuGen Capital.
A seasoned professional with an 18-year career, Laura’s expertise spans both established corporations and agile startups. Prior to NuGen, her transformative leadership at Teach For America in Providence, Rhode Island, enhanced their growth, efficiency and operational efficiency. As a leader in the renewable energy sector, Laura has driven positive change, propelling NuGen Capital as it expands strategic partnerships and operations.
Laura’s commitment to sustainability and community advancement, including her involvement in establishing the first private maritime college in the US, underscores her commitment to building successful businesses. Laura holds a B.A. in Business Administration from Southern New Hampshire University.
Email: lfrazier@nugencapital.com
Phone Number: 401.889.2373 x101
Aaron Rust
Managing Director, Renewable Infrastructure
View Bio
Aaron Rust joined NuGen Capital in November 2015 and currently serves as the Managing Director, Renewable Infrastructure. Mr. Rust is responsible for overseeing NuGen Capital’s operation and maintenance efforts and quality assurance standards to ensure optimum asset performance across the company’s growing renewable energy portfolio. Mr. Rust joins NuGen Capital from the construction sector, with 20 years of experience managing the moving parts of a construction site, meeting deadlines, and ensuring the highest-quality product. Aaron owned and operated his own construction company for over 15 years building horse race courses globally, including at the Olympics. Mr. Rust’s attention to detail and eye for excellence, combined with his creative problem-solving skills and hands-on leadership style, allows the team to provide the continuous, dedicated attention needed to meet the real-world conditions of optimum renewable energy asset performance.
Email: arust@nugencapital.com
Phone Number: 401.889.2373 x104
Michael Baer
Managing Partner, NuGen Go
View Bio
Michael Baer is the Managing Partner at NuGen Go. He is leading and building all aspects of the firm’s investment activities and industry partnerships. Prior to joining NuGen Go, Michael served as Managing Director at Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank, where he oversaw business development and strategic growth efforts leading to $1BN in public and private infrastructure financing. In addition, Michael served as senior advisor to the New York State Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery and special assistant to the Commissioner of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Michael started his career at JPMorgan Asset Management.
Michael Baer received his B.S. in Business Administration from Babson College and his M.S. in International Relations from New York University. He is a CFA Charterholder. Michael currently serves as Chairman of the Board at City Year Providence and was formerly the Chair of Rhode Island’s Science and Technical Advisory Board of the State’s Climate Change Coordinating Council.
Email: mbaer@nugengo.com
Phone Number: 401.889.2373 x113
Melissa Ford
Finance & Operations Manager
View Bio
Melissa Ford serves as the Finance & Operations Manager for NuGen Capital. Melissa oversees the finance workflow of the platform, supports administrative functions of the asset portfolio and company entities, and supports the growth and optimization of future opportunities and current portfolio revenue and expense trend oversight.
Melissa has over twelve years of experience in operational, administrative and project management capacities within the public and private sectors. Prior to her current role, she spent three years as an Operations & Administration Associate with NuGen. Melissa joined the NuGen Team after serving as the Administrative Assistant to the Command Staff of the Rhode Island State Police/Department of Public Safety for over four years. Preceding employment with the State of Rhode Island, Melissa worked as an Environmental Technician for a private environmental engineering firm based out of North Kingstown, Rhode Island.
Melissa received her B.S. in Business Administration (Magna Cum Laude, Honors) from Rhode Island College.
Email: mford@nugencapital.com
Phone Number: 401.889.2373 x109
Keith Rust
Technical Analyst
View Bio
Keith Rust serves as the Technical Analyst for NuGen Capital. He joined the company in September 2022 first as an Asset Management Representative and has since transitioned his skills. He is currently responsible for advising on the development, technical reviews and due diligence across the company’s growing renewable energy asset portfolio.
Keith has 25+ years of experience as an engineer in the medical device, aerospace, and defense industries. His past 16 years have been spent developing novel medical device designs and optimizing manufacturing processes to remove inefficiency and increase process yield while improving operator ergonomics. In his role at NuGen, he applies these process improvement techniques to asset management and operations.
Keith graduated (cum laude) from Northern Arizona University with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering.
Email: krust@nugencapital.com
Phone Number: 401.889.2373 x116
Zoe Arbel
Investment & Capital Markets Analyst
View Bio
Zoe Arbel is the Investment and Capital Markets Analyst for NuGen Capital and NuGen Go. She is responsible for analyzing investments in order to create strategic business partnerships, as well as acting in support of all aspects of capital raising for the company.
Zoe has over 5 years of business management, development, and operations experience prior to joining the NuGen team. Previously the founder of a New York-based vegan frozen food company and a business development leader for several early-stage technology startups, Zoe is passionate about investing in and supporting ethical business. Her previous experience also includes working for an Australia-based Search Fund, identifying and analyzing potential acquisition targets.
Zoe’s passion for sustainability is unwavering, and her commitment to clean energy is displayed in her work. Zoe received a B.A in Communications from Boston University.
Email: zarbel@nugencapital.com
Phone Number: 401.889.2373 x117