Welcome to Arena Renewables
About Us
Arena Renewables is a community and distributed solar and storage developer. We deliver lower power bills and clean energy to customers and communities across the United States. Our agile, policy-led approach to developing valuable projects draws on the leadership team’s nearly three decades of experience in renewables, utilities, and real estate. We are excited to partner with communities in building a zero-carbon future.
Our Team
Matt Kozey - CEO
Geoff Johnson - President and CDO
Geoff Johnson - President and CDO
A proud energy nerd, Matt has spent his career working to advance the clean energy transition from multiple angles. An attorney by training, Matt has been a policy analyst and project manager at a non-profit research organization, managed regulatory affairs at a Fortune 100 utility, and most recently led successful community-scale market
A proud energy nerd, Matt has spent his career working to advance the clean energy transition from multiple angles. An attorney by training, Matt has been a policy analyst and project manager at a non-profit research organization, managed regulatory affairs at a Fortune 100 utility, and most recently led successful community-scale market development and policy efforts for Cypress Creek Renewables.
Matt understands that community and distributed scale solar and storage markets are shaped by policy and regulatory environments, and it is this critical perspective that will unlock value and drive growth for Arena Renewables in an increasingly saturated market.
Matt is a proud Tar Heel, having received a B.A. in Political Science and a J.D. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He lives with his wife and daughter in Arlington, VA where he continues to hone his leadership skills by coaching his daughter’s soccer team (go Tornadoes!).
Geoff Johnson - President and CDO
Geoff Johnson - President and CDO
Geoff Johnson - President and CDO
Geoff has led development and commercial strategies for 1 GW of community solar projects across the country. From go-to market strategies through portfolio energization, he has managed teams to greenfield and develop assets with velocity.
Prior to joining Arena Renewables, he was Head of Distributed Generation at Cypress Creek Renewables
Geoff has led development and commercial strategies for 1 GW of community solar projects across the country. From go-to market strategies through portfolio energization, he has managed teams to greenfield and develop assets with velocity.
Prior to joining Arena Renewables, he was Head of Distributed Generation at Cypress Creek Renewables, a leading solar and storage developer. Previously he advanced clean energy projects and initiatives at OneEnergy Renewables and the U.S. Department of State.
Geoff received a B.A. in Foreign Affairs and Spanish from the University of Virginia and an M.B.A. from Cornell University. Geoff lives in Los Angeles, CA with his partner Brette where they enjoy exploring the nearby mountains.
Patrick Grumley - COO
Geoff Johnson - President and CDO
Patrick Grumley - COO
Patrick is a start-up veteran holding senior positions at multiple high-growth companies. Throughout his career he led teams including revenue, sales, operations, product, finance, customer care, investor relations, IT, HR, and legal.
Before joining Arena Renewables, Patrick was Chief Operating Officer at Mint House – a high growth VC-ba
Patrick is a start-up veteran holding senior positions at multiple high-growth companies. Throughout his career he led teams including revenue, sales, operations, product, finance, customer care, investor relations, IT, HR, and legal.
Before joining Arena Renewables, Patrick was Chief Operating Officer at Mint House – a high growth VC-backed operator of real estate assets which grew over 5x during his tenure. Prior to Mint House, Patrick was SVP of Strategy and Operations at Bridgeton Holdings, an owner and operator of real estate assets focused on hotels and creative office space across the country. Prior to Bridgeton, Patrick worked as a Consultant at Bain & Company where he was affiliated with the Private Equity and Strategy practice areas. During his time at Bain, he directly advised over half of the world’s 10 largest private equity firms along with Fortune 500 c-suite executives and Boards of Directors. Patrick started his career serving as a Strike Officer in the United States Navy.
Patrick received a B.S. in Economics and B.A. in Political Science from the University of Minnesota and an M.B.A. from Cornell University. Patrick lives in the Hudson Valley with his wife Angie and three dogs (Norbert, Dobby, and Stella).
Dmitri Moundous - Head of Storage
Dmitri Moundous - Head of Storage
Dmitri Moundous - Head of Storage
Dmitri is a seasoned leader in the renewable energy sector, specializing in energy storage and strategic development. He has directed investment and revenue strategy for more than 5GW pipeline across regulated and wholesale markets in the US, while simultaneously driving energy storage market creation via regulatory engagement and interco
Dmitri is a seasoned leader in the renewable energy sector, specializing in energy storage and strategic development. He has directed investment and revenue strategy for more than 5GW pipeline across regulated and wholesale markets in the US, while simultaneously driving energy storage market creation via regulatory engagement and interconnection reform. His experience of over 15 years spans many facets of the power industry including nuclear operations engineering, EPC, and grid interconnection.
Dmitri holds a B.S. in Chemical Engineering and M.S. in Material Science and Engineering from North Carolina State University. He resides in Raleigh, North Carolina, with his wife and three daughters, where they enjoy spending time in nearby Blue Ridge mountains and on the coast. Dmitri's passion for the outdoors and family fuels his commitment to a sustainable energy future.
Carson Weinand -Director
Dmitri Moundous - Head of Storage
Dmitri Moundous - Head of Storage
Carson is a solar development professional with over nine years of experience in distributed generation.
Prior to joining Arena Renewables, he was Senior Project Developer for CVE North America, leading origination, development, and M&A efforts for their New York territory (achieving 72 MW into construction) as well as establishing a 600M
Carson is a solar development professional with over nine years of experience in distributed generation.
Prior to joining Arena Renewables, he was Senior Project Developer for CVE North America, leading origination, development, and M&A efforts for their New York territory (achieving 72 MW into construction) as well as establishing a 600MW pipeline in states such as IL, VA, PA, NM, OH, and MI.
Carson received a B.A. in Economics from Yale University. Carson lives in Los Angeles, CA with his fiancée, Anna, and their shih tzu, Daisy.
Courtney Newcombe - Director
Dmitri Moundous - Head of Storage
Courtney Newcombe - Director
Courtney is an experienced finance leader and CPA with a passion for fast-paced startups. Most recently, Courtney served as the VP Finance & Strategy of Zendoor, a VC-backed tech platform for multi-family real estate operations. As Zendoor’s first finance hire, Courtney built the company’s financial reporting processes, hired and managed
Courtney is an experienced finance leader and CPA with a passion for fast-paced startups. Most recently, Courtney served as the VP Finance & Strategy of Zendoor, a VC-backed tech platform for multi-family real estate operations. As Zendoor’s first finance hire, Courtney built the company’s financial reporting processes, hired and managed accounting and operations teams, and oversaw investor relations until Zendoor’s ultimate sale to Poplar Homes in 2023.
Courtney began her career at Deloitte, where she primarily served real estate clients, advising finance teams on complex accounting matters, real estate asset valuation best practices, and SEC reporting requirements.
Courtney received a Masters in Accounting, B.S. in Accounting, and B.S. in Marketing from Arizona State University. She lives in Phoenix, AZ with her partner, Madelyn, and their two cats.
George Wohlgemuth - Director
Dmitri Moundous - Head of Storage
Courtney Newcombe - Director
George has spent his entire career in the solar industry with experience on projects of all sizes across the US. He has worked to develop over 600MW of transmission level projects and on the development and acquisition of over 400MW of distributed generation assets.
George joins Arena from Standard Solar where he was the Director of Develo
George has spent his entire career in the solar industry with experience on projects of all sizes across the US. He has worked to develop over 600MW of transmission level projects and on the development and acquisition of over 400MW of distributed generation assets.
George joins Arena from Standard Solar where he was the Director of Development leading the development and M&A teams for distributed generation assets in 26 states. Prior to Standard Solar he worked as a project manager at Cypress Creek Renewables.
George has a dual degree in Economics and Political Science from the University of Michigan and lives in his hometown of Washington D.C. An avid outdoorsman, George frequents the ski slopes in the winter and the Chesapeake Bay in the summer.
Utkarsh Gupta - Project Developer
Utkarsh Gupta - Project Developer
Utkarsh Gupta - Project Developer
Utkarsh Jay Gupta is a seasoned professional in the field of solar energy with varied experience in Project development, Product and Program management. With a passion for renewable energy solutions, he has actively contributed to the advancement of solar technology and its integration into various sectors.
Before Arena Renewables, he was
Utkarsh Jay Gupta is a seasoned professional in the field of solar energy with varied experience in Project development, Product and Program management. With a passion for renewable energy solutions, he has actively contributed to the advancement of solar technology and its integration into various sectors.
Before Arena Renewables, he was leading the development and origination efforts for DG projects with Sunvest for the Illinois and California markets. He has more than 5 years of industry experience and has been involved in multitudes of Solar industry domains ranging from R&D of the modules, Product & Program management and Project development.
Utkarsh holds a Masters degree in Engineering with a research focus on photovoltaic materials and B. Tech in Mechanical Engineering.
Priya Tiwari - Project Developer
Utkarsh Gupta - Project Developer
Utkarsh Gupta - Project Developer
Priya Tiwari is a seasoned real estate professional with a diverse background spanning both engineering and real estate development. With a solid foundation in engineering, Priya worked for an engineering firm for five years before transitioning into the real estate sector. Her prior experience includes working with a solar developer on
Priya Tiwari is a seasoned real estate professional with a diverse background spanning both engineering and real estate development. With a solid foundation in engineering, Priya worked for an engineering firm for five years before transitioning into the real estate sector. Her prior experience includes working with a solar developer on large-scale renewable energy projects, with capacities of up to 90 MWac, across Pennsylvania and Virginia.
Priya holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the New Jersey Institute of Technology and a Master of Science in Real Estate Development from Georgetown University, equipping her with the expertise to navigate complex development challenges. As a Project Developer for Arena, Priya will continue to lead impactful solar initiatives. Residing in the DMV area with her husband and son, Priya enjoys traveling and embracing new cultural experiences with her family.
Julia Parr - Project Developer
Utkarsh Gupta - Project Developer
Julia Parr - Project Developer
Julia Parr is a project development professional who has devoted her entire career to developing renewable energy assets that increase access to a reliable energy grid in the communities she has worked in. With a background in business management and entrepreneurship, she began her career at a solar developer working on site business deve
Julia Parr is a project development professional who has devoted her entire career to developing renewable energy assets that increase access to a reliable energy grid in the communities she has worked in. With a background in business management and entrepreneurship, she began her career at a solar developer working on site business development and project development in Illinois. After developing a passion for project development, she began working on a portfolio of sites spanning across MISO-S and SOCO to develop Qualifying Facility sites for Energy Communities that did not previously have access to affordable and renewable electricity. In addition to the QF sites, she developed several utility-scale sites and worked on agreements to deliver green energy to Alabama Power and Entergy Louisiana, a pioneer for developing renewable electricity in several parts of the two states.
Here at Arena Renewables, she has taken on the role of developing battery storage to increase grid reliability in urban markets. Outside of work, Julia can be found around DC trying new restaurants or recipes with her fiancé and training for another ultramarathon. Her childhood days spent outdoors in Johnson City, TN has inspired Julia to devote her passionate career of providing clean, reliable, and affordable electricity for all.
Tameem Jahan - Senior Associate
Sam Grimmelbein - Senior Associate
Sam Grimmelbein - Senior Associate
Tameem is passionate about the clean energy transition. Prior to his role at Arena, Tameem worked in the renewable energy industry for three years, leading the development of utility scale wind, solar, and storage projects in the MISO region.
As a student, he studied Economics and Systems Engineering to learn about renewables from both a
Tameem is passionate about the clean energy transition. Prior to his role at Arena, Tameem worked in the renewable energy industry for three years, leading the development of utility scale wind, solar, and storage projects in the MISO region.
As a student, he studied Economics and Systems Engineering to learn about renewables from both a business and technical perspective. He sees renewable energy as a necessary and practical solution to the climate crisis. Tameem lives in Chicago, IL where he enjoys running and working on his debut sci-fi novel.
Sam Grimmelbein - Senior Associate
Sam Grimmelbein - Senior Associate
Sam Grimmelbein - Senior Associate
Sam's journey to the world of renewable energy came through maps and data. A seasoned GIS professional, Sam brings over 5 years of experience developing, refining, analyzing, and displaying spatial data within non-profits, local government, federal contracting, and the private sector.
Prior to joining Arena, Sam entered the renewable secto
Sam's journey to the world of renewable energy came through maps and data. A seasoned GIS professional, Sam brings over 5 years of experience developing, refining, analyzing, and displaying spatial data within non-profits, local government, federal contracting, and the private sector.
Prior to joining Arena, Sam entered the renewable sector at Apex Clean Energy, where he supported development and construction of multiple gigawatts of utility-scale wind and solar across primarily ERCOT, SPP, and MISO, along with distributed generation in Illinois and Virginia.
Sam has a B.S. in Environmental Sciences and a B.A. in Biology from the University of Virginia. A proud wahoo, he currently resides in Charlottesville, VA where he regularly attends the performances of his old marching band. In his spare time, he enjoys long-distance running and long-distance traveling to as much live music as possible.
Patricia Murray - Senior Associate
Sam Grimmelbein - Senior Associate
Patricia Murray - Senior Associate
With a diverse background spanning community engagement, government, and renewable energy, Patricia brings a wealth of experience and passion to their role at Arena. Prior to joining Arena, Patricia spent three years at Nexamp, specializing in Community Solar in Illinois. At Nexamp, Patricia also played a key role in developing a DG pipel
With a diverse background spanning community engagement, government, and renewable energy, Patricia brings a wealth of experience and passion to their role at Arena. Prior to joining Arena, Patricia spent three years at Nexamp, specializing in Community Solar in Illinois. At Nexamp, Patricia also played a key role in developing a DG pipeline in various emerging Midwest Markets.
Patricia holds a B.A. in Public Relations and Intercultural Communication from DePaul University. Currently residing in Chicago, IL, Patricia enjoys exploring the city on her bike, tending to her garden, and enjoying the outdoors as much as possible