Executive Bios
Chairman of the BoardMichael W. Sonnenfeldt
Michael W. Sonnenfeldt is Chairman of the Board of Sol Inc., North Americaʼs largest and oldest dedicated manufacturer of solar powered outdoor lighting systems, which illuminate roadways, parking lots, jogging trails, billboards and transit shelters. Solʼs systems are sold in 60 countries around the world and used in more than 200 US military bases. He is also Founder and Chairman of TIGER 21 LLC (www.tiger21.com), North Americaʼs premier network of peer-to-peer learning groups for high net worth investors. TIGER 21, headquartered in New York, has operations in San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, Dallas, Miami, Washington DC, Calgary, Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal. TIGER 21ʼs 160 members currently manage in excess of $15 Billion dollars, with well over $10 Billion representing the aggregate net worth of its members. In addition, Mr. Sonnenfeldt directs a portfolio of financial, real estate and private equity investments, through MUUS & Company, LLC, a private investment company headquartered in Southport, Connecticut. MUUS was founded in June 1998 after Mr. Sonnenfeldt sold his interest in Emmes & Company LLC, a private, New York-based real estate investment group, which he established in 1991. Under his leadership, Emmes grew to own or control over 200 properties from Florida to New York, representing over $1 billion of value and almost 22 million square feet of real estate assets in virtually every class and type. In 1980, through his Emmes Management Company, Mr. Sonnenfeldt conceived and initiated what was then the worldʼs largest commercial renovation, transforming the 2.4 million square foot Harborside Terminal in Jersey City, New Jersey into The Harborside Financial Center. The complexʼs sale in 1986 to a major U.S. pension fund was widely regarded as one of the most successful real estate deals in New York metropolitan area history. Today, Harborside continues to be one of the top performing assets in the New Jersey marketplace, and the complex is believed to be the most valuable single commercial real estate asset in the state. Mr. Sonnenfeldt currently serves as one of two International Investment Committee Advisors to the China Enterprise Capital Ltd Fund, based in Hong Kong, and travels, generally twice annually, to China to explore and understand investment opportunities there. Mr. Sonnenfeldt also is President of the Goldman Sonnenfeldt Foundation, through which he and his wife engage in philanthropic activities primarily focused on the environment, international security and peace, education, and local communal activities. He has also been actively involved over the last 25 years at senior levels in numerous non-profit organizations. From 1978 to 1979, Mr. Sonnenfeldt was an Associate of Goldman Sachs Realty Corp. Mr. Sonnenfeldt is Phi Beta Kappa and received his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in management from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In April 1995 Mr. Sonnenfeldt was conferred a Doctor Philosophaie Honoris Causa from the Ben Gurion University of the Negev. Mr. Sonnenfeldt is married and lives in New York City.
President & Chief Executive OfficerPaul Wickberg
Paul Wickberg brings more than 20 years of experience to Sol in entrepreneurial business development, energy management, sustainable solution selling and client‐driven product development. His career includes successful leadership roles as president and CEO of evandtec Inc., president and COO of Verisae Inc, and co‐founder and ultimately president of Computer Process Controls, which was acquired by Emerson. There he became president of Emerson Climate Technology Solutions, growing it to more $100M in sales of electronics hardware, software and services to over 20,000 retail sites globally.
Founder and V.P. International SalesAlan Hurst
Alan Hurst is the founder of Sol, Inc., the leading manufacturer of solar lighting solutions. Originally known as Solar Outdoor Lighting, Sol, Inc. was established by Mr. Hurst in 1990 after moving his family of six children from East Chicago, Illinois to south Florida in the mid-80’s. Alan is a graduate from University of Wisconsin and Georgetown Law School. Mr. Hurst operated a successful business from 1975 to 1985 and made the move to south Florida to be closer to family. His children encouraged him to develop an environmentally friendly product. Mr. Hurst decided to offer a solar powered product that was not dependent on government subsidies for financial success, which led him to develop solar lighting with a small team of engineers. Alan’s passion for solar lighting has led to many innovative developments, patents, and business opportunities. Mr. Hurst has been instrumental in introducing reliable lighting to many African nations. His belief of “lights are life” is demonstrated each time solar illumination villagers are able to socialize during evening hours, allow children to study longer, extend business hours, and improve overall he travels to Africa to establish lasting relationships based on bright, life-changing SOL solar lights. Throughhealth and safety. Over the years, Mr. Hurst has assisted Sol’s ongoing philanthropic effort in making solar lighting equipment donations for disaster relief efforts. Past recipients include: Hurricane Katrina Recovery Lighting (2005), Hurricane Rita Recovery Lighting (2005), Peruvian Earthquake Relief (2008), Port St. Lucie Florida Bus Shelters (2008), Chapman, Kansas Tornado Redevelopment Lighting (2009) and Haiti Earthquake Relief Effort (2010). Alan remains committed to making a difference through solar lighting and creating a better world for his family. He currently resides in Florida.
Vice President of SalesJeff Murphy
As Vice President of Sales, Mr. Murphy will oversee sales, marketing, and customer service functions for Sol. He most recently held the position of VP Sales at Lumenergi, Inc., an advanced lighting controls manufacturer based in Newark, California. Prior to that, he was a Vice President of Sales for the Commercial Division of Nexxus Lighting, an LED manufacturer, headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. Mr. Murphy has a strong track record with the majors, serving as VP of sales for Holophane Lighting, a division of Acuity Brands Lighting, focused primarily on outdoor lighting solutions. At Cooper Lighting he managed the US contractor sales team and energy solutions group. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated success in developing and executing large national account and government businesses. Mr. Murphy has solid executive management and strategic planning experience with a robust record of success in driving profitable growth through customer facing initiatives. Email: jeff.murphy@solarlighting.com
Director of Strategic AccountsWillis McCullough
As Director of Strategic Accounts, McCullough works with large strategic commercial customers to inject our solar powered and highly efficient on grid products into their locations and future sites. McCullough is a nuclear engineer, has experience in corporate training and is an excellent relationship manager. He most recently held the position of National Program Director for e2s (Energy Efficiency Services) where he developed and implemented national energy upgrade and sustainability plans for nationwide customers. Prior to that he served as a Vertical Market Manager of Sales & Applications for UTC Power / UTC Fuel Cells where he was responsible for designing, integrating and applying products into the industrial, commercial/retail and supermarket industries and where he developed sales and marketing plans for implementation of engineered products and services to nationwide customers. McCullough has also worked for Carrier Corporation, Toshiba International Corporation and Houston Lighting & Power. Email: willis.mccullough@solarlighting.com