Mr. Matheson brings decades of experience in advocating, supporting and leading clean energy initiatives, innovation and investments across the globe

BURLINGTON, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--FirstLight Power, a leading clean power producer and energy storage company, today announced that Jim Matheson has joined the company’s Board of Directors. Mr. Matheson is on the faculty at The Harvard Business School where he teaches courses at the intersection of innovation, finance and sustainability, and is an Affiliate of the Business & Environment Initiative. He is also a Special Advisor to both The Engine at MIT and Breakthrough Energy Ventures, and serves as a Director and Advisor to several climate and sustainability focused companies.

“Jim is a highly respected clean energy leader with a wealth of knowledge and a proven track record of bringing new clean technology to market,” said Alicia Barton, CEO of FirstLight. “Jim’s background and values align directly with FirstLight’s mission to accelerate the decarbonization of the electric grid and dedication to creating new market-leading solutions to stay ahead of unprecedented changes in the energy industry. We greatly admire Jim’s deep commitment to sustainability innovation across the critical realms of technology, finance and policy.”

Previously, as a General Partner at Flagship Pioneering, Mr. Matheson spearheaded the venture capital firm’s sustainability practice and was involved in founding, investing in and growing numerous innovative ventures. He also served as President and CEO of Oasys Water, which developed and deployed best-in-class large-scale water treatment solutions for energy and natural resource customers around the world. Before embarking on his second career in sustainable technology investing and entrepreneurship, Mr. Matheson was a decorated Navy F-14 and FA-18 pilot and TOPGUN Instructor. He retired in 2008 as a Commander in the U.S. Naval Reserves and earned his BS from the United States Naval Academy and his MBA from The Harvard Business School.

“With decades of experience across the clean energy sector, Jim’s passion and support for combating climate change will bring invaluable contributions to FirstLight,” said Stephan Rupert, Board Chair of FirstLight. “He has a deep devotion to advising organizations in their mission to solve the world’s most important challenges – especially climate change. Jim’s experience will build upon FirstLight’s goal of ensuring reliable power that will reduce regional greenhouse gas emissions for a cleaner, more sustainable future.”

FirstLight is working to enable the conversion to a clean energy future faster by delivering clean, locally made hydropower, and by leveraging large-scale storage facilities such as Northfield Mountain to integrate renewable energy and store it for times when it is needed. FirstLight is building on a strong legacy of environmental stewardship and clean energy leadership to help lead the drive to a more sustainable future in the years ahead.

ABOUT FIRSTLIGHT POWER

FirstLight Power (FirstLight) is a leading clean power producer and energy storage company in New England with a portfolio that includes nearly 1,400 megawatts of pumped-hydro storage, battery storage, hydroelectric generation, and solar generation – the largest clean energy generation portfolio in New England today. Based in Burlington, MA, with operating offices in Northfield, MA and New Milford, CT, FirstLight provides stewardship of and recreational access to 14,000 acres of land and waters along the Connecticut, Housatonic, Shetucket, Still, and Quinebaug Rivers. To learn more, visit www.firstlightpower.com.

Len Greene, Director of Government Affairs & Communications
Office: 413-659-4426, Cell: 860-795-4310

Travis Small, Slowey McManus Communications
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