Along with Sonny Murphy, Mel Jones founded Sterling Planet in 2000. A tireless engine for the enterprise, Mr. Jones exemplifies the can do inspiration and intense dedication that has driven the company to its current status as the Department of Energy s 2007 Renewable Energy Supplier of the Year, with sales resulting in more than 1 billion pounds of carbon dioxide averted. At Sterling Planet s helm, Mr. Jones now guides the pioneering company into new territory, with the nation s first White Tags Energy Efficiency Certificates and plans to enter international markets. A frequent speaker before industry gatherings and an advisor for renewable energy initiatives, Mr. Jones is familiar around the industry as leader in articulating the trends and issues facing renewable energy. He serves on the advisory board of the Frederick A. and Barbara M. Erb Institute for Global Sustainable Enterprise at the University of Michigan, which supports a broad societal transition to sustainability through education, outreach and scholarship. Mr. Jones also participates on the advisory board of the Apollo Alliance, which seeks to build a broad constituency in support of a sustainable and clean energy economy that creates jobs, reduces dependence on foreign oil, and strengthens communities. Mr. Jones serves on the boards of the American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) and the Environmental Business Association of New York State. He has advised and/or testified before the public utility commissions in the states of New York, Florida, California, Connecticut, Hawaii and Nevada on renewable energy and energy conservation policy. Prior to co-founding Sterling Planet, Mr. Jones built a 32-year utility career focused largely in the deregulated marketplace, with executive roles first at Southern Company and later at Electronic Data Systems.