After 20 years of helping New England homeowners and businesses make the switch to clean energy, New England Clean Energy is entering an exciting new chapter.
In July 2026, Mark Durrenberger, our founder and longtime president, officially retired, passing ownership of the company to a group of longtime employees. This transition represents an important milestone in our company’s history while ensuring that the people who know New England Clean Energy best will continue guiding its future.
With decades of combined experience in solar energy, operations, installations, and business leadership, our new leadership team brings both a deep understanding of our company’s history and the expertise needed to guide its continued growth.
As we celebrate Mark’s legacy, we’re also proud to recognize the experience and contributions of the people carrying his vision forward.
Honoring Our Founder
Celebrating 20 Years of Leadership: Mark Durrenberger
New England Clean Energy’s story began in 2006, but Mark’s interest in renewable energy started long before that.
As a high school student, Mark was inspired by President Jimmy Carter’s decision to install solar panels on the White House. That early interest in energy eventually led him to earn a bachelor’s degree in Nuclear Engineering and a master’s degree in Energy Engineering from the University of Massachusetts Lowell.
After building a career that included nuclear engineering, information technology, and management consulting, Mark returned to his passion for renewable energy and founded New England Clean Energy in 2006.
What began as a vision for making solar energy more accessible grew into a trusted regional solar installation company. Over the next two decades, New England Clean Energy installed thousands of solar energy systems across Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and Maine, helping homeowners and businesses take greater control of their energy costs and environmental impact.
Mark’s commitment to clean energy has always extended beyond the company itself.
In 2006, he received training from former Vice President Al Gore to deliver presentations based on An Inconvenient Truth. He went on to share the message of climate awareness and renewable energy with more than 1,000 people through schools, churches, and community organizations.
Over the years, Mark has continued advocating for renewable energy through public education, solar policy development, and industry training. His work has helped advance conversations about solar power, energy efficiency, and net-zero homes throughout the region.
While Mark may be stepping away from day-to-day leadership, the company he built and the values he established remain an important part of New England Clean Energy’s future.
We are incredibly grateful for his vision, dedication, and the foundation he created over the past 20 years.
The Next Chapter
A New Generation of Leadership, Built on Years of Experience
One of the most meaningful aspects of this transition is that New England Clean Energy remains in the hands of people who already know the company, its customers, and its mission.
Rather than selling to an outside organization, Mark transferred ownership to longtime employees who have helped shape the company’s growth and success.
Our new leadership team brings years of firsthand experience at New England Clean Energy, along with extensive backgrounds in renewable energy, electrical installations, project management, operations, and business development.
Their combined expertise reflects the experience and commitment that have defined our company since its founding.
Evan Vana
Evan Vana joined New England Clean Energy in 2017, bringing more than 12 years of experience in supply chain management, manufacturing, warehousing, logistics, and business operations.
Before stepping into his current role as CEO and President, Evan oversaw the company’s operations, including installation crews, project coordination, and supply chain management. His leadership has helped support the systems and processes necessary to deliver quality solar installations throughout New England.
Prior to joining New England Clean Energy, Evan worked with several well-known consumer brands, including Burton Snowboards, The Vermont Teddy Bear Company, PajamaGram, LightWedge, and Force Factor.
A graduate of the University of Vermont with a bachelor’s degree in Economics, Evan holds Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) and Supply Chain Operations Reference Professional (SCOR-P) certifications through APICS. He has also served on the Board of Directors for the Boston APICS Chapter.
As CEO and President, Evan combines his operational expertise with nearly a decade of experience at New England Clean Energy to guide the company’s continued growth and commitment to its customers.
Outside of work, Evan enjoys snowboarding, golfing, boating, and spending time with his wife, daughter, and their dog.
Mike Richards
Mike Richards has built his career in solar energy from the ground up, beginning at New England Clean Energy as an electrical apprentice and growing into a leadership role overseeing the company’s installation operations.
A graduate of Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School, Mike holds Master Electrician licenses in both Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
Throughout his career at New England Clean Energy, Mike has helped install hundreds of solar energy systems, gaining extensive firsthand experience in the technical and practical aspects of solar installations.
Today, as Vice President of Field Service & Installations, Mike directs the company’s installation operations, supporting our crews and helping ensure that every project meets our standards for quality, safety, and workmanship.
His progression from apprentice to company leadership reflects both his technical expertise and his longstanding commitment to New England Clean Energy.
Outside of work, Mike enjoys basketball, golf, fishing, camping, riding his motorcycle, and spending time at the beach.
Jess DeMar
Jess DeMar brings more than 15 years of experience in the solar industry, with a background spanning project management, asset management, service, and operations.
Jess began working in solar energy in 2011, gaining experience with both large and small companies before joining New England Clean Energy as a Project Lead from 2016 to 2018. She returned to the company in 2020, taking on responsibilities in service and operations.
Throughout her time at New England Clean Energy, Jess has played an important role in strengthening the company’s long-term customer support, including spearheading the development of its service department.
As Vice President of Operations, Jess leads our project management and service teams, overseeing support for new installations while ensuring that existing customers continue receiving dependable service throughout the life of their systems. Her team also supports orphaned solar systems, helping homeowners whose original installers are no longer available.
Jess studied Environmental and Global Studies at Framingham State University, with a focus on environmental law and sustainability.
Her approach to leadership combines compassionate, customer-focused support with practical, straightforward solutions to operational challenges. She values knowing that her work contributes directly to a more sustainable future for homeowners, businesses, and communities.
Outside of work, Jess enjoys spending time with her daughter, husband, and three stepsons, as well as painting, attending concerts, and exploring the outdoors.
Roy Van Cleef
Roy Van Cleef joined New England Clean Energy in 2011, bringing more than 15 years of firsthand experience with the company and a deep understanding of solar energy in Massachusetts and the surrounding region.
Roy began his career at New England Clean Energy conducting property assessments for the Solarize Harvard program, helping homeowners better understand their solar energy opportunities.
Over the years, he has taken on increasingly significant responsibilities in residential solar sales, customer education, and business development. His experience includes serving as Residential Sales Manager and earning certification as a Photovoltaic (PV) Technical Sales Professional through the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP).
Roy has also been actively involved in community education, frequently presenting on solar energy, home energy efficiency, and the benefits of renewable energy.
Originally from South Africa, Roy attended Hilton College before earning a bachelor’s degree in Zoology and Animal Biology from the University of Aberdeen in Scotland. He later studied at the University of Oregon as an exchange student before relocating to Massachusetts in 2004.
As Vice President of Sales & Marketing, Roy draws on his extensive solar industry experience to lead customer outreach, sales strategy, and marketing efforts, helping homeowners and businesses make informed decisions about their energy futures.
Outside of work, Roy is an avid ultramarathon runner who enjoys trail running and long-distance endurance events. He lives in Harvard, Massachusetts, with his wife and three children.
The Same Commitment, A New Chapter
Although New England Clean Energy’s ownership and leadership have evolved, our mission remains unchanged.
We remain committed to providing high-quality solar energy systems, dependable service, and straightforward guidance to homeowners and businesses throughout our service area.
Our customers can continue to expect the same dedication to thoughtful system design, quality installations, and long-term support that has been central to our work for the past two decades.
What makes this transition especially meaningful is the experience behind it. Our leadership team isn’t starting from scratch. Each member has contributed to New England Clean Energy’s history, building relationships, developing expertise, and helping shape the company our customers know today.
Together, they are carrying forward Mark’s original vision while preparing New England Clean Energy for the opportunities and challenges ahead.
As we celebrate Mark’s retirement and welcome this new chapter, we want to thank our employees, customers, and community partners for being part of our story.
Here’s to the next 20 years of New England Clean Energy!
If you liked this article, you may also like:
Heat Pump vs Oil Heating Cost in New England: Which Saves More?
