CONTINUUM CAPITAL - Key Persons
Brian Walshe has 25+ years of experience across a wide range of areas within the energy and utility industries, primarily focused on design, construction, and operations. In recent years, his work has largely involved developing new growth strategies and project developments associated with the decarbonization of the global energy system.
Brian is also co-founder and owner of Trident Winds, LLC, which is a wind project developer pursuing the construction of Morro Bay Offshore, a 650 MW floating offshore wind facility off the coast of California.
Brian began his career as a field engineer involved with the construction of several nuclear projects in the 1980s. He has since provided services to over 300 thermal or renewable power projects of all technologies, in various stages of construction or operations. He has also worked extensively in the T&D construction sector and has been involved in several large, multi-state transmission construction projects.
He has extensive international experience, having lived and worked with design and construction clients on five continents on topics related to energy and infrastructure development. In a recent engagement, he served as Lead Energy Engineer working inside the Qatar Ministry of the Environment, developing their renewable energy strategy to power the Qatar National Food Security Program. This involved coordinating major capital asset and construction program requirements with logistical impacts of the ongoing Qatari program management efforts supporting the Q22 World Cup. Brian interfaced daily the National Rail, Airport, SeaPort, Subway and Road construction programs underway that would impact the logistic import and delivery of food throughout the country. He has also worked with many of the global Engineering & Construction Leaders on several other large, multi-billion dollar project developments.
He has served over 80 utility and regulatory clients and is very familiar with the unique aspects of operating in an engineering, utility, and utility construction environment. He has presented expert witness testimony at utility rate cases, served as an expert witness at a number of construction prudency reviews, and provided valuation testimony in civil bankruptcy court proceedings. He has spoken at many utility conferences on topics related to utility operations.
Brian has extensive experience in developing growth strategies for clients. This has included several utilities, government agencies, gas and electric contractors, and many utility Boards or Business Units.
Brian was previously employed with McKinsey & Company, Navigant/Metzler & Associates, and Stone & Webster Inc. In each position, he focused exclusively on the energy and utility industries. He has an MBA from the University of Michigan and a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Northeastern University.
Job Titles:
- Consultant / Bellevue, WA
- Retired Senior Executive of Puget Energy Inc
Eric Markell brings over 35 years of experience in the utility and power industry. His efforts include leadership roles in the areas of corporate finance, accounting, regulatory relations and rate-making, asset acquisition, generation operation and construction, project finance and project development. In 2012, Eric founded Markell & Company LLC, a boutique advisory firm specializing in business strategy and transaction advice. Recent clients include: a renewable power development and EPC company, an enhanced oil recovery and development firm, a biodiesel manufacturer, a private equity fund, a wind development company, a biomass power company, and an oil and gas pipeline company.
Eric is a retired senior executive of Puget Energy Inc., and its Washington-based utility subsidiary, Puget Sound Energy, where from 2002 to 2012 he held positions as Vice President Development, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Resources Officer and Chief Strategy Officer. As Chief Strategy Officer Eric was responsible for identifying regulated and un-regulated growth opportunities and the company's $115 million per year Energy Efficiency Services line of business. As Chief Resources Officer he was responsible for power supply operations, energy trading, system resource scheduling, integrated resource planning, and resource acquisition activity.
As Chief Financial Officer, Markell worked closely with the CEO and the Board of Directors to take Puget Energy "private" and worked to close the merger and sale transaction with a consortium of Australian and Canadian infrastructure investors. He directed the preparation of the merger case testimony and filings with state regulatory agencies and served as principal company witness during testimony. The transaction totaled $7.4 billion and valued the company at approximately 1.5x book value and 1.25x its market capitalization.
In the 1990's Eric served as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of United American Energy Corp., a private independent energy company specializing in turnaround management of distressed energy companies. He is also a past Treasurer and Controller of Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation (now owned by Fortis). Prior to joining Central Hudson, he was Vice President and Treasurer of the New York State Energy Research & Development Authority, a public benefit corporation active in utility finance and energy research and development.
In addition to running Markell & Company, Eric co-founded Trident Winds LLC, in 2015 to pursue an early stage California offshore wind development property, he serves as a director of the ENMAX Corporation in Calgary AB, and he performs as a Director of The Hudson Renewable Energy Institute in New York. Eric is a recognized energy and utility industry expert who regularly serves as a speaker and panelist at industry conferences and meetings and he is a guest lecturer at selected colleges and universities.
His private passion is equestrian in nature. Eric is a Governor of the United States Eventing Association and member of the US Equestrian Federation Eventing Owners' Task Force. The Task Force is responsible for supporting the financing, training and preparation of both horse and rider for international and Olympic competition.
Eric holds a Bachelor's Degree with distinction in Economics from Union College, Schenectady, NY, and a Master's of Public Administration degree from The Maxwell School, Syracuse University.
Job Titles:
- Consultant
- Principal / Owner / Raleigh, NC
Mark Bridgers is a consultant to the design and construction industry and leads a Utility Vertical Market team. He works primarily with gas/electric utilities, power generators, pipeline companies, and energy companies to support the planning, design, and construction of capital assets. In addition, he frequently works with the service providers to these firms including overhead or pipeline contractors, industrial and mechanical contractors, engineering firms, and value-added material and equipment suppliers. As a recognized expert in capital construction and operational challenges, Mark has delivered expert testimony in regulatory proceedings, was honored with the American Gas Association (AGA) Silver Award of Merit, and was peer-selected for membership in both the Society of Gas Operators (SOGO) and the Gild of Ancient Supplers.
Mark helps firms prepare for and successfully navigate "strategic transitions," often by undertaking an organizational analysis of these firms, reviewing construction cost management efforts, diagnosing accounting and financial issues, and strategy development. Typical projects include strategic plan design; financial
performance analysis; development and implementation of tools to reduce construction cost, life-cycle cost, and operational friction; restructuring of processes and procedures - oftentimes using LEAN Construction, Six Sigma, and other continuous improvement techniques; and leader development. He is a specialist in the management of capital construction or operational risk, author of Beyond the Bell Curve - A Report on Managing Capital Project Risk and PDI2's Utility Infrastructure Resiliency Playbook, and consultant to firms interested in mitigating infrequent and high-impact risks. His passion is helping organizations achieve breakthrough innovations through collaborative or integrated relationships. He is the architect of an approach to design and implement what is referred to as the "Extended Enterprise" among utility industry participants.
Mark is an avid educator, trainer, and writer with more than 20 years of industry expertise including strategy development, financial engineering, surety bonding, and reinsurance experience. His in-depth knowledge of the energy markets, electric/gas utility concerns, financial topics, and the surety and reinsurance markets - combined with his ability to convey difficult construction, insurance, and financial topics to laypeople and professionals alike - makes him an enthusiastic and exciting speaker. His North American speaking includes the American Gas Association (AGA), Edison Electric Institute (EEI), Power/Coal Gen, the Construction Users Roundtable (CURT), Utility Supply Management Alliance (USMA), Electric Power Conference, Distribution Contractors Association (DCA), Power & Communication Contractors Association (PCCA), and National Utility Contractors Association (NUCA), among others.
Mark is the author of over 200 articles and research papers published internationally in industry journals and peer-reviewed periodicals, including ENR, PE - The Magazine for Professional Engineers, Pipeline & Gas Journal, Public Utilities Fortnightly, Utility Contractor (NUCA), Underground Contractor, Electric Energy (RMEL), and Electric Perspectives (EEI). He is frequently quoted on construction industry topics, including in the Wall Street Journal.
Mark holds a master's degree in business administration from the University of Virginia‘s Darden School and a bachelor's degree in financial management from Clemson University. He has earned the titles of Chartered Property & Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) and Associate in Reinsurance (ARe).
Job Titles:
- Consultant / Birmingham, AL
- Principal of Magnus & Company
Teresa Magnus is the Principal of Magnus & Company, a construction industry advisory firm committed to transforming industry performance. She drives innovation through challenging conventional business models with unique perspectives, revolutionary thinking, creative solutions, and intelligent execution. Teresa is a highly sought-after industry expert that is at home both in the boardroom and the field.
Teresa's experience includes the successful planning and management of major construction programs; workforce and labor strategy development and implementation; and the early recognition, prevention, and resolution of complex construction claims. Teresa served as both the Manager of Project Services and the Construction Contract Strategy Manager in two stints for Southern Company. At Southern Company, she led the redevelopment and implementation of Project Controls and Project Management Office (PMO) responsible for over $10 billion in capital projects; completed the planning and execution of the contract strategy for the $16 billion in environmental scrubber and new generation capital construction programs; and was instrumental to the successful negotiation of the $17 billion Vogtle Units 3 & 4 engineering, procurement, and construction contracts. Between stints at Southern Company, Teresa served as CEO of Vulcan Industrial Contractors, a Birmingham-based union industrial contractor working throughout the southeast. Under her leadership, the company expanded territory, service offerings, transformed safety performance, and developed key strategic alliances, all while improving EBITDA. Her leadership positioned the firm as a go-to resource for industrial owners seeking superior construction execution. Teresa initially developed her skills and industry expertise as a global consultant with both Price Waterhouse and Arthur Andersen in dispute resolution on large, complex construction disputes among engineers, contractors, subcontractors, and owners.
Teresa is a highly sought-after industry speaker and lecturer presenting innovative and non-conventional solutions. As an author, she presents papers on construction contracting strategy, labor strategy, effective measurement and reporting of project performance, claims avoidance and resolution, market growth and expansion strategies, collaborative business relationships, strategies for corporate economic policy, and diversification strategies. As a recognized industry expert, she has actively contributed to the industry initiative to develop "ConsensusDOCS."
Teresa's community involvement focuses on education, inclusion, and construction industry advancement. She served on the Advisory Board Member for the Shelby County Schools Technical Education Program, the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce Workforce Development Committee, the Advisory Board of the Alabama Go Build Initiative, and the Georgia Governor's Workforce Development Committee. Teresa's workforce development efforts also include her service as a committee member for local bargaining organizations for multiple crafts and a pension fund trustee. She founded and currently chairs the Alabama "Girls Can" Camps. Teresa earned the 2010 Crystal Vision Award for promoting the inclusion of women in the construction industry and has been recognized by the Birmingham Business Journal and Southeast Construction magazine for her industry leadership.
Teresa earned a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, and is a CPA licensed in Ohio. She holds a Doctor of Jurisprudence from Samford University Cumberland School of Law and is admitted to the Georgia Bar. She is a member of the Construction Users Roundtable (CURT), the American Bar Association (ABA), and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA).