Darren’s Bio

Originally from Hilo, Hawaii Darren began his energy career in 1989 working at his family’s electrical contracting business as an electrician, project manager and Vice President.  In these roles he had the opportunity to work on a variety of projects including the construction of the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan on Mauna Kea, the Subaru Astronomical Support Facility and energy efficiency upgrades at the State of Hawaii Airports. 

In 1992 he transitioned into energy efficiency and renewable energy working as an EPA Green Light Surveyor and an entrepreneur in 1994 founding Energy Conservation and Management Hawaii (ECMH).  Over his career he created several companies which he grew internationally, led teams with several hundred employees and grew his businesses to multi-million dollar success.

Darren founded Energy Conservation and Management Hawaii (ECMH) now called Energy Industries in 1994, Pacific Energy Services in 1998, TechnO3 in 1999, Energy Laboratories in 2000, Sopogy in 2002, Energy Smart News in 2004 and Keahole Solar Power in 2007.  He gained experience in acquisitions leading the purchase of three energy companies and exits in selling two portfolio companies.  He has raised over $30 million in venture capital, secured $45 million in bond financing, $10 million in debt facilities and sold over $1 billion in energy technology, systems and services.

Distinctions

Darren’s entrepreneurship accolades include Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year 2000 from Ernst and Young, Top 40 under Forty 2000 from the Pacific Business News, SBA Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2002 for California, Hawaii and Arizona from the Small Business Administration, Hawaiian Electric Trade Ally of the Year 2006 from Hawaiian Electric, Technology Leader of the Year 2006 from the Technology Foundation, Green Entrepreneur of the Year 2007 from Hawaii Business and Honua (Earth) Award for Clean Energy by the Blue Planet Foundation and was named to the Hawaii Business 2010 Ten for Today list.

He has a BA from the University of Hawaii and attended Portland State University where he studied electrical engineering. He is a Certified Energy Manager, Certified Demand Side Manager, Certified Distributed Energy Professional and Certified Sustainable Development Professional.  Darren is also an Eagle Scout.

Over his career Darren led his companies to the following achievements:

• Energy Conservation Hawaii – Winner Service Firm of the Year 2002 (Small Business Administration)
• Energy Industries – Winner Trade Ally of the Year 2005 (Hawaiian Electric)
• Energy Industries – Winner Technology Company of the Year 2007 (Pacific Technology Foundation)
• Energy Industries – Finalist for Best in Business Division II Year 2007 (Pacific Business News)
• Sopogy – Finalist for Venture Capital Deal of the Year 2006 (Hawaii Venture Capital Association)
• Sopogy – Winner of Venture Capital Association Deal of the Year 2007 (Hawaii Venture Capital Association)
• Sopogy – Winner of National Society of Professional Engineers New Product of the Year 2008 (NSPE)
• Sopogy – Winner of Innovation Company of the Year 2008 (Pacific Business News)
• Sopogy – Innovation by an Organization Award 2008
• Sopogy – Finalist for Global Energy Awards 2008 (Platts)
• Keahole Solar Power – Finalist for Venture Capital Deal of the Year 2008 (Hawaii Venture Capital Association)
• Keahole Solar Power – Innovation by an Organization Award 2009
• Sopogy – Winner, Gold Medal for Energy Product of the Year by Plant Engineering 2009 (PE)
• Sopogy - Always on Global 250 2009 (AO)
• Sopogy – Always on Going Green 2009
• Sopogy - Platts Sustainable Energy 2009 
• Sopogy – Winner Hawaii Business Magazine Small Business Innovation Award 2010

Board and Advisory

Darren is the Chairman of the Board of Directors for Sopogy, Inc., Energy Industries Corporation, Energy Holdings and Keahole Solar Power.  He is a Co-chairperson of the Hawaii Energy Policy Forum, member of the Governors Innovation Council, the Past President at PLASMA, Director of the Boy Scouts of America Aloha Council, Director at Enterprise Honolulu, Director at the Hawaii Academy of Science, Director at PBS Hawaii.  He is a past Director at the Hawaii Strategic Development Corporation the State of Hawai’s Venture Capital Fund and Hawaii Science and Technology Council.  He also serves on the University of Hawaii at Manoa’s College of Engineering Dean’s Council and is an Entrepreneur in Residence at Punahou School. 

Committees

Darren served on the 2010 Intersolar planning committee.

Cool Energy Stuff

Through his energy expertise, Darren has spoken on behalf of the US Department of Energy and US Environmental Protection Agency in a number of unique regions that include Palau, Saipan, Marshall Islands, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and Guam.  He has also spoken at Punahou School, numerous investment banking events and countless non-profits (including Rebuild America, BOMA, Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development Board) sharing his knowledge of energy.  He is also a regular speaker at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, San Jose State University, and Concentrating Solar Power conferences. 

Along side his staff Darren has designed some of the World’s most innovative systems.  These include ice air conditioning systems, hybrid TES/PV systems, district Ice Cooling/Heating systems, commercial fuel cell systems, advanced solar thermal systems, advanced photovoltaic technologies, smart metering, voltage regulation, ozone gas systems, digital programmable thermostats and efficient lighting technologies. 

Philanthropy

Darren is an avid supporter in education helping the College of Business at Stanford University, College of Engineering at San Jose State University the University of Hawaii, Hawaii Pacific University and Chaminade.  He has served as a judge and coach for the University of Hawaii Business Plan Competition, Hawaii High School Business Plan competition, Hawaii Pacific University Business Plan competition and others.  Through his outreach he has donated over $100,000 to the energy improvements of dorm rooms, state facilities, classrooms for Universities, Public Schools and Non-Profits across the US and Pacific.

Web Links

Entrepreneur Magazine
Greater Good Radio
Honolulu Advertiser
CSP Today
Waiakea High School
Beyond Zero Emissions
Renewable Energy World
Night Time
Tech Hui: Techie of the Month
GreenHawaii.com: Extraordinary Lectures
CSP Today: Shrinking CSP
Renewable Energy World
Greater Good TV
Big Island Video News
Red Herring
ABC
Midweek

Other

As a youth Darren was an active scout having graduated as a Cub Scout, earned his Arrow of Light, member of the Order of the Arrow, and Eagle Scout.  He is also an active competitor in marathons, century cycle races, swim competitions and triathlons.

Contact

Darren can be found at:

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TechHui