C. Kay McCall is a senior energy executive with broad industry expertise, including strategy, project development, operations, acquisitions, and governance. In addition to more than a decade of experience in the renewable energy industry, Ms. McCall has worked extensively in the conventional power, engineering and construction, and major equipment manufacturing industries. She has a track record of success in leadership roles in both private equity-backed and large public companies. She serves as a non-executive director on the board of a leading global manufacturer and distributor of industrial components.
Ms. McCall recently served as President, CEO, and board member of Noble Environmental Power, LLC, a private equity-backed wind energy company that developed, financed, and operated wind energy projects. Ms. McCall led the company from early stage through the final sale to the Carlyle Group, achieving a price that exceeded equity’s expectations. When she took the reins as CEO in 2010, Noble had been in financial distress for more than two years. Ms. McCall developed and implemented a comprehensive operational restructuring plan, stabilizing the company and building successes, including improved financial, safety, retention, and operational results.
Ms. McCall originally joined Noble as Senior Vice President, General Counsel, and Chief Compliance Officer, during its pre-revenue project development phase. Subsequently, the company experienced capital constraints, and Ms. McCall became a trusted advisor to the CEO and Board during a period of significant financial distress. Ms. McCall’s consistent, creative, positive leadership was recognized by the Board, resulting in her promotion to CEO.
In addition to many years of P&L responsibility, Ms. McCall has moved seamlessly between complex transactional work and general counsel responsibilities in the energy industry, including working on both the buy and sell side of acquisitions as well as post-acquisition integrations. She also has significant experience in the development and financing of power projects. As a member of the leadership team at General Electric, she was entrusted with addressing global governance issues.
Ms. McCall recently launched and now leads a non-profit renewable energy trade association in Houston, which is a part-time role. She is also a member of the Board of Advisors for the University of Houston Bauer College of Business – Gutierrez Energy Management Institute. She is a frequent public speaker on topics relating to the energy transition.
Ms. McCall earned both her Juris Doctor and Bachelor of Arts degrees from the University of Houston. An avid learner, she recently earned certificates in Sustainable Energy Development (2020), ESG for Energy Companies (2021), and the Hydrogen Economy (2021) from the University of Houston.