A Sustainable Transition For a Sustainable Energy Company
“After considering a number of options for our succession at SEM, we chose this path because we believe that it provides the best opportunity for the company to continue to thrive over the long term. We are grateful that we’ve been able to transition ownership to the team who, for more than a decade, have helped us build SEM into the successful company it is today. Most importantly, we are confident that this group of truly outstanding human beings will continue to Lead the Change with the same love that we have poured into the company for the past 23 years.” Bob and Maria Kingery, Co-Founders Southern Energy Management
This carefully planned transition marks an important evolution for SEM, and is a bold next step in sustaining the next chapter of our sustainable energy company. There are many different paths for businesses to change ownership and, very frequently, they come with dramatic disruptions. From the outset, this transition was designed to avoid those pitfalls with the intent of creating stability and continuity for our customers, team, and community partners, while also preserving the spirit and culture of SEM.
Although SEM’s day-to-day work and impact center on improving the way people make and use energy in the built environment, we have always been focused on being a truly sustainable business—not only from a financial perspective but also in terms of people and the planet. This transition reflects those goals by providing a sustainable and natural evolution for our team, reward and recognition for our founders, and a strong foundation for future success and growth.
“From the very beginning of this process, we were all focused on how to make this change as smooth and valuable as possible for our team and customers while preserving the values, mission, and vision of what SEM is and can be. We’re excited to continue to demonstrate how leading with love may be the most important business move you can make.” — Jamie Hager, Co-Owner, Southern Energy Management
From Leadership Team to Ownership Team
The new ownership team, who collectively bring over 108 years of experience at SEM, was carefully assembled over a decade ago by Bob and Maria as part of our ‘Guidance Team’. Bob and Maria are big believers that true leaders must elevate and delegate, both to maximize their own impact, and to develop and grow their teams. As a result of this approach, the new Ownership Team has increasingly led and managed each of SEM’s major business units over the past ten years. Together, they have been leading and expanding the teams that make up SEM, while working to co-create many of the core processes and innovations that have made SEM a successful business that is built to be a force for good.
“No new owners could be more deeply connected to our business or better prepared to transition from leaders to owners. Bob and Maria treated us as equals, providing space to grow, learn from our mistakes, and ultimately take full responsibility for the SEM’s daily operations in preparation for this transition. We are deeply committed to this team, and their guidance has further instilled our dedication to our mission and core values.” – Laurie Colwander, Co-Owner, Southern Energy Management
Owning and leading a business goes beyond the Xs and Os of profit and loss statements, budgeting, and delivering great services. The heart of our company is our people and their belief in our mission, core values, and that business can be used as a force for good in the world. The new ownership team has each lived into this belief for more than a decade (and for some, nearly two decades! ). They know from firsthand experience the lasting impact of leading with love and candor, the importance of building trust and investing in your team, and that efficient operations do not have to come at the cost of your people. This Team remains committed to maintaining the leadership style that SEM is built on – trust and love – knowing that real trust enables smart people to deliberate and choose paths forward when no trail has yet been blazed.
For this reason, the new Ownership Team is not only adept at managing the business but is also deeply committed to our people at SEM and the relationships we’ve fostered with our team, customers, partners, and community. At the end of the day, you won’t notice any disruptions in our day-to-day operations. What you can expect, however, is a positive shift as these seven leaders bring a renewed dedication to our core values and a strengthened passion for our mission. This change is all about enhancing what we do without skipping a beat.
Mission
To improve the way people make and use energy.
Core Values
S – Seek Solutions
H – Have To → Get To
I – Invest in the Greater Good
N – Never Settle
E – Enjoy the Journey
Meet the Ownership Team
Let’s meet the leaders, and now owners, who will continue to guide SEM’s future:
Brinson Fuller: Brinson began his career in the solar industry with SEM in 2013 and has gained extensive experience across all facets of solar installations. From hands-on work in the field to leading installation teams, he has played a pivotal role in enhancing operational efficiencies, integrating new products, and driving continuous improvements. Throughout his tenure, Brinson has been instrumental in strengthening SEM’s brand reputation by ensuring the highest quality installations while advocating for the well-being of both customers and team members. In his current role, he oversees all aspects of SEM’s solar operations, including residential and commercial solar, as well as the company’s comprehensive technical support team.
Daniel Conner: Daniel is an experienced leader in residential construction and energy efficiency. Joining Southern Energy Management in 2010, he developed a deep passion for well-built, energy-efficient homes and their role in addressing climate change. With a talent for developing people, streamlining processes, and driving innovation, he excels at leading teams to deliver higher-performing, more sustainable homes that push the industry forward.
Graham Alexander: Graham has been with Southern Energy since 2007 in a variety of roles on the Solar Energy side of things. He has installed both Solar Water Heating and Solar PV systems, served as the lead Project Manager, and worked in customer education. Graham now leads our Solar Sales/Design Team to ensure that SEM is providing the right products and solutions to our builder and homeowner clients.
Jamie Hager: Entering her 25th year in the construction industry and 18th year at SEM, Jamie’s passion for building science is equally matched by her love of people, and she has built her career at SEM focusing on both. She learned building from the ground up over the years working as construction supervisor, green building programs manager, HERS Rater, educator for both the NC General Contractors Licensing Board and NC Association of Realtors, as well as served on green building councils and planning boards. This experience has enabled her to bridge the communication gap between sustainability and development, leading to successful partnership with community developers to integrate energy efficient and green certified homes into their master planned communities as part of their formula for success. Jamie believes that housing is the intersection of humanity and business, and her time at SEM has proven to her that there is a way to do right by both.
Laurie Colwander: Laurie has been at Southern Energy for over 17 years. While mostly on the building performance side of the house, she also installed solar PV and thermal systems back in the day. With 24+ years of experience in the sustainability and green building certification industry, she now leads SEM’s multifamily team and provides experience with both commercial and residential projects of various construction types in multiple regions and climate zones throughout the United States and internationally. She remains committed to building strong partnerships that actively engage builders and developers.
Taylor Fearrington: A natural relationship builder, Taylor has been with Southern Energy since 2011 and has spent the past 14 years cultivating strong connections with builders and trades across the Southeast. He excels at bridging the gap between internal operations and external clients, streamlining processes and enhancing overall experiences.
Will Etheridge: As part of this transition, we’re especially proud to introduce Will Etheridge as SEM’s new CEO and Integrator, guiding us into our next chapter. Will is so special he gets his own section below 🙂 Please give a warm welcome to our new CEO, Will!
Meet Our New CEO, Will D. Etheridge
Will’s journey to becoming Southern Energy Management’s new CEO is driven by his sharp wit, boundless creativity, and unwavering commitment to SEM’s vision and core values. His unique combination of professional expertise and quirky personal style keeps SEM not only at the forefront of the industry but also a fun, engaging place to work. Will is the kind of leader who pairs strategic thinking with genuine warmth and a playful sense of humor—complete with the occasional sci-fi or reptile reference.
“When Bob and Maria approached us with the offer to buy the company, the 7 of us got together and said, we can do this. When we talked about who of us would be CEO, we were in complete alignment that it should be Will. We discussed many more topics after that, but never did we waiver on who would lead our team of intelligent, strong willed, compassionate, visionary, and competitive individuals while being able to hold our core values at the center of the business.” – Daniel Conner, Co-Owner of Southern Energy Management
About Will
Over the last 12 years, Will has worked across Southern Energy Management on the solar operations team, on the commercial sales and design team, as a marketing analyst, and since 2018, as our Marketing & Data Director. Will led our marketing team and efforts over the last 5 years; during this period SEM’s sales and impact has grown by more than 140%. Will has also worked across all teams to make our data more accessible and impactful. Will’s major milestones on the data side include: building a data warehouse that centralizes our operational and financial data in a single location; building and leading our annual budgeting process; and designing a Profit and Loss statement review tool that drives our monthly financial reviews. Before working at SEM, Will worked for the North Carolina Clean Tech Center. Will holds a bachelor’s degree from UNC-Chapel Hill where he studied American History & Entrepreneurship.
Outside of SEM, Will loves being with his family and friends – especially his wife Rachel, sons William and Jonah, and their cat Ellie. He also loves Tar heel sports, reading fantasy and history books, fishing across all of NCs water, and hiking in the woods in his native Nash County.
I am so excited, honored, and humbled to be stepping into the CEO role with this ownership team and the entire SEM team. 12 years ago, I pursued Bob and Maria to get a job at SEM because I believed in its mission, I wanted my work to have an impact, and I believed business could be done a different way. I’m so thankful to the Kingerys for giving me a shot then, and for continually pushing me to grow and develop. I feel even more confident and excited about SEM’s future than ever before. SEM has a powerful mission and great business channels with boundless opportunity – but the thing that gives me the most confidence is our people. The passion and culture created by the people here is second-to-none. We are a team full of passionate, skilled, kind, and mission-oriented folks who are committed to both making energy more sustainable but also being a model for how to build a sustainable business. So while I’m confident that the talents, spikes, and experiences I will bring to this role will help – I know SEM will continue to succeed, improve, and thrive because of the people that make up the team.” – Will Etheridge, CEO of Southern Energy Management
Reflecting on the Journey
Our co-founders, Bob & Maria Kingery, have been the heart and soul of SEM, guiding us with vision and integrity since 2001. Their leadership has not only propelled SEM to the forefront of sustainable business practices as one of the first B Corps in North Carolina, but has also allowed us to have an impact on hundreds of thousands of families across North Carolina and beyond. Through this work, their guidance has instilled in us a profound commitment to our mission and core values.
Throughout the years, SEM has gone through several iterations—starting with living room meetings during the early days at Bob and Maria’s home, to achieving our first B Corp certification in 2009, and then navigating a pivotal (and challenging) moment in 2012 when the utility-scale solar division was sold. This transition ultimately led to the development of a much stronger operating system and the emergence of the seasoned leadership team we now know as our new co-owners.
“Bob and I set out to create the company WE would want to work for and with, and at the center of that has been our commitment to honoring people and the planet in all of our decisions. This has enabled us to create a company that reflects the love we have for each other, our family, our team and our communities. We are so proud of what SEM has become and look forward to watching this team shine in its next evolution.” – Maria Kingery, Co-Founder of Southern Energy Management
Today, we reflect on the highlights and challenges of SEM’s history as valuable lessons that have shaped the company into what it is today—a business that leads with love while pursuing its mission to improve the way people make and use energy (human energy included).
“It’s important to recognize that this is really a culmination of something that we’ve been working on for the past decade. We put a lot of love into this organization for the last 23 years and I am 100% confident that the love that we have led this company with is embodied in the leaders in the organization now. The best is definitely yet to come and we will be here cheering everybody on and supporting in a variety of different ways.” – Bob Kingery, Co-Founder of Southern Energy Management
It is with great joy that we get to honor and celebrate Bob and Maria for their dedication and vision as the founders who have shaped SEM into the company it is today. Their legacy—and the way they have led the team through SEM’s many life lessons—will remain a guiding light as we continue to build upon the strong foundation they created.
Looking Ahead
Since 2001, SEM has always been about standing for and delivering innovative energy solutions—from harnessing solar power to optimizing energy efficiency in the built environment. Equally important, though, is the vibrant energy of our team. Our business is powered by the passion and dedication of our team members, and this transition is designed to keep that spirit thriving.
“There is so much potential for growth in the energy efficiency and renewable energy space. We are excited to be leading a team that has earned the respect from our peers and clients over the past 24 years and we take the responsibility to lead this sector very seriously. We are committed to continuing our journey to be at the forefront of advocating for the change we need to build a more sustainable future.” – Graham Alexander, Co-Owner, Southern Energy Management
Our Promise to our Team, Partners, Clients, Friends, and Family
Thank you for being an essential part of Southern Energy Management’s community. Your support and trust mean everything to us, and we’re excited to step into this new era together. Here’s to continuing our journey with the same passion, dedication, and integrity that have always defined who we are.
We look forward to growing, innovating, and making a lasting impact—together. We remain steadfast in our commitment to setting the gold standard in sustainable business practices and transforming the way people make and use energy.
Welcome aboard this exciting new chapter at SEM—where the future is bright, and our doors are always open to new possibilities. Let’s create a brighter, more sustainable future—one step at a time!
