Stan Ellis is the founder and managing director of Ellis Energy Investments. Stan has over 30 years of experience in start-ups, acquisitions and business development. He has founded and led a number of startups, successfully launched products and sold to consumer and enterprise customers. His principal focus has been in the energy sector where he has owned and operated numerous businesses including Sierra Process Systems, which was recently acquired by Clean Harbors. Stan is an active partner in Reservoir Management Services, Qubitekk, Premier Equipment Rentals, PROS Well Testing Service, Pyron Solar and the Bakersfield Jam. He is also an inventor holding nearly twenty patents.
As president of Ellis Energy Investments, Christian has guided numerous companies through the investment, growth, and exit process. He currently leads the business development at Qubitekk where he is focused on establishing critical industry and investor relationships. Through other Ellis Energy Investment companies, Christian has strong connections within the Oil & Gas industry and major utilities. Christian also serves as the Managing Partner for the NBA Development League’s Bakersfield Jam, where he has created a unique business model that focuses on business to business relationships. Christian has served on the League’s Executive Committee and in 2012 was named Executive of the Year for his work with the Bakersfield Jam and the NBA Development League. Christian’s past involvement with other Ellis Energy Investments include business development for Pyron Solar (makers of the world’s only floating CPV system), Reservoir Management Services (providers of well automation sensors for the Oil & Gas industry), and is a partner in Creative Method Technologies (which develops unique products for oil well management). His business management and market development experience is being utilized at Ellis Energy Investments to establish critical partnerships needed to bring new technologies to market.
Dr. Earl’s technical expertise is utilized within Ellis Energy Investments to identify emerging technologies with promising business potential. Duncan has over 20 years of experience developing optical technologies for both private businesses and government organizations. As a former staff member at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Dr. Earl was a researcher with ORNL’s Cyber Warfare group and Quantum Information Sciences team. During his 18 years with ORNL, Dr. Earl’s research focused on quantum encryption solutions and the integration of this technology with the emerging smart grid. He holds numerous patents and research publications and is the inventor of Qubitekk’s principle IP.
Dr. Earl is also the former founder and CEO of Sunlight Direct, Inc., an ORNL spin-off that commercialized a passive, fiber optic solution for delivering sunlight to the interior of commercial buildings to reduce energy consumption. Dr. Earl invented the technology, founded the company in 2004 and secured $1M in federal funding and $1.2M in private seed investment from the California-based Tech Coast Angels. He oversaw the evolution of the product from a laboratory prototype to a commercial product with over 80 installation sites before returning to ORNL in 2009.
For Ellis Energy Investments, Stephanie contributes her established expertise in transitioning products from an early R&D stage into efficient and cost effective manufacturing methods.
Stephanie serves as COO for Qubitekk, oversees the global manufacturing, supply chain and quality management of Reservoir Management Services products and runs the day-to-day operations of Pyron Solar. She has more than 15 years of manufacturing experience including manufacturing of UV/Electronic systems with focus on efficient automotive manufacturing solutions. Prior to Pyron Solar, Stephanie led the development of efficient, high quality and low cost production methods of premium commercial UV-radiation systems. She participated in a two year executive leadership program sponsored by Volkswagen.
Stephanie holds a BA degree in Economics from the University of Aachen, Germany, a BBA from the German Chamber of Industry and Commerce and a BA from the Professional College of Business Administration, Aachen, Germany.
Jerry Higdon serves as CFO of Ellis Energy Investments, Reservoir Management Services, Qubitekk, Pyron Solar, Bakersfield Jam Education Foundation and The Bakersfield Jam.
Jerry has diversified financial experience within the private sector. Prior to his current responsibilities, Jerry served as financial adviser for 16 years at Ameriprise Financial, the successor to American Express. Jerry has managed the finances of many businesses during periods of rapid growth, oversees how business decisions impact profitability and cash flow, and helps develop and implement plans for profitable growth. He has directed expansions and contractions of personnel, information systems, physical locations and working capital.
Brandon Martinez joined the Ellis Energy Investment team in 2012. Brandon began as an environmental adviser to Sierra Process Systems and now supports all of the Ellis Energy team efforts. Throughout the past two years he has overseen various projects for Ellis Energy ranging from sales to marketing to administrative. He currently serves as Manager of Field Operations for Reservoir Management Services. Brandon attended California State University Bakersfield and graduated with a degree in Business Administration.