Areas of Expertise:

Michael Ford leads the renewable energy business unit for Cascade Engineering, a manufacturer and marketer of sustainable products based in Grand Rapids, MI. In that capacity, Michael is responsible for commercializing new wind turbine, solar photovoltaic, and other distributed renewable energy technology. Michael is also the Founder and President of Choose Renewables, LLC (see www.ChooseRenewables.com) – a leading provider of renewable energy and energy efficiency content and commerce on the web.
Michael has worked in the energy industry for more than eight years. Previously, Michael served as the Chief Operating Officer of Mackinaw Power, a Michigan-based wind power development company. In that role, Michael helped to develop a 50+ MW wind power project in West Michigan which was subsequently sold to a larger wind power developer. Michael was also instrumental in Mackinaw Power’s ability to win a Power Purchase Agreement for wind energy from Consumers Energy. Prior to working at Mackinaw Power, Michael served as a consultant to the energy industry for Deloitte Consulting. While at Deloitte, Michael focused on providing corporate strategy and merger/acquisition counsel to large investor owned utilities. Michael’s client list includes several of the largest utilities in the United States: Xcel Energy, Exelon, Florida Power & Light, Entergy, and Public Service Company of New Mexico. Michael advised several of those clients regarding renewable energy technologies and market opportunities. Michael has a B.A. in Environmental Engineering and Economics from Rice University and a M.B.A. from Cornell University’s Johnson Graduate School of Management with a focus in Strategic Brand Management and Sustainable Global Enterprise.