James A. Hughes

Mr. Hughes, age 58, is a resident of Houston, Texas, and is a Managing Partner of Encap Investments L.P. focusing on investing in power and renewables since September 2019. He formerly served as CEO and Managing Director of Prisma Energy Capital LLC, a private entity focused on investments in energy storage, from 2017 until its acquisition by Encap Investments L.P. in September 2019. He is the former CEO and director (2012-2016) of First Solar, Inc., a NASDAQ-listed provider of comprehensive photovoltaic solar energy solutions. Mr. Hughes also served as CEO and director (2007-2011) of AEI Services LLC, a private company that owned and operated power distribution, power generation (both thermal and renewable), natural gas transportation and services, and natural gas distribution businesses in emerging markets worldwide. He served as President and CEO (2002-2004) of Prisma Energy International, which was formed out of former Enron interests in international electric and natural gas utilities. Prior to that role, Mr. Hughes spent almost a decade with Enron corporations in positions that included President and Chief Operating Officer of Enron Global Assets; President and Chief Operating Officer of Enron Asia, Pacific, Africa and China; and as Assistant General Counsel of Enron International.

He currently serves as a director of Alcoa Corporation (2016-present), a NYSE-listed global industry leader in the production of bauxite, alumina and aluminum, where he serves as a member of its audit committee and safety, sustainability and public issues committee; and TPI Composites Inc. (2015-present), a NASDAQ-listed manufacturer of composite wind blades for wind turbines and composite products for the transportation market, where he serves as a member of its audit committee. Mr. Hughes is the former chairman and director of the Los Angeles Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco. He is currently a member of the Energy Advisory Committee of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. Mr. Hughes holds a J.D. from the University of Texas at Austin School of Law, a Certificate of Completion in international business law from Queen Mary’s College, University of London and a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Southern Methodist University.

Mr. Hughes’ qualifications to serve as a director include his extensive experience in the energy industry, particularly with respect to the renewable energy sector, which give him important financial, regulatory, sustainability and environmental insights. In addition, his previous senior leadership positions and directorships at large public energy and utility companies and service on the board of the federal reserve bank branch provide valuable business, financial, risk management, cybersecurity, regulatory, governance and operational and management expertise.