Experience & Leadership

Tony Clifford, Chief Executive Officer

Since 2007 Mr. Clifford has led Standard Solar’s rapid growth into a nationally known PV developer/ EPC. Mr. Clifford began his career at Solarex Corporation, later acquired by British Petroleum and known as BP Solar. Throughout his career, Mr. Clifford has served as chief executive officer or chief financial officer of three high growth technology companies that were acquired by major corporations. He is an elected board member of the national Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), serves on SEIA’s Executive Committee and is also the president of the regional chapter of SEIA, MDV-SEIA.  Mr. Clifford is the author of a DOE report entitled Tax-Advantaged Investments in Renewable Energy Projects; and received a “Special Achievement Award for Technology Demonstration” from the U. S. Secretary of Energy. He was awarded the 2011 Industry Leader Award by the Maryland Clean Energy Center (MCEC), for his contributions to the advancement of solar and other clean energy resources in the state. Mr. Clifford earned his MBA at University of Virginia’s Darden School and his undergraduate degree at Penn State. 

Song H. Yi, Chief Financial Officer

Mr. Yi is a seasoned CFO with an extensive background in developing corporate strategies, raising capital, cutting costs and driving profit margins. Prior to joining Standard Solar, he served as Chief Financial Officer for Magellan Resources Group, an alternative energy investment company with more than $500 million in annual revenue and several notable investors including Morgan Stanley and Shell Oil. At Magellan, Mr. Yi raised $1.06 billion in equity for a synthetic fuel project and developed a financial model that raised $600 million in equity for a 264-megawatt wind farm in West Virginia. Prior to these positions, Mr. Yi spent his early career at Deloitte & Touche, LLP. Mr. Yi earned his MBA at the University of Virginia’s Darden Graduate School of Business Administration. His undergraduate degree is from the University of Maryland.

Rick Berube, EVP, Vice President of Operations

Mr. Berube has an extensive background in supply chain operations, procurement, contracting and program management. Prior to joining Standard Solar, Mr. Berube managed all aspects of a $200M+ annual budget in support of the Navy’s Trident II (D5) Fleet Ballistic Missile Program at Charles Stark Draper Laboratory. Previously, Mr. Berube taught Military Science and Leadership Development at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University. Additionally, he served in many staff and command positions as an Aviation Officer in the United States Army. Mr. Berube is a Program Management Professional who earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the United States Military Academy and a Masters of Business Administration degree from Boston College’s Carroll School of Business.

Keith Black, Vice President, Sales and Marketing

Mr. Black has more than 20 years of experience with Fortune 500 organizations, using his combination of sales and operations expertise, energy business relationship development, channel development, and solutions management to guide companies through start-ups, change and challenge to profitable growth. Prior to joining Standard Solar, Mr. Black was Vice President and General Manager of Sales for Constellation Energy, where he created strategic roadmaps to build strong and sustainable sales channels in emerging and static markets. Previous positions included Director of Energy Operations for Northeast Utilities' deregulated energy business, Select Energy, and Vice President, Sales and Operations for Pittsburgh-based VP Energy, Inc. Mr. Black is recognized for his strong leadership skills, driving sales organizations to develop a deep knowledge of products, services and sales skills that translate into robust sales pipelines and revenue increases. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Business from Robert Morris University.

Stuart Soberman, General Counsel

Mr. Soberman, Standard Solar General Counsel, is an experienced attorney with a broad background in supporting the operational needs of fast growing businesses in both the public and private sectors. He has served as the General Counsel for companies in the technology, software, alternative energy, medical staffing and pharmacy industries, handling all aspects of contracting, corporate governance, human resources, compliance and litigation management, and providing legal support to all areas of the organization. Prior to joining Standard Solar, he served as General Counsel for Maxim Healthcare Services, a nationwide provider of healthcare staffing and home care services with more than $1 billion in annual revenue.  Mr. Soberman earned his Juris Doctor degree from The George Washington University’s National Law Center, and his undergraduate degree from Emory University.