John Merrill

I create images to evoke wonder and wanderlust, inspire action, build businesses, and strengthen communities. Specialties include travel and adventure photography, and telling the stories of the vital work of non-profits. Represented by Getty Images and Danita Delimont, and have been featured in National Geographic Traveler, other magazines, books, and websites around the world. My wife, Lisa Merrill, and I enjoy helping others cultivate their creativity via private coaching, workshops and international photo tours (including Vietnam, Cuba, Ecuador and Panama).

Scope 5 provides smart analytics for sustainability through a cloud-based data capture and analysis platform. We help companies set sustainability goals, track progress, reveal waste and drive action. Recent changes to the methodology for inventorying greenhouse gases now arm organizations with the information they need to bring market pressure to bear on their providers to green energy supplies. I advise clients on Scope 2 carbon emissions reporting, and renewable energy credits and power purchase agreements to meet carbon impact reduction goals.

Advisor to clean energy companies. Advise on strategic partnering, project development and project finance. Specialist in structuring power purchase agreements to maximize electricity sales and environmental attribute certificate revenue for project owners.

Partner in organization which strengthens non-profits tackling our community’s greatest challenges and invests in education and the environment by increasing the capacity of social impact organizations to do good. On the Environmental Grant Committee, performed diligence on and helped award multi-year grants to non-profits offering collaborative solutions to ensure that everyone lives and works in a healthy environment. Recruit coaches and coach for annual Fast Pitch program, a business training and pitch competition for social innovators and secured probono consulting resources for SVP Fast Pitch winners.

Worked with fellow board members to develop strategy for continued growth of cleantech angel investor group. Led rebranding and outreach efforts, generated dealflow and conducted due diligence on deals. Element 8 members have invested over $29M in 74 cleantech startups since 2006.

Investor in first cohort of Seattle Foundation donor-advised fund owners making pooled mission investments to stimulate large commercial building energy retrofits in downtown Seattle.

Developed utility-scale solar facilities. Responsible for de-risking projects through site selection and control, permitting, interconnection, oversight of design, power purchase agreement negotiation, REC sales and financial structuring and modeling. Managed project development team including real estate professionals, solar engineers, interconnection specialists and attorneys. Built project pipeline of over 25 megawatts of which 17 MW are operating.

Acquired and remodeled single-family homes using recycled, sustainable and low-toxicity materials. Hired and led team of home designers, builders and tradesmen.

Screened deal flow and conducted due diligence for angel fund focused on triple-bottom-line seed investments in alternative energy, energy efficiency and conservation startups.

Developed $25M planned community. Responsible for construction management, community relations, regulatory approvals and project finance. Supervised outside consultant team and cultivated relationships with City of Issaquah and single and multi-family builders.

Summa Cum Laude