By Paul Post
Dave Byrne’s deployment to Iraq and Kuwait gave him a first-hand appreciation for the need to promote energy independence and bolster national security through solar as a renewable resource.
“Without any formal business training or experience, I started working for a Hudson Valley-based solar company as a residential installer and worked my way up from there,” said Byrne, a West Point graduate. “Many years later, I decided to start Renua Energy, as I saw a need for certain customer-centric solutions and I enjoy building from the ground up.”
In 2018, he left his day job and threw himself full time into the fledging venture with just a handful of employees. Today, the South Glens Falls-based business has 14 workers and has successfully designed and permitted 31 community solar projects across upstate New York that offset the production of nearly 6.2 million tons of harmful carbon emissions.
In short, community solar is a large array of solar panels at an offsite location that allows customers to access such power without installing panels on their homes. Developers build and operate the projects, and energy delivery companies like National Grid purchase and distribute credits generated by the projects to participating customers.
Brown Brothers Automotive, an automotive sales, and repair shop in Hudson Falls, has hired Scott Seeley as a sales associate.
The Hyde Collection announced John Lefner as its new chief operations and development officer. He became the organization’s Chief development officer in January 2021 and will retain that position in addition to the newly formed role of chief of operations.
The Adirondack Thunder has hired Rob Lippolis as the team’s broadcaster and director of communications. 
