Stuart L. Smits
Chief Executive Officer
Stuart is a distinguished attorney with over three decades of expertise in complex business, real estate, and environmental issues. He co-founded what became the largest commercial real estate law firm in the Central Valley of California and has earned the highest Martindale-Hubbell AV rating for attorney ethics and expertise.
As a lifelong conservationist, he began following the renewable energy industry in the 1980s and became a partner in a Northern California solar water heating company. He is active in renewable energy policy, financial initiatives, and numerous natural resource and real estate development projects in California and Nevada.
He was part of a select committee that coordinated California’s participation at the United Nations’ World Environment Week, where Governor Schwarzenegger signed the California Greenhouse Gas Climate Initiatives. This led to the "Million Solar Roofs Initiative," a framework for commercial and residential roofs to be solar energy equipped.
Stuart founded Citizen Green Solutions to guide businesses through the maze of complex renewable energy initiatives on the local, state and national level. His multi-disciplined, solutions oriented approach helps clients “green their bottom line” as they transition to a renewable energy based economy.
He holds a BA degree History & Political Science from Tulane University and a law degree from California Western School of Law. He remains active with environmental groups, including Surfrider Foundation and Green Empowerment; which partners with rural communities in the developing world to implement renewable energy and water systems that alleviate poverty and preserve the environment.
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Owen J. Sullivan
Managing Partner
Owen is a real estate development executive with more then 35 years of experience in, large-scale real estate development/building projects which involve construction management, raising capital, budgeting, financing, land entitlement and environmental compliance. He has taken numerous projects from raw land to completed projects, overseeing every step on the way.
He started his development career with Pacific Scene, Inc. a San Diego based development firm, as a Senior Vice President/Division Manager, in charge of Northern California and Nevada multi-family operations. Pacific Scene was ranked 50th largest builder in the United States by Builder Magazine.
He started Northwest Land Company, Inc. in 1987 where he supervised all operations, including construction budgets, subcontractor contracts, land purchases as the company had annual sales of $20 million. He has developed and sold over 3,000 apartment units, 300 condos, 1,000 single family homes, 400,000 square feet of tilt up office industrial space and rehabed 400 apartment units.
His career highlights include developing and selling over $300 million in real estate, and being named “Builder of the Month” by Builder/Architect Magazine. He was a featured speaker at the National Multifamily Convention in Atlanta, GA. and Anahiem, CA. on numerous occations.
He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a double major in Real Estate Finance and Marketing, from the University of Southern California.
He has a California General Contractor's license and a California Real Estate Broker's license.
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Rob H. Smits
Chief Operating Officer
Rob manages the strategic business initiatives, partner development and ongoing tactical project operations of Citizen Green Solutions. He initiates and implements strategic alliance programs including strategy and business development, negotiating with equipment manufacturers, and general alliance agreements with industry partners. He was Director of Business Development for a Northern California solar manufacturing company prior to helping launch Citizen Green Solutions.
Rob focuses on Total Quality Management for turnkey commercial and industrial installations. He works closely with new clients in strategically planning their alternative energy systems and with project managers to oversee project development through completion. His experience in business has shaped his fundamental belief in the saying, “Quality is remembered long after the price is forgotten.”
He attended the University of Colorado at Boulder where he discovered a passion for the fast-paced growth of the green movement, and his entrepreneurial spirit.
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Jim DeFazio
Jim practiced public accounting with KPMG for several years and then opened his own firm in Sacramento. Jim was a lecturer on taxation matters for many years at the Community College and California State University level.
For over thirty years, he represented and counseled hundreds of business clients, including dozens of real estate owners and developers, in matters involving sophisticated financial and taxation issues. Since 1985, Jim has worked closely with CGS's Chief Executive, Stuart L. Smits, on significant business matters.
Jim adds tremendous skills and practical knowledge to CGS's ability to master all of the complex financial and tax implications of greening the bottom lines of our business clients.
He holds a B.S. in Business Administration from U.C. Berkeley, and an MBA in Taxation from Golden Gate University (SF).
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Jeff B. Taylor
Chief Information Officer
Jeff manages the vision, strategy and integration of information technology at Citizen Green Solutions. It is his responsibility to manage and govern the information systems and technology infrastructure of CGS. In addition, Jeff supports the leadership team with business development and strategic initiatives.
Formerly a financial advisor and investment executive with major financial firms, Jeff gained experience working with individuals and business owners to develop their financial strategies and make strategic investments. His background in technology was fostered working for Apple, Inc. and several small start ups in the technology field. He believes passionately in an innovative world where no accepted truth is infallible and no new idea is a bad one. His attitude is embodied in a quote by Steve Jobs, one of his business idols, "Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish".
Growing up in Seattle and studying at the University of Colorado, Boulder instilled Jeff with the idea that business, people and the environment could prosper together. In his spare time he enjoys traveling and getting involved in the community.
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Daniel J. Arendt
Director of Marketing
Dan has more than 18 years of experience in technology sales, marketing, and public relations. He has a passion for environmental causes and loves helping businesses owners understand and benefit from new technologies.
He co-founded BookingCenter, a property management software and Internet reservations company serving the hospitality industry. His leadership helped grow the business from start-up to over $1 million in revenue and more than 4,000 clients. Prior to BookingCenter, he provided web site strategy and implemented and managed state-of-the-art e-commerce solutions for Bay Area businesses.
His background includes marketing strategy and implementation for multiple software companies, an Internet Service Provider, an independent record label, and launching a new interactive television service in San Francisco’s top hotels.
His marketing skills were developed as a media planner and buyer at an advertising agency. He holds a BS degree in Communications from St. John’s University.
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John H. Cant
Regional Sales Director
John brings to the Citizen Green Solutions’ team 20 years of B2B experience, selling and overseeing financial lending operations for appliance installations in large scale building developments throughout Northern CA. His specialty in finance and project management helped drive long term profitability for both McPhail’s Appliance and their clients.
With solutions based training and dedication to customer service, John assisted property management companies and state-run facilities to identify and reduce energy needs. In developing a pilot program with PG&E for low income, multi- family development, he was instrumental in helping California’s HUD Housing Development reduce overall utility expenses by 30%.
As a long time Sonoma County resident, John’s relationships in the construction and commercial building industry continue to thrive. As Regional Sales Director, overseeing the commercial development division, John is uniquely qualified to champion your business’s energy efficiency and renewable energy conversions. John is also a big baseball fan and was a 'left and right hand' minor league pitcher, as well as a community little league manager.
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