Investment Team
Our Three-Pronged Approach
- An experienced investment team with decades of expertise across technology and leadership in global financial institutions
- Partnerships with scientific experts in physics and technology, focused on power generation and transmission and distribution
- Partnerships with regulatory and policy experts across energy and technology to navigate complex markets and support commercialization
John Thain
Experienced financial executive with a distinguished career on Wall Street. Former President of Goldman Sachs, CEO of Merrill Lynch and NYSE Euronext. Known for his leadership during the 2008 financial crisis. Brings extensive expertise in capital markets, corporate governance, and financial strategy to Pine Island’s investment approach.
Phil Cooper
Seasoned private equity investor and multiple-time technology entrepreneur with decades of experience in deal sourcing, due diligence, and value creation. Previously held senior roles at top-tier private equity firms including Founding Partner of Goldman Sachs Private Equity Group. Expertise spans multiple industries, with a focus on industrial and technology sectors. Skilled in operational improvements and strategic growth initiatives.
Wm. Russell Mann, PhD
Charles Bridge
David Cohen Tanugi, PhD
Technology executive with a background in venture creation, climate tech, and deep tech commercialization. Led fusion ventures at MIT’s Proto Ventures, launching startups and guiding scientists through commercialization. Co-founded a connected hardware startup and led smart devices at a Series D climate tech firm. Ph.D. from MIT; research cited 2,400+ times. Brings technical leadership to Pine Island’s innovation strategy.
Madeleine Libero
Private equity professional with a focus on ESG and global economics. Experience includes Morgan Stanley, U.S. State Department Diplomacy Lab, and American University’s ESG Fund. Specialized in client initiatives and investment analysis. Holds a BA in International Relations, with a concentration in global economics and foreign policy.
Courtney Koczka
Investor Relations professional with 8+ years of experience in private equity, real estate, and non-profits. Specialized in communications, operations, and development. Experience building IR teams and supporting fundraising at VIDA Capital Partners and USAA Real Estate. BS in Business Management (FIT), MBA from Warwick Business School.
Special Partners
Justin Wark, PhD
Oxford Physics Professor specializing in Inertial Confinement Fusion and dense plasmas. Serves on the Peer Review Committee for the US National Ignition Facility, which recently achieved fusion gain. Principal Director of the Oxford Centre for High Energy Density Science. Brings deep expertise in plasma physics and fusion research.
Chris Mowry
CEO of Type One Energy, with over 30 years of global leadership in energy and infrastructure, spanning private equity, venture-backed startups, and multinational energy firms. Formerly led General Fusion and founded mPower, a pioneering nuclear SMR technology firm. Holds degrees in engineering and science from Swarthmore and Drexel, and chairs the Fusion Task Force of the Sustainable Markets Initiative.
Sir Ian Chapman, PhD
Fusion energy expert and current CEO of UK Research and Innovation. Former CEO of the UK Atomic Energy Authority, the world’s largest fusion R&D organization. Holds numerous advisory roles across the fusion sector and chairs the IAEA’s fusion research council. A Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering and the Royal Society, he brings deep technical insight and extensive global networks.
Holger Koehler
Executive with deep expertise in building and growing new businesses, spanning leadership roles in strategy, corporate, and business development at emerging technology startups including Electra and Factorial Energy. Former Associate Partner at Monitor Group and Managing Director at Accenture, advising Fortune 500 clients on due diligence, business model optimization, and fundraising.
Government and Regulatory Partners
Sydney McNiff Johnson
President of Galena Strategies LLC and expert in energy and nuclear policy with 30+ years advising governments and industry. Serves as a technical expert for the U.S. Trade and Development Agency and Vice-Chair of the U.S. Nuclear Industry Council’s International and Finance Working Group. Former SVP at USEC, where she led nuclear disarmament talks with Russia. Brings deep experience in climate, energy, and security policy.
Bart Gordon
Former U.S. Congressman for Tennessee with 26 years in the House. Chaired the House Committee on Science and Technology, authoring the America COMPETES Act. Senior member of the Energy and Commerce Committee and recipient of the Officier de la Légion d’Honneur for his service.
Dan Brouillette
Former U.S. Secretary of Energy, with over 30 years in energy, infrastructure, and finance leadership. Oversaw a $54B portfolio covering energy, science, and national security. Later led Sempra Infrastructure, a top U.S. LNG exporter, and the Edison Electric Institute, representing utilities serving 250M Americans. Held senior roles at Ford and USAA. Offers deep knowledge of energy markets, development, and investment strategy.
