About Us

Resilient Energi was formed on Earth Day with a mission to help create a climate-resilient world powered by net zero renewable energy that is affordable for all.

We build, own, and operate Resilient Energi Net Zero power plants through partnerships that provide urgently needed solutions to the climate crisis.

Based in Nashville,TN, Resilient Energi is rapidly expanding its operations through corporate and government partnerships across the United States and soon in Europe, Africa, Latin America, Asia-Pacific and the Caribbean.

Resilient Energi

Leadership

Phil Cullom

Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer

After many years in operational command of ships, Expeditionary Groups and 8,000 member Carrier Strike Groups, he led two Navy wide Task Forces, one on Energy and the other on Innovation. Cullom holds a BS in Physics with Distinction from the U.S. Naval Academy, an MBA with Distinction from the Harvard Business School, and completed additional Executive Education at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, MIT’s Sloan School of Management and UNC’s Keenan Flagler Business School.

Phil Trotter

Co-Founder & Chief Strategy Officer

As Regional VP at Vulcan Materials Company, he grew divisional sales from $116M to $440M in five years. As a member of the Vulcan Merger & Acquisition team he helped Vulcan achieve $850M in sales growth through major acquisitions and increased market share. Trotter received a Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Tennessee.

Greg Smith

Chief Technology Officer

He developed a cradle to grave disposal solution for the Class I Railroad’s creosote treated railroad ties. This process remains the primary disposal method used today. Mr. Smith’s experience also includes developing and operating high temperature pyrolysis systems. Mr. Smith has engineering degrees in Architecture, Structures, and Environment from the University of Kansas. Mr. Smith holds two patents in mechanical systems and polymers.

Raymond Chavez

Director, Development & Partnerships

This work includes project design, strategic planning, public-private partnerships, multi-donor investment fund development, and multimedia communication programs. He has worked on these public–private programs in the U.S., Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Latin America, the Middle East and the Pacific. Chavez received a Masters Degree in Environmental Planning from Harvard University and studied at New York University, Graduate School of Film.

Our Lead Investor

Virya LLC

Resilient Energi’s founding investor is Virya, LLC, supporters of new ventures with high potential to eliminate global greenhouse gas emissions. Virya is led by visionary impact investors Chris Anderson, the leader of the TED organization, Juan Enriques, Stephen Petranek, and Solomon Goldstein-Rose. The Virya team is helping Resilient Energi secure additional investors and finance for the rapid scale-up of Resilient Energi power plants across the U.S. and internationally.

Chris Anderson

Chris Anderson is known for his leadership of the TED organization, which recently created the global COUNTDOWN climate change initiative. Through the Audacious Project, Chris has raised over $1 Billion for impact-driven projects.

Juan Enriquez

Juan Enriquez is the managing director of Excel Venture Management, and helped found Synthetic Genomics. A biotech expert and futurist, Enriquez is the author of Right/Wrong: How Technology Transforms Our Ethics.

Stephen Petranek

As the Operating Partner of Ocean Zero LLC, Stephen Petranek invests in innovative companies that can make a breakthrough difference in decarbonizing the world’s oceans, rivers and lakes. He is an Investment Advisor for Virya LLC, the lead investor with Resilient Energi. Petranek is the former editor of The Washington Post Magazine, science editor at Life Magazine and editor-in-chief of Discover Magazine.

Solomon Goldstein-Rose

Solomon Goldstein-Rose was the youngest Massachusetts legislator when he was elected at age 22. He served for two years before focusing full-time on climate change. More recently, he synthesized a framework on global climate change solutions in his book, The 100% Solution: A Plan for Solving Climate Change.

Collaboration & Partnerships

Resilient Energi is committed to achieving net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions before 2050. We will accomplish this through collaboration and strategic partnerships with governments, corporations, and non-government organizations (NGOs).

Resilient Energi supports the United Nations Paris Agreement to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, compared to pre-industrial levels. Countries need to reach net zero GHG emissions before 2050.

Through our strategic partnerships, Resilient Energi supports government and corporate climate action around the world to achieve this milestone.

Key U.S. and international government and corporate initiatives supported by Resilient Energi include:

Climate Change Programs

Resilient Energi was established in 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee to meet the highest standards of social, environmental and legal performance to balance profit and purpose.

We are committed to accelerating a global shift to redefine success in business and build a more inclusive, climate resilient and sustainable economy.