“Building Sustainable, Efficient Futures through Leadership, Innovation, and Integrity”

Walt Bussells is an energy executive, strategic advisor, and private investor with over 45 years of professional experience leading utility infrastructure, clean energy innovation, and early-stage investment across North America. With a career marked by visionary leadership, technical insight, and a passion for cost-effective and sustainable development, Walt has earned a reputation as a forward-thinking executive committed to building smarter, more resilient, and more cost-effective energy systems.

Walt began his career at Jacksonville Electric Authority (JEA) in 1975, rising through the ranks over nearly three decades to ultimately serve as Chief Executive Officer. During his tenure, he transformed JEA into one of the nation’s largest and most progressive municipal utilities, championing operational excellence, long-term capital planning, and early adoption of emerging energy technologies. His leadership modernized the utility’s infrastructure and set a precedent for public-private partnerships and community-oriented energy strategies.

Following his tenure at JEA, Walt transitioned into private investment and advisory roles, bringing his deep utility expertise to the venture, private equity, and startup ecosystem. Since 2005, he has served as a board member, executive, and consultant for clean technology and early-stage infrastructure companies and projects, with a focus on clean energy, clean water, urban development, and microgrid deployment.

His core areas of expertise include energy and utility strategy and operations, strategic planning, mergers & acquisitions, program management, financial analysis, and cost-effective renewable energy deployment. Walt is widely recognized for his strength in due diligence, contract negotiation, and valuation—skills that have enabled him to successfully guide innovative projects and new technologies from concept to execution across both public and private sectors.

Throughout his career, Walt has remained deeply involved in industry thought leadership. He has delivered keynote speeches and led panels at major forums, including the 2025 North Carolina Energy Conference, where he addressed evolving trends in utility innovation, biogas utilization, and distributed generation.

Walt holds a degree from the University of North Florida, where he began building the foundation of his lifelong commitment to sustainable infrastructure. While he has not authored formal publications or patents, his real-world impact through leadership and investment is substantial, and he is regarded by peers as a mentor and industry influencer.

Now transitioning from major projects, Walt is actively seeking board roles where he can share his wealth of experience and insight. He is particularly interested in supporting smaller and early-stage companies in the energy, infrastructure, and sustainability sectors. A dedicated mentor, Walt is driven by a desire to help others grow, offer value through service, and be part of a collaborative environment focused on impact.

With a proven track record of success, a deep knowledge base, and a generous leadership style, Walt Bussells stands out as a highly qualified candidate for corporate, advisory, or nonprofit boards seeking expertise in energy systems, infrastructure, and strategic growth.

Knowledge:
With 45 years of experience in utilities, infrastructure, and clean technologies, Walt possesses deep domain expertise that spans both traditional and emerging sectors. His insight into complex systems makes him an invaluable advisor on everything from smart grids to municipal governance.

Strategic:
Walt’s ability to develop large-scale, sustainable initiatives stems from his mastery in long-range planning, cross-sector collaboration, and capital deployment. He consistently positions organizations for long-term success by aligning mission with market opportunity.

Communication:
Walt is a skilled communicator and public speaker who excels at articulating technical concepts to diverse audiences. His collaborative leadership style fosters alignment among stakeholders, from municipal boards to private sector partners.