SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, Generate Capital, a leading sustainable investment and operating company, announced the appointment of William (“Bill”) Sonneborn as President. Mr. Sonneborn is a seasoned executive and investor who brings nearly three decades of leadership experience helping scale the world’s leading alternative investment and asset management firms including KKR, EIG, TCW, and the IFC. Mr. Sonneborn has an extensive background investing across multiple asset classes and industries, including sustainable infrastructure, energy and disruptive technologies. In his new role, Mr. Sonneborn joins the executive team at Generate to build upon the company’s market leadership and to further Generate’s ability to serve the many stakeholders required for the net-zero transition.
“We are absolutely thrilled to expand our management team with Bill, who is among the most well-regarded investment professionals in the energy and finance industries,” said Scott Jacobs, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Generate Capital. “Bill’s leadership, insights, trusted relationships and decades of experience working across a wide spectrum of alternative investments will help fuel our continued growth, as we capitalize on our enormous opportunity and continue to advance the sustainable investing and infrastructure categories. We have always emphasized that having the best people is the key to delivering on our mission, our values and our vision of true system change, and Bill is the latest example of the top talent we have been able to bring together to scale our impact.”
“Bill is a proven and distinguished investor in sustainable infrastructure and a proven executive from top investment firms; we look forward to Bill helping Generate advance our objectives as a public benefit corporation,” said Richard Kauffman, Chair of the Board for Generate Capital. “The Board is confident that Bill is a strong complement to Scott and the Generate executive team to build upon the company’s highly differentiated platform and continue the company’s momentum.”
“I am honored and excited to join Generate Capital, a true first-mover that has built an enduring one-stop-shop for the Infrastructure Transition,” said Mr. Sonneborn, President of Generate. “While I already appreciated Generate’s market position and the opportunity available for providing sustainable, reliable and affordable resources, I have been incredibly impressed by the quality and diversity of the people and capabilities that Generate has mobilized to address it comprehensively. The chance to capitalize upon that foundation and to expand Generate’s reach is tremendously compelling. I look forward to helping drive Generate’s future investment strategies and working alongside this talented team of visionaries to support companies, cities and communities in facing the world’s most pressing challenges.”
Mr. Sonneborn joins Generate from the IFC, where he served as Global Director of Disruptive Technologies, Creative Industries and Funds and Chair of the Investment Committee, overseeing $7.5 billion in investments in his four years there. Prior to joining the IFC, he was President of EIG Global Energy Partners where he helped expand EIG’s investment strategies across the capital structure, served on all its investment committees, several boards and helped substantially grow the firm. He also served as CEO of KKR Asset Management and KKR Financial Corporation, as well as a partner and member of the Management Committee of KKR. As CEO, Mr. Sonneborn helped diversify KKR’s investment strategies away from control private equity and launched its private credit business. Mr. Sonneborn also served as the President and COO of TCW, as well as the CEO of TCW Funds. Mr. Sonneborn is currently Chairman of the Board of the St. Albans School, as well as a member of the board of Georgetown University and the Global Private Capital Association.
Today’s milestone comes in a year of significant growth for Generate Capital, which has emerged as a one-stop-shop for the infrastructure transition and a market leader in sustainable power, mobility, waste, water, smart cities and agriculture. With over $8 billion in capital raised since its inception, Generate has invested over $6 billion in sustainable infrastructure, including $2 billion in 2022 alone. As of September 2023, Generate has helped produce over 320GWh of renewable power and process more than 715Kt of organic waste year-to-date through its 50+ partners, 2,000+ customers and integrated circular economy platform, Generate Upcycle.
About Generate Capital
Generate Capital, PBC is a leading sustainable investment and operating company driving the infrastructure transition. Generate builds, owns, operates and finances clean energy, transportation, water, waste, agriculture and digital infrastructure. Founded in 2014, Generate has partnered with over 50 technology and project developers and owns and operates more than 2,000 assets globally. Generate is the one-stop-shop offering pioneers of the infrastructure revolution tailored funding and support needed to get projects built. The company’s Infrastructure-as-a-Service model delivers affordable, reliable and sustainable resources to thousands of customers, companies, communities, school districts and universities. Together, we are rebuilding the world. For more information, please visit www.generatecapital.com.
