Photon’s management team includes executives with extensive expertise in structured finance, distributed real estate portfolio management, electricity rate analysis, and photovoltaic system design and construction. Key managers include:

Reid Rutherford, Founder and CEO
Reid Rutherford has more than 34 years of business management, finance and venture capital experience. His career has been marked by combining new technologies with innovative financing structures to serve unmet needs. Reid has founded several Silicon Valley finance and technology companies, including: eFinance Corporation, a pioneer of online credit delivery services; Concord Growth Corporation, which grew to become one of the largest independent California commercial finance companies; and Research Applications for Management, a provider of decision support software for transit agencies throughout North America. He received a MBA from Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business in Palo Alto, Calif. and a BA in Religion and Philosophy from Pepperdine University in Malibu, Calif.

Dustin Keele, Co-Founder and Executive Vice President
Dustin Keele co-founded Photon in 2006 to create the financial technology needed to deploy cost-effective renewable energy power plants in the U.S. His work on financial and rate analysis models have enabled Photon to generate more than $40 MM in solar funding through Power Purchase Agreements and Bonds.  Dustin served as an advisor to the California Energy Commission for the 2011 Integrated Energy Policy Report.  He spoke at the 2010 and 2011 InterSolar Conferences, casting a vision to create “Solar as an Asset Class” in the U.S.  Dustin serves on the Finance Committee for SolarTech, an industry consortium responsible for creating standardized solar documentation and permitting processes.   Prior to joining Photon, Dustin developed award-winning sales and marketing automation systems for emerging companies and managed nationwide commercial real estate portfolios for publicly traded corporations. He received a BBA, magna cum laude, from Southern Methodist University’s Cox School of Business.

Ian Rutherford, Solar Energy Analyst
Ian Rutherford works closely with management, strategic partners, and key accounts to create mutually beneficial relationships that broaden business development at Photon Energy Services. As the lead Southern California representative, he is responsible for the success of several high-profile West coast projects. In addition to leading Photon’s marketing efforts, Ian has developed a comprehensive sales package that has helped bring Photon to the forefront of the Southern California solar industry. Prior to joining Photon, Ian worked at Blue Cow Creative and CarryOn Communication. Rutherford holds a BA from Pepperdine University.



Paul Standen, Solar Energy Analyst
Paul Standen brings nearly a decade of accounting, finance and tax management experience to Photon.  As a solar analyst, Paul is responsible for the design and costing of commercial solar electric systems.  He works with Photon customers to evaluate how they use energy and identifies the most appropriate technical and material solutions to help them optimize the financial and environmental benefits of solar power.  Prior to Photon, Paul served as controller and director of High School Ministries in Los Altos, Calif., where he managed all accounting and tax functions, including: preparation of monthly financial statements, annual budgets, payroll and tax reporting.  He also served as a state and local tax consultant for Delloite & Touche, LLP with key clients including Calpine, Robert Half International, Vodafone, and URS.  Paul received a BBA in Accounting from The Master's College in Santa Clarita, Calif.