Board of Directors
We are proud to introduce the distinguished Board of Directors of the Association for Renewable Energy Producers (APER), a dedicated group of industry leaders committed to advancing sustainable energy solutions in Puerto Rico. Each member of our board brings a wealth of expertise and a shared vision for driving innovation in renewable energy. We invite you to meet our board and discover how their leadership is shaping the future of clean, renewable power. Join us in fostering a more sustainable and energy-efficient tomorrow.
Julián Herencia
Executive Director
Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Julian earned his Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from Princeton University, and master’s degrees in Manufacturing Engineering and Business Administration from Boston University. His professional career has led him to occupy operational leadership positions in companies such as Honeywell, Baxter, Covidien (now Medtronic) and Microsoft, where transcendental operational transformations were achieved.
Julián Herencia
Executive Director
Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Julian earned his Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from Princeton University, and master’s degrees in Manufacturing Engineering and Business Administration from Boston University. His professional career has led him to occupy operational leadership positions in companies such as Honeywell, Baxter, Covidien (now Medtronic), and Microsoft, where transcendental operational transformations were achieved. Founded Caribbean Energy Savings, Inc. (CES), a company dedicated to energy efficiency and has been operating in Puerto Rico for more than 20 years. As a subject matter expert, CES, Inc. has significantly reduced energy consumption at its customers’ facilities and has installed energy efficiency projects across the island, United States, and Mexico. Julian’s commitment to fight climate change led him to become the Executive Director of The Renewable Energy Producers Association (APER). He has been a strong advocate for the development of the renewable energy industry in PR, and actively supported the enactment of transformational laws related to energy and energy portfolio standards in PR.
Mario Tomasini
President
A highly recognized Puerto Rican entrepreneur with more than 25 years of professional experience, Mr. Tomasini is one of the top executive leaders in the field of renewable energy development. In 2009, he co-founded CIRO Energy Group and has been instrumental in developing some of the largest distributed generation and utility-scale solar projects on the island.
Mario Tomasini
President
A highly recognized Puerto Rican entrepreneur with more than 25 years of professional experience, Mr. Tomasini is one of the top executive leaders in the field of renewable energy development. In 2009, he co-founded CIRO Energy Group and has been instrumental in developing some of the largest distributed generation and utility-scale solar projects on the island.
Mr. Tomasini has overseen the development and consulting for projects exceeding 365 MW in Puerto Rico, the United States, and Latin America. He has been pivotal in the establishment of a significant renewable energy asset portfolio, which includes the largest photovoltaic project with a battery energy storage system in the Caribbean, CIRO One Salinas. Currently, he is immersed in advanced technology integration for micro-grid solutions, sustainable smart cities and community-related initiatives. This focus showcases his commitment to advancing renewable energy across various sectors.
Previously, Mr. Tomasini has provided consulting services to government and private entities regarding financial and operational matters, mergers and acquisitions, corporate and business process restructuring, compliance with state and federal regulations, and project management, among other initiatives that aim to enhance profitability and value creation. He has also served as an auditor and financial analyst for wholesale, retail, and financial services companies.
His educational background includes two bachelor's degrees in Accounting and Finance and master’s degree in International Commerce from the University of Puerto Rico, and a Financial Management Certification from Cornell University.
He is an active member of the board of the Renewable Energy Producers Association (APER)
Jesús Bolinaga
Vice President
Mr. Bolinaga is the current president of AES Puerto Rico, a company that consists of a Thermal Plant and a Solar Plant in Guayama, which generate 524 MW of capacity, equivalent to up to 25% of the energy consumed in Puerto Rico. Committed to the island's energy transition, AES PR is developing and building a 200 MW solar plant and a 200 MW/4-hour energy storage system awarded in Tranche 1, which is expected to come into operation by the end of 2025.
Jesús Bolinaga
Vice President
Mr. Bolinaga is the current president of AES Puerto Rico, a company that consists of a Thermal Plant and a Solar Plant in Guayama, which generate 524 MW of capacity, equivalent to up to 25% of the energy consumed in Puerto Rico. Committed to the island's energy transition, AES PR is developing and building a 200 MW solar plant and a 200 MW/4-hour energy storage system awarded in Tranche 1, which is expected to come into operation by the end of 2025.
With more than 25 years of experience in the electricity sector, Mr. Bolinaga has held management positions in more than ten companies in the energy sector in seven different countries. He has managed energy production companies of different technologies such as natural gas, coal, oil fuel, wind, sun and biomass. In addition, through the use of energy efficiency, he implemented changes in the production of steam, hot and cold water for the tourism industry in the Dominican Republic. Also, he led the production of carbon credits with more than 1,500 biodigesters and a landfill in Mexico, Brazil and El Salvador.
Mr. Bolinaga led the transformation of the Bavaro-Punta Cana company into an intelligent and fully digital distributor (Smart Grid), providing benefits to customers, the environment and generating significant savings for the company.
He holds a Master of Business Administration from Bournemoth University in England. He is married and the father of 3 young adults.
Adrian Stella
Treasurer
Mr. Adrian Stella Arroyo has served as the Stella Group's President and Chief Executive Officer since 1990. With 30 years of experience in the real estate sector and responsible for the overall leadership and day-to-day management of the Stella Group, Mr. Stella has been instrumental in identifying and the successful pursuit of strategic opportunities that have led to the consistent growth of the Stella Group. His efforts resulted in the successful completion of multiple real estate developments and the prosperous administration of a diversified portfolio of commercial and residential properties.
Adrian Stella
Treasurer
Mr. Adrian Stella Arroyo has served as the Stella Group's President and Chief Executive Officer since 1990. With 30 years of experience in the real estate sector and responsible for the overall leadership and day-to-day management of the Stella Group, Mr. Stella has been instrumental in identifying and the successful pursuit of strategic opportunities that have led to the consistent growth of the Stella Group. His efforts resulted in the successful completion of multiple real estate developments and the prosperous administration of a diversified portfolio of commercial and residential properties.
Mr. Stella’s responsibilities as President of the company include strategic planning, the overall management of legal, accounting, government affairs, and executive-level activities for all projects. As part of the Stella Group team, he has overseen more than a dozen successful real estate developments, providing hands-on supervisory services to each project as General Manager. Mr. Stella studied Business and Finance at Jacksonville University in Jacksonville, Florida.
Daniel Fuller
Secretary
Daniel Fuller is the CEO of Coqui Power LLC (Coqui Power), a Puerto Rico-based development, engineering, procurement, construction, operations, and maintenance firm focused on generation, capacity, and transmission infrastructure assets. The firm is dedicated to accelerating the deployment of critical U.S. energy infrastructure, prioritizing the use of domestically manufactured products to strengthen U.S. energy dominance.
Daniel Fuller
Secretary
Daniel Fuller is the CEO of Coqui Power LLC (Coqui Power), a Puerto Rico-based development, engineering, procurement, construction, operations, and maintenance firm focused on generation, capacity, and transmission infrastructure assets. The firm is dedicated to accelerating the deployment of critical U.S. energy infrastructure, prioritizing the use of domestically manufactured products to strengthen U.S. energy dominance.
Prior to Coqui Power, Mr. Fuller founded and led Wholesale Power Services LLC, a structured finance advisory firm in U.S. wholesale power markets. Prior to that, he headed business development at Customized Energy Solutions Ltd (CES), a global consulting and trading firm. At CES, he oversaw power market analysis and directed commercial advisory for utilities, retailers, generation asset owners, investors, and technology companies. Earlier in his career, he founded and sold an investment management platform and managed a cleantech subsidiary of Ranch Capital LLC. He began his career as an investment banking analyst with Morgan Stanley.
Mr. Fuller holds a B.A. from Princeton University.
Leslie Hufstetler
President Ex-Oficio
Leslie Hufstetler is the President & CEO of Infinigen Renewables, a leading, Puerto Rico based Independent Power Producer (IPP) that develops, constructs owns and operates utility scale solar energy and energy storage facilities.
Leslie Hufstetler
President Ex-Oficio
Leslie Hufstetler is the President & CEO of Infinigen Renewables, a leading, Puerto Rico based Independent Power Producer (IPP) that develops, constructs owns and operates utility scale solar energy and energy storage facilities.
Mr. Hufstetler has led the Infinigen team for nearly fifteen years and has over 30 years of leadership experience in the renewable energy and communications industries. Together with the Infinigen team, he has developed over 200MW of solar and energy storage projects. Infinigen owns and operates two utility scale facilities on the Island and is currently in construction of a 41.2 MW solar facilty and 50MW energy storage system in Yabucoa.
He leads a team of over 30 professionals in the development, asset management, engineering, operations and finance funtions. Mr. Hufstetler is also the past Chairman of the Board of the Asociación de Productores de Energía Renovable (APER).
Oscar Velázquez
Director
Oscar Velazquez is the Facility Manager for Pattern Santa Isabel in Puerto Rico. Oscar is responsible for the 95-megawatt Windfarm along with its 44 Siemens 2.3MWs turbines and supporting staff. He oversees day-to-day operations, Maintenance Oversight, Performance Monitoring, Budget and Resource Management, Regulatory Compliance, Stakeholders Communications and Health and Safety.
Oscar Velázquez
Director
Oscar Velazquez is the Facility Manager for Pattern Santa Isabel in Puerto Rico. Oscar is responsible for the 95-megawatt Windfarm along with its 44 Siemens 2.3MWs turbines and supporting staff. He oversees day-to-day operations, Maintenance Oversight, Performance Monitoring, Budget and Resource Management, Regulatory Compliance, Stakeholders Communications and Health and Safety.
With over 20 years of experience in construction, oil and gas and renewable industry. He holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering with a master’s degree in engineering management from the Puerto Rico Polytechnic University and active member of the Puerto Rico Professional College of Engineers and Land Surveyors.
Fernando Martínez
Director
Fernando serves as Convergent’s Deputy General Counsel and leads the company’s efforts in Puerto Rico. Fernando is committed to advancing the clean energy transition and brings experience as a transactional lawyer in which he has advised on project finance and infrastructure transactions throughout the Americas and Europe.
Fernando Martínez
Director
Fernando serves as Convergent’s Deputy General Counsel and leads the company’s efforts in Puerto Rico. Fernando is committed to advancing the clean energy transition and brings experience as a transactional lawyer in which he has advised on project finance and infrastructure transactions throughout the Americas and Europe.
Ignacio Díaz
Director
30 + year career as a thought leader and expert in the ENERGY Infrastructure and Communications Industries. Ignacio is a technology savvy commercial leader who demonstrates the unique ability to understand and seamlessly integrate new technology and innovation in energy infrastructure, illumination & controls, and telecommunications markets.
Oscar Velázquez
Director
30 + year career as a thought leader and expert in the ENERGY Infrastructure and Communications Industries. Ignacio is a technology savvy commercial leader who demonstrates the unique ability to understand and seamlessly integrate new technology and innovation in energy infrastructure, illumination & controls, and telecommunications markets.
Currently directs all commercial activities Glenn International Inc., in San Juan, PR and Caribbean region.
Leadership role with the Puerto Rico government on the task force that dealt with the emergency re-establishment of the Telecommunications services immediately following hurricane Maria in 2017.
Passionate about energy efficiency and renewable energy sources which are essential to the survival of the Caribbean region’s economies. Professional trainer for Illumination and controls drawing on 30 years of experience with product innovation, project design and integration. Visionary, emcee, and keynote speaker at the ENERGY Conference (Caribbean-wide) series sponsored and hosted by Glenn International.
Early adopter and promoter of electric vehicle technology and infrastructure needed to support worldwide deployment. Currently an active Advisor for the PR-100 team, collaborating with the transition of energy generation in Puerto Rico to 100 percent renewables by 2050. Actively defining and specifying requirements for upgrades for Electric Vehicle charging infrastructure.
BS Degree in Finance and MIS, with a minor in Psychology from Marquette University in Wisconsin. Company Commander Graduate from Fishburne Military Academy, Waynesboro, VA.
Before joining Glenn International, Ignacio worked for IBM and NYNEX starting with a Marquette University internship and growing to systems engineer and eventually to account representative in various locations across the US.
Samy Esayag
Director
Samy Esayag brings to APER over 18 years of experience in the renewable energy sector, with a career focused on developing, building, owning, and operating solar power plants for utility, commercial and industrial customers. His passion lies at the intersection of business and government—enabling high-impact projects that address critical social needs while delivering strong returns for investors and reducing costs for ratepayers.
Samy Esayag
Director
Samy Esayag brings to APER over 18 years of experience in the renewable energy sector, with a career focused on developing, building, owning, and operating solar power plants for utility, commercial and industrial customers. His passion lies at the intersection of business and government—enabling high-impact projects that address critical social needs while delivering strong returns for investors and reducing costs for ratepayers.
In Puerto Rico specifically, and along with his colleagues and strategic partners, Samy's leadership has facilitated the deployment of more than $200 million in private capital locally, generating millions of kilowatt-hours of clean, affordable electricity and supporting the island's transition to energy resilience.
He is the founder and CEO of Yarotek, an investment platform with over 1 GW of renewable energy projects in multiple jurisdictions and at various stages of development. Prior to that, he led early market analyses and played a key role at Horizon Wind Energy, where he advocated for the company's entry into Mexico—recommendations that were later adopted and resulted in a pipeline exceeding 400 megawatts. Earlier in his career, Samy served as Financial Supervisor of a $100 million business unit at Procter & Gamble and was a Summer Associate at McKinsey & Company.
Samy holds an MBA from the MIT Sloan School of Management and an MPA from the Harvard Kennedy School. He is fluent in Spanish, English, French, and Hebrew.