We spoke to our Senior Manager of Advisory Business Development, Alex Scherzer, to hear how his path from finance to renewables shaped his approach to advisory work, and to learn how he and the ForeFront Advisory team help organizations turn ambitious sustainability goals into practical action.

Where are you from originally? 

AS: I was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and then I grew up in the suburbs of Boston. I went to school in upstate New York, and then I lived in Cambridge again for a few years before moving to the West Coast. Now I’m based in Berkeley, California.  

What do you enjoy doing in your free time—any hobbies you’re passionate about?   

AS: Primarily outdoor activities. I raced road bikes competitively after college around New England. I do a lot of mountain biking out here in California. Now that it’s winter again, I spend a lot of time on skis in the Tahoe area. I also like to travel and take pictures to exercise the creative side as well. 

What led you to renewable energy? 

AS: My first couple of roles were in finance in Boston, but that never really excited me. I never felt like I found a home there. I then joined the energy supply consulting group of a newer energy services company, where renewables were only a small part of the business. I had the opportunity to help grow the renewables consulting practice and directly support clients in decarbonizing their operations. 

How did you wind up finding ForeFront Power, and when did you join the team?  

AS: I spent some time on the renewables consulting side, and I got to work with many different developers around the country, both utility-scale and onsite developers. I knew I wanted to continue directly supporting clients, but from the perspective of a developer rather than a consultant. I had the opportunity to work with ForeFront’s behind-the-meter team during that time, and then connected with Rachel McLaughlin about the growing advisory practice at ForeFront. It seemed like a really good fit for both of us, so I joined the team in March of 2025.

What are your core responsibilities as Senior Manager of Advisory Business Development?

AS: My role is focused on scaling ForeFront’s Advisory business through growing our client portfolio and our project pipelines. Advisory is a newer business line at ForeFront that’s born out of our strong experience as a developer, focused on serving clients in broader and innovative ways. We realized through our work as developers, that not everyone was ready to move directly into procuring a project, and we wanted to support those who were at an earlier stage of developing their energy strategy. I help shape our product offering to bring new solutions to clients and expand into new markets and products. Our team helps with both onsite and offsite renewable transactions, and I directly support offsite PPA transactions. I also get to support our wonderful marketing team on go-to-market strategy for the advisory business. 

In ForeFront Power’s Advisory Business, how do you measure success for your clients?

AS: Ultimately, our goal is to support clients in bringing new renewable generation online, either through directly developing their own projects or supporting new projects through power and REC offtake agreements. Whether the projects are big or small, single-site or multi-site engagements, they all move the needle toward a more resilient, renewable-powered future for our clients and their communities. 

What are some areas you would tell your clients to consider that are often overlooked?

AS: I think for advisory clients, the most important thing to focus on in today’s market is taking a holistic approach to renewable strategy and not just focusing on a single solution. Today, onsite solutions go beyond just solar and include onsite storage and EV charging solutions. Offsite solutions can include PPAs, traditional retail products, and community solar projects. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to achieving renewables, and building a portfolio of solutions helps customers achieve goals in a way that both manages risks and maximizes returns. 

How do you help clients break down huge sustainability and energy objectives into tangible, achievable goals? 

AS: Goal setting and strategy development is the most important part of any sustainability or renewable strategy engagement. Once we work with a client to understand what they’re looking to achieve and what their constraints look like, we can turn those big-picture ambitions into a clear roadmap, with products that meet their cost, risk, and timeline constraints. From there, we take them to market step–by–step according to what that plan looks like. 

With changes to policy and tax credits looming, what are the most important things for clients to be thinking about in the next six to eighteen months?  

AS: We operate in a market that is constantly changing; it always has been and will continue to change. The most important thing for clients is to remember why they started down this path, and to keep moving projects forward and keep their foot on the gas. There will always be a different set of challenges, and with those challenges, there’s always a different set of opportunities. It’s important to take advantage of short-term opportunities and get quick wins, while still keeping an eye on broader, longer-term goals. 

What should corporate clients be looking for right now in an advisory partner?  

AS: Companies should be looking for an advisory partner that understands the market and can bring many different solutions and pathways for meeting their goals. Perhaps most importantly, they should look for someone who takes the time to understand their organization’s unique needs and constraints. Most organizations are trying to solve a big set of problems with small teams and shouldn’t be afraid to ask for help — the right advisory partner should effectively act as an extension of their team. 

What advice would you give to people interested in pursuing careers in renewable energy? 

AS: Whatever your skill set is, there’s a role for you somewhere in the renewable field and a way for you to participate in the energy transition. We’re still in the early stages of a major shift in how business gets done, and there isn’t just one company or team that can solve these things alone. Don’t be afraid to expand your network and try out roles you never thought you’d see yourself in.