Clean Energy Spotlight: Tom Matzzie

This week's #cleanenergyspotlight is the former Washington director of MoveOn.org, where he was one of the first people to use the internet for political fundraising and coalition building. But first, do you know someone who should be celebrated for their #cleanenergy leadership? Name them in the comments below and they could be featured in our next Clean Energy Spotlight.

This week’s spotlight is Tom Matzzie, the CEO of CleanChoice Energy, a clean tech company that empowers people and businesses with easy access to #cleanenergy through community #solar and other #cleanenergy initiatives. CleanChoice Energy uses data-driven technology to make the transition to #cleanenergy as easy as possible for American families. The transition to clean energy will cut pollution, support new renewable energy jobs, and protect our air, land, and water. 

Tom’s career led him to multiple roles as an expert strategist at the intersection of politics, media, and technology. After 15 years, he pivoted to the expansion of clean energy.“My father had died in 2010 from a form of cancer that was closely attached to the pollution he grew up in around Pittsburgh,” he said. “I had a deep desire to do something that would make the planet healthier for people.” Talking to the Experts Only podcast, he said “I had a sense of wanting to do something that was about replacing dirty energy with clean energy. That was part of it. But I also had an interest in building something. And then, I went through the experience of putting solar on my own home in Washington, DC.”

After seeing the benefits of installing solar panels on his home, Tom was inspired to do what he could to make the transition to solar easier for others. So, he created CleanChoice Energy to encourage Americans to make the transition to #cleanenergy and increase access to community #solar. He now describes himself as an “entrepreneur on a mission to make 100% clean energy and climate solutions easy.” For his work with CleanChoice, he was recognized as a 2015 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year finalist and was named “a rising star,” and he was named a finalist for Chief Executive Officer of the Year for the Maryland Tech Council’s 2020 Industry Awards.

Thank you, Tom, for your work to make #cleanenergy more accessible to American families, and congratulations on being this week’s #cleanenergyspotlight.