Powering the Future, Together
Illuminate USA is a leading U.S. solar panel manufacturer focused on innovation, quality and domestic production. Headquartered in Pataskala, Ohio, Illuminate USA operates a state-of-the-art, 1.1-million-square-foot facility, producing high-efficiency solar panels to meet the growing demand for American-made technology. With a local workforce of over 1,500 skilled professionals, the company is dedicated to delivering reliable, high-quality products that power communities across the nation.
Who We Are
Leadership
Art Fletcher
Art Fletcher is CEO of Illuminate USA and member of its board of directors. He joined the company after leading domestic manufacturing initiatives at Invenergy, where he also served as head of the Illuminate Solar Manufacturing Business Group.
With more than 38 years of experience, Fletcher has led engineering, project management, and sourcing teams across complex power and heavy civil projects in the United States and internationally. During his 19-year tenure at Invenergy, he contributed to a wide range of gas and renewable energy projects, helping shape the company’s manufacturing strategy and build long-term partnerships with key domestic suppliers.
Fletcher is a registered professional engineer. He earned a bachelor’s degree in aeronautical and aerospace engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a master’s degree in geo-environmental engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology.
Kurt Wagner
Our CFO is a global finance executive with an extensive track record of working with investors to lead and transform businesses to deliver shareholder value. A hands-on problem solver, Kurt prides himself on his ability to drive a culture of financial ownership throughout organizations. He brings a wealth of experience managing global businesses to achieve sustainable, profitable growth. Kurt is a long-time resident of Central Ohio going back to his studies at The Ohio State University Fisher College of Business, where he earned both an undergraduate degree in accounting and MBA. Prior to joining Illuminate USA, Kurt spent more than two decades at Hexion, based in Columbus. He held numerous leadership roles in financial management, business development, mergers and acquisitions and shared services. In his time with Hexion, he worked with various ownership groups including KKR, Apollo and American Securities. Kurt has held oversight roles for several international joint ventures and business expansions.
Brittany Rogers
With more than two decades of experience centered around human resources, talent and culture leadership, Brittany is passionate about building teams that prioritize people and business innovation.
From that crossroads, Brittany’s guiding star is building people-first, high performing teams that are rooted in values of authenticity, trust and continuous growth. At Illuminate USA, she focuses on enabling people to thrive in a culture where communication and personal empowerment is fostered. Her background in multicultural and global environments allows her to find inventive methods to construct engagement across diverse and dynamic teams and build bridges that span cultural gaps.
Brittany is a proud graduate of The Ohio State University and is a graduate of a multi-year global executive coaching program (CPCC). Born and raised in Central Ohio, she finds great joy in raising her family in the region she has always called home.
Heidi Yurkiw
With a robust background in litigation, compliance, legal department management, national employment and labor law, external communications and government affairs, Heidi brings a wealth of experience to her role at Illuminate USA. She holds a B.S. in Journalism from Ohio University and a J.D. from The Ohio State University. Heidi began her legal career working for The Honorable Joseph P. Kinneary in the Southern District of Ohio and worked at the Vorys law firm before holding key in-house positions at Honda and Bath & Body Works. In addition to her professional achievements, she has served on various nonprofit boards including YWCA Columbus, BalletMet and currently serves as the Immediate Past President of the Board of Trustees for the Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens.
Who We Are
Board Members
Jim Murphy
Jim Murphy is the CEO and co-founder of Invenergy, North America’s largest independent power producer and energy infrastructure innovator. Under his leadership with Founder & Executive Chairman Michael Polsky, Invenergy has developed more than 220 energy projects with a combined generating capacity of over 38 gigawatts over the last 25 years.
Known for its expertise in technology, finance, and project execution, Invenergy develops and builds some of the most complex energy and infrastructure projects in the world – across natural gas, solar, land-based wind, transmission, manufacturing and storage, and continues to explore cutting-edge advancements in emerging energy sources and technologies.Since its founding in 2001, Invenergy has funded its growth exclusively through private investment and has raised over $75 billion of corporate and project financing in the capital markets. Over his four-decade career in the energy industry, Murphy has managed multiple organizations across the continuum from start-up to growth and to liquidity events.
Murphy also serves as Chairman of the Board at Illuminate USA, an Invenergy company and one of the largest and most advanced solar manufacturing facilities in the U.S. Murphy is also a member of the Investment Committee for Energize Capital, Invenergy’s venture and growth capital funds manager, and serves on the Board of Reactivate LLC, Invenergy’s distributed generation development platform. Murphy actively drives pragmatic energy policies that impact the industry and served many years on the Boards of Directors of the American Wind Energy Association, American Council on Renewable Energy, and American Clean Power Association (ACP), and was the inaugural chair of the ACP Board.
Before Invenergy, Murphy served as the Chief Financial Officer at SkyGen Energy LLC, Vice President at The Deerpath Group, Inc., and manager at Arthur Andersen.
Murphy holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois, magna cum laude, and a CPA certification from the University of Illinois.
Our Commitment to Ohio
Illuminate USA’s operations in Ohio reflect a long-term commitment to the Greater Columbus and Pataskala communities. The Pataskala facility is increasing and expanding the technology and renewable energy ecosystem in Ohio, having created hundreds of advanced manufacturing careers for Ohioans.
Illuminate USA partnered with local economic development organizations JobsOhio and One Columbus to develop training and skills development programs and to support recruiting efforts. We are committed to being a member of the community through partnerships with local organizations, schools and businesses.
Why Pataskala?
Illuminate USA thrives in Pataskala’s dynamic community, harnessing local talent and resources to illuminate the path towards sustainable energy solutions. Ohio is a day’s drive from 60% of the US population and 50% of the Canadian population with access to more than 1 million regional workers.
Our Impact on the Community
The economic impact of the facility is already being felt in the region with Ohio-made air compressors powering the production lines, high turnout at hiring events and expanded career pathways at local schools.
We Want To Hear From You!
Reach out to Illuminate USA by emailing us at info@www.illuminateusa.com.