Orion Energy Partners, an innovative middle market energy infrastructure debt investor in North America, has added three new Investment Partners in its New York and Houston offices. Chris Leary, Ethan Shoemaker, and Rui Viana were part of the founding group of professionals at Orion Energy and have earned this promotion through their dedication, creativity, sacrifices, leadership, hard work, expertise, commitment, honesty, and overall investment judgment to support the successful growth of Orion Energy in the last five years.

“Orion Energy is very excited and proud to promote Chris, Ethan, and Rui to be Investment Partners whose values and business acumen, coupled with impressive leadership, investment instincts and willingness to do what it takes, have had a profound impact on the success of our firm to date,” said Nazar Massouh, CEO and co-Managing Partner of Orion Energy. “We welcome Chris, Ethan, and Rui to the partnership and are confident that they will continue to make a very strong contribution to Orion Energy, and will bring about an even stronger and more successful partnership while delivering for our investors and other stakeholders.”

Chris Leary, Investment Partner

Chris is responsible for evaluating, structuring, and monitoring investments and is based in New York where he leads the origination, structuring, and other investment-related functions. He has also been instrumental in leading the firm’s growth and mentoring program. Chris recently led the Nautilus Data Technologies and CarbonLITE Holdings investments and fully realized Midland Basin Partners last year. He serves as an observer to the board of directors for Future Energy Solutions, Mohegan Energy Trustees, Evolution Well Services, and CarbonLITE. He is also a member of the firm’s Valuation Committee.

Ethan Shoemaker, Investment Partner and Houston Office Head

Ethan is responsible for originating, evaluating, structuring, and monitoring investments. He also leads Orion Energy's office in Houston and is a key member of the ESG Committee, championing ESG excellence and implementation into the investment process. He recently led the Highland Pellets and Bakersfield Renewable Fuels investments and fully realized Keystone Terminal Holdings. Ethan serves as an observer to the board of directors for Tiger Rentals Group, American Natural Supply, Origin Americas, MidCentral Energy Partners, Bakersfield Renewable Fuels, and Highland Pellets. Ethan also co-manages the Investment Performance and Optimization group together with Rui Viana.

Rui Viana, Investment Partner, Head of Risk and Investment Strategists

Rui has a unique role with responsibilities for developing enhanced deal structures, risk mitigation approaches, and customized hedging activities. He leads a team of three Investment Strategists and has been instrumental in extracting value though complex deal structures and protecting Orion Energy’s portfolio across sixteen individual deals to date. Rui also co-manages the Investment Performance and Optimization group together with Ethan Shoemaker and plays a key role in the firm’s technology and modeling capabilities. Rui is a member of the Investment Committee and is based in New York.

“Chris, Ethan, and Rui have demonstrated best in class performances year after year since joining Orion Energy Partners. All three are respected by our investors and clients alike and are considered among the most capable and brightest thought leaders in our business. I enthusiastically welcome them as leaders of the partnership,” said Gerrit Nicholas, co-Founder and co-Managing Partner of Orion Energy.