CME Energy, LLC., led by President and CEO Bill Martin, has a strong commitment to developing environmentally clean and sustainable projects and is recognized as a prominent independent power project developer. They prioritize entering markets where they can make a significant impact and only pursue projects that meet specific criteria, such as a defined market need, "investment-grade status", and a well-established legal and payment system related to electric energy in the host country or state. They distinguish themselves from other competitors by prioritizing the community. They dedicate considerable effort to gaining support from the local community and obtaining approval from state or federal authorities.
Bill had a successful athletic career during his childhood, participating in multiple championship teams. In fact, he was part of the very first international pee wee champions in grade 7 and achieved further success as a member of various New York State high school championship teams. The exceptional coaches, who were highly organized, adept at utilizing talent, and proficient in assessing the competition, made these accomplishments possible. From an early age, Bill understood the importance of being prepared, surrounding oneself with accomplished colleagues and contributors, and maintaining unwavering dedication towards worthwhile endeavors. Furthermore, he underscores that the power of teamwork, not individual ego, drives success.
Prior to his involvement in the energy business, Bill dedicated his time to advocating for and assisting individuals with severe disabilities. At that time, there were no regulations mandating the provision of ramps, curb cuts, or accessible buildings and housing. As a result, he devised efficient methods to cooperate with communities, guaranteeing that the mobility-impaired community's unique needs were satisfied. A similar cooperative approach is employed when it comes to collecting community input regarding the location of electricity and battery initiatives.
Bill dedicates himself to exercising diligently for the sake of his health and appearance. With few personal interests, he throws himself wholeheartedly and passionately into writing and producing plays and films, as they align with his love for theater. Moreover, his enthusiasm and profession serve as mutual influences, as they necessitate ongoing and sophisticated communication, as well as the ability to adapt to unexpected challenges.
Leadership begins with respect, as Bill believes. He prefers to work with individuals and organizations that he deeply respects, setting high expectations for both parties. Effective preparation and communication are essential in their interactions, as they strive to avoid making assumptions and constantly seek improvement. They value transparency and honesty, setting clear goals for their team, and collaborating closely with others who share their values. They are quick to adapt and make necessary adjustments when needed.
They acquired the skill of distinguishing and subsequently established precise standards for identifying a CME project. Pursuing a project without fulfilling even one criterion is like chasing a great white whale, akin to Ahab's pursuit. This lesson was the most challenging yet crucial one to grasp: it was all about maintaining discipline, focusing on select pursuits, and executing them effectively, as emphasized by Bill. His team consistently adheres to these standards and demonstrates discipline. The level of excellent collaboration that occurs when producing one of his plays pleasantly surprises him. He has gained valuable insights from these experiences and now prioritizes translating those skills and attitudes into his business practices. He acknowledges that ego can often hinder collaboration, and he is proactive in addressing any ego-related obstacles early on, even if it means addressing his own ego.
Bill doesn't seem to remember ever being concerned about the strategies or tactics used by his competition. Instead, he focuses on executing his own model and continuously improving upon it. It's reminiscent of his approach to track, where he always strived to enhance his performance, trusting that the results would follow naturally. Occasionally, in hindsight, he may observe and learn from the actions of his competitors, both positive and negative. Over the past 44 years, they have shown flexibility in entering new markets at the opportune moment.
CME Energy is very dedicated and determined. They remain committed to constructing the approximately 4 GW of battery energy storage projects they are currently working on. However, they do keep an eye out for advancements in technology that could benefit their projects and are willing to advocate for changes in laws and policies if they will better serve their market.
Bill Martin
President and CEO
CME Energy, LLC
CME Energy brings global thinking and a community-oriented approach to the development of large-scale, energy-related facilities worldwide, always with a focus on the positive environmental impact of the project.