About - C-Power

C-Power Harnesses the Immense Power of Ocean Waves to Deliver Groundbreaking Solutions

Our kilowatt-scale solutions change the ocean from a power desert into a power- and data-enriched environment, reducing operational costs, carbon, and complexity for offshore, island, and coastal applications. The systems are easy to transport and deployable anywhere in the world, unlocking innovation in critical industries such as offshore energy, defense and security, aquaculture, science and research, and communications. C-Power’s megawatt-scale solutions will power the next wave of zero-carbon energy for terrestrial electric grids and remote minigrids.

Our Team

Adam Brewer

R&D Electrical Engineer

Adam graduated from George Washington University in 2021 with a B.S. in computer engineering and received the Benjamin Cruikshank Award for having the best academic standing in his major. During his time at GW, he was a captain of the GW Rocket Team and interned at the National Institute of Standards and Technology. At C-Power, he is excited to work on renewable energy solutions and to use his degree to help solve important problems. In his free time, Adam enjoys hiking, rock climbing, playing board games, and reading.

Andrea Wood

R&D Mechanical Engineer

Andrea joined the C-Power team as a full-time research and development engineer following a two-year internship with the company during her undergrad. She received her bachelor’s in mechanical engineering with a minor in aerospace engineering from Oregon State University. During her time with the company, Andrea has been involved in C-Power’s low power and next generation WEC projects. Andrea enjoys fishing, hiking, playing tennis, and working on airplanes.

Bradford Lamb

President & COO

Brad has 30 years of operational, executive and sales management experience. Previously, he co-founded InteLex Corp., a trusted-source provider of online academic research in over 40 countries since 1995. There, he served as president and COO. Prior to InteLex, he had been with GE Medical Systems since 1982, including a sales management posting in Asia Pacific and domestic program management and sales postings for the full line of capital medical diagnostic imaging equipment. Brad received his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Lehigh University.

Bridger Cook

R&D Mechanical Engineer

Bridger received his master’s degree in mechanical engineering from Oregon State University in 2023. He has been involved in research since 2019, and has studied topics ranging from machine learning to the techno-economics of hydrogen energy. His interest in alternative energy generation and thermal fluid science led him to C-Power, where he works in heat transfer analysis and thermal management. Outside of work, Bridger enjoys camping, reading, and playing guitar.

Craig Love

Consultant

Craig has been working in marine energy since 2009, when he started at a Norwegian tidal energy developer. Since then, he has been involved in many aspects of the industry, including control and instrumentation and electrical systems; hydrodynamic, structural, and mechanical design; assembly; O&M; and installation. Previously, he worked as a software developer. He joined C-Power in 2022 as a consultant.

Emma Bartlett

R&D Mechanical Engineer

Emma graduated summa cum laude from North Carolina State University with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and a minor in computer programming. During undergrad, she was on NC State’s solar car team and conducted research on collapsible, self-deploying composites for use in zero gravity. Her interest in innovative renewable technologies brought her to C-Power following graduation, and she is excited to continue gaining experience with and knowledge about wave energy conversion systems. In her spare time, Emma loves playing competitive ultimate frisbee, birdwatching, and hiking.

Erik Hammagren

Senior R&D Mechanical Engineer

Since joining C-Power as an intern in 2009, Erik has become an integral part of the engineering team and currently serves as a research and development mechanical engineer. He is the lead engineer for C-Power’s SeaRAY k2 and TigerRAY w100 AOPS products. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Oregon State University. Previously, he worked as a numerical control programmer with Boeing. Erik enjoys running, biking, and snowboarding throughout the mountains of Oregon.

George Laird

Consultant

George is a Chartered professional engineer with the Institute of Engineering Technology (IET), with over 30 years’ experience within the power generation and oil and gas industries. George started with C-Power in November 2018, working in both business development and engineering functions. George holds a bachelor’s degree in electro-mechanical engineering and a master’s degree in technology. Starting in 1998, he worked in research and development at Cummins Power Generation, then moved to Dresser-Rand in 2005 as engineering manager, which led to a role in business development within Siemens. In his spare time, he follows football (soccer) and walks his dogs.

Joseph Prudell

Director of Oregon Corporate Operations, Senior R&D Electrical Engineer

Joe has 19 years of research and development experience in wave energy technologies. Joe started working with C-Power during his graduate degree program at Oregon State University in 2005, designing and building the SeaBeav generator. In 2008, he officially joined C-Power as a lead in power generation design and was a PI on the LandRAY generator project. Prior to earning his master’s degree specializing in ocean wave energy, Joe worked at Portland General Electric and served in the U.S. Navy. He is also a licensed professional engineer in Oregon and holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical and electronics engineering. In his spare time, he enjoys motorcycles and the outdoors, surfing, camping, and hiking.

Julia Eckhoff

Administrative Associate

Julia serves as an administrative associate for C-Power, where she is responsible for office coordination and management to increase overall office efficiency and productivity. Julia holds a BAS in supervision and management from Florida Southwestern, where she graduated magna cum laude. In her free time, Julia loves to visit her home country of Germany, read a good book, and go on trail walks with her dog.

Kelen O’Hearn

Senior R&D Mechanical Designer

Before becoming a full-time employee of C-Power, Kelen was involved with C-Power projects for several years as the manufacturing engineering lead at Why’s Consulting. In his position with C-Power, he is in charge of designing the climate control system for the generator as well as various mechanical systems for power take-off. He also serves as the assistant project manager for C-Power’s structural optimization project as well as its rotary direct-drive test. Kelen enjoys skydiving and golfing in his spare time.

Kristi Terrasa

Corporate Development Associate

Kristi graduated with distinction from Duke University with a double major in English and psychology. Her previous job experience includes working as a writing consultant and research assistant at Duke and managing real estate escrow accounts at Hanger Law in Virginia Beach. Kristi joined the C-Power team in 2022, assisting in building customer, partner, and investor relationships, and managing recruitment and marketing strategy. In her free time, she enjoys reading, running, playing soccer, and cooking new recipes.

Landon Mackey

Senior R&D Electrical Engineer

Landon joined the electrical research and development team at C-Power in 2022. Prior to C-Power Landon earned his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering at North Carolina State University where he developed facilitating technologies, specifically new circuit protection systems, for renewable ocean energy harvesting. While completing graduate studies he also started a wave-powered disaster relief desalination company, Water Bros, in response to the Department of Energy Waves to Water Prize. As a US Navy Nuclear Submarine Electrician veteran, Landon has extensive experience operating and maintaining complex electrical and mechanical systems in the challenging ocean environment. In his free time, Landon can be found hiking and camping with his German Shepherd Dog, scuba diving, and learning to cook new cuisines from around the world.

Larry Watson

CFO

Larry has 30 years of financial, private equity, and project development experience in the energy industry. Prior to joining C-Power, he co-founded The ERORA Group, which, until its sale to DE Shaw, developed utility-scale power generation facilities and provided consulting services to Fortune 500 financial, industrial, and utility companies. During his career, he has led start-ups, managed M&A transactions, structured joint ventures, raised equity, and managed investor relations. At LG&E Energy, he was responsible for all financial analysis respecting non-regulated acquisition and development activities, domestic and international. Prior to LG&E Energy, he managed venture capital investments for Humana. Larry holds a BA in quantitative economics and an MS in civil engineering, both from Stanford University and is a CFA Charter holder.

Lennie Rummel

R&D Electrical Engineer

Lennie holds a degree in electrical engineering from Oregon State University. He has worked with C-Power intermittently since 2010. His experience includes system integrations for use in marine environments, aircraft, unmanned vehicles, and robotics. He has extensive design, development, and deployment experience with power systems, marine and arial sensors, and robotic systems. Within C-Power, Lennie continues expanding his understanding of wave energy conversion systems with an emphasis on data systems and power electronics. In his free time, he enjoys camping, mountain biking, traveling, and outdoor adventures.

Michael Ondusko

VP of Operations

Michael joined C-Power in 2014 as a project manager and currently serves as vice president of operations. He started his career with GM’s Allison Gas Turbine Division as a test engineer and then a design engineer. He moved to the General Motors Truck Group, supporting high-volume production plants as a manufacturing engineer and later as a ride and handling development engineer at GM’s Milford Proving Grounds. More recently, Michael worked at Daimler Trucks North America (Freightliner, Western Star, and Sterling) as a manufacturing engineer, and later as the district service manager in Western New York (as well as the tires, brakes, and suspension specialist for the North East Region). Along the way, he gained 30 years of project management experience. Michael earned his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering at Purdue and did graduate studies at the University of Michigan. He served in the U.S. Army Military Intelligence Corps as a signals intelligence interceptor/analyst.

Phil Amann

R&D Mechanical Engineer

Phil is a registered Incorporated Engineer IEng with an HNC in mechanical engineering from Wakefield College, and a diploma in welding engineering from The Welding Institute, Cambridge, England. Phil has worked for over 30 years in the oil and gas and renewable energy sectors, and has extensive design and installation knowledge of subsea oil and gas systems. Over the years, Phil has worked in the U.K. and Norway for Cameron, GE Oil and Gas, ExxonMobil, Total Energies and in renewable energy for Verlume and C-Power. Phil loves family time and enjoys life outside during all four seasons with sport, fun, and summer BBQ always high up on the home life agenda.

Pukha Lenee-Bluhm

Senior R&D Mechanical Engineer

Pukha joined C-Power in 2010 after earning his master’s degree in mechanical engineering from Oregon State University. He was principle investigator for C-Power’s successfully completed structural optimization project and is currently the principle investigator for C-Power’s next-generation WEC design project. Additionally, he serves as a U.S. subject matter expert for the International Electrotechnical Commission’s Technical Specification on Wave Energy Resource Assessment and Characterization. When he is not working, Pukha takes joy in wilderness backpacking, photography, and trail running.

Reenst Lesemann

CEO

Reenst has 30 years of operational, executive, and financial experience in his career. Prior to C-Power, he co-founded a seed and early stage venture fund, Tall Oaks Capital Partners, where he served as managing director and CFO. He has run a series of successful businesses, including a maritime logistics spin off, TradeSource, Inc., that he created, led, and managed. During his career, he has been responsible for all aspects of business management, including strategic planning, marketing, and information services. His customers have been based in over 20 countries and ranged from Fortune 50 corporations to small businesses. Reenst graduated with honors from the University of North Carolina with a bachelor’s degree in history. He also holds an MBA from the University of Virginia Darden School of Business.

Ty Toney

R&D Mechanical Designer

Ty has been involved with C-Power since 2011. He started as a temporary employee and was soon hired as a full-time employee with the company. He is the assistant project manager for C-Power’s full-scale, open-water test in Hawaii.

Zhe Zhang

Senior Controls Engineer

Zhe received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in electrical engineering from Oregon State University in 2009 and 2011, respectively. His research was in the area of control, power electronics, SCADA, and numerical modeling; specifically, advanced control techniques for various renewable energy conversion applications, such as wave power generation. He has performed research on C-Power projects since 2009 and began working for C-Power in 2011. He brings a strong capability to rapidly adapt to new modeling challenges. Currently, Zhe serves as the principal investigator for C-Power’s dynamic controls project with Sandia National Laboratories as well as its load measurements project with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. In his spare time, he enjoys photography and hiking.

Interns

Lisa Hildebrand

Mechanical Engineering Intern

Lisa graduated from Rochester Institute of Technology with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in mechanical engineering at Oregon State University. She has previously interned at Tesla, The Raymond Corporation, and NASA Ames Research Center, and she is excited to gain experience in the offshore energy industry as a mechanical engineering intern at C-Power. In her free time, she enjoys working with her university’s Formula SAE team.

Nathan Algarra

Mechanical Engineering Intern

Nathan graduated from the University of Kansas with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering before serving in the Army as an engineer officer. After leaving the Army, Nathan completed a graduate certificate from University of Texas-San Antonio in interdisciplinary STEM education. He is currently pursuing a master’s degree in mechanical engineering at Oregon State University while working as an intern at C-Power. Nathan is excited to work in the renewable energy sector and develop as a mechanical engineer and engineering leader.

Sara Vanaken

Electrical Engineering Intern

Sara is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in electrical & computer engineering at Oregon State University while working as an intern for C-Power. She is also planning to minor in computer science. Sara is looking forward to learning more as an electrical engineering intern and gaining hands-on experience. In her free time, she enjoys hiking and playing card games.

Shakti Patel

Mechanical Engineering Intern

Shakti graduated from Rutgers University in 2021 with a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering. During undergrad, she worked various internships in utility-scale solar and in energy auditing. Post-undergrad, she worked at Lockheed Martin focusing on simulations and modeling for their thermal management systems. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in mechanical engineering at the University of Washington, Seattle where her research focuses on the simulation of particle-surface interactions of WECs through the use of smoothed-particle hydrodynamics (SPH) modeling. In her free time, she enjoys reading, painting, photography, cooking, and hiking.

Our History

C-Power is a leader in the emerging ocean energy sector, with decades of wave-energy technology development experience. From humble beginnings as graduate research at Oregon State University to the ground-breaking solutions we are delivering to customers today, C-Power has completed over 13,000 hours of system testing and tens of thousands of hours of modeling, design, and engineering.

In April 2022, C-Power announced the first commercial sale of a SeaRAY AOPS — nicknamed the TigerRAY. The unit was used by the University of Washington Applied Physics Laboratory to conduct a U.S. Navy-sponsored R&D project to investigate at-sea charging of uncrewed underwater vehicles.