OwnEnergy founder and community wind thought leader Jacob Susman "fell into" the power sector in 1999, after relocating to Spain with his wife. As a Project Manager for the AES Corporation, he developed conventional and renewable energy projects for three years-including one of the largest power plants in Spain and diligence of over 1,000 MW of wind farms-before the renewable "boom" took place in the U.S. Jacob recognized unlimited local and global potential in this centuries-old concept, which was returning to the forefront as a more eco-friendly alternative to conventional power. Unlike traditional energy resources, renewable power required heavy local development input-much of which was managed right in the local community.