Senior Management

Octus is managed by a team of proven, entrepreneurial executives, and is supported by a world-class group of strategic partners and industry and professional advisors.

Chris Soderquist, Chief Executive Officer & Director
Mr. Soderquist has 20 years experience founding, managing, advising, capitalizing and selling companies in the clean tech, high tech, professional services and private equity industries. Most recently, he co-founded and served as Managing Director of Crescendo, a luxury real estate investment firm that was acquired in 2008 by Abercrombie & Kent. He also created and sold a marketing strategy firm that he grew to 130 clients, and founded and directed several software companies. Previously Mr. Soderquist managed two business incubators, Technology Development Center and Venture Lab, and served on the board of directors of waste-to-energy company Sierra Energy, the Sacramento Entrepreneurship Academy (of which he was president for three years), the Sacramento Area Regional Technology Alliance, and UC Davis Connect. He currently is a Director of the University of California, Davis Graduate School of Management Alumni Association Board, and a member of the Comstock’s Magazine Editorial Board. He earned a BS from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, and an MBA from the University of California, Davis.

George Ecker, Chief Financial Officer and Director
Mr. Ecker is the President and Director of Nova Mobility Systems, a company specializing in the design and manufacture of rugged handheld mobile computers. He has more than 25 years of entrepreneurial and management experience in international and domestic ventures. Previously, Mr. Ecker was the President and Managing Director of Channel Financial Group, a financial services company providing corporate consulting and strategic services to international private equity managers. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance, with honors, from the University of the State of New York.

John Walter, Chief Operating Officer
Mr. Walter has more than 25 years experience creating and leading high technology initiatives. Most recently, he was a consultant to Itron and to an India-based software company, and a Vice President with Isaacson, Miller, an executive search firm. Previously, Mr. Walter was Managing Partner with The MarketTech Group, where he led high-level market research engagements for international medical device clients. His prior experience includes work with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and Chevron, where he was a Reservoir and Production Engineer. Mr. Walter earned BS, MS and Degree of Engineer (Engineering Management) degrees from Stanford University, and an MBA from the University of California, Davis. He is a board member at the Sacramento Entrepreneurship Academy.

Mananya Chansanchai, Vice President, Energy Solutions
Ms. Chansanchai was a PG&E Energy Efficiency Fellow and Emerging Venture Analyst for the UC Davis Energy Efficiency Center (EEC) where she focused on the development and commercialization of energy efficient technologies. Her work through the EEC included market sizing of lighting technologies for K-12 schools in conjunction with the California Lighting Technology Center (CLTC), background research of HVAC opportunities for educational facilities in conjunction with the Western Cooling Efficiency Center (WCEC), and developing a life cycle cost calculator for energy efficiency projects. Previously she worked at McKesson Corporation and Citibank. She earned an MBA from UC Davis and a B.A. from UC Santa Cruz.

George Condon, Development Manager, Smart Energy Projects
Mr. Condon has 23 years of commercial real estate experience. Prior to joining Octus, he developed more than 3.1 million square feet of industrial and office real estate for Panattoni Development Company, one of the largest commercial real estate development firms in the U.S. Prior to joining Panattoni, Mr. Condon managed more than 2.4 million square feet of office, industrial and R&D properties for clients such as Prudential, Equitable, Kaiser Permanente, and Wells Fargo. He earned a BS from Santa Clara University and an MBA from the University of California, Davis.

Joe Livaich, Director of PACE Financing
Mr. Livaich joined our team in January 2011 and is focused primarily on developing commercial PACE programs for cities and counties throughout California. Previously, he worked on Sustainable Special Projects for the office of Council Member Kevin McCarty in the City of Sacramento. The AB 811 energy efficiency financing district he developed expanded into a regional partnership comprised of both Sacramento and Yolo counties, along with all cities in each. Mr. Livaich also served as one of just five individuals hand-picked by Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson to help formulate and implement the Mayor’s 2010 Greenwise Sacramento initiative. Prior to serving in the public sphere, Mr. Livaich worked at Mintier Harnish Planning Consultancy, where he specialized in land use planning, policy, economics and housing.

Amy Black, Vice President, Marketing
Ms. Black has nine years of client service, sales, marketing and project management experience. Prior to joining Octus, she was a Vice President of Marsh Risk & Insurance Services. As Proposal Project Manager, Ms. Black led teams of technical and creative colleagues responsible for designing solutions to risk issues faced by current and prospective clients. Previously, Ms. Black advised clients in the technology, real estate, financial services and construction industries on strategies for mitigating and transferring risk. Ms. Black earned a BBA from the University of Wisconsin, Madison and an MBA from the University of California, Davis.