Shepherd Advisors

- Loch McCabe Interview featured on MLive.com ...

Alternative energy takes center stage at Mackinac Policy Conference

by Nathan Bomey | Michigan Business Review

Michigan's hopes of transitioning its manufacturing industry to capitalize on production of renewable energy technologies is contingent on executives' ability to develop the appropriate mindset for shifting gears, an alternative energy expert said.

As Michigan's alternative energy takes center stage this week at the Mackinac Policy Conference, the state's efforts to create a battery supply chain and pursue wind and solar companies are gaining attention.

Loch McCabe, founder of Ann Arbor-based Shepherd Advisors, one of the state's oldest renewable energy consulting firms, said his firm is spending an increasing portion of its time advising established manufacturers seeking to diversify. He said it's critical that they embrace a new mindset devoted to embracing entrepreneurialism and changing culture.

"Diversification is challenging, and it's especially challenging to companies that have not had to do that before or at least had to do that in significant ways," McCabe said. "It takes time, it takes a willingness to commit resources and it also takes a growth mentality, a willingness to not only get into a new industry but to grow with the industry."

Shepherd Advisors, which recently attracted some 300 people to a renewable energy conference co-hosted with NextEnergy [SA.com note: Conference was, in fact, hosted by SVSU, sponsored by NextEnergy, and promoted by Shepherd Advisors], has nine employees in Ann Arbor. The firm was founded in 2000.

McCabe recently spoke with Michigan Business Review's Nathan Bomey.

More ...