Meet the C-Suite Team at Nexamp

Introducing Nexamp’s C-Suite leadership team. With an average tenure of over 14 years between the six of them, our C-Suite team has shaped Nexamp’s growth and embodies what it means to live our values every day. Get to know the executives behind our mission, beyond their professional credentials. We're talking hobbies, favorite movies, books, and more.

Zaid Ashai, Chairman and CEO

Zaid Ashai is Chairman and CEO of Nexamp. He joined as Chairman of the Board in 2010, before assuming the role of CEO in 2013. He has guided Nexamp’s transformation into one of the most trusted and innovative leaders in the distributed generation and clean energy space. Under his leadership, the company has scaled significantly, empowering communities across the United States to access affordable renewable energy while championing a sustainable future.

Zaid holds an MBA from Harvard Business School, an MPA from Harvard Kennedy School, and a BA in International Relations and Economics from Brown University.

His Maryland roots have made him a lifelong Baltimore Ravens fan, even in Patriots territory. He speaks four languages: Kashmiri, Urdu, Hindi, and French, and has an eclectic taste in music, with favorites ranging from Daft Punk to Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan to Prince.

Peter Tawczynski, Chief Financial Officer

Peter Tawczynski is Nexamp’s Chief Financial Officer. Peter joined Nexamp as Director of Finance in 2012 and assumed the role of CFO in 2018. In his role, Peter leads the Capital Markets and Accounting groups at Nexamp, overseeing the financing of project-level debt and equity, as well as financial planning and reporting. Peter is also dedicated to the development and execution of Nexamp’s long-term strategic growth objectives.

Peter holds an MSA and a BA in Accounting from the University of Massachusets Amherst. 

Peter enjoys skiing and golfing, as well as coaching his kids in youth football. He cheers for Boston in all professional sports and has been known to copy Zaid’s lunch order whenever the team is getting takeout.

Chris Clark, Chief Development Officer

Chris Clark is Nexamp’s Chief Development Officer. He first joined the company in 2008 as the Director of Advisory Services and was named CDO in 2021. In this role, Chris is responsible for Nexamp’s pipeline of community solar, utility-scale, and storage development assets, as well as the company’s clean energy offerings to corporate customers.

Chris holds an MS in Resource Policy from the University of Michigan and a BS in Geology from Denison University.

A former ultimate frisbee player, Chris now plays on Nexamp’s softball team and enjoys golfing in his free time. He has a French Bulldog named Tug, who he claims is the least athletic dog he’s ever had, though he makes up for it by being undeniably adorable.

John Murphy, Chief Strategy Officer

John Murphy is Nexamp’s Chief Strategy Officer. John first joined the company as an intern in 2009 and supported a variety of business units prior to joining the executive team, including market development, energy sales, asset management, and project finance. He was promoted to Chief Strategy Officer in 2022. In this role, John leads Nexamp’s corporate development, growth initiatives, and market expansion strategy, with responsibility spanning strategic planning, capital allocation, and long-term growth initiatives. He works across the organization to integrate operational and investment priorities while overseeing strategic partnerships, acquisitions, and policy engagement across Nexamp’s active markets.

John holds a BA from Colby College.

A former college athlete, John now coaches his son’s baseball and flag football teams. He’s an avid reader with a particular affinity for John McPhee and Steinbeck, and enjoys loud music, good food, and a challenging crossword puzzle.

Kamran Idrees, General Counsel

Kamran Idrees is Nexamp’s General Counsel and has held this position since joining the company in 2016. In this role, he is a strategic partner to the senior team and board of directors, bridging risk mitigation with business operations. He provides clear, actionable legal advice on corporate initiatives, key business transactions, and corporate governance matters. Kamran is responsible for leading the legal department, overseeing external counsel, and proactively managing the company’s day-to-day legal issues.

Kamran holds a J.D. and LL.M in Taxation from Loyola University of Chicago’s School of Law and a BA in Economics from Boston University.

A music lover who is always looking for new artists, Kamran’s latest favorite has been Waxahatchee. He appreciates being outside and enjoys playing tennis in the summer, skiing in the winter, and has even gone solo skydiving on several occasions.

Chris Perron, Chief Infrastructure Deployment Officer

Chris Perron is Nexamp’s Chief Infrastructure Deployment Officer and Nexamp’s most recent addition to the C-Suite team. Chris joined Nexamp in 2010 and has played a central role in building the operational foundation that supports the company’s continued growth. He leads the engineering, supply chain, construction, and grid integration functions that enable Nexamp to deliver projects safely, efficiently, and at scale while maintaining a strong focus on quality, cost management, operational excellence, and long-term sustainability.

Chris holds an MBA from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and a BS in Economics and Systems Engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point. 

Chris worked for the International Rescue Committee in the Republic of Georgia in the ’90s and retired from the Army as a Lieutenant Colonel in 2018 with multiple deployments. He has 3 Boston terriers and a tabby cat and loves hard rock music and all Boston sports teams.

Across business units, our C-Suite leadership brings decades of experience, a shared commitment to innovation, and a passion for creating a more sustainable future. They are united by a shared purpose—building the future of energy and creating a lasting impact for communities. Whether they’re leading strategic initiatives, scaling operations, debating the merits of Boston vs. Baltimore vs. Philly sports, or trading music recommendations, this team shapes the mission that defines Nexamp and continues to drive the company forward.