"We must become the change we want to see."
- Mahatma Gandhi
The Catalyst team has extensive experience in the areas of energy modeling, contracting, and project management. Our principals have participated in the management of over $500 million dollars of construction projects, and all of our project managers are LEED accredited professionals.
With more than a dozen years of experience in the real estate and construction industry, Whit Riske brings a unique relationship-driven style of management to Catalyst. He is a founder and managing principal of Catalyst, and he oversees all business operations and strategic initiatives for the company.
Prior to forming Catalyst, Mr. Riske worked for Wentz Group and Snyder Langston, where he helped manage over a half a billion dollars of construction projects. His most prominent projects include Shady Canyon Golf Club, the Merage Jewish Community Center, University Research Park Phases 12 and 13 (Broadcom), and the Resort at Pelican Hill Hotel, Spa and Pool Grill in Newport Coast.
Mr. Riske is an active member of the community, supporting various outreach and professional organizations. He is a member of the Urban Land Institute (ULI), the United States Green Building Counsel (USGBC), and NAIOP's Young Professionals Group (NAIOP, YPG), where he serves as the Vice Chair of the YPG Alumni Committee. He is a LEED Accredited Professional and holds a B.S. of Construction Management from Northern Arizona University, College of Engineering.
Mr. Pasquel brings a range of project entitlement and commercial real estate construction experience to Catalyst. He is a founding member of the company and participates in both business development and project management.
Mr. Pasquel has eleven years of professional real estate experience, working in various capacities in the areas of entitlement, architecture, general contracting and development in both California and Arizona. Most recently he worked as an Urban Entitlement Specialist for Lazarus & Associates in Phoenix Arizona.
Mr. Pasquel also serves as a Faculty Associate for Arizona State University; having taught for both the Housing and Community Development department as well as the School of Public Affairs.
Mr. Pasquel holds a B.S. of Business Administration and a B.S. of Economics from Westmont College and a Master's Degree in Architecture and Environmental Design from Arizona State University. He is a member of numerous professional organizations including the Urban Land Institute (ULI), where he has been active within the Young Leaders Group (YLG) and Valley Forward Organization (VFO), having served as Chair of the Land Use Committee. He is also a LEED Accredited Professional.
Mr. Gribben brings a range of financial and legal experience to Catalyst. He participates in financial modeling for client projects, and the origination of loan, lease and power purchase agreements.
Mr. Gribben first entered the renewable energy field while working as a corporate attorney for the developer of an innovative Stirling engine generator funded by the California Energy Commission. He later formed Icon Energy Systems to serve as an integrator of residential and commercial solar energy systems. Operating Icon, Mr. Gribben developed an in-depth understanding of the government subsidies, financing products and tax incentives that can make renewable energy projects attractive to commercial property owners.
While maintaining his position with Catalyst, Mr. Gribben continues to operate his law firm Gribben & Associates, Inc., which specializes in corporate transactional work for investment and real estate oriented clients. Mr. Gribben received his B.A. Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Southern California and his Juris Doctorate from the UCLA School of Law.