Cassidy hires DOD clean energy expert

Cassidy & Associates makes its first hire after its major restructuring at the beginning of the year, bringing on retired Air Force Col. Dave Belote as senior vice president.

He most recently served as the vice president for federal business at Apex Clean Energy, which contracts with the federal government to provide renewable energy services to military bases and public lands.

The Obama Administration commended Belote in November, naming him one of 12 White House Champions of Change for his work advancing “clean energy and climate security.”

“This is an exciting time to be a part of the exceptional team at Cassidy as the firm stakes out its future and recognizes this nexus of energy and national security as an area demanding Washington and Wall Street’s attention,” Belote said in a statement.

Last year, firm founder and K Street icon Gerry Cassidy announced he would step down as the chairman at the end of the year, handing the reins to Kai Anderson, a former aide to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), and retired Lt. Col. Barry Rhoads. Cassidy still serves as chairman emeritus of the firm.

“Our sweet spot is the intersection between national security and energy and our challenge is to achieve the realm of the possibility in this space for our clients and identify those that are at the cusp and pursue them,” Rhoads said in a release. “Dave will help us lead the way.”

The firm notes his status as a five-time Jeopardy! champion. He’s also a Doctoral candidate of liberal studies at Georgetown University in Washington.

Before working at Apex, Belote worked as the first executive director of a division within the Defense Department charged with “maintaining an effective, consistent, transparent, and timely process for evaluating the impact of energy projects on its military test, training, and operational mission,” according to the department’s website.