Michael Conti founded Salamander Power and serves as the Chief Executive Officer. He oversees development, strategy, team building, mission and vision for the company.

Michael has nearly twenty years of experience developing businesses, managing teams, negotiating and closing renewable energy deals. Prior to founding Salamander, Michael oversaw proprietary deal origination for MN8 Energy, formerly Goldman Sachs Renewable Power. At GSRP/MN8, Michael originated, negotiated and closed acquisitions totaling 3.45 GW of solar PV and 1 GW of battery storage projects. Michael’s deals included assets that have become the largest solar projects constructed in NJ, RI, and upstate NY. Successful transactions at GSRP/MN8 were often the result of Michael’s strategy formation, planning and transaction execution, alongside his relationship and trust building with partners and counterparties.

Michael’s entire career has been spent building businesses driving the clean energy transition. Throughout his career he has held positions in business development, project development, off-take origination, and investment at Goldman Sachs, SunEdison, Hudson Clean Energy Partners, and Bloomberg New Energy Finance.

Michael earned a Masters in International Energy Management and Policy from Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs and a BA in Economics from Connecticut College. He lives in Salt Lake City, UT with his wife and two dogs. Find Michael skiing, mountain biking or paragliding around the Wasatch Mountains in Utah.

Michael Chestone joined Salamander Power in 2024 as a Developer in Residence.

With over 20 years of experience at the forefront of renewable energy technology, project development, finance, engineering/design, construction and operations, Michael offers unique insights that de-risk portfolio investments and maximize stakeholder value. An experienced industry veteran, he has led and contributed to many hundreds of megawatts of projects across several continents that are currently in operation or advanced stages of development (with many being first entrants in the market). Outside of his consulting practice and other entrepreneurial ventures, he has held pivotal roles at Origis Energy, Gehrlicher Solar, Ormat Technologies and Sharp Electronics Corporation.

Michael holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Entrepreneurship from Sierra Nevada College and a Professional Certificate in Energy Innovation and Emerging Technologies from Stanford University.