Management Team
Burton is led by partners who are leaders in the energy management and sustainability fields and are able to deliver all aspects of an energy management solution – with previous experience in electric utilities, natural gas, energy consulting, energy engineering, and risk management. We leverage our collective experiences for our client’s benefit. We have experience on the client side, utility side, manufacturer side, and consulting side - and have been responsible for building several of the major energy consulting practices in the country.
Brent Burton – Managing Partner
A 20-year industry veteran, Brent founded Burton Energy Group in 2001 to assist commercial businesses with their energy management needs.
His primary business model is to serve as an outsourced energy management solution (supply-side, demand-side, etc.). Services include: client account management and reporting, supply side strategy, commodity procurement, contract execution, utility rate and regulatory review, annual utility budgeting, energy demand side services, water conservation programs and green program initiatives.
Brent has concentrated mostly in the hospitality sector, securing hotel owners, managers and real estate investment trusts. He has developed a network of supply and demand side partners to supplement the portfolio of services provided. His clients have an average return on investment of 7:1 for projects implemented since energy programs were initiated, resulting in annual savings of 5.5% of total energy spend. This track record has resulted in continuous profitability for Burton Energy Group since its inception.
Before forming Burton Energy Group, Brent worked as Vice President of Marketing at Retx Energy Services, an energy information application service provider specializing in distributed generation solutions. Previously, he spent 10 years as a director for Enron Energy Services and a manager at Entergy Corporation.
Brent obtained his MBA from Mississippi State University with bachelor degrees in Economics and Geology.
Mark Breuker - Managing Partner
Mark brings 15 years of energy management experience to Burton Energy Group, providing leadership in the areas of sustainability, energy conservation and billing data management. He also supports the company's energy procurement and risk management offerings.
Before joining Burton, Mark was Director of Energy Consulting at Advantage IQ. Previously, he spent several years in management positions at Prenova Inc. (formerly Service Resources), where he led the company's efforts to provide a full suite of energy management solutions, including load response, for customers like AT&T and Home Depot.
On the demand side of the energy management business, Mark identified and applied efficiency improvement technologies with Duke Solutions and published research on smart building technology through ASHRAE while a Senior Engineer with Carrier Corporation.
Mark is a Certified Energy Manager, LEED Accredited Professional, and Registered Professional Engineer. He holds a master's degree in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan.
Tim Leigh - Managing Partner
Tim has more than 20 years of experience in the U.S. energy markets, working in various sectors of the energy value chain. His principal responsibility at Burton is managing clients' energy risk management and leading procurement of their electricity and natural gas needs. He also has extensive experience in designing clients' Triple P (profit, planet, and people) sustainability programs.
Tim has designed and implemented a best in class Fortune 100 energy procurement program and is widely recognized as the best supply side energy manager in the end user community. He has served on Edison Electric Institute's Commercial Advisory Board, Direct Energy's Customer Advisory Board and NRF Sustainability Leadership Team.
In 2007, Tim was one of the chief architects of the corporate sustainability program for the nation's largest department store retailer. Part of the effort, a $70 million solar/energy efficiency program, culminated in more than 10MW of solar projects and was recognized by the EPA as one of the most outstanding Green Power Programs of the year. Prior to joining Burton, Tim worked as Director of Energy Services for Macy's, co-founded one of the nation's leading energy service companies, and served as a senior manager with Accenture. He also served with The Southern Company for 10 years.
Tim received his BME from Auburn University and has attended a number of graduate programs, including Corporate Venturing at Northwestern University.