Renewable Power Perspectives Q&A with Robert “A.J.” Patton, CEO of 548 Capital, LLC.

Share with us a recent success story.
We recently joined Mayor Lightfoot for a press conference to announce that we will be building a $30 million, entirely inexpensive and totally sustainable advancement, in partnership with the City of Chicago. We are developing 50 property systems, a coffee bar, a company center, all on the South Side of Chicago, which will expand solar-powered use in the city
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What impact are you making?
I believe there is constantly a shock when individuals learn who lags our business. Even in our own communities, individuals simply cant believe it. To me, thats quite satisfying. Individuals seeing whos behind 548 Capital matters.
The other thing that I think is essential is we have an economic effect that resonates with individuals, and its a quite powerful message. That quantity of money impacts the spending plan of everyday families
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What difficulties do you face? Why?
When I go to banks and say that were constructing sustainable housing in low- and moderate-income neighborhoods, they look at me like Ive spoken the wrong language. These neighborhoods are still being red-lined. I think the lesson is that union building is crucial.

So what can organizations like ACORE do to move that needle for you, to break down that barrier?
Putting people in rooms together so everyone can share notes is constantly valuable. Normalizing exposure, standing next to us and saying “these communities are worthy of investment”– you cant put a value on that
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How can prospective partners work with you?
We are also constantly prepared to host individuals if they desire to see some of the sustainable innovation we are putting in these communities. We host people as soon as a week at our structure so they can see the technology that were applying in neighborhoods that historically have not had gain access to. Im constantly tough top executives to put their name and face on these efforts because I believe that has real worth
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How was your Accelerate subscription benefited you?
Its been excellent just to satisfy the other Accelerate member business. I discovered a lot from having conversations with them in real-time, and discovering individuals with absolutely various point of views. I love the networking.
I believe we are doing the finest we can do in the COVID environment. Simply knowing that it exists, and that ACORE is so intentional about the program, makes a huge difference.
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By Constance ThompsonAugust 31, 2021
Image courtesy of Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
The American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) is delighted to share the third installation in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog site series.
Each installation includes industry leaders and topics related to speeding up an equitable and just transition to a renewable resource economy. In acknowledgment of National Black Business Month, our August functions highlight how 3 Black-owned Accelerate member business are growing in the renewable energy sector.
Robert “A.J.” Patton is a financing, sales, and capital markets specialist with more than a years of experience in investment banking, endowment management, and realty analysis. In May 2016, A.J. founded 548 Capital, LLC, to combine his competence and performance history of developing constant returns with a personal enthusiasm for assisting transform neighborhoods and their impact on the world. In 2019, Patton was called a recipient of the Energy News 40 Under 40 award– highlighting his impact on Americas shift to a tidy economy.
FOUND OUT MORE: Up-and-Comer Developer Makes Headway without the Banks ( Chicago Sun-Times, August 27, 2021).
What inspired you to start your company?
I had two pivotal moments that made me jump. In 1999, my mother received a $400 gas expense, and she was only making 10 bucks an hour, so we couldnt manage the gas expense. A lot of individuals have similar anecdotes, and thats not an excellent thing
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They looked puzzled that I would even dare ask about the daily individuals. I believe I turned in my resignation within 6 months of that discussion, and I began my company. I named it 548 Capital since that is the system number in the public real estate where I grew up.

I think there is constantly a shock when individuals learn who is behind our business. Even in our own neighborhoods, individuals just cant believe it. Putting individuals in spaces together so everyone can share notes is constantly important. We are likewise always ready to host people if they want to see some of the sustainable technology we are putting in these neighborhoods. We host individuals when a week at our structure so they can see the innovation that were applying in communities that traditionally have not had gain access to.

Inform us about your business? (objective, partners, regions you run in, primary clients, etc.).
The vision of 548 Capital is to make sustainable technologies accessible for all: all neighborhoods, all families, everybody needs to have gain access to. Somebody, some entity, has to serve as the bridge so that those innovations reach everybody. Thats what my mission is, and fortunately we are growing. We are currently headquartered in Chicago, however we will be revealing some new areas this fall
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