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

What can organizations like ACORE do to move that needle for you, to break down that barrier?
Putting individuals in rooms together so everybody can share notes is always important. Stabilizing exposure, standing next to us and saying “these neighborhoods are worthy of financial investment”– you cant put a value on that
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How can possible partners do service with you?
We are also constantly willing to host people if they desire to see some of the sustainable technology we are putting in these communities. We host individuals once a week at our building so they can see the technology that were using in communities that traditionally have not had access. Im always tough leading 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 great simply to satisfy the other Accelerate member business. I found out a lot from having discussions with them in real-time, and finding out about people with totally various perspectives. I like the networking.
I believe we are doing the best we can do in the COVID environment. Feeling in ones bones that it exists, which ACORE is so intentional about the program, makes a huge distinction.
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Show us a recent success story.
We just recently joined Mayor Lightfoot for an interview to announce that we will be constructing a $30 million, entirely sustainable and entirely budget-friendly development, in collaboration with the City of Chicago. We are developing 50 residential units, a coffee store, an organization center, all on the South Side of Chicago, which will broaden solar-powered use in the city
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What effect are you making?
When people learn who is behind our business, I think there is constantly a shock. Even in our own communities, people just cant think it. To me, thats quite fulfilling. People seeing whos behind 548 Capital matters.
The other thing that I think is necessary is we have an economic effect that resonates with people, and its a pretty effective message. Were aiming to cut utility expenses for households in half. Thats a big deal, you understand. That quantity of cash effects the budget plan of everyday families
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What challenges do you deal with? Why?
When I go to banks and say that were building sustainable housing in low- and moderate-income communities, they look at me like Ive spoken the incorrect language. These neighborhoods are still being red-lined. I believe the lesson is that coalition structure is essential.

By Constance ThompsonAugust 31, 2021
Photo thanks to Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
The American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) is delighted to share the 3rd installation in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog site series.
Each installation features industry leaders and subjects associated with speeding up a fair and simply shift to a renewable energy economy. In recognition of National Black Business Month, our August functions highlight how three Black-owned Accelerate member companies are thriving in the renewable resource sector.
Robert “A.J.” Patton is a financing, sales, and capital markets specialist with more than a decade of experience in financial investment banking, endowment management, and property analysis. In May 2016, A.J. established 548 Capital, LLC, to combine his proficiency and performance history of producing consistent returns with a personal enthusiasm for assisting change communities and their effect on the world. In 2019, Patton was called a recipient of the Energy News 40 Under 40 award– highlighting his effect on Americas transition 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 begin your business?
I had 2 critical minutes that made me leap. In 1999, my mom received a $400 gas costs, and she was just making ten dollars an hour, so we couldnt afford the gas bill. A lot of individuals have similar anecdotes, and thats not a great thing
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They looked puzzled that I would even dare ask about the daily people. I believe I turned in my resignation within six months of that discussion, and I started my company. I named it 548 Capital since that is the unit number in the public real estate where I grew up.

I believe there is constantly a shock when individuals learn who is behind our company. Even in our own neighborhoods, individuals simply cant believe it. Putting people in rooms together so everybody can share notes is constantly valuable. We are also constantly willing to host individuals if they desire to see some of the sustainable innovation we are putting in these neighborhoods. We host people once a week at our structure so they can see the technology that were using in neighborhoods that historically havent had gain access to.

Inform us about your company? (mission, partners, areas you run in, main customers, and so on).
The vision of 548 Capital is to make sustainable innovations available for all: all neighborhoods, all families, everyone needs to have gain access to. Somebody, some entity, has to serve as the bridge so that those innovations reach everybody.