Green energy investor hires Blackstone MD for new real estate arm

Renewable energy asset manager Greenbacker Capital Management has appointed David Zackowitz as head of real estate investments. 

Zackowitz, who joins from Blackstone Group where he was a managing director, will lead Greenbacker’s latest sustainability driven investment strategy, focused on acquiring commercial and residential property where the company can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and energy use intensity, as well as add additional sources of renewable power.

In the newly-created role, Zackowitz will manage Greenbacker’s investments in real estate. He will oversee deal origination and deploy capital to improve energy efficiency and support the expansion of electric vehicle fleet charging and rooftop community solar across real estate assets acquired. 

He has 22 years’ experience in real estate investment and asset management, working for C-III Capital Partners and Lehman Brothers prior to his seven year stint with Blackstone. 

“David perfectly complements Greenbacker’s existing investment expertise and expands our ability to invest across the clean energy and sustainability focused asset class,” said Charles Wheeler, CEO of Greenbacker. “His experience and track record with some of the country’s leading real estate investment platforms will bolster Greenbacker’s capabilities within sustainable real estate—a sector with significant opportunity for investment to drive a clean energy future.”