Lazard appointed Michael Skelly senior advisor in Financial Advisory, with a focus on energy, sustainability and infrastructure. He will be based in Houston and New York.

“We have known Skelly for many years and could not be more pleased to have him join us,” said George Bilicic, a vice chairman at Lazard Investment Banking. “He is an accomplished strategic thinker whose expertise and leadership in renewable energy will be a powerful resource for our clients worldwide. Skelly’s international experience will be a great asset as capital flows globally and as uses for electric power continue to evolve.”

Skelly founded Clean Line Energy Partners in 2009 and served as president until becoming chairman in 2018. The company’s sole focus is on continued development of its Grain Belt Express project. Previously, he led the growth of Horizon Wind Energy from family ownership in 1999 through acquisition by Goldman Sachs and, ultimately, EDP Renewables. Skelly also worked at Energia Global and New World Power, focusing on energy projects in Latin America.

Skelly is an angel investor in the sustainability field, with investments in lithium production, shared electric scooters, smart grids and ride sharing and is an active member of the Houston community.