Yael Avner
Austin,TX
Summary
Strategic and results-driven executive specializing in infrastructure and renewable energy, with a proven track record of driving sustainable growth and operational excellence. As a COO and senior leader, I have successfully scaled businesses, led multi-billion-dollar projects, and established global organizations in the U.S. market, transforming vision into action. Day-to-day business development and operations management across industries since 2014.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
COO, U.S. Market
Ashtrom Renewable Energy
Austin, TX
07.2024 - Current
VP Corporate Development | Managing Director
Ashtrom Renewable Energy
Greece
05.2022 - 06.2024
Deputy Head, S&B Concessions U.S.A
Pittsburgh, PA | Airport City, Israel
Pittsburgh, PA
01.2019 - 09.2022
Director of U.S. Operations
Shikun & Binui Concessions USA, Inc.
Plano, TX
01.2015 - 01.2018
Assistant VP Investment Sales
The Weitzman Group
Dallas, TX
01.2014 - 01.2014
Legal Counsel and Corporate Secretary
Blue Square Real Estate Ltd.
Tel Aviv, Israel
01.2011 - 01.2013
Head of Real Estate Discipline
Alon Blue Square Israel Ltd.
01.2004 - 01.2011
Attorney
Greenspoon – Arad-Ayalon Law Offices
Tel Aviv, Israel
01.2000 - 01.2004
- Status: U.S. Permanent Resident (Green Card holder)
Education
LL.M. - Master of Laws Executive Program in Commercial Law in collaboration with University of California, Berkeley
GPA: Magna Cum laude
LL.B. - Bachelor of Laws (combined with Business Management Studies, majored in Marketing)
Cours de Langue et Civilization Française
Skills
- C-level Strategic Leadership
- High stakes decision-making capabilities
- Mentoring and developing team members
- Complex project lifestyle engagements
- Financing agreements
- Complex deal structuring and execution
- Innovative technologies
- Cross-functional team leadership
- Compliance with US regulations
- Business development
- Project management
- Strategic partnerships
- Branding strategy
- PR and communication plan
- Enterprise growth
- Greenfield development
- Innovative financing structures
- M&A
- Project finance
- Negotiations with banks
- Negotiations with institutional investors
- Negotiations with public entities
Certification
Attorney, Admitted to Israel Bar Association, 11/01/99
Achievements And Key Skills
- Spearheaded market entry for Shikun & Binui and Ashtrom Renewable Energy in the U.S., driving multi-billion-dollar projects (SH 288 Toll Lanes, Fargo-Moorhead Flood Diversion Channel Project, Tierra Bonita Solar Project).
- C-level Strategic Leadership
- High stakes decision-making capabilities
- Mentoring and developing team members
- Secured and structured complex project lifestyle engagements (JVs, EPC, O&M, Asset Management), financing agreements, including TIFIA, green financing, tax credit transfers, and PPPs (PFI, DBFOM, DBF) optimizing project profitability in U.S., Greece and Israel.
- Expertise in complex deal structuring and execution.
- Successfully navigating through innovative technologies and diversified fanatical delivery methods
- Led cross-functional (legal/finance/technological/engineering) global and multinational internal teams and tier 1 advisory firms to deliver large-scale projects on time and under budget, ensuring compliance with U.S. regulations.
- Expertise in initiating and executing complex transactions, business development, and project management.
- Built strategic partnerships with federal, state, and local agencies and stakeholders, enhancing brand recognition and market presence, grit for promoting innovative projects for a sustainable future.
- Long term joint ventures (JV) and strategic partnerships.
- Branding strategy, PR and communication plan
- Secured enterprise growth through greenfield development, innovative financing structures and M&A.
- Strong background in project finance, including negotiations with banks, institutional investors, and public entities
Media Room
- Https://www.proximoinfra.com/articles/8322/tierra-bonita-a-demonstration-in-ptcs
- Https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2024/10/ashtron-renewable-energy-completes-first-us-solar-project/
- Https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/02/19/3028831/0/en/Ashtrom-Renewable-Energy-Announces-Power-Purchase-Agreement-PPA-with-CPS-Energy-for-El-Patrimonio-Solar-Project-in-Texas.html
- Https://fmdiversion.gov/news-resources/update-fm-area-diversion-honored-with-three-international-awards/
- Https://www.enr.com/articles/57527-taming-the-red-river-innovative-p3-delivers-massive-diversion-project-in-north-dakota
- Https://www.shikunusa.com/concessions/projects/sh288
Hobbies and Interests
Cofounder and managing director of ArTour, contemporary Israeli art sales and events.
References
References to be provided upon request.
Leadership Experience
Israel Defense Force, Educational Officer, Second Lieutenant
Languages
- English, fluent
- Hebrew, native
- French, good
Pronouns
She/Her
Timeline
COO, U.S. Market - Ashtrom Renewable Energy
07.2024 - Current
VP Corporate Development | Managing Director - Ashtrom Renewable Energy
05.2022 - 06.2024
Deputy Head, S&B Concessions U.S.A - Pittsburgh, PA | Airport City, Israel
01.2019 - 09.2022
Director of U.S. Operations - Shikun & Binui Concessions USA, Inc.
01.2015 - 01.2018
Assistant VP Investment Sales - The Weitzman Group
01.2014 - 01.2014
Legal Counsel and Corporate Secretary - Blue Square Real Estate Ltd.
01.2011 - 01.2013
Head of Real Estate Discipline - Alon Blue Square Israel Ltd.
01.2004 - 01.2011
Attorney - Greenspoon – Arad-Ayalon Law Offices
01.2000 - 01.2004
Tel Aviv University - LL.M., Master of Laws Executive Program in Commercial Law in collaboration with University of California, Berkeley
Interdisciplinary Center Herzliya (IDC) - LL.B., Bachelor of Laws (combined with Business Management Studies, majored in Marketing)
Université de la Sorbonne - , Cours de Langue et Civilization Française
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