Martin Klepper
Chairman, US Infrastructure
Martin Klepper serves as Chairman of the Board for Fengate’s United States infrastructure business unit, formally named Fengate Capital Management (US) Inc. Working closely with the firm’s Infrastructure investments team, Mr. Klepper is a strategic lead for driving the expansion of Fengate’s portfolio as a developer of and equity investor in public-private partnership (P3), contracted power and contracted utilities projects in the US market.
Mr. Klepper most recently served as the first Executive Director of the USDOT Build America Bureau (Bureau), where he was responsible for USDOT credit programs and loan guarantees to support the purchase of transportation equipment and construction of large-scale and multimodal transportation infrastructure. The Bureau also promotes P3s and helps state and local governments develop and finance P3 transactions for transportation facilities.
Prior to joining the Bureau, Mr. Klepper was a senior partner in the Energy and Infrastructure Projects Group at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, LLP, where he was known for developing, financing, acquiring and selling transportation, energy, and other large infrastructure projects in the US and abroad. Over his career, he has closed more than 100 major transactions totaling more than $20 billion. Mr. Klepper has worked with both federal and state governments on energy and infrastructure financing matters, as well as with banks, underwriters, equity investors, multilateral lenders, and export credit agencies in various capacities. Mr. Klepper represented the Department of Transportation in financing a roster of large projects, including TIFIA’s $2 billion financing for the expansion of the Washington Metro to Dulles Airport. He also has handled major transactions related to privatizations and restructurings within the electric and gas industry, and has extensive experience in financing sports stadiums, arenas and teams including FedEx Field and Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.
Mr. Klepper regularly serves as a guest speaker and media commentator on energy and infrastructure. He has repeatedly been recognized in Chambers Global (Band 1), Chambers USA, Euromoney’s Guide to the World’s Leading Project Finance Lawyers, IFLR1000 and The Best Lawyers in America. Mr. Klepper received the Renewable Energy World’s 2012 Leadership in Finance Award for having “emerged as a preeminent force in renewable energy” and having “led a landmark solar merger and acquisition and financing deals that totaled more than $7 billion” in 2011. In 2012, Law 360 named him one of its “Project MVPs” as well as a member of its Energy Editorial Board, and he was named Best Lawyers’ 2011 Project Finance Lawyer of the Year for Washington, D.C., and Baltimore.
