Gravity Group - OUR TEAM

Mr. Penman serves as President & CEO of Gravity Group, bringing over a decade of strategic leadership and transformative business development to the organization. A seasoned executive with a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing emerging and established enterprises, Mr. Penman leverages his extensive experience to drive sustainable growth and innovation. His career trajectory includes pivotal roles leading IT divisions at Fortune 500 giants such as OfficeMax and Komatsu America, where he consistently delivered impactful results. Mr. Penman holds a BS in IT Management from American Sentinel University and an MBA from the University of Phoenix. As a key stakeholder in Super Local Media, a prominent Chicago-based media agency with a prestigious client roster including BET Networks, Evian, and McDonald's, he demonstrates a proven ability to navigate and succeed in highly competitive markets. 

Carl Hansberry, a Chicago native and founder of Gravity Group LLC, focuses on wastewater treatment plants' energy generation and methane reduction potential. With over 15 years in the energy sector and experience in insurance and construction, he enhances the team's expertise.

 As a FEMA-approved contractor, he managed recovery efforts for over 150 commercial and 2,000 residential sites following Gulf Coast hurricanes, inspiring his vision for Gravity Group. Formerly the chairman of Off Grid Technologies Inc., he specializes in renewable energy systems and is committed to sustainability. His aim for Gravity Group is to foster a healthy environment and create jobs in the green energy sector. 

Mr. Gronbeck attended the University of Wisconsin Platteville, where his father was a professor. He received the Zapata Energy Resources Scholarship during his sophomore and junior years and served as Secretary-Treasurer and later President of the mining engineering student chapter of AIME. He continued his studies at Bakersfield College, UC Fullerton, and Colorado Mountain College. His career includes roles at Conoco's CONSOL COAL in West Virginia, Phelps Dodge Mining Colorado, Freeport McMoRan's Henderson Operations, and as Senior Manager for Data Management Systems in Denver. Along with his brother, Gerald, he is a partner in Brothers Engineering LLC, a Civil and Mining Engineering consulting firm with an extensive academic and industry background, including honors from Phi Kappa Phi, Theta Tau, and Chi Epsilon 

Mr. Luke Townsend is the General Counsel at Gravity, LLC, recognized for his meticulous legal approach and expertise in Corporate/Securities Law, Government Affairs, Real Estate, and Complex Civil Litigation. He has a background in finance and investment banking, holding Series 3, 7, and 63 licenses, and has worked at Merrill Lynch in municipal finance and pension planning.

Mr. Townsend is committed to continuous education, with CLE accreditation from Northwestern Law School. He has experience in private equity, municipal bonds, and public-private ventures, and is involved with the Chicago City Club and the Chicago Area Public Affairs Group. He holds dual degrees in Economics and Government from Beloit College and a Juris Doctor from Cornell Law School. 

Mr. Maurice Byrd is the Vice President and CFO at Gravity, LLC, with a strong background in senior management and business turnarounds. He specializes in finance, investments, real estate, and accounting, enhancing performance across various industries including Retail and Renewable Energy. 

Mr. Byrd has held significant roles such as Registered Investment Advisor and Senior Business Analyst, managing $170 million in revenue and a workforce of 1,000 employees. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance from Western Illinois University and an MBA from Olivet Nazarene University. 

Dr. Brown, a native of Charleston, South Carolina, is an accomplished entrepreneur who pivoted from medicine to focus on the green economy. At Gravity Group, LLC, he aims to address the mental health impacts of climate change, recognizing that extreme weather events can lead to anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other mental health issues. 

Currently, he is the Program Director at Avenia Behavioral Management. Dr. Brown earned his undergraduate degree from Vanderbilt University and his medical degree from Meharry Medical College, completing a dual residency in Neurology and Psychiatry at Tulane University. Practicing since 1995, he is board-certified in both fields and specializes in neurobehavioral disorders, serving as a Psychiatrist and Medical Director for various mental health agencies in Louisiana and Georgia.  

Carmen Urban is the Senior Vice President overseeing External Affairs at Gravity Group and the founder and CEO of Midwest Capital Acquisitions, a real estate development company aimed at addressing the housing shortage. She is a licensed residential and commercial real estate agent with over 10 years of investment consulting experience at firms like Vanguard Group, Morgan Stanley, and William Blair & Co. 

In 2023, Carmen became the first African American President of the Women’s Council of Realtors, Fox Valley. She is active in advocating for housing rights and empowering women in real estate through educational events, including organizing major panels with local mayors. Carmen holds a Business Management degree from Temple University and a Master’s Certificate in Development and Capital Raise from Urban Real Estate School. A former owner of Midwest Natural Pageants, she supports children's confidence-building, and she is a dedicated mother of two.  

Mr. Adams is a strategic consultant specializing in natural gas safety, renewable energy, and regulatory policy. As the founder of Genspolitia, he works with policymakers, businesses, and industry leaders to advance fuel gas safety regulations and accelerate the adoption of solar, wind, and microgrid technologies. 

Working with Gravity Group, Mr. Adams helps bridge the gap between policy and technology, ensuring businesses and communities have access to safe, sustainable, and resilient energy solutions. Through regulatory strategy, coalition building, and data-driven advocacy, he drives impactful policy and market transformation.  

Mr. Nicholas Hansberry, a Chicago native and environmental advocate, continues his family's 100-year legacy of activism. He began his career at RJ Reynolds Tobacco as an Area Manager, then became a Sales Manager at Mondelez International, generating over $30 million in two years. Currently, he serves as a Territory Manager at ADP Payroll Service Corporation in Chicago. A graduate of Clark University Chicago with a degree in communications, Mr. Hansberry combines artistic creativity with entrepreneurial spirit, aspiring to own a radio station and become a broadcaster.