Now more than ever, renewable energy and clean tech groups at all parts of expansion should place themselves with competent leaders who can run their firms through these uncertain times and be ready to expand their ventures at the first signs of economic recovery. Ira Ehrenpresis, General Partner at venture capital firm Technology Partners, highlighted the significance of human capital when it comes to supporting clean tech firms. “First and foremost we give money to people. We fund strong leaders, CEO’s with whom we feel are capable of returning to our General Partners, incredible returns,” the businessman said.

Strong executive leadership means a commitment to excellence and the ability to sell an idea. Erik Straser, Partner at Mohr Davidow Ventures has invested a huge amount of time enlisting CEOs to his client collection. “The one common trait that we look for in a CEO is their outgoing-ness and ability to sell to everyone and everywhere throughout the firm’s steps toward commercialization and well beyond,” said Straser.

While firms and companies may be laying-off hundreds of employees and catapulting the U.S. and European nations to unparalleled unemployment levels in 10 years, several clean tech firms look for a chance in the current economic climate to improve their leadership ranks and promote their reserve of talents. Whether renewable energy firms are just faced with fiscal restrictions and budgetary concerns, being able to persevere is the solution when it comes to looking for the right executive leadership.

For many, like Walmart de Mexico chief executive Eduardo Solorzano, the economy has cause for optimism. In contrast, Walmart Stores CEO Mike Duke is treading the economy with caution, believing there is “still a lot of stress.”

Level 3 Communications CEO James Crowe also “continues to be cautious,” but he is beginning to feel that consumers are starting to buy again. Likewise, Metso Oyj’s CEO Jorma Eloranta said, “The overall market sentiment…continues to be cautious.” Nevertheless, Eloranta saw some positive signs.

At any rate, many company executives have conceded better earnings amid economy woes. Stacy Smith, Intel Corp CFO, said there were “signs” that the market for personal computers bottomed out early in 2009. The statement jibes with that of Interpublic Group of Cos CEO Michael Roth, who saw “improvement” between March and February 2009.

Feike Sijbesma, CEO of DSM NV, thought demand did not improve, but it did not deteriorate either. WPP Group CEO Martin Sorrell went so far as saying, “We’re doing OK,” while Drax Group CEO Dorothy Thompson said she saw “marked improvement in margins for 2010.”

Others have lower expectations. Air Liquide CEO Benoit Potier said that although there have been positive signs at the quarter’s end, this does not connote any indications of a trend. Earl Hesterberg, CEO of Group 1 Automotive, also saw no indication.

Bruce Wasserstein, Lazard’s chief executive, described the current economic atmosphere as being turbulent or tumultuous. In the same way, Abbott Laboratories CEO Miles White said that his company bore “the real impact of the economic downturn” for the first time.

Referring to subsidiary American Airlines, AMR CEO Gerard Arpey contended that the economic situation and the present condition of the capital markets continue to post significant challenges.

Famed restaurant chain Burger King even admitted their global margins were low, with branches in Germany and Mexico experiencing the steepest drop.