ONSITE ENERGY - Key Persons
Ben graduated high school in 2012 and proceeded to hike the Appalachian Trail. In that endeavor he learned that he wanted to study sustainable agriculture. That led him to receive his A.A.S. in Green Bay, WI. After a few more years of school Ben decided to transition into the workforce as an Apprentice Electrician in Bozeman. Now in his 3rd year he is working here to help wire solar and battery systems with OnSite.
Ben, his wife and two daughters live in Livingston, MT where they enjoy backpacking, skiing, and hunting.
Job Titles:
- Field Operations Director
- Residential Sales Representative
Sam took an interest in sustainability and respect for the environment at a young age and has held a life-long respect for our planet. Earning a bachelor's degree in Environmental Design from North Dakota State University provided him an understanding of the necessity of a sustainable society. His career path found him working in a wide range of fields including software development, the National Park Service, and multiple companies within the outdoor gear industry.
Sam started with OnSite in 2016 as their first full time employee learning the PV installation trade. Within a short period he had earned the industry-standard NABCEP PV Installation Professional certification and his work quickly branched out to managing the Installation Department and spearheading the formation of a Service Department. In his tenure he has played a crucial role in hiring and training the Installation and Electrical staff to the size it is today.
Sam, his wife, and their daughter spend as much of their free time in the outdoors as possible working in their garden, camping, skiing, and bicycling. Family and work are most important to Sam but his third passion is the Gallatin Valley community. He has been involved with the non-profit Bozeman Bike Kitchen since 2008 and currently serves as President of their Board of Directors.
Caden's journey with renewable energy comes from his fascination with keeping our world a natural and sustainable place. He is a native Montanan who likes to tally the number of nights he sleeps under the stars. One day while rock climbing and contemplating the motions of life, he decided he wanted to study solar energy. In 2012, Caden's curiosity became a reality after he completed his Applied Associates Degree in Sustainable Energy Technologies from Montana State University City College.
After working in several careers from bike mechanic to recreational therapy, Caden came onboard with OnSite Energy in 2019. For the past 4 years, Caden's knowledge and technical skills have reached new heights while installing solar in the field. Caden has also furthered his education by completing various accredited Solar Energy International coursework. Recently, Caden's solar experience has led him to become OnSite's Residential Sales Lead.
Caden is a randonneur and lover of bicycles. His passion for cycling not only provided him a career at one point, but it gave him the opportunity to grab life by the handlebars across the world. Caden has experienced parts unknown by pedaling through Mexico and Holland. If you were to ask Caden what powers him to do the work he does, he'll tell you, "I enjoy working for a company that is passionate for something so big. Solar is the right thing to do, and that anyone should have the power to leave the world a better place than when they first entered it.".
Caden's free time is spent on the trail, riding, camping, skiing, or around his beloved friends and family.
Ever since a high school circuit physics class, Caleb has dreamed of being energy independent and living off the grid. As an avid outdoorsman with a passion for skiing from a young age, the college years brought him out west. After many icy moguls, moving to Montana to study environmental science with a short drive to Bridger Bowl was an easy commitment. While learning about the organic world at MSU, Caleb found seasonal work guiding fly fisherman in Wyoming. Eventually the drive to get off the grid and to find a career in the renewable sector took precedence. It was during this time that Caleb learned of Solar Energy International. Through SEI he was reacquainted with his passion of circuit physics; obtaining his residential and commercial photovoltaics certificate. Shortly thereafter he made the move back to his college town to start a career as a solar professional at OnSite Energy.
During the long summer days Caleb will be scouting for elk, car camping along and floating the river, or mountain biking. In the winters, the joys of pond hockey, ice climbing, and backcountry skiing keep him mentally and physically engaged. Caleb enjoys the freedom and solace that hunting and skiing bring when there are no trails to guide you. He also enjoys the self-reliance that the north woods forces upon you over multi-day trips.
Nate is an adventurous soul originating from the Sierra Nevada mountain range. Nate embraces every opportunity to immerse in the outdoors- fishing, camping, mountain biking, horse riding, snowboarding, dirt biking, and tree-climbing (yes, that's a sport.)
Nate is OSHA Certified, Authorized Climber & Rescue Certified, and First Aid/CPR Certified. (Safety is a top priority for OnSite!) Furthermore, he has renewable energy training from Airstreams Renewables Inc. in Tehachapi, California, where he honed his knowledge and skills in the renewable energy field.
Chris joined OnSite Energy in August 2023. He was born and raised in Virginia and went to Virginia Tech, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Economics. Post-college, he worked as a tour guide in Nashville, TN, where he discovered the beauty of the outdoors and the adventure lifestyle.
In 2020, he moved out west to be closer to the mountains, enjoying activities like hiking and skiing. He appreciates being part of the solar industry, focusing on building sustainable, long-term infrastructure with renewable energy.
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive Officer
- Partner
Conor has over 19 years of experience as a solar photovoltaic EPC contractor (engineering, procurement, and construction) in each of the residential, commercial, and industrial market segments. In that time he has designed, managed, installed, and commissioned over 500 electrical systems in both grid-direct and stand-alone applications utilizing battery energy storage systems and multi-mode bidirectional inverters. Additionally, Conor has worked largely within the area of general management during that time, leading his organizations in the areas of business resource and regional market development, team building, organizational process and business systems development, and financial controlling. Conor was the general manager at Independent Power Systems in Bozeman, MT from 2004-2011, achieved recognition as a NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional in 2008, served as President of the Montana Renewable Energy Association from 2010-2016, and is a founding partner and C.E.O. of OnSite Energy, Inc. (2012-present) and OnSite Distributed Power, LLC (2019-present). Conor holds a BA degree in Environmental Economics from Middlebury College.
Job Titles:
- Residential Solar Designer
- Solar Designer
Studying mechanical engineering technology at Montana State University, Jesse was involved with a group of engineers introducing and designing solar powered bus stops for Bozeman - also know as the Solar Streamline Stops. He helped design and plan the bus stops that are lighted and heated all winter for skiers and public transportation goers via solar power. He choose engineering to make the outdoor recreational community a safer and more reliable venture.
Growing up the Chicagoland area and seeing all the different ways society is trying to harvest renewable energy to keep up with demand sparked his interest in finding solutions to our current and future energy crisis. Joining the OnSite team has been very beneficial as learning how solar energy works and is supplied to the world will create a brighter future for everyone.
During the Summer, Jesse is an angler, backpacker, plays frolf and loves any live music opportunity he can find. During the winter, Jesse enjoys skiing through powder fields, playing hockey and ice fishing.
Renewable energy sparked Keith's interest while completing his Bachelor of Science in Construction Engineering Technology at Montana State University. After graduation in 2018, he installed solar seasonally for OnSite Energy before moving to Bellingham, WA for a change of scenery. Keith continued to install solar in WA. Now back in Montana, his goal is to help protect the beautiful resources of the state through wide-spread implementation of solar energy.
Keith can commonly be found doing a wide variety of outdoor activities which include rafting, biking, and skiing. He also strives to help others enjoy the outdoors through volunteering with Eagle Mount.
Job Titles:
- Commercial & Residential Sales Team Lead
Growing up in the lush forests of the Olympic Peninsula gave Kylie an appreciation for the natural world at a young age. The love of wilderness and being outside led her to pursue a degree in Geology and work for the Forest Service after graduating from university. This career path took her all across Montana, Idaho, and Oregon where she conducted geomorphic habitat surveys for salmon and Bull trout and supervised remote field stations.
Her time working for the Forest Service made her realize that conservation alone cannot save the species and ecosystems she had come to love. This made her obsessed with renewable energies and decarbonizing the grid. Kylie loves learning about policy, Greentech, and businesses utilizing creative solutions to fight climate change. She is grateful for the opportunity to work with the Montana solar community and to collaborate with clients to reach their energy goals.
During her off time, Kylie enjoys baking or exploring the mountains of Montana through the mediums of skiing, climbing, and biking.
Job Titles:
- Installation
- Installation Crew Lead
Meet Levi, born and raised in Missoula, Montana, married and a father with two kids. One of OnSite's newest installers, who comes from a background in the skilled trades with a passion for sustainable energy, Levi is excited to work with people at OnSite who are passionate about renewable energy.
Before joining OnSite, his experience and skills included installing geothermal and hydronic heating and cooling systems. He brings enthusiasm for building sustainable, resilient, distributed energy systems to OnSite. He is also passionate about sustainable energy and food systems, building science, and electric vehicles.
When Levi isn't installing solar at Onsite, he enjoys time with his kids, skiing, snowboarding, biking, backpacking, renovating, gardening, and yard games to make the most of his free time.
Lukas' interest in renewable energy began in 2022 when he decided to drop everything he had to pursue a solar sales career in California. Although he had no experience in sales or solar prior, he became infatuated with learning as much as he possibly could about the two industries. Unfortunately, the sales practice he had been using disputed with his own personal morals and beliefs, and slowly lost interest in the company. Lukas loved the idea of providing solar for the sake of fiscal and environmental health. He decided to start seeking a job locally, and stumbled upon OnSite Energy. Through multiple references from both clients and previous employees, he knew OnSite is where he wanted to be.
As of September 2022, Lukas has worked as an installer at OnSite. He continues to expand his knowledge in dreams of becoming a master at providing clean and sustainable energy to Montana.
Outside of work, you can find Lukas enjoying his time with the people around him. Sharing memories with like-minded people in an effort to always push his comfort zone is what he strives for.
Robert is a tinkerer, a dreamer, and a randonneur. Before joining OnSite Energy in 2019, he worked as a bicycle technician, a skill and vocation that grew from his love of bike commuting. This love of bike commuting is just one piece of the journey that brought him into the realm of renewable energy.
When he's not bringing renewable energy to the people, Robert, along with his partner Caroline, enjoys taking care of his longtime dog partner Kairi, playing board games, and living a life that allows them as much zen with the outdoors as possible. Hiking, biking, skiing, and camping are the more common past times, but there's always time to try new things too.
Roksana comes to OnSite Energy via Warsaw, Poland. She has worked in accounts payable, banking, treasury, and advisory for multinational real estate and construction companies. Roksana specializes in corporate finance and financial process improvements and is pleased to contribute to OnSite's continued growth and development.
She views the renewable energy sector as one of the most important positive industries working for our planet's wellbeing.
"It's crucial that we take action now - go solar! - so each of us can do our duty to defend the environment," she notes.
Roksana and her husband enjoy traveling, especially exploring new places and cuisines. She's also an accomplished cook and baker ("Polish cuisine can be pretty complicated!"), has been known to go mushroom hunting in the fall, and loves to hike in Montana's mesmerizing outdoors. Next up: She and her husband plan to bone up on their snowboarding.
Job Titles:
- Director of Design and Engineering
Sarah's interest in solar is rooted in her experience of remote off-grid power systems in Southeast Alaska. After earning her B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Montana State University in 2006, she started working in the solar industry as an installer in Bozeman. She has since held positions in solar sales, project management and design. Sarah teaches online courses for Solar Energy International and is a Licensed Professional Engineer.
Outside the office, she enjoys hiking and camping with her partner and young son.
Job Titles:
- Chief Financial Officer
- Chief Technical Officer
- Partner
Spencer is a seasoned executive with nearly a decade of experience in helping mission focused, renewable energy companies develop and execute their growth and financial strategies. Spencer serves/has served on several boards including the Burlington Electric Commission (Chair), the New England Federal Credit Union-NEFCU (Vice Chair), and the Vermont State Employees Credit Union-VSECU (Chair and Treasurer). Spencer is also a 2012 graduate of NEPPA's Public Utility Management Program, a 2023 graduate of the Global Alliance for Banking on Values' Governance Academy, and has been an advisor to two utility sponsored incubators focused on the energy industry.
Orion has been dedicated to the Montana solar energy industry since 2002, when he first started taking educational workshops and building his own wind and solar power systems. A Montana native who grew up off the grid, his interest in self-sufficiency and alternative energy sources started at a young age. His professional career in the solar industry began when he completed an A.A.S. degree in Photovoltaic (Solar Electric) Design and Installation from San Juan College in 2006, and was quickly hired by Independent Power Systems of Bozeman as a system designer/installer. In 2012 Orion founded OnSite Energy with a goal of providing premier solar electric services throughout the Northern Rockies. Upon partnering with Conor Darby in 2014, they quickly built the most highly qualified and effective team of solar professionals in the state, for which the foundation of OnSite Energy's industry leading reputation has been built.
Job Titles:
- Director of People & Culture
- Lead Service Technician
With a passion for land conservation and backcountry experiences, Summer moved from North Dakota to Montana in 2021. Her original love for environmental health started at the age of 7 when she helped rebuild her community from the disaster of Hurricane Katrina. As a military child she was devoted to leading care package projects, volunteering, and environmental clean ups. While studying Psychology with a minor in Anthropology, she found that her love for people and the environment could become one. As a local BHA and RMEF member, she advocates for the positive impact we can make on wildlife, their habitat, and our hunting heritage.
Ben's interest in the interface between humans and their environments led him to obtain a degree in Sustainable Foods and Bioenergy Systems from Montana State University. An ecological approach to designing human systems remains a core of his philosophy.
With over a decade of experience in the design and implementation of ecological systems, primarily in the context of agriculture, Ben is excited to be a part of the OnSite team in applying ecologically responsible energy solutions to the human environment.
Ben's other interests include making music, cooking, and feeding a healthy fly fishing addiction.
Job Titles:
- Installation
- Installation Crew Lead
- Third Year Electrical Apprentice