GRID ALTERNATIVES - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Commercial Design Manager
Job Titles:
- Member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe
- Vice President of Philanthropy
Adam's mission is to strengthen people and planet through philanthropy. As Vice President of Philanthropy at GRID Alternatives, Adam manages all organization-wide strategies to advance philanthropic partnerships and promote a culture of philanthropy. Adam founded the Tribal Solar Accelerator Fund in 2018 and serves as the leading executive for all grant-making activities, solar project development, and tribal partnerships. Adam is a frequent speaker and thought leader on energy sovereignty and related topics and in 2020, he was recognized on the Energy News Network "40 under 40" list, spotlighting emerging leaders and innovators from across the U.S. and their work in America's transition to a clean energy economy.
His career began at Stanford University at the Haas Center for Public Service, in a joint appointment with the Center on Philanthropy and Civil Society. Since then, he has worked for more than a decade in environmental nonprofits, including the California Academy of Sciences, NatureBridge, and the Wilderness Society. Adam holds an undergraduate degree from St. Olaf College, graduate degrees from Columbia and Stanford, and an Executive Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership from Harvard. Adam actively volunteers at Stanford where he serves on the National Advisory Board of the Haas Center for Public Service and recently completed a five-year term as a member of the Board of Directors of the Stanford Alumni Association.
Adam is an enrolled member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe (Lakota) and in his free time, you can find him exploring the badlands, grasslands, and Black Hills of South Dakota.
Job Titles:
- Solar Installation Trainer
Job Titles:
- Workforce Development Manager
Originally from the east coast, Adewale moved to Southern California in 2007. Initially he worked at California State University, Dominguez Hills for the California African American Political & Economic Institute, a non-profit research organization that disseminated information into the Greater Los Angeles community. During the course of his employment, he took up the study of photovoltaics at Los Angeles Trade Technical College. It was at that time that he learned about and became involved with GRID Alternatives. Since then he has developed a passion for solar energy and all the possibilities its uses create.
Job Titles:
- Solar Installation Supervisor and System Designer
Ajith is an educator at Fresno State in Mechanical engineering with a Ph.D. in solar energy. He has taken part in several Solarthons along with his students. He cherishes preparing young minds to look after the environment. He is an advocate for solar energy and electric vehicles (EV). He looks forward to bringing his academic and photovoltaic (PV) expertise and diverse background to contribute to local communities and GRID Central Valley Fresno. Ajith started his solar journey in 1995 with a master's in solar power at Brunel University, London, United Kingdom (UK).
Job Titles:
- Senior Solar Installation Supervisor
Job Titles:
- SolarCorps Construction Fellow
Job Titles:
- Financial Services Leader
Alex Saucedo has been a financial services leader for the past 10 years with a strong passion to making positive impacts on team members, customers and the communities he serves. He is currently a Community Banking Manager at US Bank in Rancho Cucamonga where he leads and coaches the banking employees to create, build and deepen the relationship to provide a world class client experience. His focus and specialties are in Consumer Lending, Wealth Management, Leadership and Operations.
Job Titles:
- Director of Strategic Devlopment
A New York transplant, Alex came to Los Angeles to study urban and regional planning at UCLA, focusing his research on climate change mitigation through a regional planning framework. After graduation, Alex continued policy research at the UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation where he led research projects in both the Alternative Energy and Alternative Fuels (PEVs) initiatives. GRID teamed with the Luskin Center for a solar at affordable housing report, where Alex saw GRID's social mission firsthand and economic and environmental justice in action.
Alex joined GRID in May 2016 to help launch GRID GLA's multifamily and commercial non-profit program. Alex works to develop partnerships with affordable housing non-profits to bring solar and job training to them and their residents, as well as to other mission-aligned non-profits who can reduce their operating costs and reinvest savings back into their mission.
Job Titles:
- Workforce Development Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Policy and Regulatory Manager
Job Titles:
- Outreach Program Specialist
Job Titles:
- Commercial Project Manager / Development
Job Titles:
- Outreach & Construction Specialist
Job Titles:
- Logistics Supply Chain Manager
Job Titles:
- Residential Solar Installation Supervisor
Job Titles:
- Project Coordinator / Design Quality Control
Job Titles:
- Solar Installation Supervisor
Angela joined GRID in June 2019. After an exciting career in broadcasting and media, Angela has devoted her talents over the last decade to working in the nonprofit health sector. As Executive Director of the California Oncology Research Institute (CORI) she spearheaded a Faith-based cancer education and early detection program for African American women. Angela also helped launch the Affordable Care Act in California as a certified enrollment entity for Covered CA, enrolling thousands of low-income families in health plans. She is a founding member of "Be the Vote" San Diego a nonpartisan coalition of nonprofits committed to voter education and engagement. Angela is a first-generation Trinidadian American.
Job Titles:
- Accounts Payable Specialist
Job Titles:
- Vice President of Construction
Anna has broad experience in the solar industry as a site supervisor, hands-on trainer, and design and installation technician. In the private sector, she managed over $4M in residential and small commercial PV projects. She has worked on renewable energy projects and environmental justice campaigns in the Philippines, Haiti, and Costa Rica but is honored to share her skills locally to help democratize access to renewable energy and energy efficiency solutions and training. Anna has a degree in Electrical Engineering from MIT and is proud to represent among other women who are NABCEP Certified Installers in California.
Job Titles:
- Logistics & Safety Manager
Job Titles:
- Electrical Engineer With the State of California
Anthony Hernandez is a licensed Electrical Engineer with the state of California, and a LEED® Accredited Professional, and holds a M.S. in Engineering Management and B.S. in Electrical Engineering, both from Cal Poly Pomona. He has two decades of experience within the energy and construction industries. Throughout his career he has held various leadership roles in customer service, construction management & design, product development & management, energy markets & procurement. Anthony is currently the Principal Manager for SCE's Energy Contracts Origination team. His team oversees all aspects of the deal-making and solicitation processes for SCE's Energy Procurement & Management organization, which is responsible for developing SCE's multi-billion dollar energy resource portfolio, in furtherance of State goals and SCE's clean energy vision. Anthony has also led teams responsible for SCE's portfolios of Energy Efficiency, Demand Response, and Distributed Generation programs, as well as, SCE's related tariff offers. He currently volunteers as a Strategic Advisor for SCE's Latinos for Engagement Advancement & Development (LEAD) Employee Resource Group, and serves as a Board Member for GRID Alternatives Greater Los Angeles.
Job Titles:
- Workforce and Volunteer Program Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Solar Outreach Coodinator
Job Titles:
- Executive Assistant
- Office Manager
Job Titles:
- Solar Installation Supervisor
Arthur has an extensive career that includes construction management, program/project/product management, and entrepreneurship in many industries including infrastructure, education, transportation, energy, health, government, and hospitality. He excels at building high-performance teams focusing efforts on exceptional customer relationships with high-quality service and has been responsible for fundraising, enterprise-level sales, and implementation in various industries. With a degree in Civil Engineering from the University of California at Berkeley, Arthur is excited to bring his experience, skills, and passion for equity in renewable energy here to GRID. He is a Bay Area resident with his wife and their three daughters.
As a Bruin and native Angeleno, Ashley loves Southern California and all the great things it has to offer. Ashley realized she really wants to help people and communities at an early age and opted to go to an alternative high school in Compton to prepare for a career in medicine. After receiving her BA in History from UCLA, she began her career path by working in several different industries before catching solar fever in 2011. After working in the for-profit world for 7 years, she realized that the desire to help her community was not being fulfilled and decided to embark on a different path that combined both her love for renewable energy and community development. GRID affords her the opportunity and she could not be happier! She is excited to bring her experience with project administration and business operations to the GRID family and hopes to make a positive impact in her community and spread the culture of GRID wherever she goes. She is thrilled that she has the opportunity to work for such a positive company with such a wonderful approach and diverse perspective on people, planet and employment.
Job Titles:
- Director of Corporate Partnerships
Job Titles:
- Administrative Operations Manager / Construction
Aspen Stover was fortunate to start her SolarCorps career at GRID Alternatives in 2017 and completed her time with grid in 2018. Through her training and connection with Grid she was able to land a job a crew lead that eventually lead to being a Commercial Solar Cobstruction Manager. Throughout that time she remained involved with Grid Colorado and continued to work with many of the interns who came after her. She eventually moved over to utility scale energy storage systems and continues to work closely with Grid Alternatives as a board member.
Job Titles:
- Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment Project Manager
Job Titles:
- Program Co - Manager, Clean Cars for All
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Leadership Team
- Vice President of Regions
Bambi grew up in the Washington, DC area. She holds a B.S. in Architecture from the University of Virginia, a Masters in Real Estate Development from the University of Maryland in College Park, and is a LEED Accredited Professional. In her career she has worked as a green builder, designer, and consultant for a number of private and non-profit developers, building owners, and design/engineering/contracting firms throughout the US and internationally. Bambi enjoys cooking, eating, hiking, traveling, reading, teaching, humming, building things, and spending time with her family. She believes in trying anything, especially unique foods, at least once!
Benny D. Barco is a Central Valley small business and startup attorney. He acts as business and outside general legal counsel to startups, entrepreneurs, and professionals.
Benny is active in numerous community and charitable causes in the Central Valley. He is a board member for the Junior Company Foundation and an active member of Community Housing Council of Fresno, Fresno Area Hispanic Foundation and National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals.
Benny received a J.D. from San Joaquin College of Law and a B.A. in English Literature from the University of California, Berkeley.
Job Titles:
- Senior Outreach Coordinator
Blaine Boyer has an extensive career in education. For the past 20 years he has been a teacher at Rancho Vista Continuation High School in Temecula where some of his accomplishments include receiving 'Teacher of the Year' awards and receiving $10,000 in grants to create a Solar/Green energy program.
Blaine is a licensed real estate broker in California and received a BS in Business Administration and MBA from the University of Southern California. He also obtained his Single Subject Teaching credential in Business with supplementals in Math and Economics. He is a proud father of two daughters and four grandchildren and currently lives on and operates an 18-acre organic farm with his wife.
Job Titles:
- Secretary
- Executive Director of Global Corporate Citizenship for KPMG
Brad is Executive Director of Global Corporate Citizenship for KPMG. In this role, he focuses on integrating corporate responsibility across the KPMG network, with specific responsibility for the firm's environmental sustainability initiatives. He also serves as KPMG's Liaison Delegate for the World Business Council for Sustainable Development. Prior to Brad's current position, he served as Director with the Forensic practice of KPMG LLP, assisting clients with a variety of corporate responsibility initiatives such as internal investigations, sustainability reporting, and supply chain integrity. Other professional experiences include serving as a labor standards monitor with the non-profit Kenan Institute of Asia, a sustainability advisor with KPMG in South Africa, and as an internal auditor with Gateway computers. Brad is a Certified Public Accountant, has a MBA degree in Sustainable Enterprise from UNC-Chapel Hill and a Masters of Accounting from Appalachian State University.
Job Titles:
- Project Coordinator, Access Clean California
Job Titles:
- Senior Solar Installation Supervisor
Project Manager for juwi Inc, Mr. Vickers joined the GRID Alternatives Board in 2018. Since 1990, he has pursued his passion for project leadership through a number of diverse fields from environmental services to renewable energy construction. For juwi, Mr. Vickers is responsible for managing development and construction activities for utility-scale solar projects.
Job Titles:
- SOMAH Marketing, Education & Outreach Program Manager
Job Titles:
- Director of California Conservation Corps
Bruce Saito was appointed Director of California Conservation Corps - the oldest and largest conservation corps in the nation - by Governor Jerry Brown in September of 2015. He is leading the organization in its commitment to enhance the Corpsmember vocational experience and expand environmentally focused projects that make California an even better place to live. Bruce's career with the Corps goes back to 1977 during the CCC's earliest days. He started as a supervisor/instructor at the Bret Harte Training Academy in Calaveras County, and over the next ten years, promoted his way up to director of the Los Angeles Urban Center and the Conservationist Supervisor CCC Camarillo Center.
In 1986, Bruce helped establish the non-profit Los Angeles Conservation Corps (LACC). He later served as the LACC executive director- devoting 30 years to the program and growing it to be one of the country's largest local-nonprofit corps. In 2014, LACC's Charter High School was renamed the Saito Charter High School.
Bruce previously served as board president for the Corps Network and he currently serves on the Corps Network Board of Directors and Corps Council. In 2014, Bruce was honored with the Corps Legacy Achievement Award. In California, he served as president of the California Association of Local Conservation Corps that represents 14 certified local conservation corps programs. Additionally, he continues to serve on a number of Los Angeles Boards and Commissions, including the Friends of Manzanar, Little Tokyo Senior Nutrition Center, Community Nature Connection, the Coalition for Responsible Community Development, the LA Education Corps, the LA League of Conservation Voters (LACLV) and the Los Angeles County Beaches and Harbor Commission.
Bruce grew up in Los Angeles, graduated from San Francisco State University, and resides in Long Beach, CA.
Job Titles:
- Commercial Project Designer / Engineer
Job Titles:
- SolarCorps Workforce Development & Volunteer Fellow
Job Titles:
- SolarCorps Construction Fellow
Job Titles:
- Outreach Coordinator
- Colorado As the Outreach Coordinator
Chelsea joined GRID Alternatives Colorado as the Outreach Coordinator in 2020. Chelsea has a long history of working with non-profits in Outreach Services and Case Management roles. With this background, Chelsea is well equipped in working with clients and community partners. Outside of overseeing the application process, Chelsea builds connections with community organizations and informs the community of the solar programs available to them through GRID. In her free time, Chelsea advocates for affordable and safe housing, food security, and sustainability in the Fashion Industry. If you are interested in free solar, please apply now! Click our ‘Get Solar' link at the top of the page to get started! Chelsea is excited to hear from you and stoked to get you started in the process!
Job Titles:
- Multifamily Technical Assistance Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Clean Mobility Manager
- Customer Care Specialist
Christian McWilliams communicates with new applicants as a Customer Care Specialist. His past work has had him working with nonprofits including directing a voter outreach office and speaking with the public on migratory bird conservation on a tour from San Diego, CA to Fairbanks, AK. He received his Bachelors of Science in International Conflict Analysis and Resolution from George Mason University in Fairfax, VA and interned for several think tanks in Mumbai, New York, and Washington D.C while studying. He lives in Denver now and calls both Norfolk, VA and Rota, Spain home.
Job Titles:
- Senior Director, Program Administration
Job Titles:
- Commercial Solar Engineer
Job Titles:
- North Coast Construction and Program Manager
Cora started as a volunteer for GRID and quickly became a Team Leader through her prior construction knowledge as a General Contractor and teaching experience at Mendocino College. She graduated from University of Delaware and continues to take classes in solar and building/energy efficiency. She started in solar by installing a system on her off-grid home in Mendocino County. When not at work or in class she enjoys gardening, cooking with family and friends, hiking, and practicing her life-long passion for Aikido.
Job Titles:
- National SolarCorps Program Director
Job Titles:
- SolarCorps Program Administration Fellow
Job Titles:
- Workforce and Volunteer Manager
Job Titles:
- System Designer / Educator and Training Coordinator
Job Titles:
- VP, Origination & Power Marketing
Dai Owen serves as VP, Origination & Power Marketing at EDF Renewables, a market leading independent power producer delivering grid-scale wind, solar and storage projects. In this position he is responsible for leading the team that originates and negotiates long-term contracts for the sale of renewable energy from EDF's projects to utilities, governmental agencies, and large commercial/industrial customers. During his tenure with EDF since 2008, Dai has led the successful negotiation of over 20 offtake and acquisition agreements, resulting in over 3 GigaWatts of projects constructed by EDF (enough to power over one million homes). Dai is proud to live in a state with a 100% carbon-free energy target and believes that all people should be involved in and benefit from the transition to a green economy.
Job Titles:
- Construction Operations Manager
Dedicated to service and philanthropy, Dan has been in the nonprofit sector for her entire career, working with over 20 nonprofits and volunteering with both AmeriCorps and the United States Peace Corps. Her degree in Intercultural Communication and passion for cultural exchange has sent her to Belize, Jamaica and Puerto Rico to support grassroots community development initiatives in education, agriculture and sustainability. Here in San Diego, Dan cultivates the narrative of GRID from a perspective rooted in equity, inclusion & diversity. She helped to found the San Diego Urban Sustainability Coalition and continues to address systemic inequity through community empowerment.
Job Titles:
- Solar Installation Supervisor
Job Titles:
- Solar Installation Supervisor in Training
Job Titles:
- Senior Solar Installation Supervisor
Job Titles:
- Construction Workforce Training Specialist
Job Titles:
- Construction Project Assistant
Job Titles:
- Operations and Construction
David graduated from CSU, Fresno with a B.S. in Business Administration-Accountacy. His work history includes retail sales, construction, insurance, and teaching prior to joining GRID Alternatives in September, 2010. David began volunteering with GRID after looking for a career that was socially, environmentally, and personally satisfying. As David volunteered often, he learned more about GRID Alternatives, it's mission and goals, and decided to join the Central Valley Fresno team.
Job Titles:
- Residential & Commercial Lead Installer
Job Titles:
- Director of Member & Donor Partnerships
Dr. Nikky Avila has expertise in energy and climate policy in California, and in electricity access strategy in Sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia. She has a Ph.D. in Energy and Resources from the University of California, Berkeley, and draws from engineering and urban planning disciplines to envision how the renewable energy transition can lead to more equitable socio-technical systems. She has led strategic engagement and local capacity building with inter-ministerial stakeholders in Southeast Asia, advising on strategy and policy issues across the water-energy-food nexus. She is currently an Innovation Engineer at the Pacific Gas and Electric Company where she works on microgrid innovation and leads the deployment of the first renewable energy community microgrid in California.
Job Titles:
- Community Outreach Coordinator
- Community Relations Coordinator
- Member of the Executive & Department Managers Team
Job Titles:
- Micromobility Program Manager
Job Titles:
- System Designer / Program Coordinator
Job Titles:
- SolarCorps Workforce Development Fellow
Job Titles:
- Workforce and Training Programs Manager
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive Officer
- Co - Founder
- Member of the Executive Leadership Team
Erica Mackie co-founded GRID Alternatives in 2001 and has developed it into a major national non-profit. Ms. Mackie has received numerous awards for her leadership of GRID Alternatives, including the Governor's Environmental and Economic Leadership Award in 2008, the New Leaders Council Energy Leadership Award in 2009, the James Irvine Foundation Leadership Award in 2010, the US Green Building Council's Green Building Super Hero Award in 2010 and the 2013 Clean Energy and Empowerment Award from C3E. Ms. Mackie's professional experience prior to GRID Alternatives included work in the social sector, first with survivors of domestic violence and then with youth at risk, as well as work in renewable energy and energy efficiency consulting and sales. She holds two bachelor's degrees from Southern Illinois University, one in Mechanical Engineering and the other in Physics.
Job Titles:
- SolarCorps Workforce Development Fellow
Job Titles:
- Vice President of Workforce Development & Service Learning
Erika's professional background spans the not-for-profit sectors of youth development, national service, green construction, and workforce development. Soon after installing panels with GRID for the first time while serving as an AmeriCorps member with Habitat Humanity East Bay, she co-founded Green City Force, a non-profit that combines service and training to connect youth of low-income backgrounds to opportunities in the green economy. Erika joined GRID Alternatives in 2015 and is proud to now focus her time on making solar careers accessible through supporting GRID Alternative's workforce development efforts. Erika is a Brooklyn, NY native and studied Computer Science and Studio Art at Wellesley College in Massachusetts.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive & Department Managers Team
- Outreach Manager
Born in Peru, Evelyn and her family immigrated to the North County of San Diego where she grew up before heading off to college. She earned her Architecture degree and Construction Management minor from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo and later earned her Green Building Construction certificate from San Diego State University. Evelyn's work experiences range from architecture to construction to teaching to the green industry. Before being a part of the GRID Alternatives crew, she was a volunteer where she assisted in several installations in San Diego County. Aside from work, Evelyn enjoys traveling, exploring, dancing, running, creating art and spending time with friends and her familia.
Job Titles:
- Salesforce Operations Coordinator
Job Titles:
- President
- Government - Sector Manager
George Puddephatt is a highly skilled nonprofit and government-sector manager with over 25 years experience. He was pivotal in developing solar workforce training programs with Riverside County Workforce Development Center as well as securing grant and investment funding for the development of special needs housing projects.
George graduated with a "Student of Distinction" award from Arkansas State University where he received a BS in Psychology with a Minor in Social Work. He completed his post-graduate studies in Education from California State University, San Bernardino.
Job Titles:
- Mexico Project Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Senior Outreach Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Outreach Operations Manager
Iffie Jennings works on the Community and Local Government Affairs team at Xcel Energy, where she responsible for managing the city and county political, business and company relationships on behalf of the company. Iffie Jennings brings a wealth of experience from the healthcare and strategic management setting in building key external partnerships with nonprofits, public and private sector clients. With over ten years of experience, she is adept at streamlining internal processes to bring innovative solutions to nationally recognized programs and projects. She earned her bachelor's degree from Colorado State University and her MBA from Regis University.
Job Titles:
- Director of Equity, Inclusion & Diversity
Job Titles:
- Marketing Communications Manager
Job Titles:
- Solar Installation Supervisor
Ivan is a GRID client and passionate community advocate of our program who was instrumental in getting solar installed on 40 homes in his neighborhood with GRID. He has twenty years of experience in social services with a Masters in Christian Ministry and is currently a substitute teacher with Fresno Unified School District working in low-income neighborhoods.
Job Titles:
- Project Designer / Site Visit
Jaime Alonso was born and raised in the Coachella Valley. Like many in the region, he came from a family of Mexican migrant farmworkers. Raised in a trailer park in an unincorporated area of Riverside County, Jaime recognized early on that access to adequate housing, safe drinking water and reliable energy sources were not readily available. This recognition motivated him upon his return to the Coachella Valley after graduating from the University of California in Los Angeles (U.C.L.A) in 2005 to become active with Inland Congregations United for Change (ICUC). Working in collaboration with faith communities throughout the eastern Coachella Valley, Jaime got policymakers in the City of Coachella to agree to expand the number of parks in the city, and to devote over $3.5 million to park improvements. Jaime graduated from Brooklyn Law School (2009) with honors and has spent the last decade as a legal and policy professional in the Washington D.C. metropolitan region. A California native through and through, Jaime has maintained strong ties with organizations and policymakers in the Inland Empire region. In his new role as Executive Director for GRID Alternatives, Inland Empire (Riverside, CA), Jaime says: "I am excited for the opportunity to lead an organization devoted to positively transforming the lives of residents and communities by providing access to clean, renewable solar energy to low-income families and hands-on job training to help workers enter the solar industry."
Job Titles:
- Member of Covington 's Public Policy
Jake Levine is a member of Covington's Public Policy and Government Affairs Practice Group, and its Clean Energy and Climate Industry Group. Mr. Levine advises clients on a variety of public policy, legislative, regulatory, and business matters related to clean energy, climate, water, transportation, and technology. Prior to joining Covington, Mr. Levine held a number of senior positions at the intersection of clean energy policy and technology. Mr. Levine served most recently as Senior Counsel and Principal Consultant to California State Senator Fran Pavley, where he led a team focused on state policy related to climate change, electric vehicles, energy storage, drought and water policy. As part of his duties in the State Senate, Mr. Levine led the successful campaign to draft, design, and enact SB 32 (Pavley) and AB 197 (Garcia), new climate and environmental justice legislation in California.
Mr. Levine also served as Chief of Staff to the President of Opower, a software firm that uses big data and behavioral science technology to help consumers take control of their energy use. In this role, Mr. Levine managed a series of cross-organizational projects, including development of policy innovation, partnerships, and sales opportunities in Latin American and Asia, as well as federal and state-level regulatory reforms related to the U.S. utility sector. From 2009 to 2010, Mr. Levine served in the White House Office of Energy and Climate Change, where he worked on a host of innovative energy policies, including the most stringent fuel economy standards ever set and the first-ever greenhouse gas emissions standards for cars and trucks. He served as a member of President Obama's delegation to the U.N. Conference of Parties in Copenhagen, as a member of the 2009 Presidential Inaugural Committee, and during the 2008 presidential campaign, traveled with Senator Obama to more than 20 states and Europe, managing the national press corps.
Job Titles:
- Warehouse and Purchasing Manager
Job Titles:
- Director of Community Care, Clean Mobility
Janine has worked in the areas of non-profit community services and adult education for nearly 20 years. During that time, she discovered that serving others possessing multiple barriers to success is a great passion of hers.
Job Titles:
- Outreach Coordinator / Program Administration
Job Titles:
- Director of Operations and Maintenance
Job Titles:
- Senior Executive Assistant / Operations
Jeff is a US Army Veteran with over 11 years of construction industry experience. Jeff Is a NABCEP Certified Professional PV Installer who holds a degree in Power Technology with certifications as a Power and Wind Technician.
Jeff served as project manager and/or site supervisor on the solar jobs that include 2.85 MW CSG projects, State of Colorado, 4MW ground mount, Indiana Municipal Power Agency (IMPA), Frankton, IN, 1.3MW ground mount, IMPA, Rensselaer, IN, 1.3MW ground mount, IMPA, Crawfordsville, IN, 1.2MW ground mount, IMPA, Richmond, IN and 480kW solar carport, Burk, Cincinnati, OH
Job Titles:
- Vice President of Outreach
Jeff has been a leader at the intersection of technology, organizing, and social impact for more than a decade. Since 2003, Jeff has helped leading nonprofits, labor unions, campaigns, and startups build large-scale grassroots organizations by combining traditional community organizing practices with smart, strategic opportunities to leverage emerging technology. Jeff has been a founding executive, advisor, and consultant to social impact startups including Farmigo, Amicus, and Organizer Inc. - technology platforms that empower citizens to organize and bring change to their communities. Prior to that, as Deputy Field Director in 2008 and Senior Advisor in 2012, he was instrumental in developing the groundbreaking organizing strategy of Barack Obama's historic presidential campaigns. He studied Geographic Information Systems at San Francisco State University.
Job Titles:
- President of the Board
- Managing Partner of the Los Angeles Office of Foley & Lardner LLP
Jeffery R. Atkin is a business lawyer and managing partner of the Los Angeles office of Foley & Lardner LLP. His areas of practice cover a broad range of business and financial matters, including renewable energy, project finance, private placements, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, real estate development and equipment procurement and leasing. Mr. Atkin is chair of the Solar Energy Team, co-chair of the Energy Industry Team, and a member of the Latin America Practice.
Mr. Atkin's experience in renewable energy and project finance includes representing developers, investors, lenders and landowners in the construction, project development, infrastructure acquisition and financing of renewable energy generation facilities, including wind, solar, hydro, geothermal and biomass facilities, and other non-energy related project development.
Prior to joining Foley, Mr. Atkin was a judicial extern with Judge Sidney R. Thomas of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
Job Titles:
- Senior Director of International Programs
Jenean joined the solar industry in 2007 to work for Mitsubishi Electric's Solar Division and later worked for Trojan Battery Company's Renewable Energy Division. She is the founder of Power to the People, a non-profit organization that helps bring renewable energy solutions to the developing world, and facilitated its acquisition by GRID Alternatives. Before working in the solar industry, she was the Youth Program Director for the Riecken Foundation in Honduras and was a Peace Corps in San Lorenzo, Nicaragua. Jenean holds a BA in Sociology from UMASS Boston, an MBA from Northeastern University and a Masters in Sustainable International Development from Brandeis University.
Jeremiah has worked in solar and energy efficiency as both an educator and contractor-- having worked in many diverse communities throughout California and the greater Philadelphia area for 12 years. He has worked with and taught many contractors, homeowners, electricians, unemployed workers and just the curious, how to install and run solar safely.
He also sees the value in making solar and solar education available to everyone.
Job Titles:
- Solar Installation Construction Assistant / Development
Job Titles:
- Director of Institutional Partnerships
Job Titles:
- SolarCorps Program Development Fellow
Joe Karp is an energy lawyer at Winston & Strawn that focuses his practice on regulatory, transactional, and project development matters. He has consistently been named one of The Best Lawyers in America for Energy Law from 2006 - 2019. In his career, Joe has dealt with natural gas and electricity issues, electricity generation asset sale and project finance transactions, and renewable energy. In the renewable energy area, Joe has represented developers and power purchasers in matters involving wind, solar, biomass, landfill gas, geothermal, and other technologies. Joe regularly represents the California Wind Energy Association and investor-owned water utilities in regulatory proceedings before the California Public Utilities Commission. He has previously been a member of the GRID Alternatives National Board of Directors.
Job Titles:
- Business & Project Development Manager
Jonatan Escalante was born in Guatemala City. After graduating from construction design, he moved to the United States. He started working on different construction trades and in 2009 he finally joined the solar industry. After 10 years of experience in working in design and construction for the same solar company and finishing multiple projects from 2KW up to 2MW, he decided to move forward on his career and applied to Grid Alternatives greater Los Angeles. Now he feels proud to be part of the Grid family. He is proud of himself because coming from another country wasn't an obstacle for him to succeed in the U.S. He looks forward to seeing what the future has for him with GRID Alternatives.
Job Titles:
- Clean Mobility Outreach Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Assistant
- Construction Manager
Job Titles:
- Project Assistant
- Warehouse Manager
Job Titles:
- Outreach Partnerships Manager
Job Titles:
- Institutional Partnerships Coordinator / Communications
Job Titles:
- Workforce Development Grants Program Specialist
Job Titles:
- Director of Family Services
Job Titles:
- Workforce Development Director
Kathleen Pritchard is an attorney at Davis Graham & Stubbs, where she counsels private and public clients on environmental and energy matters. In her practice, Kathleen pairs her technical knowledge of environmental science garnered in undergrad with the strategic thinking and risk assessment skills she's developed as a litigator. She currently represents clients in rulemakings regarding Colorado's evolving regulation of greenhouse gas emissions, and she's served as counsel to a local company that collects and recycles restaurant waste oil. For the past two years, Kathleen has served on the Development Committee for GRID Alternatives Colorado, where she's helped build and implement a comprehensive strategy to generate individual and corporate support. Kathleen earned her bachelor's degree from Wake Forest University and her J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law.
Job Titles:
- Vice President of People and Culture
Katie started at GRID as an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer and has since transitioned into her role in HR building the department from the ground up. She graduated from Boston University with a BA in Sociology. She hails from sunny Philadelphia but now calls the Bay her home. She is deeply committed to creating an inclusive environment at GRID Alternatives where staff, clients, volunteers, and partners have a space to grow and feel heard.
Job Titles:
- Outreach and Workforce Development Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Project and Impact Manager
Job Titles:
- Senior Solar Installation Supervisor
Job Titles:
- SolarCorps Outreach Fellow
Job Titles:
- Content and Media Manager
Job Titles:
- Construction Operations Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Senior Marketing Director
Laura Shapiro manages GRID's marketing and brand, creating and overhauling outreach, fundraising, and programmatic materials and our online presence. Before joining GRID, Laura was the Director of Digital Engagement at Global Fund for Women, where she first learned about environmental justice. Laura is a passionate advocate for climate solutions and loves improving the impact of nonprofits through smart systems and excellent design. She lives with her partner and two cats named after fonts.
Job Titles:
- Training and Service Program Manager
Job Titles:
- Solar Installation Supervisor
Job Titles:
- SolarCorps Workforce Development Fellow
Job Titles:
- Philanthropy Operations Manager
Job Titles:
- Senior Outreach Coordinator
Job Titles:
- SolarCorps Communications Fellow
Job Titles:
- Director, Shared Mobility
Job Titles:
- Community Development and Tribal Manager
Job Titles:
- Director of Outreach Marketing
Job Titles:
- Strategic Partnerships and Development Manager
Job Titles:
- Clean Mobility Partnerships Coordinator
Job Titles:
- SOMAH Technical Specialist
Luis says his time at GRID exposed him to important hands-on practice at a time when typical indoor classroom learning was no longer enough for him.
Luis Gonzalez currently oversees Community Relations and Philanthropic initiatives for Wells Fargo Bank for Los Angeles County. In his role, Mr. Gonzalez supports community development initiatives and oversees grant- funding efforts on behalf of Wells Fargo Bank and the Wells Fargo Foundation.
Mr. Gonzalez joined Wells Fargo in 2014 overseeing corporate communications and public relations efforts in the San Diego region. He brings over 19 years of experience working in community relations and community based initiatives. His efforts have aided in the implementation of various programs focused on education, health and human services, civic projects and economic development throughout Southern California.
Job Titles:
- Program Specialist, PCE Used EV Rebate Program
Job Titles:
- Senior Director, Program Administration
Job Titles:
- Communications Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Program Co - Manager, Clean Cars for All
Job Titles:
- Residential Program Manager
Job Titles:
- SolarCorps Construction Fellow
Job Titles:
- SOMAH Senior Program Manager
Job Titles:
- Construction Manager
- Member of the Executive & Department Managers Team
Wallaby grew up in Sydney, Australia and brings 20 plus years of construction experience to GRID Alternatives. Involved in residential and commercial operations as the owner of a commercial construction company and residential window retrofit company, he has successfully managed a wide variety of construction projects, from small to large multi-million dollar projects over the years as a licensed contractor. Prior to owning his own businesses Wallaby worked as the Construction Manager for a large nation-wide developer overseeing construction activities and staff for his region.
Job Titles:
- Senior Community Services Officer With the Fresno Police Department
Marylen has been a Senior Community Services Officer with the Fresno Police Department for 35 years. Her current assignment is Court Officer in the Prosecution Liaison Office where she reviews criminal cases for prosecution and filing with Fresno's courts. In 2005, she retired from the US Air Force with the rank of Master Sergeant. During her 28 year career she served in three of the four military branches. She attended GRID CV's first Volunteer Orientation meeting in Fresno, 2009. Marylen lives with the four legged love of her life, Nick-e. She enjoys traveling in her spare time and working with GRID's Central Valley Board.
Job Titles:
- Director of Strategic Development
Matt McNearney leads GRID Colorado's Outreach Department and develops new projects and partnerships with government agencies, regional electric co-ops, local utilities, and public/private organizations throughout Colorado. He has an extensive solar background, including authoring two books on the financial viability of residential and commercial solar projects.
Job Titles:
- Public Relations Director
Maya Batres (she/her) has over a decade of experience in climate and energy research and advocacy, including leading programs at ClimateWorks Foundation and The Nature Conservancy. She has authored several papers on climate change, land use and environmental justice, is the recipient of an Upper Midwest Human Rights Fellowship, and is an AmeriCorps VISTA alumni. Maya earned her J.D. and her B.A. from the University of Minnesota with a focus on the intersection of civil rights, justice, and the environment. She spends most of her free time running and hiking in the mountains with her dog, and believes outside is for everybody. Maya is Guatemalan-American and speaks Spanish and English.
Job Titles:
- Tribal Program Administrative Assistant
Job Titles:
- Construction Training Manager
Job Titles:
- Multifamily Program Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Corporate Partnerships Coordinator
Job Titles:
- National Corporate Partnerships Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Secretary
- Electric Vehicle Consultant
Michelle Pierce is an Electric Vehicle Consultant who formed her company, EV Nirvana, LLC, in 2016 to encourage the use of plug-in electric vehicles. EV Nirvana offers consulting and outreach services with plans to establish a retail sales location that sells battery-only plug-in electric vehicles exclusively with a focus on teaching customers about electric cars.
She has over 20 years of experience in the municipal electric utility industry. She received her BS in Electrical Engineering from California State University, Long Beach. Her experience includes project management, energy efficiency and renewable energy program management, and electric vehicle strategic planning. Her passion for electric vehicles dates back to the General Motors EV1. She leased a Nissan Leaf in 2012 and joined the ranks of the early adopters of Electric Vehicle technology.
Job Titles:
- Solar Installation Supervisor
Job Titles:
- Construction Project Manager
Mikkela is an environmental enthusiast with a bachelor's degree in political science and a master's degree in sustainable food systems from the University of Colorado - Boulder. Her professional experience includes 10 years as a copywriter and editor, as well as serving as the regenerative agriculture campaign coordinator for 350CO and the special projects director for the Colorado Local Science Engagement Network. She has been published by Johns Hopkins Berman Institute of Bioethics as the lead author on a food system workers briefing booklet, acknowledged for her contributions to an article on ethics of food waste published in Physiology and Behavior, and co-led a project in collaboration with the Governors' Climate and Forests Task Force on impact investing to reduce deforestation. When she's not working, you can find her going on long (long!) walks with her husband, studying Spanish, and searching for the best food in the Denver area.
Job Titles:
- Development & Communications Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Outreach & Operations Specialist
Job Titles:
- PV Designer / Inventory Manager
Job Titles:
- Intake Operations Manager
Nick Boateng is a military veteran with combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. Nick has also worked for the Treasury department in the Agency for Enterprise Solutions. Nick likes to travel and is passionate about the environment and the impact it has on our societies. Nick is inspiring to be a social entrepreneur and would like to leave a legacy in renewable Energy and agriculture. Working at Grid Alternatives GLA outreach is giving Nick an opportunity promote Solar photo voltaic education and usage in the communities across Greater Los Angeles.
Job Titles:
- Project Manager - Strategic Initiatives
Job Titles:
- Outreach Operations Specialist
Job Titles:
- Vice Chair
- President of the Greenlining Institute
Orson Aguilar is the President of the Greenlining Institute, one of the nation's largest and most successful multi-ethnic, advocacy and leadership development nonprofits. Greenlining envisions a nation where race is never a barrier to economic opportunity and communities of color thrive. Because people of color will be the majority of our nation's population by 2040, Greenlining believes that America will prosper only if communities of color prosper. Under Orson's leadership, Greenlining has become a leading voice in the movement to fight redlining by advocating for greenlining policies, particularly in the areas of the economy, the environment, health, energy, voting, and telecommunications.
Job Titles:
- Project Designer / Solar Installation Supervisor
Job Titles:
- Solar Installation Supervisor
Job Titles:
- Executive Director
- Member of the Executive & Department Managers Team
Paul's non-profit experience began in the early 1990s, when he helped evaluate a rural electrification project in Guatemala. After receiving a masters degree in international relations from U.C. San Diego, Paul worked in public health along the U.S.-Mexico border, human trafficking prevention, fundraising for an anthropology museum, and - his most challenging position - a short stint as a stay-at-home father. Paul and his family have been happy consumers of solar-generated electricity since 2002.
Job Titles:
- Residential Field Manager
Pete Dignan is the founder of Ever Better, a Colorado Public Benefit Corporation and Certified B Corp. He is also an Adjunct Instructor for the CU Leeds School of Business, where he teaches the course Certificate in Corporate Social Responsibility. Prior to his current work, Pete was the CEO of Renewable Choice Energy and ProtoTest, both Certified B Corps; and Executive Director of the nonprofit CORE (Connected Organizations for a Responsible Economy). He earned a BA in Environmental Science at the University of Virginia.
Job Titles:
- Assistant
- Construction Manager
Phyllis Currie is on the board of the Midcontinent Independent System Operator, the regional transmission organization for a number of Midwest and southern states. She also serves on the Electricity Advisory Committee for the US Department of Energy, and consults on strategic issues for public power and water agencies. Phyllis spent 14 years as general manager of the Pasadena Water and Power Department, retiring in 2015. During her career in the City of Los Angeles, she held positions which included chief financial officer of Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, assistant city administrative officer and director of the city's rent control program. She has been board chair of the American Public Power Association, president of the California Municipal Utilities Association and president of the Southern California Public Power Association. Phyllis received a bachelor's degree in political science and a master's in business administration degree from UCLA. She also completed the Program for Senior Executives in State and Local Government at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.
Job Titles:
- Treasurer
- Counsel at Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie LLP
Pilar Thomas (Pascua Yaqui) is of counsel at Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie LLP in Tucson Arizona, where she provides strategic legal advice to tribal governments and tribal enterprises on energy planning and policy, renewable energy project development and finance; federal and state energy regulatory, programs and policy efforts. Ms. Thomas previously served as the Deputy Director, Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs at the U.S. Department of Energy. Ms. Thomas is also the former Deputy Solicitor for Indian Affairs in the U.S. Department of the Interior, interim attorney general and chief of staff of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe, and Trial Attorney in the U.S. Department of Justice. Prior to her law practice, Ms. Thomas worked for fifteen years in the financial services industry for a Fortune 250 company. Ms. Thomas received her J.D. from the University of New Mexico School of Law, magna cum laude, with a certificate in Indian law, and her B.A. in economics from Stanford University.
Job Titles:
- Treasurer of the Board
- Managing Director in KPMG 's Power & Utilities
Rahima Butler is a Managing Director in KPMG's Power & Utilities (P&U) practice and has worked extensively with energy utility clients for over 15 years. At KPMG, Rahima is responsible for providing advisory services to clients with their business and technology transformation journey, which includes - helping utilities navigate transformational risks, providing guidance on transformation leading practices, lessons learned and technology solutions to drive future state innovation and support successful business outcomes. Prior to KPMG, Rahima was a Director at PricewaterhouseCoopers in their P&U practice driving delivery of digital change for utility clients through technology and business transformations in North America that included multi-service, multi-jurisdictions, multi-company and in a Merger and Acquisition environment. Rahima is originally from Toronto, Ontario Canada, with a degree in Industrial Engineering and is proud to be on the Board of Directors for GRID Alternatives GLA and to help support the mission to make solar energy accessible to low income families.
Job Titles:
- Solar Installation Supervisor
Job Titles:
- Executive Assistant
- Office Manager
Job Titles:
- Secretary
- Principal in KPMG 's Major Projects Advisory
Reid Tucker is currently a Principal in KPMG's Major Projects Advisory practice with over 19 years of project management, construction management, project accounting, and contract administration experience. Reid has performed all aspects of the construction process from performing project due diligence, planning, risk management, design, cost analysis, environmental analysis, contract negotiations, construction management, and construction administration. Reid has an engineering background and a passion for renewable energy solutions that goes back to his childhood. His father started a solar company in the 1970s and is still involved in the industry. Reid believes that we each have a responsibility to contribute as much as we can to support investment in our community and our future.
Job Titles:
- North Coast Solar Installation Supervisor
Mr. Robinson currently works as Special Assistant to the President at Jacobs Center for Neighborhood Innovation, he was trained by the Institute of Cultural Affairs to do Strategic Planning and Goal Setting, and by San Diego Mediation Center to do community mediations. Mr. Robinson has served on numerous Boards and Commissions for the City of San Diego. During the Civil Rights Movement, he had the opportunity to march with great names like Dr. King, Jesse Jackson and others along with the NAACP Youth Leaders. He rode on the Freedom Train from Florida to Washington D.C. for the "March on Washington" with his Dad, who was one of the 1st black conductorson the Seaboard Coast Line Railroad.
Job Titles:
- Country Manager - Nicaragua
Job Titles:
- Executive Assistant & Office Manager / Construction
Job Titles:
- Residential Jr. Solar Installation Supervisor
Ryan Dulaney has been in the solar industry since 2007, and during that time he has been an installer, designer, project manager, and department lead in the residential, commercial, and utility sectors. He has been a NABCEP-certified Solar PV Installation Professional since 2009 and has held the PMP certification since 2018. He is currently Director of Project Delivery at Generate Capital, a leading renewable energy infrastructure investor. Ryan has taught solar electric courses within the Energy Department at Red Rocks Community College and was named the Energy Project Manager of the Year in 2014 by the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Independent Electrical Contractors (IECRM). He is energized and inspired by the work Grid Alternatives-Colorado performs and enjoys supporting the organization in any way he can.
Job Titles:
- Junior Solar Installation Supervisor
Job Titles:
- Solar Installation Supervisor
Job Titles:
- Solar Installation Supervisor
Job Titles:
- Business Strategist and Data Scientist
Salvador Núñez is a business strategist and data scientist who is passionate about data, sustainability, and bringing the world closer together. He holds a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from Yale University, as well as a M.Eng. in Industrial Engineering and Operations Research and a Certificate in Engineering and Business for Sustainability from UC Berkeley. He works at Facebook as a Business Intelligence Manager in Entertainment Partnerships. Salvador is a Climate Reality Leader and co-chairs the Green@ employee group at Facebook Los Angeles. Prior to Facebook, he marketed energy efficiency and customer engagement software to Latin America at Opower (now Oracle Utilities). Salvador also developed software to optimize solar installations through predictive analytics and automate solar asset management at NRG Energy.
Sam Jammal is a regulatory attorney and policy advocate based in Los Angeles. He focuses on navigating regulatory environments for early growth companies seeking to bring innovative technologies into the market. Sam currently works as Senior Director of Regulatory Affairs and Counsel for a smart cities and transportation advertising start-up. He spent several years working in clean energy and transportation sectors at leading solar and electric vehicle companies. In these roles, Sam worked with government officials and stakeholders to drive the adoption of new technology. Before entering the private sector, Sam held senior roles in government as a Chief of Staff in the United States House of Representatives, Legislative Counsel in the United States Senate and as a former Obama Administration official at the United States Department of Commerce. Sam began his career as a civil rights attorney at the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF). During the 2018 primary election, Sam was a candidate for Congress in California's 39th congressional district. In addition to serving on the board of Grid Alternatives Greater Los Angeles, Sam serves on the boards of the Coalition for Human Immigrant Rights Los Angeles (CHIRLA) and Voices for Progress. Sam received his undergraduate degree from the University of Southern California and his law degree from The George Washington University Law School. He is licensed to practice law in California.
Job Titles:
- Workforce and Volunteer Program Specialist
Job Titles:
- Senior Vice President, Sustainability at Kilroy Realty Corporation
Sara Neff is Senior Vice President, Sustainability at Kilroy Realty Corporation. Sara took Kilroy from having no sustainability program to being named the #1 publicly traded real estate company on sustainability in North America by GRESB, and under her leadership, the company committed to becoming the first carbon-neutral real estate company in North America by the end of 2020.
At Kilroy, she oversees all sustainability initiatives such as solar and battery dealmaking, the implementation of energy and water efficiency initiatives throughout the existing and development portfolios, the integration of sustainability standards into annual financial reports, and the launch of the Kilroy Innovation Lab. She holds a BS from Stanford and an MBA from Columbia Business School.
Sarah Keane, an attorney at Kaplan Kirsch and Rockwell, represents public and private entities on a variety of regulatory, transactional and litigation matters involving energy and infrastructure project development around the United States. She assists energy project developers in securing approvals and entitlements, negotiating project agreements, and advocating before regulatory bodies. Sarah also represents environmental non-profits to promote clean vehicle policies in Colorado. Sarah joined the GRID Alternatives Colorado Board in 2018. Her full biography is available at https://www.kaplankirsch.com/People/Sarah-Keane.
Job Titles:
- Senior Community Engagement Manager
Job Titles:
- SolarCorps Outreach Fellow
Job Titles:
- Director of Multifamily and Commercial Development
Job Titles:
- Workforce & Training Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Residential Solar Installation Supervisor
Job Titles:
- SOMAH Workforce Development Manager / Development
Job Titles:
- Chief Policy and Business Development Officer
Stan directed the country's first low-income solar incentive program (California's SASH Program), and works closely with policy makers, regulators, utilities, solar companies, and community organizations throughout the country to expand solar access and jobs to underserved communities. Stan is a contributing author to lowincomesolar.org. Stan holds a bachelor's degree in bio-mechanical engineering from Marquette University, and a master's degree in philosophy and public policy from American University. Stan also has a professional background in mechanical engineering, contract manufacturing, and international development programming.
Job Titles:
- Commercial Project Designer
Job Titles:
- Commercial Project Developer
Bringing with him a wealth of experience in Commercial Energy Efficiency Programs, Stephen's spent the past 10 years throughout the state of California with SMUD, PG&E, SCE, and most recently SDG&E, managing projects for local governments and municipalities as well as large-scale commercial clients. Through these professional experiences, he's developed a strong passion for environmental conservation and is very excited to transition his skills to the renewable energy sector by leveraging his experience in Commercial Utility Programs.
Job Titles:
- Policy and Business Development Project Manager
Job Titles:
- Vice President of Operations
Steven has a degree in International Relations with a minor in Geography from Florida International University. After college he returned to his hometown in Pennsylvania and worked for a law firm in downtown Philadelphia, but found a new passion in solar technology. He enrolled in a Photovoltaic program offered by the City University of New York and soon after found work with a small renewable energy company. His desire to help others, implement renewable technologies, and enjoy the great outdoors lead him to California in 2008, where he joined GRID Alternatives' San Diego office as an AmeriCorps VISTA. From that humble beginning he has worked in several different positions with GRID Alternatives, giving him a great understanding of the organization and more passion for GRID's mission. In 2010 he moved to San Luis Obispo County to establish and lead GRID Alternatives' Central Coast office. After helping to launch our New York Tri-State office, Steven went on to take a role as Director of Operations with the GRID Alternatives Headquarters team. Steven is a NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional and licensed NJ Electrician.
Job Titles:
- Commercial Job Cost Accountant
Job Titles:
- Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment Program Manager / Accounting
Job Titles:
- Access Clean California Project Director
Job Titles:
- TCC Green Together Program Manager
Teresa Perez grew up in East Los Angeles and has always been driven to help create healthy and safe communities across Los Angeles. Teresa graduated from the California State University, Long Beach in 2015 with a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Science and Policy. Teresa started her career with GRID Alternatives as a SolarCorps Fellow in 2016, and then joined the Development team to manage the Corporate Sponsorship Program. After leaving GRID, Teresa worked for the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health to help coordinate and plan the largest lead paint remediation initiative in the country. Teresa has returned to GRID help plan and implement the Transformative Climate Communities (TCC) Green Together Program for the community of Pacoima.
Job Titles:
- Construction Project Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Chief Operations Officer
- Co - Founder
- Member of the Executive Leadership Team
Tim Sears co-founded GRID Alternatives in 2001 and has developed it into a major national non-profit. He has shared with Erica Mackie numerous leadership awards for this work, and in 2014 was honored by the White House as a "Champion of Change" for Solar Deployment. Tim is a graduate of Stanford University with a degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering, and before starting GRID Alternatives managed consulting teams of engineers providing comprehensive energy efficiency retrofit recommendations and construction management of projects totaling over $3 million. Tim is also certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) as a Certified Solar PV Installer.
Job Titles:
- Director of Tribal Programs
Tim Willink joined GRID in 2014 to lead its new National Tribal Solar Program, bringing solar power and job training to tribal communities nationwide. Mr. Willink earned his B.A. in economics from Cornell University and worked as a lobbyist for the Navajo Nation Washington Office representing the tribe in economic development and education. After living and traveling throughout the United States and Canada, he settled in Colorado and spent six years with Namaste Solar as a Field Supervisor for commercial solar installations. A Navajo from Pueblo Pintado, New Mexico, Mr. Willink has a deep understanding of energy issues on tribal lands, and aims to partner with tribes on both residential and commercial projects in order to bring solar to tribal communities across the country.
Tina Murray operates a voiceover services, marketing, and branding agency. For eighteen years she has partnered with global companies to help them communicate their vision and mission to clients and to their employees. She has also worked as a Sustainability Consultant developing the corporate social responsibility and environmental efforts of her client's businesses. Tina has been an advocate for solar since experiencing it's benefits first hand; in 2014 she qualified for no-cost solar through GRID Alternatives. In 2017 she participated in GRID's Women in Solar training program helping install over 35 kilowatts of solar on ten Bay Area homes. She has earned certificates in Clean Tech Energy Management and Sustainability Leadership from the Presidio Graduate School and is completing an EMBA at Saint Mary's College in global business and sustainability.
Tom has over 20 years of experience in affordable housing programs and has worked for local government agencies and non-profit organizations. Tom has lived in Fresno all but 38 months of his life and graduated from Fresno State University with a Business Marketing degree. Tom is proud to be a platelet donor of over 23 years, and averages 20 donations per year.
Job Titles:
- Director of Community Solar
Job Titles:
- Solar Installation Supervisor
Job Titles:
- Clean Mobility Outreach Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Solar Installation Trainer
Troy moved to Colorado to attend solar courses at Red Rocks Community College (RRCC) during the solar boom of the 1980s. That boom ended abruptly upon his arrival, and he entered the construction world eventually becoming a General Contractor. Jump to 2008, Troy returned to solar, this time developing and teaching solar energy courses for Red Rocks Community College while installing solar PV and thermal systems on the side. While at Red Rocks, he helped develop a similar solar degree program for Al-Balqa' Applied University in Al-Huson, Jordan. Later he conducted an off-grid installation class with Madison Area Technical College, installing two off-grid power systems for medical clinics in the Blue Mountain area of Jamaica. The last few years Troy has taught certificate courses for RRCC to individuals serving sentences in the Colorado Department of Corrections facilities. In 2021, Troy began a new role as a Trainer for GRID Colorado. Troy, his wife, and two dogs enjoy spending time in the mountains. Troy continues to develop ways to have everything operate by solar alone. This all began with a solar automated chicken coop.
Job Titles:
- Solar Designer / Solar Installation Supervisor in Training
Job Titles:
- Tribal Program Construction Assistant
Job Titles:
- Outreach Project Developer
Job Titles:
- Talent & Acquisition Director
Job Titles:
- Clean Mobility Program Assistant
Job Titles:
- Chief Strategy Officer
- Member of the Executive Leadership Team
Zach Franklin joined GRID Alternatives in 2006 and has helped grow it into a nationally recognized organization. As part of GRID's vision of a transition to clean, renewable energy that includes everyone, Zach launched and leads the organization's expanding clean mobility work. This initiative, initially focused in California, works to make electric vehicles more accessible to the communities GRID serves through investments from the California Air Resources Board (CARB) in low-carbon transportation equity programs, and SB 1275, the California Charge Ahead Initiative.
Prior to joining GRID, Zach worked in the affordable housing field in the areas of project development, fundraising, and community services, including launching and running community technology centers at affordable housing complexes in the Bay Area and Providence, Rhode Island and developing housing facilities for low-income seniors and homeless families in Oakland and Richmond. He holds a degree in Economics and History from Brown University and serves on the Board of Directors of Rising Sun Center for Opportunity, a leading workforce development organization based in Oakland.
Job Titles:
- Workforce Policy Project Manager
Job Titles:
- SOMAH Technical Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Program Manager, SASH / DAC - SASH