Solar Forward Program Manager

Ellen is the Program Manager for SEI's Solar Forward program, which provides technical consulting for solar market development in rural communities. Ellen came to SEI after coordinating a Solar Forward, Solarize campaign in the neighboring Gunnison County, where she got to see firsthand how much solar energy can do for rural resilience. Her undergraduate work in the social sciences is well-complemented by her Master’s in Environmental Management with a focus on building sustainable and resilient communities. Advising communities in Solar Forward is the perfect opportunity for Ellen to do what she is passionate about: empower communities in their agency to create sustainability and resilience. In her free time Ellen enjoys all the outdoor activities and would rather play any sport than watch it.

Aaron graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder with a B.S. in Engineering Physics in 2001, and soon after started a career in climate science measuring atmospheric greenhouse gases for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Realizing that he wanted to work on the solution to the climate problem, he devoted a number of years to learning about organic farming and sustainable lifestyle practices. Aaron joins SEI and the Systems Administration department in the role of 'Support Specialist', fulfilling the organizations shipping and printing needs, supporting on-the-ground workshop coordination for students, and supporting the Student Services team in times of heavy call volume. Aaron brings many skills to SEI, from his previous experience as Administrative Assistant and Theatre Operations Manager with the Friends of the Paradise Theatre, and also in his current work as Western Colorado Regional Coordinator for the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) Colorado Chapter.

Student Services Counselor

After graduating from Seattle Pacific University, Natasha comes to SEI as a Student Services Counselor. She has a B.A. in Economics and several years of experience working within the world of student services. Natasha holds a deep passion for community development, creating economic opportunities, and empowering people to pursue their goals. Similarly, she has an increasing interest in climate mitigation, making SEI a particularly well-fit place for her to pour her energy into. In her free time, Natasha is keen on going to punk shows, reading Russian literature, and spending time with her cat.

Student Services Counselor

Hailing from Georgia, Shawnta is excited to bring years of student support experience to SEI as a Student Services Counselor. Although she holds a Master’s and Bachelor’s in Business Administration, her passion for helping others and curiosity about renewable energy sources lead her to serve with SEI. When not plugged in Shawnta can be found enjoying the beach with her family.

Facilities Manager

After graduating from Fort Lewis College with a degree in Fine Arts, Cory has been through several careers. From a cable/phone lineman to a high school art teacher, to currently operating a small organic farm in Paonia. He married his college sweetheart in 95 and is a father of two. His wife has a degree in Environmental Science so environmental concerns have always been a driving force in life decisions and being a part of SEI is a huge plus. His son is also the youngest graduate of the photovoltaic training classes. To pass time he enjoys hiking,fly fishing,mountain biking and painting.

PV Curriculum Developer

Marshall remembers as a child having one of the toy solar kits with a PV cell attached to a fan motor. It was as good as magic, and that sense of magic has never dimmed. Seeking adventure after a short run as an IT professional, Marshall dove into the solar industry in 2012 installing residential and commercial PV systems. In 2016, after studying at SEI online, he earned his NABCEP PVIP and in 2018 he joined Power Electronics USA, one of the largest providers of central utility-scale inverters worldwide. When he was asked to take over the training department there, Marshall discovered a true passion for teaching and learning, and has enjoyed helping people of all ages and backgrounds advance their knowledge of PV operations. Marshall is thrilled and honored to work with the curriculum development team at SEI. He lives with his wife and three children (all girls!), in Gainesville, FL where the live oaks provide wonderful shade and the beach is a short day trip away.

Director of Curriculum and Instruction

Inspired by the need to know how things work and a passion for education Wendy has earned a Masters’ degree in Industrial Technology and a PhD in Learning Technologies from the University of Minnesota. She has extensive experience in the management and delivery of both face-to-face and online curriculum. She has worked closely with subject matter experts from a broad range of backgrounds including the private sector, the US Department of Veterans Affairs, and accredited higher-education to develop curriculum and content for a variety of audiences. She is a licensed teacher with experience teaching at both the high school and university level in virtual, face-to-face, and blended learning environments which has provided her with invaluable perspective on the needs and challenges students face with educational technology. Wendy is excited to bring her passion and experience to SEI. Wendy and her husband Randy live in Charleston South Carolina with their Australian Shepherd Audrey and a house full of weekend guests otherwise known as their children home from college and life.

Development Manager

Elizabeth is so excited to join the SEI family as the Development Manager, combining her skills for relationship-building and technical research, in the lifelong pursuit of climate change mitigation through socially, culturally, economically, and environmentally-minded solutions. She graduated Class of 2020 from Seattle Pacific University (smack in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic), with a dual B.A. in Political Science and Global Development with an emphasis in Biology.   She discovered her passion for renewable energy while studying Climate Law and Environmental Management in New Zealand in 2019, which she pursued through internship and research roles with the Seattle-based nonprofits, Landesa and Solar Empowerment Solutions. In her spare time, she enjoys theatre, art, conservation, hiking WA state, and would love to discuss your favorite podcasts, movies, reading, and coffee of choice.

Enrollment and Admissions Specialist

PV Curriculum Developer

Alejandro is an SEI alumnus with almost 10 years of experience in installation and commissioning of telecom equipment. He studied Electronic Engineering at the Technological Institute of Costa Rica but eventually decided to change to a more environmentally conscious industry. In 2014, Alejandro completed a master’s degree in Renewable Energies where he first learned about solar energy. Soon after, he started pursuing SEI ́s Battery-Based Photovoltaic Systems Certificate, where he did a work-trade to help him complete the program. After finishing the certificate program, he joined the SEI PV Curriculum Development team. Alejandro is very interested in intentional and sustainable communities in rural areas, believing solar energy to be a big part of the development of these types of agroecological households and settlements. In his free time, he enjoys spending time outside with his family, cooking and sports in general.

Marketing & Communications Manager

After acquiring a bachelor degree in Graphic Design in 2007, Chris was introduced to the world of marketing, design and web development, where he has worked since. He brings an array of experience to the team, having worked in higher education, commercial sales and non-profit journalism throughout his career. Chris was first introduced to wind and solar power by his roommate when living out of a rustic safari tent in Kauai, Hawaii, and has had a growing interest in renewables ever since. He is eager to use his skills to see SEI succeed in making a difference in and around the world. In his free time he can be found wrenching on vintage race cars, mountain biking, playing music and hanging out with his wife and family.

Office Manager/Executive Assistant

Lisa joins SEI as Office Manager and Executive Assistant. After receiving her Bachelor's degree in Environmental and Forest Biology from SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Lisa began to fulfill a long-held desire to travel throughout the United States, meeting endlessly fascinating people and working in the field for the US Forest Service while hiking and camping in beautiful and remote landscapes. She gained much of her experience in office management and administration by starting her own storage business, assisting her husband with his construction company, and co-founding a public, Waldorf-inspired charter school on Colorado’s Front Range. Lisa is now settled in the North Fork Valley on a 30-acre farm, raising sheep and fighting for community rights with the non-profit she co-founded, North Fork Valley Community Rights Advocates.

Director of Campus & Hands-On

Kristen is a Solar Sister, with a capital “S”. She follows the philosophy that since the sun is the source of all energy, we should look to it first to provide design guidance in our built environments. In 2012, Kristen graduated from Iowa State University with a Bachelor of Architecture degree, and set out to learn about passive solar strawbale construction, joining the Moab based non-profit Community Rebuilds in 2013, building homes for low income families. Thanks to their collaboration with Solar Energy International, Kristen landed a position as a work trader at SEI in 2014, where she greatly expanded her knowledge of energy, completing the Residential and Commercial Photovoltaic Systems Certificate and Solar Business and Technical Sales Certificate. Shortly after, Kristen was asked to stick around to be SEI’s first Americorps VISTA, and spent the next year creating and implementing the Solarize North Fork Valley program in collaboration with the valley’s local PV installation company. This opened yet another door for Kristen to become a PV installer and later, designer and salesperson for the local company. In addition to PV work, Kristen has built two passive solar strawbale homes in Paonia over the past couple of years, and committed herself to an off-grid lifestyle, living on 300 watts of solar in her off-grid geodesic dome-home just outside of Paonia. Kristen is back at SEI as Director of Campus & Hands-On, running the lab yard with the best team ever!

Student Services Counselor

Kevin Sova is a retired Air Force Major who spent 23 years serving his country as a Developmental Engineer.  He holds a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Northern Arizona University, a master’s degree in Computer Science from Syracuse University, and 2 SEI Professional Certificates.  When Kevin retired from the Air Force he wanted to follow his passion of renewable energy.  He attended SEI in 2016 and completed both the Residential and Commercial PV Systems and Battery-Based PV Systems certificate programs.  Kevin now works for SEI as a Student Services Advisor helping veterans and non-veterans chart their own pathways into successful careers in the solar industry.

Student Services Counselor

Saphire first came to Costa Rica in 2011 to immerse herself in the Spanish language and culture through study abroad. She was a Junior at the University of Kansas at the time. She made the move back to Costa Rica in 2012 after graduating a proud Jayhawk, and throughout the years has worked with individuals and groups of students during their studies in Costa Rica, Guatemala, Peru, Nicaragua and the United States. She is excited about bringing this passion to SEI as a Student Services Counselor, to ensure that students get the most from the courses and experience they are pursuing. In her free time, she officiates soccer matches, and enjoys the wildlife, mountains and the beaches of Costa Rica.

PV Curriculum Developer

Amy found her way to PV in sunny Arizona, as part of an interest in off-grid sustainable living and natural building. She began drafting residential PV systems in 2005, and made an appearance in residential-scale wind power manufacturing as a drafter and document control specialist until 2008, when she moved to California where the PV industry was blossoming. She jumped right in and started designing residential systems, and eventually found herself designing and coordinating multi-megawatt commercial-scale PV projects. She took every opportunity to get out of the office and onto the roof, and in 2011 she became a NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional. With special interests in large-scale utility interconnections and multi-use land projects (utilizing landfills, parking lots, etc. for PV), she has worked for several industry-leading companies on projects in multiple states. Amy has a deep love of sharing her knowledge and experience through education and is thrilled to be a part of the SEI Curriculum Development team, in addition to her independent PV system design and consulting work. She can also be found playing and teaching fiddle and singing traditional bluegrass and country music in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Co-Director, Middle East and Africa Program

Michelle joined the SEI team in 2016, working to share SEI’s mission and knowledge with the growing solar community around the world. Throughout her career, she has worked with nonprofits and NGOs dedicated to sustainable development through community empowerment. She has focused on building capacity for the sustainable agriculture and  renewable energy industries throughout the US and now the world. Through her role at SEI, she is dedicated to collaborating with international partners and providing access to high quality technical training to individuals with a passion for renewable energy.

Marketing & Communications Manager Latin America

María Pía Day has a degree in Advertising, with a Postgraduate Degree in Business Administration. She has been working in the solar industry for 4 years with Solar Energy International (SEI), leading the marketing and communication efforts to expand SEI's Spanish Program in Latin America. He has another 12 years of experience in the communication area working in different industries, always customer-oriented both B2B and BTC, with experience in Social Responsibility and Innovation and volunteer work for NGOs. Pía is committed to spread SEI's mission to empower people, business and communities with renewable energy education to all Spanish speakers worldwide. Joining SEI she was pleasantly amazed by the incredible energy and extensive experience of the entire team. Pía lives in Salta, Argentina with her husband Joaquín and their son Milo. Their home is far from the city as they enjoy living close to nature. In her spare time she likes to write, read, and swim.

PV Curriculum Developer and Instructor

Roger is a member of SEI's PV Curriculum Development Team and a workshop Instructor. He has had a long-time passion for solar energy - beginning with Mom's clothesline back in the 70's. Since 2002, after a summer of workshops and some hands-on work with SEI, Roger has worked full-time in the PV industry, predominantly in California, and has been a NABCEP Certified PV Installer since 2007. He began as an installer, later working as a foreman, site superintendent and project manager, primarily on grid-direct systems - from small residential to 1 MW commercial systems. He has also performed solar-specific site analysis, troubleshooting, quality assurance and operations and maintenance tasks on thousands of PV sites. Roger is passionate about spreading the understanding and usage of solar power, in addition to teaching best practices for safe, high-quality, NEC compliant PV installations. Currently enjoying the fine food, culture, small waves and bike-friendly routes of the San Francisco Bay Area, Roger can be found late at night playing hockey at Oakland Ice, under 300 kilowatts of PV.

PV Curriculum Developer

Will began working in the renewable energy industry in 2005 as an installer for small East Coast integrator.  During more than ten years with that company, which eventually became RGS Energy, he took on many roles. After starting as an installer, he worked in sales, design, and project management, and he eventually became the Director of Construction for the East Coast.  Will has experience in wind power, solar thermal, and all scales of PV, although he has primarily focused on residential systems.  He is passionate about implementing high quality, code compliant installation techniques.  He is a NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional and was previously a NABCEP Certified Solar Heating Installer.  Will is now spending his time developing curriculum for SEI and teaching at Vermont Technical College.  In his free time, Will can be found working with his wife and young daughter on their homestead in central Vermont, which features an off-grid strawbale house.

Spanish Program Student Advisor and Coordinator

Paulina is originally from Chile, has lived a few years in Colorado and has recently moved to Paonia . She enjoys being surrounded by nature, wildlife, and all the green in Colorado's western slope. Paulina received a degree in Industrial Design and has always been interested and passionate about renewable technology;one of her first projects as a student was to build a solar tent. Paulina is currently a Spanish Program Student Advisor and Coordinator. She enjoys coordinating and helping students and people from all over Latin America. When she is not working at SEI, Paulina enjoys gardening, hiking, and taking dance classes.

Online Course Manager

With a background in electronics and IT consulting, Scott began studying renewable energy technology in 2008. Soon after, he discovered SEI and took his first few Solar PV courses and was hooked.  Quickly realizing that he was living in one of the most solar friendly states in the U.S. (Massachusetts), Scott made the transition into the industry taking a job as a PV Project Manager and Technical Sales Person for a local installer.  During his career, Scott has been involved with the design and sales of numerous residential and small commercial solar PV systems, and has earned NABCEP Certification as a PV Technical Sales Professional.  While continuing to work in the field as an independent consultant, Scott has come full circle and is now the Online Course Manager and an Instructor at SEI.

Director of Student Services

Monique’s passion for helping others and belief in renewable energy  makes her right at home at SEI. Watching her son's eyes light up with excitement while he ran along side the installation crew performing a solar PV installation on her own home, she knew solar energy is the future.  Her formal education includes a Master's degree in Counseling and a Bachelor's degree in Psychology. As an academic and career counselor serving community college students, she has dedicated over 10 years of her professional life to helping people realize their academic, career, and personal aspirations. In her personal life she enjoys spending time with her husband and little boy Ethan exploring and going on adventures.

Sandy Pickard feels that Solar Energy International has changed the way she thinks and behaves. Her role as Business Manager has been the greatest job for her personal growth for the past 14 years. She has watched the growing interest in renewables into becoming not only the right path for us citizens of the world but a great investment opportunity as well. She's happy to work in the accounting department and also to host a community radio show "Solar Sisters" on a monthly basis. Her background in speech pathology from Oklahoma State University did not prepare her like her experience and training here at Solar Energy International!

SEI Instructor and Curriculum Developer

I'm from Costa Rica, with a background in Mechanical Engineering, and dedicated fully to solar since 2009. I divide efforts between being a technical trainer for SEI, a curriculum developer for SEI´s Spanish Program, and a technical consultant on design review, installation inspection and best practices, commissioning, and all things solar for companies all over the American continent. Solar to me is a great bridge towards a renewable energy world-grid, a means to get people closer to their energy source, and a fire-starter for paradigm shifts. In 2014 I got certified by NABCEP as a PV Installation Professional. Free time for me means nature, hiking, biking and camping while exploring this planet. I've had the opportunity to serve as a volunteer for Engineers Without Borders in Africa, in Puerto Rico during post-hurricane relief efforts, and virtually for projects in Dominican Republic and Belize.

PV Lab Manager

Director de Programa Hispano

Matthew Harris has more than 17 years of experience in the renewable energy and sustainability fields. Educated in architectural design with a focus on restorative and regenerative principles, Matthew holds a vision of a built environment focused on the story of place. These ideals run parallel with the mission and vision of SEI whom Matthew joined in 2004. In his time with SEI Matthew was the initial lead project manager on the planning and development of SEI’s 7-acre Renewable Energy Training Facility in Paonia, CO, co- coordinated SEI’s Green Building program, and helped to launch SEI’s Programa Hispano, which he now serves as its Director of Business Development. The Programa Hispano aims to establish SEI as a leading renewable energy training provider for Spanish speakers, with a focus on Latin America. Matthew and his team have brought SEI’s Spanish training’s to over 6 countries including online learning, training over 3,000 Spanish speakers since 2013. Matthew lives in Denver, Colorado with his wife Alexis, two cats Magic and Percy, and his six solar cookers. When Matthew is not working to fulfill SEI's mission he spends time as an Improvisational comedian, playing soccer, spending time in Colorado's beautiful mountains, and drinking Yerba Mate.

PV Electrical Designer

Kyra brings extensive experience in PV project planning and design including full project plan-sets, project site analysis, production analysis utilizing PV SYST, layout design, system design, interconnection feasibility, and drafting support. B.A., University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

Financial Director

Paul Gibb escaped corporate life in Austin, Texas, for western Colorado in 2000. Since then, he has been helping small businesses and nonprofits with their finances while enjoying the rural lifestyle of Paonia. Paul has consulted with more than a dozen organizations of varying size and at different stages in their evolution. Paul hooked up with SEI in 2006 and signed on as Financial Director in 2008. When not crunching numbers, Paul chases around his twin 10-year-old sons and provides free labor to his wife's organic farming operation. Paul is a graduate of Boston University (MBA) and Colgate University (BA).

Director of Marketing and Communications

Chris Turek has more than 15 years of marketing, online learning, and educational technology experience working with organizations all over the world. As a marketing and educational technology consultant, Chris has guided corporate, government,  and non-profit organizations to effectively adopt new media strategies and online learning technologies to spread their message. He is a Sam Houston State University alumnus with a Bachelor's of Business Administration degree in Information Systems Management and Graduate-level studies at Texas A&M University in Educational Technology. When he isn't buried in his laptop and Solar Energy International's Online Campus, Chris and his wife, Monique, and his son, Ethan are out exploring the beautiful Colorado Rocky Mountain area. If he isn't on the ski slopes you can find him landing trout (catch and release, of course) at the beaver dams on McClure Pass between the Carbondale and Paonia, Colo., Solar Energy International (SEI) offices.

Training Manager

Jess is thrilled to combine her passion for sustainability and education with her compulsion to organize and color code in her position as Training Manager. Jess works closely with the PV Team, Student Services Team, and SEI Instructors, overseeing daily operations, logistics, and scheduling. Jess has a B.A. in Environmental Studies from Gettysburg College and a M.A. in Sustainable Communities from Northern Arizona University. Before joining the SEI team, Jess coordinated an outdoor educational program for the Museum of Northern Arizona and managed the Literacy Program for Delta County Library District. She loves meeting all the students and alumni of SEI and is inspired by their commitment to a more sustainable world. In her free time, she can be found trail running, gardening, or floating down the Colorado River with her husband and their two sons.

PV Curriculum Developer and Trainer

Brian Mehalic is a NABCEP-certified PV professional and IREC-certified PV instructor with over 12 years of experience designing, installing, servicing, and inspecting all types and sizes of PV systems. He began his career as Lead Installer and Project Manager at EV Solar Products in Arizona, where he was directly responsible for the design and installation of over 150 photovoltaic systems, ranging from residential off-grid to commercial grid-interactive. For the past several years he worked as Project Engineer for O2 Energies in North Carolina, advising the developer on system design, modeling performance, and performing quality assurance inspections on over 23 megawatts of ground-mounted PV. Currently he is a curriculum developer and instructor for Solar Energy International and North Carolina State University, a frequent contributor to SolarPro and Home Power magazines, and an independent consultant providing services ranging from system design and quality assurance inspections to commissioning, troubleshooting, and maintenance.

PV Curriculum Developer and Trainer

Joe Villacci specializes in system design, installation methods, and performance verification of solar electric systems. He works as technical trainer and curriculum developer for Solar Energy International and is responsible in part for development of SEI's PV training facility. Joe also provides design review, commissioning, and troubleshooting services through his company, OnSight Solar Electric Services. He is an IREC Certified Master Trainer/PV and NABCEP certified PV installation professional. Joe spends most of his free time enjoying the outdoors and is an avid rock climber. Joe Villacci, IREC Certified Master Trainer^TM for PV Installation Professional

Co-Director, Middle East and Africa Program

Kris Sutton has worked full-time in the PV industry since 1999. Kris was a NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer. He regularly teaches technical trainings on the design, installation of photovoltaic systems--both commercial and residential, with a heavy emphasis on safety. He has been employed as an installer, project manager, and owned his own solar consulting business working with utilities, architects, engineers, general contractors, building departments, and homeowners through all phases of the PV design and installation process. Kris serves as Solar Energy International’s Instructor-Trainer and helps develop curriculum.  NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer

Director of Enrollment and Systems Administration

At Solar Energy International, Breccia Cressman enjoys working closely with students and staff.  This work fulfills her two passions, people and the environment.  Her education is in Environmental Studies and Philosophy, and her hobbies include playing old-time fiddle music, salsa and kizomba dancing, outdoors and music festivals. Please contact her at any time at breccia@solarenergy.org.

Solar in the Schools

Andrea joined SEI as a work-trader in 2010 when she enthusiastically helped to expand Solar In the Schools program into our local schools and communities. She now coordinates the SIS program with a focus on in-school energy presentations and hands-on solar labs. A strong proponent of experiential learning she has taught environmental education programs centered on field ecology, biology, energy literacy and sustainable agriculture for over 10 years. Andrea's goal is to strengthen renewable energy education in our local schools and be a catalyst to get kids out of buildings and excited about capturing energy from the sun. With her husband she is experientially raising three boys, watching a lot of soccer games and enjoys trail running and mountain biking.