VP Administrative Services

Denise joined SEI’s Accounting team in February 2015, bringing both nonprofit and for-profit business experience. Denise has worked in accounting in both environmental and renewable energy organizations for over 20 years. Currently she serves as Solar Energy International’s Co-Director of Accounting.

VP Curriculum & 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.

VP Student Services & Employer Relations

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.

VP Marketing & Business Development

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.

Director of Int. Business Development + Instructor

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

Training Coordinator and Office Manager

With over 20 years of cherished residency in the North Fork Valley, I have transitioned from a diverse career in Death Valley National Park to a fulfilling role in local education and community support. My professional journey began in the arid expanses of Death Valley, where I donned several hats, including staffing the Visitor Center, leading a Youth Conservation Corps crew, and working as a Wildlife Technician with the Devils Hole Pupfish.   A proud Tar Heel, I earned my degree in Geology from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Following my move to the North Fork Valley, I pivoted from geology to focus on raising my children, running a pasture-based farm, and exploring various small jobs.   As my children reached school age, I sought a more impactful role and have spent the past four years as the Secretary for the North Fork School of Integrated Studies. My diverse background and unwavering support for educators shape my dedication to this role, reflecting my commitment to fostering a thriving, supportive educational environment.

Empowerment Program Manager

Kiera grew up in Colorado with family ties to the Western Slope and has lived in Northern California, Paris, Ireland, Oregon and is now happy to call Arizona home. She received her BA in International Studies with an emphasis on Post-Colonial Studies from Humboldt State University and holds a Master of Arts degree in Culture and Colonialism from the National University of Ireland, Galway. She has over a decade of experience in nonprofit fundraising, grant writing and development, and is passionate about bringing this experience to SEI's work and opening doorways into the renewable energy industry. She loves folklore studies, quiet afternoons with books and coffee, challenging herself on the climbing wall and hanging with her black cat, Ronan.

PV Lab Manager

Joseph has worked in the PV industry for over ten years as an installer, lead installer, project manager and operations and maintenance technician. He is currently the PV Lab Manager at Solar Energy International’s headquarters in Paonia Colorado. Joseph is excited to study and consciously participate in the systems which support his life on the earth. He has lived off the grid in an earthen home he designed and built in the foothills of the West Elk Mountains for 19 years. He enjoys spending time with his two sons, wild places, and hanging out with plants.

Executive Assistant

Jessie brings nearly 15 years of experience as an Executive Assistant, having successfully supported a diverse array of managerial teams and C-suite executives. Her background in early childhood education enriches her professional profile, as she has worked both as a bilingual Kindergarten teacher and as the Director of an after-school program. This unique combination of skills and experiences fosters her strong communication abilities and a deep understanding of the educational environment.

In her time off, Jessie enjoys spending quality moments with her family and engaging in crafting. Her daughter keeps her busy with various activities, and Jessie proudly serves as the President of her daughter’s PTA, actively contributing to the school community and supporting her daughter’s educational journey.

Campus Instruction and Training Manager

Instructional Designer

With over 10 years of experience as an instructional designer, Devin has worked across the U.S. to develop and implement innovative learning experiences in higher education. He has collaborated with faculty, subject matter experts, and students to create engaging curricula, leveraging technology to enhance both in-person and online learning environments and is excited to bring his skills and experience to the world of renewable energy at SEI. Outside of work, he is an outdoorsman, guitar player, family man, and dog enthusiast.

Accounting Assistant

Andrew comes to Paonia from the scenic Appalachian region of Pennsylvania where he earned a Bachelor's degree in Accounting and Business Administration. His interest in solar technology stems from a young exposure in computer engineering and sciences, which evolved into a drive to learn about a wide breadth of how technology works in our society and its benefits. Andrew greatly enjoys playing around with technology in his free time, whether that be computer games or learning something new from the vast library of resources we have at our fingertips. He also takes great pride in playing team sports like ultimate frisbee, hiking the local scenery, biking, gardening, playing percussion, and learning about how to care for our ecosystem on all scales.

Enrollment & Admission Specialist

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

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.

U.S. Business Development Manager + Instructor

When he was a child, Marshall had a toy solar kit 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 Florida and Tennessee. After studying at SEI in 2016, he earned his NABCEP PVIP certification, then went to work in the large-scale PV sector supporting central inverters at Power Electronics. Since 2018 Marshall has been dedicated to training and education in the solar field and is thrilled to be a part of SEI team. He lives with his family in Gainesville, FL where the live oaks bring relaxing shade, and the beach is just a short trip away.

Curriculum Developer + Instructor

Alejandro is an SEI instructor with nearly a decade of experience in installing and commissioning power distribution equipment at telecommunications sites. A graduate in Electronic Engineering from the Costa Rica Institute of Technology, Alejandro decided to shift his career toward a more sustainable and environmentally conscious industry. In 2014, he completed a master’s degree in Renewable Energy, where he discovered his passion for solar energy. He later finished SEI’s "Battery-Based Photovoltaic Systems Certificate" program. After earning his certification, Alejandro joined SEI’s curriculum development team, contributing his expertise and enthusiasm to the creation of innovative educational materials. His interest in sustainable communities in rural areas drives him to promote solar energy as a key component in developing homes and agroecological settlements. Outside of his professional life, he enjoys outdoor activities with his family, as well as cooking and sports.

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 energy in college 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.

HR Administrator/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 Training

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 - Lead

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.

Curriculum Developer + Instructor

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.

Registrations & Systems Manager

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.

Director of Business Dev. Hispanic & Latino Prog.

María Pía Day has a degree in Advertising, with a Postgraduate Degree in Business Administration and a Master in Marketing and Business Management. She spend 4 years leading the marketing and communication efforts to expand SEI's Spanish Program in Latin America, and was promoted to Director of Business Development for the Hispanic and Latin-American Program to grow the program. Before SEI, she collected 12 years of experience in the communication area working in different industries customer-oriented industries, both B2B and BTC, with experience in Social Responsibility and Innovation. She also did volunteer work for different 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.

Student Services Counselor - Spanish Program

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 Campus 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.

Co-Director of Accounting

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!

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).

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 Coordinator

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.