GRID Alternatives Staff

GRID Alternatives - Headquarters

Brendan Beasley, Operations and Program Expansion Associate
Brendan is an Americorps VISTA volunteer. In his role as Operations and Expansion Associate he coordinates and documents best practices for office operations and assists GRID management in establishing regional offices, contracting, technology and other matters related to the regional affiliate system. Prior to joining GRID, Brendan was an associate at the law firm of Latham & Watkins LLP practicing primarily in corporate transactions and structured finance. Brendan graduated 1998 from the University of Findlay, in Findlay, Ohio, majoring in Sociology and Criminal Justice, and received his law degree in 2002 from the University of Pennsylvania Law School in Philadelphia.

Dan Dumovich, SASH Program Associate
Dan made his way down from Seattle after a degree in Political Science and Anthropology from the University of Washington. His love for the Sun and empowering communities has come from traveling and working on development projects in the global south. After working on campaigns and international education, he is now dedicated to serving in his home country for those most in need. He is enjoying becoming settled in Oakland, exploring the mountains and trails with his bike and backpack.

Zach Franklin, Development Director
Zach has twelve years of experience in affordable housing, fundraising, and community services, including starting and operating a Community Technology Center at a multifamily affordable housing development in the Iron Triangle neighborhood of Richmond, CA, working for five years at a local nonprofit housing developer, and providing technical assistance to a Richmond-based homeless services agency.

Stanley Greschner, Director – SASH Program (a California Solar Initiative program)
B.S. Bio-Mechanical Engineering, Marquette University.
M.A. Philosophy and Public Policy, American University.
Stan has a professional background in mechanical engineering, contract manufacturing, international development programming, grant management, and university-level teaching.

Katie Kerr, Americorps*VISTA Leader
Katie is an Americorps VISTA volunteer in her second year with the Americorps program. Katie hails from sunny Philadelphia where she enjoyed yoga, the Phillies, and her dog Sabrina, but mainly just tried to laugh as much as she could. She graduated from Boston University with a BA in Sociology. Her dedication to helping communities began at a young age and has continued through high school to college and after. She is committed to giving back and remains interested in the many different ways local initiatives are changing the society we live in.

Erica Mackie, P.E., Executive Director and Co-Founder
Erica has a professional background both in social work and in renewable energy and energy efficiency consulting and sales, and has overseen the installation of solar electric systems and energy efficiency retrofits ranging in construction cost from $10,000 to $1.7 million. She holds two bachelor’s degrees from Southern Illinois University, one in Mechanical Engineering and the other in Physics.

Tim Sears, P.E., Program Director and Co-Founder
Tim is a graduate of Stanford University with a degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering, has a technical background in the design and installation of solar electric systems, wind turbines, micro-hydro systems and bio-diesel reactors, and has 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.

Van Shu, Development Associate
Inspired by his volunteer experience and eager to begin a career in the renewable energy industry, Van joins GRID Alternatives as an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer after several years as a consultant at Accenture. A Bay Area native, he graduated from UC Davis with a degree in Managerial Economics. In his spare time, he enjoys investing, blogging, basketball, running, and watching movies.

Tracie Troxler, Event and Development Coordinator
Tracie has a background in occupational therapy working predominantly in under-served communities in the Bay Area. Her deep-rooted commitment to connecting human service work with environmental protection, as well as her inspirational experiences as a solar volunteer brought her to her position with GRID Alternatives.

Myshel Prasad, Development Associate
Myshel is an Americorps VISTA volunteer.  A graduate of New York University's Gallatin Division, she is currently on leave from the Monterey Institute of International Studies where she is pursuing an MA in International Policy.  Myshel comes to GRID with a future interest in developing cooperative initiatives which focus on sustainable resource sharing and alternative energy policy.  She has six years of experience in nonprofit development with PBS and other organizations. 

GRID Alternatives - Bay Area Staff

Jahahara Alkebulan-Ma'at, Outreach Coordinator
Jahahara has over 30 years of experience in organizing community residents and workers for collective power, justice and improvements in the daily lives of their families. From Chicago to New York to the Bay Area, Jahahara has played a part in building a number of diverse coalitions to address common human and environmental needs. As a member of the GRID Alternatives' team, Jahahara's role is focused on helping overcome the "green gap": through outreach and education to low-income communities and homeowners; and by involving more residents in the benefits of solar electric installation and job training opportunities.

Mary Biasotti, Regional Director
Mary has a Bioresource Science degree from UC Berkeley and over two decades of experience in organizational and program management, especially in economic development and community outreach. Her passion is to enable low-income people to overcome socio-economic barriers by helping to combine their talents and vision with outside resources. Mary’s greatest challenge is to convince her husband and children to go hiking and camping with her more often. She would also love to play more soccer, and do more gardening and home construction projects.

Colin Bright, Outreach Manager
Colin is a native Hoosier who found GRID Alternatives due to his passions in environmental science, entrepreneurship, community development, sustainability, and volunteerism. Colin started his career working part time for the family business, helping support biological science consultants with fieldwork. After a stint with a local bank, Colin joined the Peace Corps and spent two years serving a small community in Nicaragua where he inspired youth to set goals of entrepreneurship and community involvement. Colin is an alumnus of Hanover College and holds a degree in Business Administration.

Tara Bush, Volunteer and Training Associate
Tara graduated with a double major in international relations and anthropology from the University of New York at Geneseo. She was born in Texas, a world traveler, and has done extensive volunteer work in Argentina, Costa Rica, and all over the US. After graduating, Tara joined AmeriCorps serving for over a year as a volunteer coordinator for the University of Rochester. Tara joined GRID Alternatives as an AmeriCorps*VISTA volunteer to increase the accessibility of green technology and to advocate for affordable and sustainable energy solutions. She hopes to empower low income families by helping to provide low cost energy for their everyday needs.

Shamir Chauhan, Project Manager
Shamir has six years of experience in the affordable housing industry, with experience developing housing for diverse populations including farmworkers in rural Santa Cruz County, homeless individuals in the Tenderloin neighborhood of San Francisco, and low-income senior citizens in the greater East Bay.

Johannes Copeland, Solar Installation Supervisor
Johannes comes to GRID Alternatives from Habitat for Humanity East Bay, where he served as a crew leader building green, affordable homes. Prior to joining Habitat he served in the US Marine Corps, including two tours in Iraq, and is passionate about ending the world's dependence on oil while also building stronger and more empowered communities here at home. Johannes holds a degree in Economics from the University of Chicago.

Koralie Hill, Photovoltaic Installation Supervisor
Koralie Hill has worked for over 5 years in the solar industry. Since her start as an intern with Solar Energy International in 2004, Koralie has worked in numerous solar jobs from a small company in northern California to working several years as a project manager/ forewoman for a solar installation company in Berkeley, California. She has an M.S. in civil and environmental engineering from Cornell University, is a NABCEP certified solar PV installer, and a California certified electrician. In her spare time she enjoys playing banjo, writing political commentary, and trying to cross the state on two wheels.

Ronnie Matatquin, Outreach Assistant
Originally from So Cal (Ventura County), Ronnie has lived the Bay Area for the last 16 years. Ronnie was inspired to join the renewable energy industry after 3 years as a gardener and working for a summer in the Sierras. He has a BA in Broadcast Electronic Communication Arts from SFSU. In his spare time he enjoys spending time with his family, music, sports, riding his bike, and movies/documentaries. Ronnie will assist the Outreach department in offering the savings of solar to low-income families.

Bruce Leininger, Construction Manager
Bruce has been installing solar electric systems for six years with two of the Bay Area’s largest solar electric contractors, installing over 100 systems completed ranging from 1 to 80 kW. He is also certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP).

Leah Pimentel, Outreach Coordinator
Leah brings a passion for educating and outreaching to the community about how to make positive changes toward sustainability and solar energy. She has completed an MBA in Sustainable Enterprise at the Dominican University of CA. Leah has previous environmental justice experience with Greenaction and developing community empowerment plans and with the Lee Institute, both in San Francisco. She has also serves on the board of the Women’s Environment Network.

Sarah Shimmin, Outreach and Program Associate
Sarah is a Bay Area native and graduate of California State University, East Bay with bachelor's degrees in Environmental Studies and Spanish. She has previously been involved with non-profits working towards smart growth, local organic agriculture, and food justice around the Bay Area. She is passionate about tackling climate change and other environmental issues while ensuring health and economic benefits for all. Sarah spent a year studying in Santiago, Chile and loves to travel.

Brian Simmons, Solar Installation Supervisor
Brian has been installing solar electric systems for 6 years(over 1000kw installed) with two of the Bay Area’s largest solar electric contractors(SolarCity,Petersen Dean).He comes to GRID with a passion for green innovation and community empowerment.He has a background in the elevator construction,and carpentry.He spends his free time operating a recycled bike shop with his wife and two daughters.

GRID Alternatives - Greater Los Angeles Staff

Michelle Andry, Outreach Coordinator
Michelle has volunteered extensively with public school community members to provide instructional support in classrooms and fundraising through public events. She also coordinated a communication and resource referral network for military family members in Okinawa, Japan. Michelle graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in Accounting.

Anna Bautista, Solar Installation Supervisor
Anna has four years of experience in the solar industry as a project manager, design and installation technician, and renewable energy educator. She has worked on RE projects and environmental justice campaigns in the Philippines, Haiti, and Costa Rica and co-founded a youth mentorship program in San Diego. Anna has a degree in Electrical Engineering from MIT and is certified in Advanced Photovoltaics by SEI.

Susie Chang, Regional Director - Greater Los Angeles
Susie has a professional background in non-profit management focusing on community building, environmental, cultural and education programs. She has served low-income communities in Los Angeles as an educator and project manager, and in Afghanistan, China and Tajikistan as a program officer and country director. Susie graduated Magna Cum Laude from UCLA with a degree in International Development Studies.

Gabriela Davila, Outreach and Program Associate
Gabriela graduated from Dartmouth College with a Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Studies and a minor in Portuguese. A native of Los Angeles, she wanted to share her passion for sustainability and renewable energy with communities of every background with an emphasis on those that frequently experience economic hardships. She hopes to empower low-income communities by reaching out and helping them see how they could be a part of the greater movement for energy efficiency and sustainability. In the future, Gabriela hopes to work closely with the government to ensure that low-income communities have a voice in the creation of new legislation and policies.

Ely Flores, Outreach Coordinator
Ely Flores began community organizing with the Youth Justice Coalition and soon after became an administrator to the organization. In 2005/2006, Ely dedicated 10 months of service as an AmeriCorps member of Public Allies LA. Since then Ely has coordinated Leadership Development programming for LA CAUSA YouthBuild and consulted for YouthBuild Programs nationwide. Ely is a key facilitator/trainer for YouthBuild USA in the areas of Social Justice, Civic Engagement, and Community Building. His work led him to be part of a delegation that traveled throughout Israel trying to build coalitions amongst organizations, college students, and community members. Ely was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA.

Kevin Smith, Volunteer and Training Associate
Kevin graduated from California State University Long Beach with a degree in German Studies. While studying abroad in Stuttgart, Germany he developed a great interest in renewable energies and in environmental conservation as a whole. He is a volunteer youth soccer coach and an advocate of green technologies within the community. Serving as an Americorps*VISTA he hopes to help educate the public on the benefits of solar while providing energy independence for low income households. He plans on furthering his education and one day being involved with environmental protection policy writing.

Alan Williamson, Solar Installation Supervisor
Alan has been designing and installing PV systems as well as training installation crews since 2002. His all-solar home was filmed and included in the PBS/NOVA documentary “Saved by the Sun” and he and his wife often conduct solar tours for community members and students. Since 2006 he has qualified with the California Home Energy Efficiency Rating Services (CHEERS) as a HERS rater for new and existing homes and as a Building Performance Institute certified professional for buildings and shell analysis using practical energy efficient building performance standards and testing measures.

GRID Alternatives - San Diego Staff

Paul Cleary, Regional Director
Paul’s non-profit experience began in the early 1990s, when he helped evaluate a rural electrification project in Guatemala. After receiving a master’s 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.

Monique Davis, Outreach Coordinator
Monique has over four years experience working with non-profit organizations doing outreach and grassroots organizing. She began her outreach work with one of the largest labor unions in the country; working directly with the low-income community to give them the tools to empower themselves in the workplace. Since then, she has worked in youth and family services providing case management and as an advocate to families with incarcerated loved ones. Monique was born in Ohio and traveled the world with her family as an Army brat.

Steven Fernandez, Project Manager
Steven went to Florida International University, in Miami, where he graduated with a degree in International Relations and Geography. His work experience includes organizing job training workshops, working as a foreclosure resolution specialist, and working hands-on in general and solar contracting. Steven moved to San Diego to join Grid Alternatives as an AmeriCorps*VISTA in order to pursue his passions of working in the Solar field and helping people in need.

Jeffrey Quackenbush, Construction Supervisor
Jeffrey graduated from the Renewable Energy Program at San Juan College in spring 2008. Following his time at SJC, he did design and installation work for a solar contractor in Carbondale, Colorado on a mix of commercial, residential and off-grid projects, including the original Rocky Mountain Institute building in Snowmass. Previous to his involvement in the solar industry, Jeffrey worked as a carpenter, gardener, canvasser, teacher, tutor and editor after earning a Bachelor's degree in Linguistics from the University of Michigan.

Miguel Reza, Outreach Coordinator
Miguel brings 10 plus years of bilingual experience in communication, Latino media relations, advertising, outreach and event coordination. His recent experience included coordinating and managing outreach events and educational programs promoting public health. He has also managed communication and fundraising efforts for the affordable housing industry as well as managing and overseeing Latino outreach and recruiting for the USDA Forest Service. Miguel is originally from El Paso, TX and graduated with a degree in Organizational Communication/Public Relations from the University of Texas--El Paso.

Elyse Wood, Volunteer and Training Coordinator  Elyse graduated from Azusa Pacific University with a degree in Sociology. She has worked extensively within low-income communities, both domestically and abroad, and spent her first year as an Americorps*VISTA working as an Outreach Specialist for Los Angeles County public housing. For her second VISTA year, she was drawn to GRID Alternatives because of the opportunity to intersect her passions for both social and environmental sustainability. When not working with GRID's awesome volunteers, Elyse enjoys hiking San Diego's trails and exploring the city on her bicycle.

GRID Alternatives - Fresno Staff

Alicia Bohigian, Outreach Coordinator
Alicia Bohigian joins our team as an outreach coordinator for the Central Valley . Raised in Fresno, Alicia attended Fresno State University where she obtained a degree in Liberal Studies. She has more than ten years experience working in the multicultural marketing industry and with diverse populations. The fascination and concern for the environment and energy efficiency for the real estate industry led her to develop relationships and become active with entities and prominent figures within the environmental arena. Alicia has a passion for service in her community. She has volunteered her time with The Community Housing Council, a non-profit organization that educates the community about homeownership. She has served on the board of directors for real estate associations including National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals where she became the legislative chair promoting political involvement in her community and ensuring their voice was heard in City Hall as well as Washington D.C. Alicia is currently serving as an Ambassador and a board member for the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the treasurer for the Fresno Hispanic Scholarship Fund.

Lauren Cobb, Outreach and Program Associate
Lauren comes to us as an Americorps*VISTA from the deep South where she graduated from Mississippi State University with a degree in Marketing and a minor in Environmental Sciences. Her internship at the Solar Living Institute in 2008 influenced her passion and commitment to promoting renewable energy, sustainable living, and energy efficiency. As Outreach & Business Coordinator for EcoCAR, a North American hybrid vehicle competition for college students, Lauren developed innovative marketing skills which will benefit GRID's efforts in the California Central Valley.

Tom Esqueda, Regional Director
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's wife, Elaine, currently works for the San Joaquin River Parkway as the Coordinator of the River Buddies Program for pre-school children, and they have three children. Tom is proud to be a platelet donor of over 23 years, and averages 20 donations per year.

Michael Fairbanks, Construction Manager
Mike has been in the photovoltaic side of solar since 2001. He started his electrical career in the Navy in 1995 on the USS Anchorage LSD 36 in San Diego. Mike has a C-10 electrical license and will obtain the C-46 soon. He has installed solar all over California, New york, New jersy, and Connecticut and trained numerous others in the solar field. His crown jewel in his career is a +300,000 watt system in Napa, CA. As a fun note, Mike is a white water river guide who is on the water every weekend from April to September. Water is his 2nd home.

Laurie Patterson, Outreach Coordinator
Laurie graduated from CSU Fresno with honors and a BA in Political Science and a BA in History. She has made community involvement a priority in her life. Since graduation, Laurie worked for KNXT Ch 49, a non-profit television station in Fresno. Laurie is thrilled to put her passions for the environment and bettering her community to work at GRID Alternatives Fresno.

Matt Wilkes, Volunteer and Training Associate
Matt graduated from San Francisco State University with a BA in Liberal Studies and a BS in Cell and Molecular Biology. During his time at SFSU, Matt nurtured a passion for science and empowering students through working with a free access educational service as a teacher and tutor. While living in San Francisco, Matt observed the extreme disparities between socioeconomic classes and developed a strong sense of social justice. He believes in the transformative power of community activism and is a strong supporter of open source initiatives. Currently, Matt is living in Fresno and working with GRID Alternatives as an AmeriCorps VISTA member who is committed to empowering low-income communities and fighting poverty. In his free time he can be found enjoying air conditioning, snow cones, and caffeinated beverages.

GRID Alternatives - Inland Empire Staff

Lisa Castilone, Outreach Coordinator
Lisa is a long time resident and community activist in Riverside County. Lisa has worked in the social service/non-profit sector for over 10 years. Most recently Lisa was the Program Coordinator at Alternatives to Domestic Violence in Temecula, CA where she assisted victims of domestic violence through advocacy, education and court services. Lisa is a hands on person with a strong sense of community and she enjoys empowering others to make positive changes in their lives. Lisa enjoys all sports and is a "team mom" for most of them, as she has 6 school age children.

Leida Chambliss, Outreach Coordinator
Leida has a passion for working with people and making their lives better. As a former recruiter with over a dozen years experience, Leida facilitated the hiring of over 300 people into their dream jobs. Over the years she has volunteered for a variety of charities from assisting animals in need, fund raising for children of abuse and helping low income families revitalize their homes through volunteer efforts. Her eagerness for helping those in her community by creating a cleaner more sustainable environment is the driving force behind her pursuit of a Bachelor in Urban Policy and Design. In her free time, she can be found photographing her children, studying, and spending time with her family at home.