GRID Alternatives - Greater Los Angeles
950 Dovlen Place, Suite B
Carson, CA 90746
Phone: (310) 324-8146
Fax: (310) 388-0288
Email: infogla@gridalternatives.org
Click here for a map and directions to our offices. Our Greater Los Angeles office is located in Carson near the 405-110 interchange. We are behind South Bay Pavilion (Ikea), across from JCPenney. From the Metro Blue Line Artesia Station, take Bus 205 to Del Amo/Leapwood.
Staff Bios
Lidia Castelo, Outreach Coordinator
Lidia Castelo, a native of Los Angeles, began developing her grassroots community organizing skills in High School by organizing her fellow classmates at Belmont High School to advocate for adequate education. She then continued developing her passion while attending CSU Northridge by organizing students around budget cuts affecting EOP and humanities programs. Soon after receiving her Bachelors of Arts degree in Xicana/o Studies and a minor in Business management, she became a Tenant Organizer for Strategic Actions for a Just Economy (SAJE) through the AmeriCorps Public Allies LA program, campaigning against slum housing and advocating for affordable/adequate housing for working poor families in the Figueroa Corridor area of Los Angeles. Presently, she volunteers at Comunidad Presente (CP), a community based organization in the Pico Union area and is a Supplemental Instruction Leader for the EOP Summer Bridge program at CSU Los Angeles.
Susie Chang, Regional Director
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 with international non-profit organizations. Susie graduated Magna Cum Laude from UCLA with a degree in International Development Studies.
Nilson Cornejo, Solar Corps Project Associate
Born and raised in South Central Los Angeles, Nilson Graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School and attended California State Polytechnic University in Pomona, and Los Angeles trade Technical. It was at Los Angeles Trade Technical College where he found his calling for solar studying the fundamentals of Photovoltaic technology, exceeding in his class. Now he is applying his enthusiasm and knowledge to Grid Alternatives embarking on a promising career in the solar industry.
Francisco Dominguez, Outreach Coordinator
Francisco has over 20 years experience developing and implementing grass-roots/social marketing campaigns. He is the founder of DZ Consulting, a public affairs- and advocacy-oriented consulting firm. He has directed a nonprofit human services organization in Ventura County and was director of training and technical assistance programs for the National Association of Latino Elected & Appointed Officials (NALEO). He has a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from San Jose State University.
Ely Flores, Outreach Manager
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.
Norman Graham, Solar Installation Supervisor
Initially from Kingston Jamaica, Norman has spent a majority of his time in the military overseas in Japan. He found himself looking for a new career path after his job in the biotech industry was downsized with the shifting economy. Since he has always had a passion for renewable energy, being a volunteer then eventually working for GRID has been a great career change. He has an MBA from Keller Graduate School of Management with an emphasis on Project Management. “Helping to train volunteers and at the same time assisting low income homeowners improve their lives is the best thing that could happen to me.”
Justin Hitchcock, Outreach Coordinator
Justin Hitchcock gained extensive outreach experience as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Dominican Republic, where he worked on several community projects focusing on environmental initiatives and youth development. Justin studied Civil Engineering at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. He has traveled and volunteered throughout Central and South America. He is passionate about pushing the transition to create a sustainable society. In his spare time, Justin enjoys surfing, live music, and traveling.
Xochitl Marquez, Solar Corps Outreach and Admin. Associate
Xochitl is a native chicana from Los Angeles, CA. She graduated from UC Santa Cruz with a B.A. in Environmental Anthropology, and has experience working in the field of Environmental Justice. She is also a nature lover and believes in creating a sustainable future for generations to come.
Ricardo Martinez, Solar Installation Supervisor
Ricardo was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA. With a background in construction, he was part of LA CAUSA Youth Build, a nonprofit organization, for 3 years teaching young people valuable skills as a Construction Trainer. Through LA CAUSA, Ricardo had the opportunity to be a part of the very first install for the GLA office. With a passion for energy efficiency, renewable energy, and green building, he knew he wanted to continue to be a part of GRID Alternatives’ work. Ricardo is a BPI certified energy analyst and is currently attending classes at LATTC pursuing an Associate in Arts Degree.
Adewale OgunBadejo, Volunteer and Training Coordinator
Originally from the East coast, Adewale moved to Southern California three years ago. Initially he worked at California State University, Dominguez Hills as an Administrative Assistant for the African American Political & Economic Institute, a non-profit organization. During the course of his employment, he took up the study of photovoltaics at Los Angeles Trade Technical College. Since then he has developed a passion for solar energy and all the possibilities its uses create. “I am excited about my future; I found something I can be passionate about. GRID Alternatives provides a great opportunity not only in which to learn and grow, but also to give back.”
Myshel Prasad, Development Officer
Myshel comes to GRID Alternatives with a commitment to the development and promotion of cooperative initiatives which focus on sustainable resource sharing, enivronmental justice, and alternative energy policy. A graduate of New York University's Gallatin Division, she is a Kathryn Wasserman Davis Scholarship for Peace Award recipient and holds a certificate in Conflict Resolution from the United Nations University in Amman. She has six years of experience in nonprofit development with PBS and other organizations.
Bo Thai, Project Manager
Bo was born in and immigrated from Vietnam. He grew up in Orange County and got his formal education at California State University of Fullerton in Computer Information Systems. He then went to work in a family remodeling business as a General Contractor before being hired with GRID. His loves (other than GRID) include road and mountain biking and swimming.
Alan Williamson, Construction Manager
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.
