Breccia Wilson

At SEI, Breccia specializes in advanced word processing, email use and the telephone, and has a blackbelt in data entry.  She also knows how to use the printer and the Xerox copier.  She grew up in Orange County, New York. She started coming to Colorado in the summers to play polocrosse 17 years ago and fell in love with the place and the people. After graduating she moved to Colorado. Breccia currently lives in a solar-thermal and PV equipped log cabin in Carbondale, Colorado with her husband (Dana), dog (Penny) and cats (Luis, Tiki and Ted).  Her hobbies and interests include alternative and renewable energies, (teaching) bellydancing, lucid dreams, swinging, playing the fiddle, snowboarding, following her father's exploits as a drag queen in Key West, tele-skiing, skateboarding, surfing, sustainability, outdoors, traveling in Mexico and South America, film, music, the environment, polo and eating bananas.

breccia@solarenergy.org or 970-963-8855 ext. 107

Brian Mehalic

Brian is SEI's Advanced PV Online coordinator. Before joining SEI he worked as the lead installer and project manager for EV Solar Products in Chino Valley, AZ. He is a NABCEP certified PV installer with experience designing, selling and installing on- and off-grid PV, solar thermal, wind and water-pumping systems.

brian@solarenergy.org

Carol Weis

Carol Weis is the PV Program Coordinator at SEI. She writes and updates SEI's PV and Advanced PV curriculum and instructs in both the hands-on and online workshops. Carol also organizes SEI renewable energy trainings for other institutions and organizations. She is a licensed electrician in the state of Colorado, and before coming to SEI, she worked as a solar electrician installing a multitude of systems. Carol works from the Paonia office.

ISPQ Certified Master PV Trainer

carol@solarenergy.org or 970-527-7657 ext. 201

Cindy Hotchkiss

cindy@solarenergy.org or 970-963-8855 ext. 104

Cindy Smith

Cindy Smith has been involved in the nonprofit world for fifteen years, specifically in animal welfare.  Four of those years were spent at Best Friends Animal Society where she managed the personnel at Dogtown and then became an event coordinator for the BFAS Los Angeles Programs.  Some of her experience encompasses working closely with hundreds of dogs, many cats and all facets of the public.  Cindy enjoys learning and life is her classroom. She is very happy to be a part of SEI and is enjoying learning about solar and other forms of alternative energy.  She feels their is no better way to learn new things than by working in that particular field of interest.  She loves living in Paonia, CO.

csmith@solarenergy.org or 970-527-7657 ext. 200

Dan Giese

Dan Giese comes to SEI with the convictions of a samurai. He is trained in disciplines of contemporary painting, semantics, aesthetic design, and non-motorized two-wheeled transportation. In continual effort to enrich the quality of life for himself and his community, Dan brings a wide range of assistance to the people who want to grow green. SEI is currently using his services to register students, compile and design curriculum materials, and interface with the members who support our organization.

dan@solarenergy.org or 970-963-8855 ext. 109

Dawn Ogren

Dawn is the SEI Administrative Team Leader. Her professional background includes 10 years in non profit administration. She has lived in the Roaring Fork Valley for nearly 20 years and enjoys spending time with her family, experiencing the outdoors and designing jewelry.

dawn@solarenergy.org or 970-963-8855 ext. 108

Jeff Tobe

Jeff is the PV project coordinator and an instructor at SEI. He came to SEI in the summer of 2002 as intern participating in the Renewable Energy Education Program (REEP) and installed his first grid-tie system as a student in the PV Design & Installation workshop. He returned to SEI in the spring of 2003 to assist with hands-on project coordination for PV workshops. Since his arrival, he has designed and led system installations in a variety of renewable energy technologies including grid-tie, grid-tie with battery backup, stand-alone, water pumping and micro-hydro. Jeff has also participated in projects bringing renewable energy to Native American communities. In addition to his PV project and instructor responsibilities, Jeff refurbishes abandoned and used bikes to make available for students and community members as alternative transportation around town in both Carbondale and Paonia. Jeff currently works in the Paonia office.

ISPQ Certified PV Instructor

jeff@solarenergy.org or 970-527-7657 ext. 202

Johnny Weiss

Johnny Weiss is Cofounder and Executive Director of Solar Energy International. Johnny is a solar educator, consultant, certified Industrial Trainer and solar building professional. He has over twenty years experience teaching the practical applications of the renewable energy (RE) technologies of solar, wind and water power. As an Associate Professor for ten years at the Colorado Mountain College, he helped develop and teach a hands-on vocational training program in solar thermal, photovoltaics, energy efficiency and construction skills. Johnny has extensive practical experience as a natural house builder and licensed general contractor. He is knowledgeable in the environmental building technologies of earth and straw bale construction. Johnny regularly works with Native Americans RE training programs. Johnny works in international sustainable development programs and projects helping transfer renewable energy technologies to the developing world.

ISPQ Certified Master PV Trainer

johnny@solarenergy.org or 970-963-8855 ext. 105

Kathy Fontaine

Kathy Fontaine grew up in Texas before moving to California and Washington with her husband and two sons. After her sons were grown, she and her husband lived aboard a sailboat on Lake Union, Seattle, for a year before sailing down the West Coast, through the Panama Canal, and back up through the Caribbean to Texas Her sailboat was equipped with solar panels to recharge the batteries on board. She spent many blissful hours looking at the sun, then the solar panels, scratching her head and uttering AHA! It didn't take long before she was transformed into an avid renewable energy advocate. In 2001, Kathy participated in SEI's work/trade program, took seven renewable energy workshops, and was hired as SEI's Office Manager.

kathy@solarenergy.org or 970-963-8855 ext. 102

Kathy Swartz

Kathy’s diverse job description as “REEP Team Leader” includes overseeing the Sustainable Building, Solar Thermal, Wind, Microhydro, and International programs, in addition to SEI’s Charitable Programs. Before coming to SEI, Kathy ran the environmental education program at Camp Arroyo in Livermore, CA, which was one of the first environmental education centers in the country to incorporate sustainable design into all of its buildings. The buildings utilized passive solar design, incorporated solar hot water and radiant floor systems, and demonstrated both rice straw bale and rammed earth construction. She was responsible for getting the camp’s first grid-tied PV system installed and incorporated PV and sustainable building concepts into the curriculum. Kathy has a degree from West Virginia Wesleyan and enjoys gardening and canning, hiking with Hannah the Big Newfie Dog, and is planning to build a strawbale home with her partner, Kris Sutton.

kswartz@solarenergy.org or 970-527-7657 ext. 207

Kevin Lundy

Kevin is our all-around project assistant and King of the Attic. He is a great advocate of bicycle transportation. Sadly, his bicycle spends a lot of time in the shop.

kevin@solarenergy.org

Khanti Munro

Khanti Munro, an ISP Certified Instructor for Photovoltaic Courses, has been involved in the Renewable Energy field since 2001. Khanti earned a self-designed degree in Renewable Energy from Green Mountain College in VT. Previously an SEI staff member, work-trader, and alum, Khanti now serves as SEI's PV Online Course Manager/Coordinator and continues to instruct from the rolling green mountains of Vermont. Drawing from a broad range of experience in the R.E. industry, Khanti finds himself working as an instructor, consultant, on and off grid system designer, installer, educator, and an advocate. When the sun goes down, he spends the rest of his time learning how to be a good dad, shoveling snow, playing ultimate Frisbee, hiking, traveling, building with wood, taking pictures, and catching up on sleep.

ISPQ Certified PV Instructor

khanti@solarenergy.org

Kris Sutton

Kris has many years of experience working with grid tied, battery UPS systems, and off grid renewable energy systems. He also has experience with single and three phase, high and low voltage inverters, industrial batteries, and all types of photovoltaic systems. He has been employed as a Project manager and directed work crews of 2-12 working on multiple projects. He works with architects, engineers, general contractors, building departments, and homeowners through all phases of the PV design and installation process. Kris has also instructed technical trainings for groups of up to 80 students on photovoltaic systems, commercial and residential electrical systems, renewable energy overview, and OSHA safety.

ISPQ Certified Master PV Trainer

kris.sutton@solarenergy.org or 970-527-7657 ext. 205

Laura Walters

Laura Walters, an SEI alum, got into renewables early-on when she helped get a PV system donated to her school though Solar Now, Inc. Since then she has been active in advocating for renewable energy locally, nationally, and internationally. Laura graduated from Dickinson College with a degree in Environmental Science and a focus on renewable energy and climate change. After graduation, she was hired as Dickinson's first Environmental Specialist, where she helped the College adopt "Sustainability" as one of their "Defining Characteristics" and worked on environmental education initiatives. At SEI, she coordinates curriculum development for in-person PV workshops, works with the PV Online coordinator to synchronize curriculum updates, and provides graphic support for the PV program. Laura works out of the Paonia office.

laura@solarenergy.org or 970-527-7657 ext. 204

Laurie Stone

Laurie Stone is an instructor, writer and international program manager at SEI. She has a Master's Degree in Energy Engineering from the University of Colorado. She has done extensive work in Latin America with numerous development organizations. Laurie is fluent in Spanish and over the past ten years has conducted projects in Nicaragua, El Salvador, Mexico and Ecuador implementing photovoltaics, solar cooking and water distillation. She began SEI's Women's Photovoltaics program, and organizes and instructs the Renewable Energy for Developing World workshops. Laurie has authored numerous technical articles for publications including Home Power Magazine, Solar Today Magazine and Mother Earth News. Her passions (besides renewable energy) include trailrunning, backcountry skiing, mountain biking, and organic fair trade chocolate. She lives in a passive solar straw bale home in Carbondale, Colorado.

laurie@solarenergy.org or 970-963-8855 ext. 112

Matthew Harris

Matthew is a workshop coordinator and instructor for SEI's Sustainable Building Program. In this role he serves as the hands-on projects manager for all of SEI's Natural Building workshops. Educated in Architectural Design at Arizona State University with a focus on sustainable natural building Matthew shares a vision of a built environment which focuses on regenerative, restoritive design strategies. Since 1999 Matthew has shared techniques such as cob, straw bale, adobe, and earthen plasters with many people throughout the world. Over the past decade he has built 5- straw bale homes and has participated in a handful of others. Matthew loves to play in the mud and is highly allergic to straw but never-the-less continues to share his passion for natural building.

matthew@solarenergy.org or 970-527-7657 ext. 203

Paul Gibb

Rachel Connor

Rachel has been with Solar Energy International since January 2002. Before coming to SEI Rachel earned a Bachelor's degree in Environmental Studies at Utah State University.  In the summer of 2001 she became an SEI intern and participated in the Renewable Energy Education Program (REEP). She returned in the winter of 2002 to help develop & teach SEI's online education program, specifically the Solar Home Design Online course.  Since her arrival, she has strengthened & developed the SEI Sustainable Building Education Program.  Rachel is the course instructor for SEI's Solar Home Principles workshops and the Solar Home Design Online courses.  She facilitates the Introduction to Straw Bale workshops, the Natural House Building workshops, as well as the Sustainable Building for the Developing World workshops. She is currently pursuing future online courses and multi-media opportunities for SEI,  as well as acting as one of the Green Building Editors for Home Power magazine and Regional Correspondents for The Last Straw publication. 

rachel@solarenergy.org or 970-963-8855 ext. 111

Samantha Pickard

Samantha believes there is a huge change coming and feels fortunate to be part of SEI's wonderful team. She uses her instinctual social skills to gossip to future students about solar energy. She works in the office part time and answers questions and takes registrations. She loves to talk, and is always ready to promote solar energy! She has a passion for adopting "recycled" dogs and has recently become a kitty cat owner as well. When she is not at SEI, she is attending classes at Colorado Mountain College in Glenwood Springs. She is at home in the wonderful Colorado Mountains and loves hiking, biking, cross country skiing, snowboarding and swimming. She is very content in a tent and likes to camp in Moab and loves to float down the river. She also has a passion for traveling and sustainable living and gardening. In her two years at SEI she has been able to take some wonderful courses and hopes to one day apply her knowledge and have an off-grid farm somewhere in the mountains. She currently lives in Carbondale with her boyfriend Alejandro, her dog Harlow and her cat Wyatt.

sam@solarenergy.org or 970-963-8855 ext. 106

Sandy Pickard

Sandy feels that SEI has changed the way she thinks and behaves. It 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 OSU did not prepare her like her experience and training here at Solar Energy International!.

sandy@solarenergy.org or 970-963-8855 ext. 110

Soozie Lindbloom

Soozie believes that you should smash your TV and get outside more. When you're living out in nature, you see directly how your actions impact the world around you, and you learn how to waste less and live more. When she's not skiing or biking or hiking or raising her baby girl, she teaches K-12th grade Students and their teachers how they can make a difference in our energy future through Renewable Energy, Energy Conservation, and Energy Efficiency. Soozie has been an environmental educator for over 12 years, most predominantly as an instructor with both SEI and Outward Bound. She believes that Hands On Renewable Energy education is paramount to ensuring that the youth of today is equipped with the knowledge to make appropriate, sustainable decisions about their future. Right now, energy development is the biggest barrier in ensuring the protection of our clean air and water, wild areas and natural habitat. Additionally, the global wierding, geopolitical, health, socio-economic, and common sense issues all tied to energy use are just as important. She is hoping that one of her students will be the next Albert(a) Einstien -

"We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created
them."

soozie@solarenergy.org or 970-963-8855 ext. 103

Tawnya Parker

Tawnya moved to Colorado in 2005 from Eugene Oregon after graduating with honors from the University of Oregon with a Bachelors degree, majoring in Ethnic Studies. She feels very fortunate to be part of the SEI family and enjoys her job as the PV Workshop Coordinator because not only does it tap into her desire to focus on logistics and details, but she gets to work in an industry that is lessening our dependence on energy that damages our natural environment. She is inspired to be outside and enjoys going into the gorgeous mountains that surround the area as much as possible.  Her hobbies include, mountain biking, road riding/bike commuting, white water kayaking, skiing in all forms, hiking, backpacking, rock climbing and gardening.  When she is not outside playing with her dogs, one can find her working on the construction of her craftsman style green home. 

tparker@solarenergy.org or 970-527-7657 ext. 206

Homer

The SEI mascot