I first met Johnny in the Fall 1986 while working at Novan Energy in Boulder. One of my cohorts told me about the Solar Retrofit Program at Colorado Mountain College in Glenwood Springs. So, I rode up to Glenwood with my friend to check things out. Johnny, Ken Olson and Steve McCarney immediately sold me on the renewable energy path and I was off and running toward what has become my own almost 40-year journey.

As most of you already know, Johnny was a convincing instructor and mentor. His NJ attitude, construction knowledge and work ethic was demanding and more often than not, spot on. To this day, I still correct people when they refer to those construction slabs and foundation stem walls as “cement”. Johnny was adamant…

“Please don’t call it cement! How many times do I need to tell you, cement is just one of the ingredients that when mixed with aggregate and water, create concrete. It’s concrete!”

Along with these bits of Johnny’s construction wisdom was a passion for energy efficiency and renewable energy of all kinds…weatherization, solar thermal, passive solar design and PV. I was hungry for it all! Upon completing the course, the instructors gave each student an exit interview. I was convinced that my future focused on passive solar design, but Johnny thought otherwise…

“You need to go into sales”, he pronounced. “We need passionate people out there selling the public on all these technologies!”.

I was deflated on one hand and energized on the other. So, with those concepts firmly implanted and Johnny’s advice ringing in my ears, I left CMC for jobs at Photocomm in Arizona and Denver and then peddling passive solar at Rocky Mountain Solar Glass in Boulder…all the while staying connected to Johnny and my mentors from the Roaring Fork Valley.

When my partner and now wife, Chrissy, decided to enroll in the Photography Program at CMC in Glenwood, I decided it was time to launch a business. It was 1990, and solar was still building credibility. We moved to Carbondale and Sunsense was born.

In this same window, the CMC Program had morphed into Appropriate Technology Associates (ATA) and subsequently the Solar Technology Institute. Shortly thereafter, SEI was launched with Johnny and Ken at the helm. Our relationship was well established by then and had progressed from student/teacher to teacher/business owner. Sunsense and SEI became quick partners, both locally and within the industry. This was manifested by Johnny pestering me into part time teaching gigs and assisting SEI with real world PV projects that ultimately helped both of us grow…more Johnny wisdom.

During this time, I recall so vividly, Johnny’s red Jeep Cherokee. We rode that thing into the ground…literally…traveling to many 10th Mountain huts and other remote off grid sites. I remember Johnny toting his signature green canvas and leather briefcase (I wanted to be like him, so I bought one just like it) and the ever-present stash for after-hours “relaxation”.

One such memorable trip was to the 10th Mountain Skinner Hut with an installation class. Following a long work day and a walk up the road to the Continental Divide, we indulged in the aforementioned “relaxation” while talking shop for hours. As night fell and we were finally ready to turn in, Johnny recommended sleeping out on the deck. And it was spectacular…the starriest night one could imagine…prolific and bright…it was difficult to close your eyes as you didn’t want to miss the next flight path of a passing jet or an extended streaking, falling star. I think of that evening often when staring into the night sky.

I think most would concur that Johnny was the ultimate schmoozer. Given the opportunity, he could squeeze a dollar or a favor out of anyone. Perhaps it was the Jersey in him, but more likely, a passion for renewable energy education and getting things done. Johnny was widely known for soliciting donations of time and materials to build SEI and programs for the developing world. And it continues today. It certainly rubbed off on me as I pursue my next chapter…working in the non-profit universe…and following Johnny’s lead.

Johnny’s reach was far and wide as witnessed by the hundreds of memories and the thousands he touched. His style was unique, yet encompassing, and always had an end game in mind.

Two weeks before he died, Johnny and our mutual friend and colleague, Bob Freling, connected at SEI in Paonia to film an interview about Bob’s experience in the developing world as part of Johnny’s legacy program. Through several takes and a lot of laughs, we nailed it! We followed things up with lunch and tender hugs…he was pretty fragile. I was so blessed to be with him.

These are but a few recollections. There are many more adventures and remembrances. I can hear his boyish giggle and see that excited smile. His definitive way of making his case and the logic behind it. And his curiosity, always chasing the details.

Johnny left us some big challenges and it’s up to us to take them on with a calm and calculated demeanor, an organized syllabus and the willingness to get pushy when needed. All in an effort to get the best out of everything in life.

Challenge accepted.

Godspeed, JW.