Gerald Espinosa joined SEI as the third AmeriCorp VISTA as an extension of the successful Solarize the North Fork Valley campaign, aimed at community revitalization through a solar economy. Gerald will continue working to expand community access to the benefits of renewable energy. Originally from Southern California, Gerald attended college in Massachusetts where he studied political science. As a congressional intern, community organizer, and legislative aid, Gerald explored various policy issues at local and national levels. But it wasn’t until this politico stepped into a classroom as a volunteer teacher did he have his “Eureka” moment. As part of a fifth grade science project on watershed pollution, his fifth graders took a fieldtrip to the Rockies. For most of the inner-city youth it was their first time in the mountains. Having spent his childhood camping in the Sierras, Gerald realized such environmental education is crucial for children and the planet they will inherent. Shortly after he began his own exploration of renewable energy. He is fascinated at the prospect renewables have for underserved communities and creating clean economies. Gerald joins SEI after a stint with Schneider Electric in California and India. Find him charging his EV car at SEI’s campus in Paonia!
