Brian Gardner has been in the construction industry for over 20 years and 15 of those years have been in the Green Energy Sector. He started in Energy Efficiency where he helped residential customers reduce their energy usage by making their houses more energy efficient. He worked on reducing building air leakage, improving insulation levels, upgrading HVAC, installing new ductwork, high efficiency Electric Heat pump water heaters and high efficiency Condensing Gas Water Heaters, solar thermal systems, lighting upgrades, and other kinds of upgrades that helped customers to increase comfort, reduce energy usage, and improve indoor air quality. Brian then moved into Photovoltaics where he has spent 10+ years installing, designing, and eventually owning and operating a Solar Company. Over the years of being in solar, Brian has adapted to a rapidly changing environment that went from just installing solar panels on a roof in order to off-set energy usage, to now where solar systems are intricate home energy systems that integrate Solar, Batteries, and Generators that are designed to provide homeowners comfort, a relief from soaring energy bills, and energy when the power goes out. Brian understands that with the changing industry and rapid advances in solar technology, staying on the leading edge of the advances is important for his customers and for the future of solar.
Joe Nelson
Lead Electrician
Lives in Nevada City.
Project manager at SEG for 9 years.
Possesses seasoned solar thermal expertise, having worked for over 8 years on solar thermal projects across southern California.
A licensed professional contractor with both C-46 and C-10 classifications.
Experienced in tech troubleshooting, inverter technology, batteries and generators.
Prior experience with electronics ranging from car audio, cell phone repairs and appliance repair.
Also skilled home improvements and auto body work.
Has a Social Science and Liberal Arts degree from Sierra College. A self proclaimed “Jake of all Trades” with artwork to prove it :)
Matt enjoys snowboarding, disc golfing and biking with friends and loves gardening, cats and his family!
Brian Bookout
PV Foreman, Service Manager
Lives in Nevada City, CA
Has worked in Solar since 2005.
California C-46, C-10 (Solar, Electrical) Contractor Since 2016.
3rd Generation Electrician. Have worked in the trades part time since junior high school.
NABCEP (Entry level, Sierra College). Certified installer for SolarEdge, Enphase, Tesla, SunPower, and SMA.
Experience in: On grid, Off grid, Microgrid Solar Installations, Generators, Home efficiency upgrades, Solar domestic hot water, Radiant floor heating, Pool heating, Equipment operation, Framing, Plumbing, Electrical, & Roofing.
Volunteer to help daughters local Ballet performances and school activities.
“Making the world more Sustainable one system at a time!”
Mandy Meier
Sales Support Manager
Has lived in Grass Valley for 11 years.
Has worked in Internet Technologies for 10 years and Solar Design for 4 years.
Has worked in Construction for 4 years.
Bachelor’s degree in Internet Technology.
Enjoys making sustainable home and beauty products, tending to an organic no-dig garden, and cooking and/or preserving with fresh whole foods.
Larken Bauers
Lead Solar Installer
Lives in Nevada County, California
Worked in Construction and Building for over 17 years
Solar for 3 years
Diane Wallace
Bookkeeper
Lives in Grass Valley, CA
Bookkeeper for over 35 yrs
Degree in Bookkeeping from Sierra CollegeQuickbooks Pro from the beginning!
Previous Jobs: Stenographer for the FBI, Medical Transcriber
Josh McCoy
Operations Manager
Has lived in Nevada City for 33 years.
Has worked in Construction for 15 years and Solar for 5 years.
Certified Solar Installer with SolarEdge, SunPower, Generac and Battery Back Up Systems
I enjoy outdoor activity’s like mountain biking, hiking, camping, gardening, enjoying swimming at the local rivers and lakes and things along that nature
Harry O’Rourke
Sustainable Business Development & IT
Lives in Nevada City, California
Sustainable Education & Development for over 16 years
Supported La Tortuga Verde, a sea turtle and bird sanctuary in El Salvador save 10,000 endangered sea turtles each year for over 3 years.
Helped create Eco Casa Madero’s mushroom school and garden program. Supported a bio-reserve for endangered animals and plants at Reserva Biologica Caoba in Colombia.
Ruby Beauchamp
Former Communication Specialist and Community Outreach Coordinator
Born and raised in Auburn, CA.
Student at the University of Portland, graduating in 2020.
Bachelor of Science in Organizational Communication and Bachelor of Art in Spanish with a Business Minor in Sustainability.
Studied abroad in Quito, Ecuador (summer 2017) and Granda, Spain (Spring 2018).