Industry Leaders from Diverse Backgrounds Join Board of Directors

Sacramento, CA — December 22, 2016 — The California Solar Energy Industries Association (CALSEIA), the state’s oldest and largest solar industry organization, welcomes five leaders to its fifteen-member board of directors. The new board members were officially seated during the organization’s fourth quarter board meeting on December 8, 2016 in San Diego.

The five new board members are:

•       Cathleen Monahan, senior programs director, GRID Alternatives, a leading nonprofit making solar energy and job training accessible to underserved communities.

•       Gina Heng, vice president and general manager, photovoltaic division, Mitsubishi Electric US, a leading PV module manufacturer headquartered in Cypress, CA.

•       John Berdner, vice president of regulatory and policy Strategy, Enphase Energy, a global inverter manufacturer with headquarters in Petaluma, CA.

•       Norm Nielsen, CEO, Chico Electric, a leading contractor that specializes in commercial and agricultural clean energy project developments.

•       Walker Wright, vice president, policy and strategy Development, Green Charge Networks, an ENGIE company.

“We are extremely pleased to welcome these five outstanding industry leaders to our board,” said CALSEIA's Executive Director Bernadette Del Chiaro. “They represent the growing diversity of the California solar industry and, through their service, will help to guide and ensure the continued strength and growth of the California solar market.”

CALSEIA’s board of directors is elected by the organization’s membership. Election to the board reflects a respect among industry peers and an acknowledgement that these individuals can be trusted to make decisions that benefit the entire solar industry.

In addition to the election of new board members, CALSEIA also elected new officers. Ed Murray, president of Aztec Solar based in Rancho Cordova, replaces Rick Reed of SunEarth, as CALSEIA’s board president. Jeanine Cotter, president of Luminalt in San Francisco, was re-elected vice president of the board. Sanjay Ranchod, vice president of policy and electricity markets and regulatory counsel for SolarCity, was elected board treasurer. Benjamin Airth, senior manager of renewables at the Center for Sustainable Energy, was elected secretary.

The other members of the CALSEIA board are: 

•       Allison Duffy, strategic account manager, Yaskawa-Solectria Solar

•       Gary Gerber, president and CEO, Sun Light & Power

•       Jeff Spies, senior policy policy, Quick Mount PV

•       Les Nelson, vice president, solar heating and cooling Programs, IAPMO

•       Pat Redgate, president, AMECO Solar

 “Solar remains one of the bright spots in California’s economy, and the strong leadership of CALSEIA’s board of directors will be critical to our continued growth,” Del Chiaro said. “We thank them all for their service.”

CALSEIA also thanks its outgoing directors — Cecilia Aguillon of Kyocera, Hilary Pearson of Sungevity, Aaron Thurlow of SolFuture LLC, Bill Stewart of SolarCraft, and Nic Stover, formerly of CalCom — for their leadership and service to the organization.