ABOUT US | Board of Directors

John Haig/Board Chair

Sonoma County Community Development Commission

John has an extensive work history with a wide array of skills. He is currently with the County of Sonoma’s Community Development Commission. He previously served as division manager for Energy and Sustainability in the County’s General Services Department. John played an instrumental role in the County’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction strategy, directed the operations of the Sonoma County Energy Independence Program, the County’s renewable energy and efficiency funding program, and has participated in many other green initiatives. As a founding member of Solar Sonoma County, John has helped keep SSC on track and in touch with countywide initiatives. John received his bachelor's degree in English Literature from UC Berkeley, and his Law J.D. from Golden Gate University.

Chris Warner/Vice-chair

ZFA Structural Engineers

Chris Warner is a principal with ZFA Structural Engineers and has performed structural design and analysis for many project types, including industrial, residential, winery, commercial, and educational facilities throughout California. For many years, he has incorporated unconventional yet environmentally-friendlier elements into his projects. This includes providing structural engineering for the largest straw bale building in the world (at the time of construction). Chris has worked with multiple clients and the Division of State Architect to engineer several photovoltaic systems for schools throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. From ground-mounted to roof-mounted to floating systems, he has partnered with solar companies on numerous projects to devise cost-efficient designs. Chris obtained his B.S. in Civil Engineering and Engineering Mangement from the University of the Pacific, and an M.A. in Structural Engineering from Stanford University.

Barry Cogbill/Secretary and Treasurer

Pathways Energy Consultants

Barry is one of the hardest working people in clean energy in Sonoma County. Barry serves as Secretary of the Board of Directors of Solar Sonoma County and has chaired its Vendor Committee. In this capacity, he is a liaison to the local community of solar installers and he also guides the work of SSC's grant projects through the Department of Energy, all the while consulting with local businesses to implement energy efficient practices. Barry has hosted a Clean Energy Expert radio show that is now web cast on SSC's website. Barry’s passion for clean and efficient energy makes him essential to the success of Solar Sonoma County.

Alison Healy

Solar Sonoma County

Alison is a seasoned veteran of nonprofit management having founded her own organization and consulted for many more. She has a distinctive educational background from Stanford and Presidio graduate schools in sustainability and environmental management. Alison is excited to be part of the countywide effort to promote solar and energy efficiency in Sonoma County. With a broad range of entrepreneurial work experience, her knowledge in the nonprofit sector has helped SSC to further define its brand and to develop an infrastructure that will foster its growth. Alison is step mom to “Tiger,” her rockin’ 8-year-old who has an insatiable appetite for learning and doing. When she’s not at SSC, Alison spends her time helping Tiger with chess tournament rules, art projects, new Mandarin words, sailing, and acting classes!

Jeff Mathias

Synergy Solar & Electric

Jeff graduated in 1984 from UCSB with a BA in Business Economics and a minor in Computer Sciences. For the next 14 years Jeff pursued a career in sales, marketing and project management with a multi-billion dollar computer company, selling and installing computer systems for community banks. Deciding to make family and community a priority, Jeff and his family moved to Sebastopol, and created Coyote Moon Farm. On five acres they created a Market garden, selling vegetables, fruit, eggs and honey to farmers markets in the West County. In May of 2006, Jeff began his new career working as an journeyman electrician and solar project manager for Synergy Electrical Energy Systems Inc. (SEES). In 2007, Jeff and long-time employee of SEES, Michael Pane, purchased the assets of SEES. The name was changed to Synergy Solar & Electrical Systems Inc., and the resources of the company were redirected primarily towards solar design, sales and installation. Along with his knowledge of business and sales Jeff brings his passion for the environment and commitment to building community to Synergy Solar. Jeff is a lover of the outdoors, playing volleyball, hiking, kayaking, camping and enjoying all the wonders Sonoma County offers.  Currently Jeff sits on the Board of Solar Sonoma County, Co-Chairs the Sonoma County PV vendor group and is an active member of the permit committee, focusing on streamlining the permit process for solar PV.

Peter Renfro

Management Consultant

Peter has over 27 years of experience in management, information systems, and process engineering with a focus on organizational efficiency, cost savings, and profitability. Most recently Peter was a co-founder and served as General Manager of One Sun, Inc., a Sonoma County-based commercial photovoltaic and solar thermal system provider. Prior to joining One Sun Inc., Peter has been an independent consultant and also held senior management positions with responsibilities including information systems, process engineering, marketing, customer service, software development, project management and quality assurance. His accomplishments include creating systems and processes for all aspects of One Sun’s operations and administration, supervising commercial solar installations including a 596 kW rooftop project, leading a team of underwriters and IT specialists in creating automated loan underwriting systems. He also managed a coalition of companies developing and implementing the first neural-network-based underwriting decision technology platform in the nation. Peter has dedicated himself to renewable energy and sustainability and joined the solar industry in 2008.

Peter M. Zullo

Solaria

Although Peter is an East Coast native, he has found his true home in Northern California and a professional calling in the solar industry. Following formal business training in sustainable global enterprises, Peter moved to Berkeley to help build a for-profit startup focused on delivering solar-powered LED lanterns to the developing world. He later moved into large scale solar with Solaria Corporation, an American manufacturer of utility-scale concentrated PV modules, and in his spare time puts residential solar systems on low-income homes as a volunteer with Grid Alternatives. Peter enjoys building commercial enterprises that serve a greater purpose, and takes his responsibility to ensure Sonoma County continues to be a nationwide leader in solar energy generation seriously. Though, he tries as best he can to not take himself too seriously, balancing his downtime with distance cycling, tennis, snowboarding, and his labrador-terrier, Zoë. Peter obtained bachelor and master degrees from Carnegie Mellon, and an MBA from Cornell.

Tim Holmes

Kenwood Energy

Mr. Holmes is a Professional Engineer that received his formal education as a Mechanical Engineer with a focus on alternative energy systems and energy management.  He has thirty years of experience building upon that education through the development and implementation of energy management and renewable energy programs and projects.  His expertise is in energy efficiency, distributed generation, greenhouse gas management, and project development and implementation.  Mr. Holmes has worked with virtually every energy industry customer segment including utilities, state government, county government, city government, Real Estate Investment Trusts, schools, hospitals, wineries, hotels, industrial complexes, and agricultural facilities.  He has hands on experience completing hundreds of energy audits, and developing and implementing dozens of utility programs.

Advisory Board

Deb Fudge

Mayor of Windsor

Julia Donoho

Architect

County of Sonoma

Liz Yager

Sustainability Director

County of Sonoma

Lori Houston

Communications Consultant

Martha Baeli

Senior Project Manager

PG&E

Michael Eschenbach

Solar Engineer

Raymond Baltar

Photographer

Moon Valley Studio

Tasha Wright

Project Analyst

City of Santa Rosa

Honorary Board

Alexandra "Sascha" von Meier

Co-Director, Electric Grid

California Institute for Energy and Environment

Efren Carrillo

Sonoma County Supervisor

Grant Davis

General Manager
Sonoma County Water Agency

Jack Buckhorn

Business Manager
IBEW Local Union 551

Jake Mackenzie

Regional Climate Protection Authority Chair

Jeannie Shulz

Board President, Shulz Museum

Noreen Evans

California State Senator

Randy De Caminada

PG&E Executive Manager

Rod Dole

Retired, Auditor-Controller-Treasurer- Tax Collector
County of Sonoma

Shirlee Zane

Bay Area Air Quality Management District Board Member

Founders

Lori Houston

Lori Houston is a co-founder of Solar Sonoma County. Lori is a communications professional with 20 years of experience in public relations, media consulting, marketing, and journalism. Lori works primarily with renewable energy, health care, and media clients in the North San Francisco Bay Area. She is a 2006-07 Fellow of Leadership Training for a Sustainable Future, offered through the Leadership Institute for Ecology and the Economy. Lori was involved with Solar Sebastopol, a first-ofits- kind city solar program started in 2003 that laid the foundation to launch Solar Sonoma County in 2008.

Marty Roberts

Marty Roberts is a co-founder of Solar Sonoma County and was a founder of Solar Sebastopol that inspired the formation of SSC. Marty is currently owner of Marty Roberts Productions specializing in web sites, video, events, PR, and social media services for nonprofits and small businesses. Marty was also a founder of the Sonoma County Farmlands Group in the 1980s and was executive director for 10 years. She has produced several regional conferences on transportation, farmland preservation, and solar energy. She holds a degree in Environmental Studies from Sonoma State University.