Our Staff

Our professional, vibrant and friendly staff members are committed to a healthy community and planet. Read on to learn more about us:

John Parry, CEO and owner of Solar Works, has worked for a healthy planet for much of his life. A graduate of the University of California, Irvine, with a BS in Physics, John built Solar Works from a one-person solar hot water business -- created from a customer list purchased from a retiring contractor -- to a company that offers a full spectrum of renewable energy and resource conserving services. For more than 20 years, John has worked with individual, community, business and institutional energy systems, and has served in such diverse roles as consultant to the California State Contractors License Board solar exam review committee, college faculty member, guest lecturer and community educator in renewable energy, and site director of an appropriate technology research, demonstration and education center. John also has been an operator of a university steam plant, and is a long-time proponent of hydrogen fuel. In his spare time, John is a peace and justice activist and concerned scientist, bird-watcher, star-and-cosmos-gazer, weather-observer, fearless explorer, home improvement maestro, crossword puzzle solver, music aficionado and collector, and electric bass player.
Laura Goldman is VP of marketing and human resources at Solar Works, where she has been a “problem solver and people person” since Solar Works began. Laura serves as a link to clients, our community and the world at large. She develops and edits written materials and advertising copy, designs and co-presents solar workshops, coordinates events, and helps the Solar Works team stay happy and productive. Outside Solar Works, Laura is a consultant to academic institutions, community-based organizations and agencies, and other clients in the US and internationally. An educator with an MA in Medical Anthropology, Laura is also a bilingual link between English and Spanish-speaking communities. She is on the faculty at Santa Rosa Junior College, where she teaches Community Health Workers and Health Care Interpreter Program. Laura also reviews renewable energy proposals for foundation funding, and is a community activist in peace, health-related and environmental issues. In her spare time, Laura enjoys hiking, the outdoors, being in the garden and solar-heated hot tub, practicing tai chi, connecting with friends and family, and exploring the world.
Sales and Marketing
Cale Garamendi is our senior solar sales consultant, an experienced and enthusiastic proponent of renewable energy – including the human kind! Throughout his career, Cale has sought work that helps him contribute to a healthy planet and make a positive difference in his community. Before coming to Solar Works, Cale was employed by a solar development company that specialized in commercial and utility-scale projects. Currently, Cale is working on an MBA with an emphasis in sustainable business, from San Francisco State University. In addition to his solar expertise, Cale also has international experience, as a researcher and technical advisor in a small indigenous community in Andean Ecuador, and as an English instructor for business executives in the Basque Country, Spain – where he also connected with distant relatives. After graduating from UC Berkeley (Development Studies) Cale worked with the Rural Community Assistance Corporation to bring affordable housing and health services to California farm workers. A multi-talented solar guy, Cale likes to surf the Sonoma Coast, play golf and basketball. Cale also enjoys hiking and fly fishing in the Sierra Nevada mountains around Tahoe, and visiting his family’s ranch in Calaveras County.
James Holloway is a solar sales consultant and customer. James came to us after having Solar Works install his PV system at his home. He was impressed with the Solar Works approach of tailoring each system based on the priorities of each client. Having a background in sales, as well as a love for showing and explaining his own system, made him an easy match for the Solar Works team. A graduate of San Francisco State with a degree in business management, he is an excellent communicator with sharp technical skills. At home he is an avid gardener and enjoys growing organic fruits and vegetables. As a world traveler, he has come to understand just how special the north bay and Sonoma County truly are. He is especially happy to be participating in the greening of our beautiful home. James has served on the board of directors of two non-profits and currently volunteers as a youth mentor.
Steve Hagstrom, a solar sales consultant, has a background in the arts, electronics and customer service. Steve's first career was in theatre as a master electrician, sound designer and stage manager. He joined the mainstream electronics industry as a regional sales manager and rode the wave of digital switching, cellular expansion and the dot-com era. Steve's first solar project was a solar-powered tricycle he built for the Burning Man festival, using a recycled PV panel from Solar Works. Steve has studied with PG&E's Pacific Energy Center to build skills in solar technology and green home energy upgrades. Dedicated to making the world a better place, Steve is active with the Red Cross and other environmental and humanitarian non-profit organizations. Steve is a devoted family man and outdoors enthusiast, and loves to help children understand and respect the beauty of nature. Every year Steve and friends backpack across segments of the 2,650-mile Pacific crest trail, which he plans on completing by the time he's 90 - leaving the "flat parts" for last.
Lisa Richie is our Marketing & Sales Manager, overseeing Solar Works' sales crew, advertising, PR and outreach programs, community and business events, our website, and customer appreciation. Lisa is a seasoned solar and marketing colleague, with years of experience in the solar industry and radio marketing. As a communications major in college, Lisa knew early on that she had the “gift of gab” and loved to interact with people. She also knew that she wanted to help make the world a better place, so a career in solar energy was a logical choice. Lisa has been a Sonoma County resident for over twenty years, with a deep commitment to renewable energy and an eco-friendly lifestyle. Lisa knows our community exceptionally well, and is pleased to work with and promote a local company that is actively involved in supporting our county and planet. In her spare time, Lisa loves listening to all kinds of music, watching goofy comedies and enjoying the outdoors. Lisa is a proud mom who wants to contribute to a healthy planet for her two young sons, who keep her on her toes when she’s not at work.
Operations
Todd LaCasse is our Project Engineer, in charge of solar design and materials management at Solar Works. With a solid base of experience in the solar industry, Todd brings a wealth of knowledge, expertise and commitment to his work on behalf of a healthy planet. A native of Petaluma (third generation, on both sides of a big, largely Sonoma County-based family!) Todd earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, where he was a member of Pi Tau Sigma Mechanical Engineering Honor Society. A dedicated and accomplished engineer, Todd enjoys the challenges of PV system design and product development, including solar tracking systems. Todd holds a NABCEP certification, provides high quality solar design work, and has continued his education to maintain and increase his knowledge and skills with a variety of industry-sponsored solar courses. Before his tenure at Solar Works, Todd designed over 4 megawatts of PV systems for residential and commercial applications. Todd and his wife spend leisure time enjoying Sonoma County, including hiking, wine tasting and exploring the beautiful outdoors of our local paradise.
Kara Taddei is our exuberant and hard working Project Manager, providing all-around support Solar Works' operations and installation department. Kara is a Santa Rosa native and graduate of Ursuline High School. She earned a BA in history from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. Kara has found a good match with Solar Works because she cares deeply about the environment and believes the sun is an efficient source of energy that contributes to a healthy planet. Kara loves spending time outdoors, especially hiking, boating and camping. An active, long-time member of the Sierra Club, Kara has helped her parents lead trips throughout the United States. Her love of travel has taken Kara (so far!) to England, Costa Rica, Mexico and Canada, and she is eager to expand her itinerary.
Autumn Streamfellow, our Warranty and Customer Support expert, has returned to Solar Works after welcoming her son into the world. A long-time Solar Works staff member, Autumn began as a solar designer. She is a competent and committed professional who moves gracefully through the intricacies of solar-related work. Autumn has been trained in building integrated PV and performance-based PV systems with industry experts. With years of drafting and design experience, Autumn has received awards and recognition for her mechanical drafting skills. She has been a university-level math reader and exam grader, specializing in calculus, and earned a B.S. in Environmental Science with an emphasis on renewable energy from UC Santa Barbara. A Humboldt County native, Autumn has traveled to Mexico, Central America, Kenya, Europe and New Zealand. She enjoys cooking, knitting, weaving, reading about the rest of the world, camping, spending time near and on rivers, and with her husband, remodeling their Sebastopol home and gardening - with her toddler's help.
Brandon Varner, our Facilities and Materials Coordinator, keeps the Solar Works warehouse and facilities in order, purchases equipment and materials, and provides support to the installers to help them get the job done. Brandon began as a Solar Works intern and "graduated" to become an integral member of our staff. A native of Sebastopol and Analy High School graduate, Brandon will earn a BA in Energy Management from Sonoma State University in Spring 2010. Before Brandon joined Solar Works, he worked for years with his family's trucking business as a heavy equipment operator. Brandon is an enthusiastic employee with a high work ethic and passion to keep learning. He is always prompt, polite and easy to work with. Brandon is committed to his community and has worked as a volunteer with the Redwood Gospel Mission and other good works. In his free time, Brandon can be found outdoors, snowboarding, wake boarding, skim boarding, and playing sports. A newlywed, Brandon loves dessert and is fortunate that his wife loves to bake!
Sue Head is the bookkeeper for Solar Works. Bookkeeping is her third career. After graduating UCLA with a major in English, Sue earned her Elementary Teaching Credential and moved from Los Angeles to Forestville in 1969 for her first teaching position. Having traveled in Europe during her undergraduate career, Sue had not quite satisfied her travel bug, so she left teaching and became a travel agent. While working as an agent in Sonoma County, she traveled throughout Asia and Europe with trips to Alaska and most areas of the United States. She and her husband, Jim, built an off the grid home in Bodega in 1976. She served on the Board of Directors of the Bodega Land Trust and remains a member. After the birth of their daughter, Sue returned to teaching and spent fourteen years teaching K-4 in the Santa Rosa City School District. Taking early retirement, she returned to SRJC and earned her Accountant Assistant certificate. In her spare time Sue enjoys working in her native plant garden, bird-watching, reading fiction, and camping and hiking in Northern California, especially along the Smith River.
Installation
Kevin G., our Installation Coordinator, came to us with years of experience in the fields of plumbing, electrical and carpentry work, including multiple-unit apartment buildings, as well as at the Fort Ross Water Treatment Facility. Kevin's first career was as a consultant for event marketing companies, which honed his people and management skills. Kevin is a San Francisco native, successfully transplanted to Sonoma County via Sacramento, South Lake Tahoe. He has a Bachelor of Arts in communications from Cal State University, Sacramento, with a minor in German. Kevin loves to explore the world and has been to Switzerland, Italy, Japan, Thailand, Mexico and the Carribean. When he is not“Saving the world, one solar panel at a time", (as he likes to put it), Kevin is an avid gardener, who also enjoys mountain biking, snowboarding, and spending time with his family and his five cats and three birds, proving that peaceful coexistence is indeed possible.
Jesus (Chucho) España is our solar installation crew leader and long time employee of Solar Works. He is a skilled, reliable and dedicated worker with a broad range of experience in Mexico and the US, with skills in farming, gardening and landscaping, construction, auto mechanics, paint mixing and sales, artisan stone carving, and computer studies. Chucho is a major asset to Solar Works and performs well at all tasks he takes on, including soldering, pipe-fitting, carpentry, and any type of labor he is asked to do. Chucho is a motivated and fast learner, with an innate sense of artistry. His attention to detail and careful approach to his work make him a very competent and trustworthy member of the Solar Works team. When not working, Chucho dedicates his time and energy to his wife, two daughters and his new baby son and to spreading the word about renewable energy in the Spanish-speaking community.
Steve Eyles is a solar installer who brings enthusiasm, attention to detail and a deep belief in solar and all sources renewable energy to his work. Steve is a "green thinker" who has worked as a roofer, rough carpenter, handyman, landscaper (to the stars!) and horse and ranch caretaker. Mechanically inclined, Steve says he can learn just about anything he puts his mind and heart to – his solar abilities are proof of that! Steve follows a spiritual path of heart-mind teachings to guide his way and enrich his life. He is also a scuba and free diver who has worked on dolphin and whale trips in the Caribbean. Steve has been a guitarist since childhood and plays bluegrass and classical music in his leisure time.
Andrew Rosengrant, a solar installer, comes to Solar Works with experience in both solar system installation and troubleshooting. He is also skilled in framing, siding, roofing and dry wall construction, as well as appliance repair. Previously, Andrew worked as a vet technician and a dog handler/kennel coordinator. In his spare time, Andrew enjoys tinkering with his Volkswagen Bus, Bug and Carmanghia; hiking anywhere up and down the Northern California coastline; relaxing after a hard day’s work in his tree-covered, front porch hot tub. Andrew also likes collecting and organizing his vintage junk along to the rhythms and beat of...what else...vintage music.
Damian Foran is a member of our solar installation crew. His career path as a solar installer has a solid grounding in his New Jersey work roots and life-long passion for renewable energy and a healthy environment. Damian enjoys hard work and has a very mellow disposition, which makes him a great Solar Works staffer. His previous work experience includes dock construction, roofing, and landscape design. Damian loves reconnecting with nature and the outdoors, hiking with his dog, mountain biking, bird-watching, gardening and being with his family, which is about to expand to include a new baby boy.
John Matheny, an installation team member, is a local Sebastopol native and Analy High graduate. John does many things well and continues to learn and apply what he knows to his solar work. When John decided to pursue a solar career, he took a certificate course in solar installation to gain practical and theoretical knowledge. A certified welder, John is the 4th generation of the family's welding business started by his great-grandfather. He's a natural tinkerer of all things mechanical, and has experience in construction, car repair and bodywork, and a variety of projects where he demonstrates hands-on creativity and hard work. When he's not on the job with Solar Works, John loves to spend time with his wife and family, long-board surfing, road biking and hiking.
Fernando Garcia, a member of our installation team, has a background in construction, painting and landscaping. Fernando is a dedicated, hard-working and detail-oriented installer who was raised in Mexico. Motivated to learn everything he can about solar energy, Fernando has demonstrated an ability to apply what he knows in a calm and helpful manner. When he's not working, Fernando spends time with his wife and two little boys and plays basketball and soccer whenever he can - especially with fellow installers (and family members) Chucho and Luis.
Luis Espinosa, a member of our installation team, brings skill in construction, landscaping and gardening to his work. Originally from Mexico, Luis is a very able, creative worker, always looking for a way to boost efficiency during installations. He loves learning, especially about ways to improve his community and the planet. When Luis is not spending time with his wife and children, he can often be found playing soccer and basketball with Solar Works installers (and family members) Chucho and Fernando.