Solar Energy International (SEI) Announces New Board Officers

Solar Energy International (SEI) Announces New Board Officers

Solar Energy International is pleased to announce Paul Bony as the new Board President. Paul has a diversified background in marketing and delivering energy efficiency and renewable energy products and services at the utility, manufacturer, distributor, dealer and consumer level and presently works for The Electric Gas Industry Association as their Director of Renewables and Contractor Development.  “I am excited to be following in the footsteps of others who have helped steer this great organization and its incredible staff and instructors to its position of leadership in solar training.  SEI has accomplished great things since its humble beginnings 26 years ago.  With the help of our team, our alumni and our friends we are on course to achieve even more as we play our part to move to a world powered by renewable energy.”  

Ken Gardner was elected as Vice President of the Board. Ken is a long-time PV, microhydro and solar water pumping instructor and is the Founder and CEO of Gardner Energy Services in Utah.  “I have thoroughly enjoyed teaching with SEI for the past eight years. Our goal is to make sure consumers and businesses get the quality they need when installing renewable energy systems. Being on the board allows me to make sure that happens and to make sure that people are treated fairly and learn what is needed to properly serve our customers.”

SEI is deeply grateful to Ed Marston for his seven years of service, including five years as President. With Ed’s leadership, SEI emerged even stronger than ever from a difficult financial situation by consolidating our operations, restructuring the organization, implementing a strategic plan that focused on SEI’s strengths, and expanding its campus in Paonia, Colorado, as well as expanding into Latin America and the Middle East. “I am truly grateful to have had Ed as our Board President, a mentor, a critic, a visionary, a doer during these past five years. Ed has done a remarkable job of helping SEI think bigger so that we truly can have a world powered by renewable energy,” stated Executive Director Kathy Swartz

Many of SEI’s Paonia students had the opportunity to hear Ed during morning introductions on their first day of class. Each week Ed gave a different opening by weaving together Paonia’s local coal-mining, agricultural and marijuana economies,to Thomas Edison, Topsy the elephant and Tesla, to each person’s role in the energy revolution. These often ended in a round of applause (and once a standing ovation).

“I watched Ed build a Board of Directors that will most capably guide SEI along the exciting path that lies ahead.  He sees much further into the future than most of us.  We will miss his vision,” stated Board Secretary/Treasurer Sarah G. Bishop.

Though Ed left SEI and the other boards he served on, it’s all part of his plan. You may see him out doing wind sprints on the trails around Paonia, influencing local politics in the ways that only Ed can, or working to bring more businesses to town.

 

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