It takes all kinds to build a new energy industry in Appalachia.
OUR LEADERSHIP
Dan Conant
An 8 year veteran of the solar industry, Dan previously helped start up the largest solar installer in Vermont and served as a technical advisor to the US Dept of Energy’s SunShot Initiative. He has an MS in Energy Policy and Climate from Johns Hopkins.
Spencer Newman
Coming Soon!
Nhan Chung
Nhan Chung joined Solar Holler in 2020 as our Financial Controller, and he’s been diving into reports and spreadsheets since day one. With more than 20 years of experience in finance across several different kinds of industries, Nhan is uniquely suited to manage the complex financial needs of our growing company. When he’s not crunching numbers and balancing spreadsheets, Nhan likes to exercise, fish and organize.
Leah Cunningham
A native of Monongalia County, WV, Leah’s a Mountaineer through and through. She has her Masters of Public Administration from WVU, with a focus on sustainable community development. Her mission at Solar Holler is to connect with as many folks as possible and leverage solar as a vehicle to improve outcomes in Appalachia. In her spare time, you’ll find her lighting up the stage with her band Funkifly or soaking in the sunshine.
Heath Lambert
Heath Lambert’s experience in operations management spans over ten years and two continents. As Solar Holler’s Director of Operations, Heath says his role is fundamentally about removing any roadblocks that prevent our team from taking care of our clients.
Laura Nagel
Laura Nagel has been with Solar Holler since the very beginning and has worn many hats over the years. As one of our longest serving employees, Laura has wide-ranging insight into each stage of a project, making her ideally suited to be our Director of Service. She brings with her over twelve years of experience working in the energy field in areas ranging from solar operations to energy efficiency data management. On a daily basis, Laura oversees our solar monitoring platforms to quickly identify any anomalies and proactively respond.
Edward Yu
Coming Soon!
Jessica Edgerly Walsh
Jessica Edgerly Walsh entered the solar world in 2012, helping launch a solar company in Vermont. She joined the Solar Holler team in 2020 to support their rebound from the pandemic. Her approach to marketing is customer-centered, offering folks the solutions and information they’re looking for as they explore their energy options.
Neva Spriggs
Human Resources Director, Neva Spriggs came to Solar Holler with a diverse professional background ranging from law enforcement and education to nursing and of course, human resources. Originally from Logan County, Neva believes in taking advantage of every learning opportunity that comes her way and she’s always looking for ways she can support and assist her team.
Solar Guides
Alissa Summerano
Alissa Summerano’s background is in theater and event planning, but when she moved to West Virginia, she wanted to start on a career path that had a positive impact on the planet and the people that live there. She joined the team as a solar guide where she helps folks get started on their solar journey.
Tyler Smith
Tyler Smith had his eye on a job with Solar Holler for more than a year before a position finally opened up. A lover of all things outdoors, he wanted a job that was focused on helping both West Virginia and West Virginians. As a solar guide, Tyler helps folks explore their solar options.
Tyler Richards
Coming Soon!
Robyn Schneiderman
After spending a decade in college admissions, Robyn made the jump into the clean energy industry to help guide homeowners through the process of going solar. She lives in Shepherdstown, where she excels at baking and gardening.
Solar Home Evaluators
Matt Allison
Matt Allison had been working within the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) for a retail energy provider, but he wanted solar to be his future. He began researching companies and knew he found a match when he came across Solar Holler. He loaded up the family and relocated to West Virginia where we put him to work as a solar home evaluator.
Elizabeth Cruikshank
As the daughter, granddaughter and great-granddaughter of West Virginia coal miners, Elizabeth Cruikshank holds a deep appreciation for the energy-producing roots of her home state. She joined Solar Holler in 2018 because she wants the best for Appalachia and she works every day to make it better.
Cody Lynch
Huntington native, Cody Lynch started his solar career as one of our technical evaluators, but it wasn’t long before he moved over to a position as a home evaluator. Cody’s background and technical understanding of a solar installation gives him valuable insight into each aspect of your project.
Jennifer Pauley
Originally from Winfield, West Virginia, Jennifer Pauley is a thorough and detail oriented individual. She has an extensive professional background in the energy field and nearly ten years of experience working in domestic and international logistics.
Phil Roth
Phil Roth has worn many hats since he joined the Solar Holler team in 2019. With his vast insight into each stage of an installation, Phil is a knowledgeable resource for his clients and teammates alike.
Brad Hash
Coming Soon!
Jen Varsak
Coming Soon!
Brian Stephens
Coming Soon!
Solar Designers
Abby Foster
After attending WVU for a degree in Environmental and Energy Resource Management, Abby Foster initially took a job in the natural gas industry, but was laid off. She made the jump to renewables because she wanted something with more long-term stability. Abby started out as a solar guide in 2019 and has since moved over to our design team.
Justin Kline
With dual degrees in both accounting and environmental science, Justin Kline’s education and skill set make him uniquely suited for the position of solar designer. Justin finds the perfect balance between meeting your energy needs while also saving you the most money.
Brandon Nicolosi
Brandon Nicolosi is the lead designer on all of our commercial and nonprofit installations. He loves to see a project evolve from a pixelated satellite image into a real-world solar array that’s producing clean, renewable energy for a client.
Project Managers
Brendan Fish
Brendan Fish decided to make West Virginia his home after he graduated from Marshall University. His background in construction and vendor management made Brendan an ideal fit on our project management team.
Karla Gulker
Karla Gulker’s background in the automotive industry prepared her to be adaptable in a work environment with a complex order of operations. Karla is our longest serving project manager and says her favorite part of the job is when she sees the pictures from your installation day.
Alison Dempsey
After completing her electrical coursework through the West Virginia Women Work program, Alison Dempsey was ready to put her skills to use. Alison works closely with our field crews and spends a lot of time on the phone with utility companies and permitting offices to ensure everything is ready for your installation day.
Site Technicians
Casey Fitzwater
Casey Fitzwater already had two years of electrical experience under his belt when he joined Solar Holler as one of our technical evaluators. A Greenbrier County native, Casey loves when he sees solar panels against a coal country skyline.
Brent Workman
Brent Workman gained solar experience while working on a large solar array on a US Army base in the Marshall Islands. Originally from St. Albans, his knowledge and background made him an ideal addition to our team of solar technical evaluators.
Ciara Reyna
Coming Soon!
Installation
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- Apprentice
- Leadership
- Masters & Journeyworkers
- Site Technician
- Warehouse
Leonard Price
Leonard Price is a third generation West Virginia electrician and it’s a legacy that his two sons are carrying on as well. As a private electrical inspector with more than 33 years of experience in the electrical industry, Leonard was already familiar with Solar Holler’s work before he joined our team. His decades of experience in the electrical trade includes two and a half years he spent as an Assistant State Fire Marshal for West Virginia. Leonard’s background and expertise are a great asset to the Solar Holler team.
Travis Harrison
When Travis Harrison joined the Solar Holler team he brought with him a decade of experience in the electrical trade, including four years in solar. As a Journeyman Electrician and one of our crew leaders, Travis likes to make sure his team is enjoying the workday. With some climbing experience in his past, Travis wasn’t intimidated about working on a rooftop, but he’s trained plenty of new installers that are. His advice? “Don’t give up if you’re scared of heights! You just gotta keep pushing yourself.”
Shay Taylor
Originally from Hesperia, California, Shay Taylor got his start in solar working with a company out there. It was around that time that he fell in love with and married a West Virginia woman who missed her home state and they soon relocated to the Huntington area. Shay was thrilled to find Solar Holler and we were thrilled to have an experienced installer to help lead our crews.
Jacob Dyer
Jacob “Jimbo” Dyer came to Solar Holler more than two years ago after completing his solar installer coursework through Coalfield Development. Originally from Lincoln County, Jacob loves that he’s a part of a team that’s making clean energy in his home state and helping to protect his community from utility rate increases.
Jeremy Donald
When Jeremy Donald read over Solar Holler’s goals and mission, he knew he wanted to join our team. Originally from Kenova, West Virginia, it was important to Jeremy to be a part of a company that’s doing something good in his home state. He loves to help folks become energy independent.
CJ Smith
Originally from Scottown, Ohio, CJ Smith served in the US Army during the Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom campaigns. He had always wanted to work in the solar industry, but he didn’t see many opportunities where he lived. When Solar Holler crossed his path, it offered him the change he’d been looking for. CJ is now one of Solar Holler’s Master Electricians and brings with him over 15 years of electrical know-how spanning the military and private sector.
Christian Long
Originally from Kenova, West Virginia, Christian is not new to working with complicated electrical systems. Having spent the earlier part of his career in Florida, Christian served as the superintendent for one of the largest electrical contractors in the state and was an essential part of the team that built the Universal Studios Cabana Bay resort in Orlando. As a Journeyman Electrician, Christian brings with him over 20 years of experience working in the commercial electric sector.
Brandon Barney
At the suggestion of a friend, Brandon Barney decided to apply for a position with Solar Holler and officially joined the team in April of 2021. With more than 15 years of experience in the electrical trade, we were eager to bring Brandon on before our busy season kicked into high gear. As the father of five, it’s no surprise that Brandon follows a “safety first” motto, “Treat all electric as if it’s live.”
Chris Dailey
Coming soon!
Chris Tyree
Originally from Akron, Ohio, Chris Tyree previously worked in the automotive and petroleum industries. He made the shift over to renewables because he wanted to help create a brighter future for his children and generations yet to come. With more than ten years of experience working as an industrial electrician, Chris was an obvious fit for our crew.
Noah Emmert
A Huntington native, Noah Emmert became certified as an electrician through the Cabell County Career and Technology Center. After becoming licensed as a journeyworker, he applied with Solar Holler and started on the team in early 2021 to help provide folks with efficient, clean energy.
Ciara Reyna
Coming Soon!
Braden Ferguson
Braden Ferguson found Solar Holler when he was in school to become an electrician. When asked why he wanted to work in the solar industry, Braden tied it directly to his family roots, “My grandad was a coal miner and I really liked the idea of following in his footsteps– but in the newer version of the energy industry. Of course, West Virginia is known for our coal, but that’s not the only type of energy we can produce!”
Jess Napier
Coming soon!
Haley Stephens
Originally from Lost Creek, Kentucky, Haley Stephens started on our installation crew in early 2021 after she completed her solar coursework through the Ashland Community and Technical College. She loves that she gets to spend her workday in the sunshine helping people go solar.
Jamison Maynard
Coming soon!
JT Patterson
JT Patterson applied for a position with Solar Holler at the suggestion of a friend. As a member of our installation team, JT assists with getting our crews loaded up and helps keep our warehouse clean and organized. A West Virginia native, you may spot him on his day off along one of our waterways casting out his fishing line.
Tyler Haney
Tyler Haney had been interested in solar since his earliest courses in the electrical trade. When a position on our crew became available, he quickly jumped at the opportunity to join the team. Tyler loves to help folks understand how their solar works and enjoys walking clients through the process and answering their questions.
Luther Carico
As our warehouse inventory coordinator, Luther Carico’s job involves everything from loading the equipment for our installations, scheduling deliveries, working with suppliers and managing our inventory. Having always worked in production and warehouse jobs, Luther brings a great deal of experience to his position. Originally from Wayne, West Virginia, Luther enjoys camping and sports of all kinds – a pastime that his two children have also adopted.
