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Jeremy Smithson
Founder and Chief Executive OfficerStarted Puget Sound Solar in 2001 with 30 years of construction contracting experience, and a desire to turn Seattle on to solar energy. Jeremy believes that our customers often follow a path similar to the one he took, starting out with solar daydreaming, then progressing to education on the subject, and eventually leading to action. For him, that action included starting a solar business. In 2004 he became a NABCEP certified PV Installation Professional, and in 2007 became certified as a Washington Electrical Administrator. In addition to leading the company he does a lot of policy work as an unpaid lobbyist at the State and local levels, and experiments relentlessly with various solar, energy efficiency, and electric vehicle projects.
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Pamela Burton
Founder and Chief Financial OfficerWas Director of the Pacifica Radio Archives before moving to Seattle in 1997, and remained in the non-profit world as the first Executive Director of Seattle Tilth until mid-2004 when she joined forces with Jeremy to run PSS. She served as President of Solar Washington, developing the annual Solar Tour, helping to educate the public, and working to effect public policy, and now devotes her time to managing PSS finances, some customer relations, and a bunch of grandchildren. Pam has also returned to her radio roots as a founder of KBFG-LP, 107.3 FM, a low-power community radio station that serves the north end of Seattle.
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Will Sumner
General ManagerIs one of the Spanish-speakers in our crew, and came with his own avalanche shovel. Starting with a B.A. in Environmental Studies he interned in Andean Ecuador. Will left the slopes of the Andes for Maui, left the slopes of Maui for the slopes of Alta, Utah, then back to the roof slopes of Maui to install solar energy systems, then to the slopes of Washington’s Cascades for projects with the Northwest Ecosystem Alliance. After spending some time on the slopes of Seattle rooftops installing solar with us, he moved into sales and crushed it. Now he is helping to shape the company as General Manager, a position he helped develop.
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Nick Wolf
Senior Design EngineerCame to us from Akeena Solar, one of the more innovative solar integrators in California. Nick has a thorough approach to his work and has moved our company up a few notches with nice improvements in all aspects of our design and estimating processes. Did I mention his PhD in Biology by way of the UW, Simon Fraser U, and U. of Bergen? His goal: “To live efficiently, preserving and enjoying the natural world so that future generations may do the same." Amen to that. Among other things, Nick has enabled us to ride the 'solar-coaster' since 2010 by keeping abreast of all new products, prices, codes, incentives, and utility rates. That's a lot of work in the years since then as every year in the solar industries is different than the previous one.
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Jake Hanson
Commercial Project ManagerJoined PSS in 2009 after doing solar installations with Metro Solar and Real Goods Solar in Colorado. Not too long after that, in 2010 he got an assignment from the Peace Corps which he had been anticipating, and spent the next two years in Cambodia. We offered him his job back when he returned and he has moved up to project management, keeping jobs and crews on track. Jake has also become one of our elite NABCEP certificants, passing a tough exam to ensure you get a quality project. He has been in charge of commercial projects and has helped get that sector better organized.
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Jeff Perambo
Residential Sales & Design ConsultantJeff came to us from Colorado with several years of experience in solar. He studied solar at Solar Energy International and has installed a lot of battery-based solar PV systems. He quickly rose through the ranks at PSS and is now one of our Project Managers. In his spare time, Jeff can be spotted skiing the slopes of the Pacific Northwest, climbing, mountain biking and playing frisbee with his dog.
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Adam Lee
Operations ManagerCame to us with a formal training in electronics, looking for a way to get into the solar industry, took our advice and got training in solar installation before returning again to seek employment. He became quite proficient on site, and moved on to organize our warehouse, permitting and purchasing operations, as well as handling some scheduling details and fleet management. Adam has become a key member of the team, and much of what we do would not happen without his diligent work.
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David Locke
EV Support General ManagerHas been with PSS for many years and, after a short break, has returned to manage our service sector. David's attention to detail is key to a responsive and efficient service department, and we are glad to have him back. His knowledge of all aspects of solar installations and now, EV charging stations, will continue to keep PSS on the leading edge of transportation electrification.
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David Queenann
Commercial Contracts ManagerDavid's been with Puget Sound Solar since 2012. His eclectic professional background includes database administration at Microsoft, working felony cases as a private investigator, and news writing while living abroad. David's responsible for contracts, insurance, and compliance for all of our commercial and high-end residential projects. He's also responsible for commercial business development and client relationship management. A doting husband and dedicated father, David is passionate about green power and building sustainable communities.
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Yael Queenann
Accounts ReceivableJoined our office staff on the summer of 2012. A sharp lady with an eye for detail, Yael is part of our finance team, keeping up with the ever-increasing torrent of bookkeeping entries.
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Lyudmila Arseniy
Permit TechnicianAfter Lyudmila completed her Material Science Engineering B.S. from the University of Washington, she took time off to travel. When she returned to school for her Masters pre-requisite classes, she immediately realized her passion for green energy and joined the PSS Solar Monitoring Team. In October 2018, she became our Residential Permitting Technician. Revamping the task structure and design tools with her fresh mindset, she continues to develop her skills and is excited to contribute to each new solar project we install. -
Sayali Hakepatil
Commercial Design EngineerSayali has a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Arizona State University where she mainly focused on Renewable/Solar Energy coursework because of her passion to work towards a clean environment. Right after getting her degree Sayali got her first job as a PV (photovoltaic) design Engineer in California. After three-years, Sayali decided to move to Seattle and joined Puget Sound Solar as a Commercial Design Engineer. She loves taking on all the challenges that come with designing big Commercial PV system projects. We love her excellent CAD skills and Sayali’s constantly working towards improving the design-engineering processes.
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Julie Wilcox
Residential Sales Manager and Design EngineerJulie has a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Michigan (Go Blue!). She spent 20 years working on the B737 & B787 interiors & systems before heading to greener pastures to try and save the world with solar. Before switching careers, she earned an AAAS degree in Clean Energy Technology from Shoreline Community College and started teaching in the program in 2010. She has served on the boards of both Solar Washington & Shoreline Solar Project. Julie enjoys cooking with several kinds of solar ovens as well as spending time with her dogs & cat, bees, fish and in the garden.
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Ryan Garrison
EV Support Project ManagerRyan’s been involved with environmental work since 2011 and has been with Puget Sound Solar since 2013. He started off focusing on weatherization and loves that he’s helping reduce the world’s carbon footprint with every panel he lays down. He’s expecting his second child and is motivated to create a better world for his family. He’s progressed at PSS with his strong work ethic. He loves working outside and driving big rigs.
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Abby Clouser
01 Solar ElectricianRaised on the east coast, Abby moved to the Pacific Northwest in 2006 and started her career as an electrician. Wanting to help move towards the future she decided that working in solar could be a good fit. Arriving here at Puget Sound Solar in 2018, Abby has been a great fit with our company and works hard to make sure every job is of the best quality.
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Clayton Nesler
Residential Project ManagerJoined us in 2020 with a diverse background in solar. Clayton got his start in solar shortly after finishing high school, first as an installer and then as a site visit technician. He next worked as a traveling superintendent for a general contractor building prestigious auto dealerships throughout the US. Clayton returned to the solar industry to manage a team of field technicians in California while also acting as a liaison between the administrative and production teams. He enjoys creating aesthetically pleasing solar PV systems that are also super-efficient and treats projects as if they were his own. Years from now, when driving past and seeing these projects, Clayton knows he’ll be reminded that he’s doing his part for the planet.
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Cole Pasichnyk
Solar Crew LeadHails from Montana, and has his feet on the ground and hands on the roof with experience in the construction world in between. He has an associate degree in Energy Technology and experience with installer company Sunelco before coming on board at PSS to install solar panels and mounting systems. Cole is one of our most experienced onsite crew members and has become site leader among other things.
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Ella Willard-Schmoe
Senior Commercial Project ManagerElla joined PSS in 2017 with a master's degree in energy engineering and several years' experience in commercial solar in Massachusetts. She adds to our collective expertise in engineering drawings, production modeling, solar parking canopies, and more complicated interconnections. She is thrilled to be bringing out-of-state perspective back to her home state when Seattle's commercial solar sector is growing fast.
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Jeff Ross
Residential Sales & Design ConsultantJeff began his career in sustainability with a degree in Environmental Studies from UC Santa Barbara. After working for a small solar and sustainability company in the Los Angeles area, Jeff relocated to the Pacific Northwest and found his way to the Puget Sound Solar team. When he isn’t working to help people go solar Jeff can be found hiking, traveling, and photographing the Western US.
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Bill Ulsund
Residential Project ManagerBill’s worked in the solar industry for over three-years throughout the Puget Sound region. He works in solar because he knows his hard work is going into supporting green energy that helps the planet. He likes working for PSS because our install teams work efficiently to do work that we’re always proud of and we have vast knowledge and experience in the industry. His favorite moment at every solar job is when we first turn on a new system and watch the electric meter spin backwards. Free energy is the best. Solar power to the people!
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Chris Stevens
Warehouse TechnicianChris keeps our company organized and moving by managing our warehouse and fleet of vehicles. He receives our shipments, keeps all of our solar and electrical parts organized and drives out to job sites to deliver equipment to our installers. Chris came to us with four-years of warehouse experience and an interest in renewable energy. His goal at Puget Sound Solar is to make the warehouse neat and orderly. Chris rides an electric bike to work to reduce his carbon emissions and to save some money.
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Alex Maki
Solar InstallerAfter graduating with a B.A. in Environmental Studies from Oberlin College Alex returned to his hometown of Seattle to pursue a career in the solar industry. Alex joined PSS after completing the Residential and Commercial Photovoltaic Systems Certificate at Solar Energy International and achieving NABCEP Associate Certification. Alex is dedicated to working in an industry and at a company that is always striving to improve our climate and make the world a better place. When Alex isn't at PSS you can often find him rock climbing, hiking, or kayaking around the beautiful Pacific Northwest.
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Keysean Billups
Solar InstallerAfter a running start to an electrical career and a broad background in said field, Keysean wishes to use his knowledge to contribute to a future of renewable energy. Having developed skills in telecommunications, residential and commercial work, remodel and new construction, Keysean finds passion in a green future. Always the first to make a pot of coffee, always ready to get after it, always looking for opportunities to prove himself. Most importantly, always ambitious. “The young gun, willing to do what others are not!”
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Andy Young
Solar InstallerAndy has spent his life working in design, metal fabrication and IT. When not at work, he has always spent much of his free time outside in nature. The last few years he's watched many of his favorite Washington forests and Hawaiian tropical reefs disappear under a continuisly warming climate. He made it his life goal to not just live, but work in the sustainable energy and transportation field. This lead him to Puget Sound Solar where he is absolutely thrilled to be installing solar panels and electric vehicle chargers.
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Roy Foster
Inside Sales ConsultantRoy recently earned a certificate in Clean Energy Technology from Shoreline Community College. He also has a Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Engineering from Penn State and an Master in Business Administration from the University of Pittsburgh. Roy spent 20 years working for a software company before switching gears and moving over to clean energy. He's excited to be at Puget Sound Solar doing his part in in the transition to sustainable energy. Roy enjoys spending as much time outside as possible, spending time with his kids and dog, photography, and ushering at various venues in Seattle.
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Andrew Bridgman
Solar InstallerAndrew moved to Puget Sound in 2018 from Milwaukee, Wisconsin wanting to find a job in the solar industry and quickly found himself a home at Puget Sound Solar. He loves the Pacific Northwest because its beauty reminds him of home and Andrew is frequently found exploring and camping in the wilderness. Andrew loves the Packers and checking out live music, especially the band Phish. He chose solar and renewable energy as a career because it’s the future and a way to help save the planet. Andrew really likes working on our school solar projects because it introduces the next generation to solar and clean, renewable energy.
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JT
Monitoring and Service TechnicianJT originally started with us on the roofs as a solar installer and is now in charge of PSS’s Service and Monitoring sector. He studied forestry and natural resources at Green River College and is an avid horticulturist. When not diligently tracking the performance of our customers systems, JT likes to go hiking.
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Sunny SolarFish
Aquatic TechnicianSunny came to PSS from a school and likes to play with his log, skull, marimo ball and listens to Phish.
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Sean Ennis
01 Solar ElectricianSean came to us with decades of experience. He's worked as an electrician since the 80's which has taken him around the globe - including Kwajalein Atoll, Iraq and Afghanistan where he was a power generation specialist. When not helping save the planet with solar installations, Sean likes to go hiking, mountain biking, traveling and hanging out with good people. -
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Stu Frothingham
Communications DirectorStu has a degree in Clean Energy Technology, a Certificate in Sustainable Business Management and a BA in Communications. He’s experienced in marketing solar products and services plus he has a background as a clinician and researcher. Stu designed, manufactured and installed his own solar PV system and drives an all-electric Nissan LEAF to reduce his carbon footprint. Stu is active with local solar organizations, Seattle Parks and Sustainable Ballard. He wants to help to save the planet for future generations and believes sustainability is something we can all embrace.