Robert co-founded Big Sun Solar to be a part of the future of energy. He believes moving to more renewable energy is not just the right thing to do, but it creates opportunities, jobs and growth. Prior to founding Big Sun Solar, he spent 15 years in executive leadership roles at high growth web hosting and cloud computing companies - first at Rackspace as Vice President Sales and Product Development and then at Peer1 Hosting as Senior Vice President Business Development. He holds a BA in economics from Washington and Lee University and an MBA from the McCombs School of Business. A native Houstonian, Robert lives in San Antonio with his wife and 4 kids. He made the smart switch from being a Rockets fan to a Spurs fan back in ‘99. His timing on other things is rarely that perfect.

Jason co-founded Big Sun Solar in an effort to help utilities deploy more distributed energy resources using innovative business models. Solar energy should cost less, have a positive user experience and benefit both the customer and utility company. Jason’s 18 years of clean energy and solar PV experience ranges from large utility scale systems and distributed commercial system to the development and execution of utility programs. Jason has previously served as Vice Chairman for Solar San Antonio and currently serves as a Board Director for the Texas Energy Poverty Research Institute (TEPRI) where he tries to leverage solar PV to lower energy burdens in low income communities. He holds a BS in engineering from the University of Texas and a MS degree from the McCombs School of Business. Jason lives in San Antonio with his wife and two children where they hike in the local green spaces and look forward to taking over the downtown streets during SiClovia.

Andrew joined Big Sun Solar in hopes to change the way solar energy is purchased - transitioning from a sales process to an educational process. Andrew started in the solar industry in 2009 when there were 39 solar installations in San Antonio. He has been a part of the growth to over 20,000 solar installations throughout the city. His diverse experience in PV ranges from non-profit solar policy and advocacy work, commercial sales and operations, to utility scale programs. He received a Bachelors of Science in Environmental Science from The University of Texas at San Antonio. Andrew currently lives in San Antonio with his wife, two kids and their two golden retrievers.

Kaitlynn, a native Texan has called San Antonio home since 2007. Her interests include art, singing and antiquing. She is also an avid animal lover and has 5 dogs and 2 cats. After graduating from UTSA in 2012, she began her tech career working for Apple Inc., which led her to San Antonio’s downtown tech district, where she eventually met the Big Sun Solar team. Today she works for them as the Office Manager, supporting the HR, accounting, and IT needs of the company.

Charlie works to bring businesses and neighbors satisfaction by designing and managing solar PV layouts so that they can maximize their clean energy use. After ten+ years of solar project managing and field work, he found his new home at Big Sun Solar in 2019. With 25 years of electrical experience, a State Licensed Master electrician, and a NABCEP Solar PV Installation Professional®, Charlie has been having fun managing construction on Big Sun Solar projects all over San Antonio and neighboring areas. He resides in San Antonio with his wife, two children and their dog. He loves family road trips, anything outdoors, and Mountain Dew.

Brian is an accomplished leader who has led and inspired retail teams and business operations for leading global brands. He found his leadership niche at a high level when he made an industry leap from Apple Inc. to the non-profit world. Brian is a multi-talented professional with expertise in change management, problem solving, and planning.

As a community leader, he has developed strong partnerships, and initiated action to successfully meet goals. He has a strong sense of devotion with a focus on community in the nonprofit sector, environmental issues and the digital divide.

Brian loves San Antonio, Texas and he enjoys time with his wife, 3 kids and 2 dogs. In his free time he enjoys exploring San Antonio's expansive trail system and parks.

Kush came to Big Sun Solar through Venture for America. He received his Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Kush has an entrepreneurial spirit and has started many different ventures throughout his academic career. If not coding, Kush can be seen in the kitchen. Fun fact: He has baked his own bread for over a year and half as opposed to buying store bought bread. 

Raymond is a 2020 Venture for America fellow who is originally from Los Angeles. After graduating from UCLA in 2020, he moved to San Antonio to join Big Sun Solar as a software engineer. In his free time, he enjoys going to the gym, hiking, cooking, and playing basketball.

James has over 20 years of experience working in the solar industry. He joined Big Sun Solar to transition from residential solar to commercial projects. Certifications include Journeyman Electrician license and has completed his OSHA 30-hour training.

Patrick has his Bachelor in Mechanical Engineering from Auburn University. He joined Big Sun Solar because he’s excited about renewable energy and wants to be a part of building the future of energy and protecting our planet. He’s a big college football fan, likes camping, fishing, hiking, and really doing anything outside with his girlfriend and dog. 

Leanna spent over 10 years as the Director of Internal Audit and Director of Marketing at Pioneer Energy Services, a company bought by Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc. in 2021. She holds CPA and CISA licenses and has an extensive background in the oilfield services and downstream energy sectors.

Leanna graduated from the University of Wisconsin - Whitewater with a BBA in accounting and has an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. A native of Ukraine, she is a founder and current board member of Ukrainian San Antonio, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides aid to those affected by the war in Ukraine. Khrystyuk served on the board of directors of San Antonio Education Partnership from 2009-2017 and was its chair from 2016-2018.

An Electrical Engineering graduate from Texas A&M University, Joel’s career spans geotechnical sciences, University of Texas at Austin scholastic research, and seven years as a solar industry design engineer. Holding a NABCEP PV Installation Professional certification, Joel is dedicated to leveraging his expertise towards fostering a positive community impact. Joel is a proud Texan who enjoys hiking, camping, culinary exploration, and travel.

Zach is a proud Texan native and University of Texas San Antonio graduate. He graduated in 2021 with his Bachelors in Electrical Engineering and shortly after received his Engineer in Training Certification with the state of Texas. Following graduation he went into the solar industry to learn about green energy and to be on the forefront of technological innovation.  After 8 months designing residential systems he received his NABCEP PV Installation Professional Certification and afterwards set his eyes on his long-term goal of becoming a state registered Professional Electrical Engineer. A self-proclaimed "Solar Nerd", Zach strives to never stop learning or asking questions. Outside of work, his personal hobbies find him watching action films, taking hikes through San Antonio's beautiful parks, and tinkering with electronics.

Graduating with honors from UTSA in 2021, Isela holds a Bachelor’s in Business Administration and carries a passion for the transformative power of solar energy. Isela's journey at Big Sun Solar has been a rewarding transition from residential to commercial solar projects, reflecting her commitment to industry growth and excellence. With two years under her belt, she is actively pursuing her Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) certification, with aspirations to achieve the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.

When Isela is not at work, she likes to unwind with karaoke sessions, dive into the latest anime series, and challenge herself with PC gaming. Her Chiweenie, Eri—aptly named after an anime character—joins her in these hobbies, making every moment away from work as fulfilling as it is entertaining.

Shannon recently moved from New Orleans, LA to San Antonio in May 2024, brining over 19 years in accounting experience in the marine, agricultural, and venture capital industries. Throughout her career, she has developed strong analytical, problem-solving, and written communication skills. Shannon is excited to make San Antonio her new home and contribute to making it a better place for all through solar energy.

Shannon graduated from the University of New Orleans in 2007 with her bachelor’s degree in accounting. In her spare time, she enjoys trying new restaurants, sightseeing in her new community, watching the occasional scary movie, and participating in parades. If you are ever in New Orleans during Mardi Gras season, be sure to look for her in the Krewe of Cleopatra! Laissez les bons temps rouler!

Paul is a San Antonio native who is passionate about the community and the spirit of its people. With over 25 years of experience in the technology sector, Paul has excelled in consulting, business development, and advocating for the greater good of the client. His leadership is driven by a client-first mentality, always seeking the most positive impact for all involved. In addition to a passion for renewable energy, Paul and his wife happily support various non-profit organizations. They are proud parents to 5 children and their dog, Lily. In his leisure time, Paul enjoys spending time outdoors, hiking, boating, and having cookouts.

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