Jason Lee: Shining a Light

By James Florence, Diamond Certified Resource Reporter

SAN JOSE — As a former real estate broker, Jason Lee knows a thing or two about the importance of reading the fine print in a contract. In fact, it was his expert eye for the particulars that largely inspired his shift to a career in the solar industry. “While working as a real estate broker, I started looking more closely at the solar business, which seemed to be full of opportunity,” he explains. “In particular, solar leasing sounded like something that could really benefit homeowners. However, as I began looking at a contract, I was amazed at how bad it was—almost as bad as a subprime mortgage loan! This motivated me even more to get into the solar business and push things in the other direction. There are real benefits to solar if you pursue it the right way, and my goal has always been to help homeowners do just that.”

Today, as general manager of Solar System, Inc., Jason says his favorite part of his job is educating homeowners. “In real estate, clients have representatives to watch out for their interests, but this isn’t the case in the solar industry, which puts homeowners at risk of being taken advantage of. That’s why I enjoy educating my clients and explaining the differences between the real savings of ownership versus leasing.”

A resident of San Jose (where he lives with his wife and business partner, Angie), Jason expresses his appreciation for the cutting-edge character of California’s third largest city. “San Jose has become a major hub for high-tech, which makes it the perfect place for someone like me who is passionate about clean energy technology.”

When asked how he spends his time outside of work, Jason says free time is in short supply these days. “Solar is a complex business, and since our company is still fairly young, there’s still a lot of work to be done before I can relax.” When he does get a break, Jason enjoys reading, keeping up with politics and hanging out with his son, Brenden, and daughter, Adriennne, both of whom are currently attending college.

In regard to his professional career, Jason adheres to a “customers first” philosophy. “When I worked in real estate, fiduciary duty to my clients was a point of emphasis, and that’s something I’ve brought with me to the solar industry,” he explains. “As a company that serves the public, we recognize the need to put our clients’ interests before our own. In doing so, we aim to bring value to both our individual clients and our community as a whole.”

Ask Me Anything!

Q: What’s your favorite local restaurant?
A: Alexander’s Steakhouse in Cupertino.

Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
A: I’ve always wanted to go to Europe, but I think I’d actually like to travel around the United States first and visit some of the beautiful places in this country.

Q: What’s your favorite thing to do on a rainy day?
A: Work on my presentation for educating consumers about solar.

Q: Music or talk radio?
A: Talk radio, because it keeps my mind engaged even when I’m driving.

Q: What’s your favorite sports team?
A: The Seattle Seahawks.

Rich Moore: Renewable Enthusiasm

By James Florence, Diamond Certified Program Reporter

CAMPBELL — Rich Moore began his career in the high-tech industry, but he’s always been interested in renewable energy, so when an opportunity arose to get professionally involved, he didn’t hesitate. “I was working with semiconductors and microchips for Texas Instruments, but I found myself looking into renewable energy more and more, especially solar,” he recounts. “When a friend introduced me to one of the first solar integrators in the Bay Area, I was immediately interested. In 2005, I started doing solar full-time, and in 2009, I founded Freedom Solar, Inc.”

A decade after making his seminal transition, Rich says he continues to find gratification in his renewed livelihood. “I enjoy dealing directly with customers and seeing the end results of our work. It’s very satisfying when your job consists of installing products that save your customers money and benefit the environment at the same time.”

Originally from Chicago, Rich came to the Bay Area in the mid-1980s and today resides in San Carlos, where he appreciates the area’s many favorable attributes. “I like the pace, the diversity and the fact that we have a well-educated population,” he says. “Also, since I grew up in the Midwest flatlands, I really appreciate the climate and terrain.”

Outside of work, Rich engages in a number of active pastimes. “I’m a bit of a sports nut, so I enjoy both watching and participating in team sports,” he says. “I’ve coached youth sports for 25 years and served on several boards, so it’s been a real passion of mine.” Rich also likes traveling with wife, Susan, tracing his family’s genealogy and relaxing at the beach. Additionally, he takes time to keep in touch with his daughters, Aryn and Hannah, who are pursuing respective careers in the biotech and electrical engineering fields. “Between Susan, who’s a mechanical engineer, and myself, it’s no surprise that our daughters have an inclination toward math and science.”

As a professional in the solar industry, Rich says providing long-term value for his customers is of the utmost importance. “When I meet with a new customer, I look at them as someone I’m going to have a relationship with for the next 35 years, because that’s how long my product will last on their roof. That’s why I make sure every system we install provides a long-term solution. Not many products come with a 25-year warranty, so it really ups the ante when it comes to customer satisfaction.”

When asked the first thing he’d do if he could retire tomorrow, Rich says he’d take a trip around the world. “I think it would be fun to circle the globe over the course of a year. My wife would be with me, of course, but if our daughters were able to get away and join us for part of it, that would make it even better.”

Ask Me Anything!

Q: What are your favorite sports teams?
A: Even though I haven’t lived there in more than 30 years, I’m still a fan of Chicago teams like the White Sox, Bulls, Bears and Blackhawks. Of course, being a long-time Bay Area resident, I also follow the local teams.

Q: Did you play any sports in high school?
A: Yes, I played basketball.

Q: What’s your favorite local restaurant?
A: Blue Line Pizza in San Carlos.

Q: What’s your favorite comic strip?
A: “In the Bleachers.”

Q: What’s your favorite movie?
A: “The Sting.”

Dean A.: Power Driven

By James Florence, Diamond Certified Resource Reporter

SAN JOSE — Considering that he has a master’s degree in electrical engineering, it wouldn’t be a stretch to describe Dean A. as “power driven.” “I’ve always been intrigued by power systems,” he affirms. “I used to be in engineering and did a lot of design, but when solar started to come into its own, I was intrigued and decided to get involved in the industry.” Dean began his solar career in 2008 by acquiring a franchise from a major solar company, but it wasn’t long before he decided to strike out on his own. “A couple of years after I started the franchise, the company announced it was going to cut its residential services and focus solely on the commercial market. However, I believed the residential market was going to be very lucrative, so I decided to break off and establish my own solar business.”

Today, as owner of Highlight Solar, Dean says his favorite part of his job (other than his ongoing fascination with the technical aspects) is making a positive impact. “Not only is solar power a great financial investment for consumers, it also has a significant ecological effect. We’re helping make the environment cleaner and better for the next generation, which is very rewarding.”

As a resident of San Jose (where he lives with wife and three children), Dean expresses his appreciation for life and work in the Bay Area. “We have amazing weather and amazing people,” he says. “The cultural diversity is fantastic, and I really like how open people are here. Plus, as far as running a business goes, there’s plenty of opportunity to strive and grow.”

Outside of work, Dean engages in a variety of personal hobbies and family activities. “I enjoy science, especially astronomy and technology, so I’m always reading about those subjects,” he says. “I also like to play volleyball, go hiking and camping, and relax on the beach.” In addition to enjoying the local surroundings, Dean likes traveling to foreign destinations. “Every year, we make it a point to visit a new country, which is a great way for us to expand the kids’ horizons.”

In regard to his professional career, Dean credits a good part of his success to an emphasis on customer satisfaction. “Our customers are the backbone of our business, which is why we do whatever it takes to make sure they’re satisfied,” he affirms. “We go to great lengths to bring them the latest products and technology, and we continue to educate customers and consumers in general about the entire concept behind solar.”

When asked what his life might look like if he were to retire tomorrow, Dean says he’d devote more of his time to volunteering. “I would probably get more involved in the local community. My wife and kids do a lot of volunteering for various community events and causes, so if I had more time, it’d be very rewarding to do more of that with them.”

Ask Me Anything!

Q: Coffee or tea?
A: Coffee in the morning, tea at night.

Q: What’s your favorite style of music?
A: Jazz.

Q: What’s your favorite local restaurant?
A: Dishdash in Sunnyvale.

Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
A: Malaysia. The country has amazing tropical beauty, and I hear the people are very nice and down to earth.

Q: Have you ever read a book more than once?
A: “Who Moved My Cheese?” by Spencer Johnson.

Gary Kluck: On the Upbeat

By James Florence, Diamond Certified Resource Reporter

CITRUS HEIGHTS – Gary Kluck has a lot on his plate. Between managing a home improvement company with more than 180 employees to singlehandedly running a household, it’s easy to think the stress might get to him now and then. However, Gary says maintaining a positive outlook goes a long way toward achieving both inner peace and outward success. “I’m a ‘glass half full’ kind of guy. I have a very upbeat personality, so when I do get stressed, I just stay calm and look at the positives of the situation, and pretty soon I’m back to normal.”

Born and raised in Wisconsin, Gary got his start in the construction industry at an early age. “I began working for my father when I was about 12 years old,” he remembers. “He was in home improvement and did a lot of concrete work and rough framing. I started out doing mostly grunt work, but I continued to learn and develop my skills, and I’ve been immersed in it ever since.”

Gary’s westward migration began in the early 1980s and included a five-year stint working in Colorado before he eventually reached Northern California. When the company he had been working for went bankrupt following a change of ownership, Gary reached out for advice on his next move. “I called the original owner of the business and asked him what I should do next,” he recalls. “He said, ‘Go do your own thing.’ I took his advice and started my own company, and it was the best decision I ever made.” Today, nearly a decade later, Quality First Home Improvement, Inc. is going strong with Gary at the helm.

In addition to running a business, Gary is employed as a full-time father and homemaker, raising his youngest of four daughters while his wife, Tamara, is pursuing her own career out-of-state. “A few years back, my wife decided to go to medical school to become a physician,” he explains. “She’s actually in Pennsylvania doing her residency right now, so I’m kind of like Mr. Mom for the next couple years.” Though his responsibilities keep him busy, Gary does find time to play golf with his friends on a regular basis. He also takes advantage of the occasional opportunity to get away from it all. “We have a cabin up at Eagle Lake, and we like to go out there to do some boating and fishing and just enjoy the peacefulness of nature.”

Gary attributes much of his personal and professional success to the power of positive thinking. “We attract what we think and feel, so it’s important to feel great and think great,” he says. “That’s what I tell all my employees, and it’s really how I built the company. When we started, there were four of us; now, there are 181. By putting out positive energy, we’ve been able to attract positive people who want to do good things.”

Ask Me Anything!

Q: What’s your favorite sports team?
A: Green Bay Packers.

Q: What’s your earliest memory?
A: Digging up worms in the garden when I was three or four years old.

Q: Do you do any celebrity impersonations?
A: I used to do a pretty good Humphrey Bogart, but it’s been a while.

Q: What were you most known for in high school?
A: Playing basketball. I could really jump—as a 6’1” forward, I could out-jump our 6’4” center!

Q: What’s your favorite thing to do on a rainy day?
A: Sit by the fire.

Q: If you had a theme song, what would it be?
A: “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” by Bobby McFerrin.

Tom Amitay: A Powerful Opportunity

By James Florence, Diamond Certified Resource Reporter

CANOGA PARK — Tom Amitay was pursuing a career in finance, but when he saw the opportunity presented by the burgeoning solar industry, he decided to get in on the action. “From a financial standpoint, I was struck by the growth potential of the solar industry,” he affirms. “However, I was also attracted to the fact that it was clean energy, which made it not only lucrative but something that would actually benefit the planet. It wasn’t long before I left my finance job and started doing sales for a solar company.”

Today, as district manager of NRG Clean Power, Tom says his favorite part of his job is passing on the benefits of solar to his customers. “Working in solar gives me an opportunity to make a living by helping people save money. Not only that, I’m also helping save energy and reduce pollution, so it gives me a good feeling to know I’m having a positive impact.”

Despite being born in the United States, Tom grew up in Israel, where his parents were originally from. After serving in the Israeli army, he returned to the U.S. and resides today in San Jose, where he says he appreciates the cutting-edge atmosphere. “I really like the innovative environment we have here. No matter how far we come with technology, there’s a feeling that we can go further and do more.”

Outside of work, Tom likes to stay active with pastimes like playing basketball and hiking on local trails. He also enjoys going to the movies and hanging out with friends.

In his life and career, Tom espouses the value of perseverance. “I believe that if you work hard, good things will happen for you,” he explains. “I’ve experienced that in my own life—I started at the bottom and worked my way up, and it has been well worth it. I continue to work hard in my current position and look forward to my future progress.”

When asked the first thing he’d do if he were to retire tomorrow, Tom says he’d see the world. “I’d probably travel for a while. Maybe I’d do a tour of Europe—I haven’t been yet, so that seems like a good place to start.”

Ask Me Anything!

Q: What’s your favorite sports team?
A: The Golden State Warriors.

Q: What kinds of movies do you like?
A: Action movies.

Q: What’s your favorite TV show?
A: “Game of Thrones.”

Q: What’s one website you visit on a daily basis?
A: Facebook.

Q: If you could time travel, would you go to the past or the future?
A: The future—maybe 20 years from now just to see what technology is like.