SolarFest - New England energy education and renewable energy festival

OUR TRUSTEES

	Steve Goldsmith, Trustee, President A native of New York, Steve escaped to Maine in the late '80s, where he met his wife Michelle. They currently live with their two kids Sarah and Adam in New Hampshire. They all first got hooked on SolarFest in 1998, and have been coming back ever since. For the past several years, the whole family has been volunteering at SolarFest before, during and after the festival. Steve has been coordinating the Solar Generation Youth Track at SolarFest since its inception in 2008 and has also been heading up the Workshop Technology Team and coordinating site communications for several years. At his day job, Steve is a professional geek and has been involved in the telecommunications industry since 1982. He has been a member of his local energy committee for three years, and wishes that he had more solar panels on the roof of his house.

	Melody Squier, Trustee, Vice President & Secretary Host of SolarFest at Forget-Me-Not Farm, Melody and her family have been involved with SolarFest since its early beginnings. Mother, equine specialist, animal communicator, farrier, firefighter, organic gardener, flower fanatic, gourmet cook, B&B and premier green wedding site proprietor, and of course wife of the wonderful Tinmouth luminary, Marshall Squier. Melody is involved year round with Festival planning and presentation, and especially enjoys meeting and working with the Volunteers for Peace who come from all over the globe each year to help make SolarFest shine!

	Mark McChesney, Trustee, Treasurer Mark grew up in nearby Pawlet, VT, left for fifteen years - college (Cornell University), and then work in the hospitality industry in Chicago and Manhattan. In 1998, Mark and his wife Margaret, whom he met and married in Chicago, moved with children Jack and Olivia back to Pawlet to purchase and operate The Barn Restaurant. Mark and Margaret have been involved with Solarfest since 2001 as food vendors, and have long wanted to become a more integral part of the organization—both in planning, and in promoting its success. Mark is thrilled to be a part of the board, and looks forward to feedback and ideas from the entire Solarfest community. Mark also serves on the board at Live Green, and is a contributing member and amateur actor with the Dorset Players.

	John Blittersdorf, Trustee John Blittersdorf is the owner of Central Vermont Solar & Wind in Rutland, VT. He is responsible for design and installation of over 300 renewable energy systems throughout Vermont and neighboring states. He has been involved with SolarFest since the early days at Daisy Hollow and has been head of the Power Committee since 2004. John brings to the board a solar industry perspective. After receiving a degree in Forestry at Colorado State University and Electronic training in the US Navy with a 3-year stint in Spain, John returned to Vermont to find some property to live efficiently and sustainably during the first oil crisis. After a time running the family screen printing business and then working at NRG Systems immersed in the wind power industry, John started Central Vermont Solar & Wind in Rutland, VT in 1996, the same year as the first SolarFest. What is your favorite band (or bands) that you have discovered at SolarFest? Dar Williams, Grace Potter Why do you think SolarFest is important and what role does it play? SolarFest provides the best one stop shop for hands on solar information in the northeast. It is also a family friendly event where kids be with kids and play, be entertained and learn about sustainability. What renewable energy or sustainability practices do you use at your home and/or office? My wife, daughter and I live on a 91 acre home and sustainably managed sheep farm and tree farm which is off-grid and has been powered by solar power since 1980. We are on the path to a zero fossil fuel farm by using solar electricity to run our electric garden tiller, chain saw, wood splitter, lawn mower, weed wacker, golf cart, household appliances including two freezers, electric wool carder and remote lighting. We also use biodiesel in our tractor and truck. Our farm has always been free of chemicals and we are working toward becoming Certified Organic. An electric car and Biodiesel powered plug in hybrid car or truck are in our future plans. We grow most of our food and sell lamb, wool products and eggs from the farm, as well as organic grapes, blueberries and hazelnuts.

	Leslie Silver, Trustee Leslie Silver lives in Middletown Springs tending gardens; collecting wild foods and making medicines that nourish her family and community. She believes growing and preparing homemade foods is crucial for our well being now, and will be even more important in our uncertain future. She also teaches yoga as a means of connecting with and healing one’s own body and spirit.

	Michael Sorce, Trustee Michael Sorce is a founding SolarFest council member and the Technical Director for the SolarFest festival. A graduate of the North Carolina School of the Arts, Michael freelanced as a lighting designer in San Francisco and New York City before relocating to Vermont. He is president and founder of Dark Star Lighting & Production here in Vermont, which provides lighting, sound, video, generator, and production services for the entertainment industry throughout New England. Dark Star is proud to provide professional theatrical lighting, sound and production management for SolarFest since its inception.

	Matt Kenyon, Trustee Matt Kenyon grew up in southern Rhode Island’s Great Swamp Wildlife Management Area which helped to foster his deep appreciation for nature and early American history. Matt grew up fixing things, from washing machines to motorcycles, if it was broken Matt would try to fix it, and more times than not he succeeded. Matt has been a carpenter for more than 30 years, specializing in renovations and repairs. Matt and his wife Patty moved to Middletown Springs in 1990, purchasing a 1790’s colonial farmhouse fixer upper, which now hosts 4,200 watts of solar electric panels on its roof. Matt has been a SolarFest volunteer since 2002 and the site coordinator since 2005. Each year Matt relies on his Yankee ingenuity, his propensity to fix things and his experience in the trades to help SolarFest transform Forget-Me-Not Farm from horse farm to festival grounds and back again. What volunteer jobs have you done at SolarFest? I've always worked prior to the festival preparing the site, during the festival keeping everything running, and after the festival taking everything apart again so that the horses can come back to their home. What is your favorite band (or bands) that you have discovered at SolarFest? The SolarFest House Band, and Break of Reality What is the most interesting thing you have learned at SolarFest? How to work with people. Why do you think SolarFest is important and what role does it play? SolarFest is most important to those who attend the festival, but also as important to those who have been influenced by its message. SolarFest has built a long distance community of people who might never have met without it, and has had a hand in bringing solar power and interest in sustainability to where it is today. What renewable energy or sustainability practices do you use at your home and/or office? Solar Electric (PV), Solar Hot Water (SHW), LED lighting ,wood stoves, home energy audit, and cut heat loss by 25% We are still improving.

	Taylor (Chip) Mauck, Trustee After receiving an education in Natural Resource Management and Forestry from Duke University and the University of New Hampshire, Mr. Mauck has worked in the renewable energy field for the past 25 years. He is the owner of SunWeaver, a company specializing in the installation of renewable energy systems. He also co-owns the Solar Uprising Soundsystem, a solar electric powered sound system featuring politically charged music. It is committed to using music as an instrument for change, and a healer of spirits. He is co-director of the Traveling Solar Show, a festival based energy education center funded through it's solar powered kitchen. For the last 15 years, he has been actively involved with SolarFest, and the New England Renewable Energy Fair. His other interests include writing, homesteading and leading workshops on resource-responsible, solar living.

	Jeff Skelskie, Trustee Since the 90’s Jeff has been involved with SolarFest, Clearwater, Tour de Sol and in 2009 received the Distinguished Service Award from NESEA (Northeast Sustainable Energy Association) . As the owner of Special Services, a warehouse distributor for QuickCable, PulseTech Products and test equipment, Jeff has been an ASE master mechanic for over 30 years. He works as a technician, advisor, educator and distributor in the energy and transportation fields, both electric and alternative fuel. Starting with Engineering and ending in the Arts Jeff also holds degrees in Business and Power engineering. Jeff greatest reward comes from sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm.

	Kevin Kiefaber, Trustee Kevin Kiefaber fell in love with SolarFest the first time he visited, first for the music, then the community, and finally the vision. He's been a volunteer for 14 (or so) years, putting up tents, working backstage, helping kids build solar powered cars, putting up more tents, as volunteer coordinator, as workshop host, and putting up still more tents.... It's a labor of love, as it is for so many of us! By day he's a guidance counselor in a local elementary school, so he knows the importance of education, especially in the subjects they don't test for... like serving community & involvement in the world around you. Working with Solarfest is a small way we can all help shape the future. What year did you attend your first SolarFest? It was the third last year at Daisy Hollow, 14 years ago I think. What volunteer jobs have you performed at SolarFest? Festival set up, tents, strike, Volunteer coordinator, performer merchandise, backstage hospitality, parking, workshop host, workshop track coordinator, workshop presenter. What was your favorite volunteer job? One year I got to introduce Entrain from Main Stage. That was more of a privilege than a job. I liked working backstage and getting to meet the performers. What was your least favorite volunteer job? Strike. It's kinda sad to have to put it all away. What is your favorite band (or bands) that you have discovered at SolarFest? Let's see... Break of Reality (heavy metal cello!), The SolarFest House Band is awesome in a new way every year, the House Jacks, Bone Pony, Gandolf Murphy and the Slambovian Circus of Dreams, The PowderKegs, Mecca Bodega, Rumblebucket Orchestra, Twiddle, Sheik Sonora, Xande Cruz, and many more! What is the most interesting thing you have learned at SolarFest? Every year I learn and relearn how hard it is to make big things happen with a large group of people, how challenging the process is on everyone, but how rewarding it is when it comes together. Democracy in action is a stumbling fool, a patient giant, a whining brat, and an elegant dancer all wrapped into one--- if you're lucky! Why do you think SolarFest is important and what role does it play? I think it is important for people to be able to see what is possible if people apply themselves. If we all just listened to the mainstream media and the politicians, the outlook would be so bleak because they primarily emphasize what won't work & what isn't working. Through SolarFest, people can demonstrate to each other that new technologies do work & can be managed in a way that is affordable and practical. By making a small scale alternate reality here, we can connect with like-minded people, share ideas, build hope and become the change we want to see in the world. What renewable energy or sustainability practices do you use at your home and/or office? I recycle big time, compost, insulated my home, heat with wood pellets, share tools, drive a more efficient car, commute by bike occasionally, and save my money for my next investment in solar hot water.

	Todd Tyson, Trustee Todd Tyson is the Chief Operating Officer of the Tunbridge Grease Collective. You'll see Todd at SolarFest hosting a Grease Car Workshop or on stage in his role as Main Stage emcee. Todd is also a DJ and host of the popular radio show Crossroads on The Point Radio in Montpelier.

	Patty Kenyon, Managing Director Patty has been involved with SolarFest in one capacity or another since 2000, starting off in the volunteer ranks, becoming the bookkeeper and finally settling into her current role as Managing Director in late 2005. Patty's experience includes many years as a bookkeeper and office manager, a short time owning and operating her own craft business, seven years as a homeschooling parent as well as a Town School Director, and is currently on the Building Committee for the Town of Middletown Springs. Patty brings her attention to detail, work-ethic and sense of humor to everything she does. What is your favorite band (or bands) that you have discovered at SolarFest? The Duhks, Break of Reality, Antje Duvocat, Moors & McCumber What is the most interesting thing you have learned at SolarFest? Wow, hard question. I learn so many interesting things all the time at SolarFest. Because I'm immersed in the day to day, I don't have a lot of chances to attend workshops and learn the things that most people come to SolarFest to learn. What I always take away with me are personal stories, insights and a better understanding of the world at large. That would be the most interesting thing I've learned, the understanding that each contribution is worthwhile and worthy, because it's only through thousands of tiny accomplishments that we can succeed. Why do you think SolarFest is important and what role does it play? I think that SolarFest provides an opportunity for people to unplug from their day to day rituals, and to take stock and rethink the world around them. It's amazing to me how 3 days can change people's lives. And because of that we are so vitally important. We provide answers to questions about sustainability and renewable energy, open up doors that may have seemed closed, and spark thought and more questions about the state of the world. We are living in an important era for humanity - the tipping point is at hand. Every small thing we can do will make a difference. What renewable energy or sustainability practices do you use at your home and/or office? Currently we have 4,200 kw of solar electric on our roof and hope to get more. We also have a solar hot water system that helps to heat our house in the winter and provides hot water. We also have a house full of CFL light bulbs and are slowly switching them out for LED lighting.