Career Highlights

• Co-Founder, Sun Tribe Solar 
• Co-Founder, SHINE Workforce Development Initiative 
• Previous experience: juwi Solar; Cargill 
• Board Chair, Charlottesville Renewable Energy Alliance 
• M.S., Biological Systems Engineering, Virginia Tech 
• B.S., Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Tech 

Biography

An award-winning renewable energy executive whose tenure across the solar energy value chain has broadened the deployment of socially responsible construction operations throughout North America, Asia, and Africa, Rich is co-founder and Vice President of Development at Sun Tribe. In this role, Rich oversees the public affairs, client partnerships, and development engineering teams as they deliver comprehensive clean energy solutions for leading universities, public schools, health systems, governments, and private sector companies.  

Dedicated to the idea that responsible clean energy development starts in the community, Rich currently serves as the Chair of the Board of Directors for the Charlottesville Renewable Energy Alliance and the Vice Chair of the Board of Directors for the Solar Hands-On Instructional Network of Excellence (SHINE), which builds pathways for solar careers in Virginia. He is the recipient of the coveted “Outstanding Alumni” award from Virginia Tech Department of Biological Systems Engineering, as well as the MDV-SEIA “Solar Champion” award for his work supporting solar job growth and training in Virginia. 

Previously, Rich helped guide solar construction projects throughout the United States at juwi Solar. Prior to that, Rich served as Construction Manager and Production Management Engineer at Cargill – the largest privately held corporation in the United States, where he managed large-scale construction projects. He also worked to lead solar installations in Uganda for Engineers Without Borders.  

Rich holds a Masters in Biological Systems Engineering with a focus on Land and Water Resources, as well as a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, both from Virginia Tech.

Meet The Entire Team