Our Staff

Our professional, vibrant and friendly staff members are committed to a healthy community and planet. Read on to learn more about us:

John Parry, CEO and owner of Solar Works, has worked for a healthy planet for much of his life. A graduate of the University of California, Irvine, with a BS in Physics, John built Solar Works from a one-person solar hot water business -- created from a customer list purchased from a retiring contractor -- to a company that offers a full spectrum of renewable energy and resource conserving services. For more than 25 years, John has worked with individual, community, business and institutional energy systems, and has served in such diverse roles as consultant to the California State Contractors License Board solar exam review committee, college faculty member, guest lecturer and community educator in renewable energy, and site director of an appropriate technology research, demonstration and education center. John also has been an operator of a university steam plant, and is a long-time proponent of hydrogen fuel. In his spare time, John is a peace and justice activist and concerned scientist, bird-watcher, star-and-cosmos-gazer, weather-observer, fearless explorer, home improvement maestro, crossword puzzle solver, music aficionado and collector, and electric bass player.
Laura Goldman is VP of Solar Works, where she has been a  “problem solver and people person” since Solar Works began. Laura helps the Solar Works team stay happy and productive and serves as a link to clients, our community and the world at large. Outside Solar Works, Laura is a consultant to academic institutions, community-based organizations and agencies, and other clients in the US and internationally. An educator with an MA in Medical Anthropology, Laura is also a bilingual link between English and Spanish-speaking communities. She is on the faculty at Santa Rosa Junior College, where she teaches Community Health Workers and Health Care Interpreter Program. Laura also reviews renewable energy proposals for foundation funding, and is a community activist in peace, health-related and environmental issues. In her spare time, Laura enjoys hiking, the outdoors, being in the garden and solar-heated hot tub, practicing tai chi, connecting with friends and family, and exploring the world.
Sales and Marketing
Linda Tolliver, our Sales Manager, is an experienced and passionate professional who has been in the residential design and construction industry for over 20 years.  A graduate of the University of Cincinnati’s College of Art, Architecture and Design with a BA in Design, Linda has a fine eye for aesthetics and efficiency.  She is a proponent of a healthy planet, productive workplace and loving family, and at home is known as “the Recycling Queen” for her mantra to “renew, reuse, recycle.” At Solar Works, Linda coordinates all of our office functions, directs our wellness program and works closely with our sales staff to make your Solar experience the best it can be. When not working, Linda spends time with her spouse and teenagers (2 of whom have been home schooled by this exceptional mom), serving her church as a Deacon, gardening, reading, watching golf, horseback riding, skiing and traveling. So far, Linda’s family has adventured in Costa Rica, Mexico, Spain, France and most of the U.S. – and Africa is on the travel horizon. Linda’s license plate, a riff on Laughter, is a reflection of her personality, and she loves working at Solar Works because we have “soul”.
Kevin G., Solar Sales Consultant, and previously our Installation Coordinator, came to us with years of experience in the fields of plumbing, electrical and carpentry work, including multiple-unit apartment buildings, as well as at the Fort Ross Water Treatment Facility. Kevin's first career was as a consultant for event marketing companies, which honed his people and management skills. Kevin is a San Francisco native, successfully transplanted to Sonoma County via Sacramento, South Lake Tahoe. He has a Bachelor of Arts in communications from Cal State University, Sacramento, with a minor in German. Kevin loves to explore the world and has been to Switzerland, Italy, Japan, Thailand, Mexico and the Caribbean. When he is not “Saving the world, one solar panel at a time", (as he likes to put it), Kevin is an avid gardener, who also enjoys mountain biking, snowboarding, and spending time with his family, puppy, five cats and a bird, proving that peaceful coexistence is indeed possible.
Operations
Michael Eschenbach is our skilled Operations Manager and creative engineer, responsible for managing our Operations and Installation department, as well as transforming solar site data into comprehensive drawings that clarify, improve and inform the design process. Michael is a graduate of the M.E.B.A. Engineering School, and in his career as a marine engineer, traveled to over 50 countries. For 18 years, Michael owned a construction business in Sonoma County. He has a broad and deep understanding of mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems for residential, commercial and mechanical applications, and 25 years of experience as a designer and fine cabinet maker. A California native, Michael is very community-oriented, working locally on projects for Habitat for Humanity, Harmony School and West County Health Centers. Michael recently returned from working on a variety of construction projects in Guatemala, including designing municipal septic systems, and river wall reinforcement projects for the town of Panajachel and the region's indigenous groups. A multi-faceted colleague, Michael enjoys cooking, kayaking, swimming, hang-gliding, fishing, playing guitar, painting and computers, and whenever possible, being with his equally multi-talented and community-involved wife.
Kara Taddei is our exuberant and hard working Project Manager, providing all-around support for Solar Works' operations and installation department. Kara is a Santa Rosa native and graduate of Ursuline High School. She earned a BA in history from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. Kara has found a good match with Solar Works because she cares deeply about the environment and believes the sun is an efficient source of energy that contributes to a healthy planet. Kara loves spending time outdoors, especially boating and camping. Truly a product of her environment, she enjoys all the finest Sonoma County has to offer, including wine tasting, gourmet food and shopping. An active, long-time member of the Sierra Club, Kara has helped her parents lead trips throughout the United States. Her love of travel has taken Kara (so far!) to England, Costa Rica, Mexico and Canada, and she manages to include annual trips to her favorite hot spots - Las Vegas and Disneyland.
John Matheny, our Warranty & Monitoring Coordinator, is a local Sebastopol native and Analy High graduate. John does many things well and continues to learn and apply what he knows to his solar work. When John decided to pursue a solar career, he took a certificate course in solar installation to gain practical and theoretical knowledge. A certified welder, John is the 4th generation of the family's welding business started by his great-grandfather. He's a natural tinkerer of all things mechanical, and has experience in construction, car repair and bodywork, and a variety of projects where he demonstrates hands-on creativity and hard work. When he's not on the job with Solar Works, John loves to spend time with his wife and family, long-board surfing, road biking and hiking.
Brandon Varner, our Project Costing and Procurement Coordinator, keeps the Solar Works warehouse and facilities in order, purchases equipment and materials, and provides support to the installers to help them get the job done. Brandon began as a Solar Works intern and "graduated" to become an integral member of our staff. A native of Sebastopol and Analy High School graduate, Brandon earned a BA in Energy Management from Sonoma State University. Brandon now sits on the Advisory Board for the Santa Rosa Junior College's Solar Certification Program.  Before Brandon joined Solar Works, he worked for years with his family's trucking business as a heavy equipment operator. Brandon is an enthusiastic employee with a high work ethic and passion to keep learning. He is always prompt, polite and easy to work with. Brandon is committed to his community and has worked as a volunteer with the Redwood Gospel Mission and other good works. In his free time, Brandon can be found outdoors, snowboarding, wake boarding, skim boarding, and playing sports. A newlywed, Brandon loves dessert and is fortunate that his wife loves to bake!
Sue Head is the bookkeeper for Solar Works. Bookkeeping is her third career. After graduating UCLA with a major in English, Sue earned her Elementary Teaching Credential and moved from Los Angeles to Forestville in 1969 for her first teaching position. Having traveled in Europe during her undergraduate career, Sue had not quite satisfied her travel bug, so she left teaching and became a travel agent. While working as an agent in Sonoma County, she traveled throughout Asia and Europe with trips to Alaska and most areas of the United States. She and her husband, Jim, built an off the grid home in Bodega in 1976. She served on the Board of Directors of the Bodega Land Trust and remains a member. After the birth of their daughter, Sue returned to teaching and spent fourteen years teaching K-4 in the Santa Rosa City School District. Taking early retirement, she returned to SRJC and earned her Accountant Assistant certificate. In her spare time Sue enjoys working in her native plant garden, bird-watching, reading fiction, and camping and hiking in Northern California, especially along the Smith River.
Installation
Steve Eyles is an installation crew leader who brings enthusiasm, attention to detail and a deep belief in solar and all sources renewable energy to his work. Steve is a "green thinker" who has worked as a roofer, rough carpenter, handyman, landscaper (to the stars!) and horse and ranch caretaker. Mechanically inclined, Steve says he can learn just about anything he puts his mind and heart to – his solar abilities are proof of that! Steve follows a spiritual path of heart-mind teachings to guide his way and enrich his life. He is also a scuba and free diver who has worked on dolphin and whale trips in the Caribbean. Steve has been a guitarist since childhood and plays bluegrass and classical music in his leisure time.
Andrew Rosengrant, an installation crew leader, comes to Solar Works with experience in both solar system installation and troubleshooting. He is also skilled in framing, siding, roofing and dry wall construction, as well as appliance repair. Previously, Andrew worked as a vet technician and a dog handler/kennel coordinator. In his spare time, Andrew enjoys tinkering with his Volkswagen Bus, Bug and Carmanghia; hiking anywhere up and down the Northern California coastline; relaxing after a hard day’s work in his tree-covered, front porch hot tub. Andrew also likes collecting and organizing his vintage junk along to the rhythms and beat of...what else...vintage music.
Damian Foran is a member of our solar installation crew. His career path as a solar installer has a solid grounding in his New Jersey work roots and life-long passion for renewable energy and a healthy environment. Damian enjoys hard work and has a very mellow disposition, which makes him a great Solar Works staffer. His previous work experience includes dock construction, roofing, and landscape design. Damian loves reconnecting with nature and the outdoors, hiking with his dog, mountain biking, bird-watching, gardening and being with his family, which is about to expand to include a new baby boy.
Fernando Garcia, a member of our installation team, has a background in construction, painting and landscaping. Fernando is a dedicated, hard-working and detail-oriented installer who was raised in Mexico. Motivated to learn everything he can about solar energy, Fernando has demonstrated an ability to apply what he knows in a calm and helpful manner. When he's not working, Fernando spends time with his wife and two little boys and plays basketball and soccer whenever he can - especially with fellow installers (and family members) Chucho and Luis.
Luis Espinosa, a member of our installation team, brings skill in construction, landscaping and gardening to his work. Originally from Mexico, Luis is a very able, creative worker, always looking for a way to boost efficiency during installations. He loves learning, especially about ways to improve his community and the planet. When Luis is not spending time with his wife and children, he can often be found playing soccer and basketball with Solar Works installers (and family members) Chucho and Fernando.