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SafeConnect is an early stage company that has successfully built and tested prototypes of its products for compliance with relevant codes and standards in its own lab facilities and at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). The company’s research and development to date has been conducted with support from the US Department of Energy under its SunShot Initiative program. SafeConnect’s products are currently undergoing the UL certification process and the company will commence commercial sales in 2016.
An entrepreneurial leader who has built, operated and exited businesses in the solar, software, printing, fine art, and franchising arenas. At SafeConnect, Todd is the co-leader and co-architect of all of the company’s strategic planning and decision-making. From 2009 to 2014, Todd was the Managing Principal of residential PV contractor RevoluSun LLC, which installed approximately 5,000 systems; President of RevoluSun Solar Corp., a franchisor of solar sales /contracting opportunities; and Vice-President of RevoluSun Energy Inc., a developer of residential solar sector IP. Todd is also a Hawaii licensed General Contractor. In 2009 he received the Governor of Hawaii’s Innovation Award, for his work in renewable energy. Todd holds a BA in English from Boston University.
An entrepreneur who came to the solar industry following a career in quantitative public policy analysis. At SafeConnect, Mark is the co-leader and co-architect of all of the company’s strategic planning and decision-making, and is responsible for the company’s regulatory affairs. Previously, Mark was President of RevoluSun Energy Inc., which was sold to SunPower Corporation in 2014; and co-founded of RevoluSun LLC and RevoluSun Solar Corp. both of which he successfully exited in 2014. Mark is an acknowledged expert in renewable energy policy, who has served as President of several solar trade organizations, leading the Hawaii solar industry’s legislative initiatives and intervention more than a dozen regulatory proceedings. Mark he has won numerous awards for his work in renewable energy including: the Hawaii Venture Capital Association’s Clean Tech Entrepreneur of the Year; Hawaii Business Magazine's “Twenty for the Next 20,” recognizing emerging leaders in the state; and the Governor of the State of Hawaii’s Innovation Award, which he shared with his business partner Todd Georgopapadakos. Mark has and MA in Economics and a Ph.D. in Economic Geography.
Responsible for the electrical design and physical construction of all SafeConnect eBOS devices/componentry since the company’s inception, and has managed development of the firmware required to operate the SmartBox controller. Brian has overseen the NREL’s testing of the SmartBox system and is responsible for shepherding SafeConnect’s products through the UL certification process. Prior to joining SafeConnect, Brian managed the installation of RevoluSun LLC’s roughly 5,000 residential PV systems in Hawaii and he has over a decade of experience with design, installation, and operation of electric power systems worldwide, including at McMurdo Station in Antarctica, where he was responsible for operating the base’s wind-diesel electrical grid. Brian has a BS in Physics from California Polytechnic State University.
With over 20 years of experience in electrical and construction drafting, design, and project permitting at the City, County, State, and Federal levels, Rod oversees SafeConnect’s efforts to achieve adoption of SafeConnect’s eBOS solution by AHJ’s. With Mark and Todd, Rod also successfully founded, built, and exited the RevoluSun Companies. Since joining the solar industry he has been directly responsible for the design of more than 50 MW of residential and commercial PV, all of which has been installed across various jurisdictions in Hawaii, Massachusetts, and New York.
Manages the day-to-day business operations of SafeConnect Solar. He has previously served as an attorney both in private practice in-house for several clean-energy companies. Zach has been recognized as one of Hawaii’s ’40 under Forty’ young business leaders by Pacific Business News and as one of Hawaii Business Magazine’s Twenty for the Next 20. Prior to entering law school, Zach served for three years in the Peace Corps in Panama, and later returned to the country to successfully advocate for changes in law that conveyed land rights to previously disenfranchised indigenous communities. Zach holds a BA in History from Williams College, and JD and MA degrees from Duke University.
Manages SafeConnect Solar’s pilot programs with local governments. Prior to joining SafeConnect, Tyler worked as an attorney for the solar industry in Hawaii, helping energy developers negotiate power purchase agreements for over 250 MW of cumulative renewable capacity, and participating in the Public Utilities Commission policy and regulatory proceedings affecting Hawaii’s renewable energy sector. Tyler has also worked as a consultant on international climate change issues, a business strategy analyst at a Washington, D.C. consulting firm, and a Peace Corps Volunteer in Guatemala. Tyler holds a BA in Economics from Stanford University and a JD from the UC Berkeley School of Law.