Team
Focused Energy has an experienced team of renewable energy professionals.
Paul Benson, CEO 505-216-7834 Paul has worked for over 13 years in the RE industry and still finds it exciting. Every year brings new challenges and his degree in Economics becomes more valuable as a tool to understand the global PV market. The rapid growth of the industry and meeting the great people that are attracted to RE is what keeps Paul interested every day. “It feels good working in an industry that offers a clean renewable solution to our energy challenges”. While President of Dankoff Solar Products from 1996 to 2004, Paul served on the Solar Energy Task Force with Gov. Richardson, appeared in Inc.’s 500 Fastest Growing Companies twice, and received an award for New Mexico’s Small Business Person of the Year. Paul lives with his wife and two sons in a grid-connected home that generates more than 100% of their energy needs from a 1200 PV array. Outside of solar, he enjoys fishing, backpacking, mountain biking, sailing, and playing basketball.
Jodi White, CFO 505-216-7834 Jodi began working in the solar industry as the finance manager for Dankoff Solar 5 1/2 years ago after obtaining her masters in accounting from University of New Mexico. She was pleasantly surprised to find herself working in an industry with many people who shared her passion on environmental and energy concerns. She was part of the startup team at Focused Energy in March of 2008 and is proud to be part of a fantastic team who are truly dedicated to serving customers. Jodi also has an undergraduate degree in Geology from The Colorado College, where she developed a passion for hiking, backpacking, and beautiful rocks. She now enjoys spending time with her family playing soccer, hiking, baking, and gardening. She rides her bike to work every day and fluctuates between 2nd and 3rd place in office ping-pong matches.
Eric Rowland, VP of Sales 505-216-0752 Prior to working in the renewable energy business, Eric worked for 20 years in the information systems industry where he co-founded the Los Angeles technology firm Alliance Computer Group. After moving with his family to Santa Fe in the mid 1990s, he worked as a Project Manager and Director of Project Management for technology companies Captiva and Verity, deploying projects for several Fortune 100 companies. Since moving into the renewable energy field in 2004, Eric has worked with Dankoff Solar Products and Conergy AG prior to founding Focused Energy with his current partners. Commenting on why Focused Energy was formed he said, “We’re building this company to re-introduce a pure distribution model to the PV business. Focused Energy provides technical, logistical and business advice and support to our customers. We treat our customers as valued partners and never compete with them.” Eric lives in Santa Fe with his wife and younger daughter, while his older daughter pursues a degree in Environmental Science. When he’s not working, he enjoys mountain biking, designing low energy green homes with his wife and small town life in Santa Fe.
Buddy Fritz, Sales Manager 505-216-0784 Buddy has worked in solar for over 5 years now and has worked in technical sales almost his entire professional career. Having over 13 years of sales and customer service experience, Buddy is eager to take on any challenge that may come across his desk. He enjoys working with all of our customers, helping them overcome the obstacles and celebrate the victories that we face each year in this wild and exciting industry. Beyond his passion for solar, Buddy enjoys traveling and riding his bicycle and motorcycle. Although his ping-pong game has not developed enough to beat Paul on a consistent basis, he continues to improve.
Jason Burnett, Sales Manager 505-216-9216 Jason has worked for five years in the renewable energy industry. His wide range of experience encompasses water pump production, technical support, PV system design, and domestic and international sales. Jason has designed systems for many different applications including: battery based stand alone, battery based and PV direct water pumping, and utility interconnect systems. At Focused Energy, Jason will bring his experience to the table in order to better serve our industry’s leading dealers and installers.
Gilbert Quintana, Sales Manager 505-216-9260 A life-long resident of New Mexico, Gilbert came to the renewable energy field after years as an educator for the Santa Fe Public schools (and a few private ones). “I want my work to have a positive impact on the world. Teaching was one way to accomplish that; renewable energy is another,” he remarked. He comes to Focused Energy with a background in design and distribution of grid-tied and battery-based/off-grid systems, as well as an excitement for teaching and learning from industry leaders. He is thankful to be working with his friends and making new ones everyday. Outside of Focused Energy, Gilbert enjoys sport climbing, teaches and coaches chess at a local elementary school, rides motorcycles with Buddy, and tries really hard to keep up with Paul on the mountain bike.
Alyssa Latuchie, Sales Operations 505-216-5070 Alyssa has worked for about 2 ½ years in the renewable energy industry. Previously she worked in the accounting side of the business, but she is eager to learn the more technical aspects of the industry. She is excited to be part of a team that really cares about their customers and the industry as a whole. Alyssa has an undergraduate degree in Economics and Environmental Studies from Kenyon College. She enjoys cooking, gardening, running and playing with her dog and cat.