Publish Date: May 11th, 2023
Meet Andy! He’s been at Namaste Solar for over 11 years and is currently an O&M Lead Electrician. He started out as a new electrician and has been able to work through certifications and various roles to grow his career at Namaste Solar. We’re proud to be able to hire, train, and retain such incredible talent like Andy. Our people really are the star of the show at Namaste Solar!
How long have you been with Namaste Solar and why were you first interested in working here?
I’ve been here a little over 11 years. I was working at another solar company when I first applied. That company had sort of run out of work for me to do so they recommended that I apply here because they knew that Namaste Solar did really good work.
What motivates you to wake up and go to work?
I love what I do. I love going out and fixing solar systems or making sure that they are running well. And I love the people that I work with. Also, I’m just kind of a morning person.
What is something about your job that most people don’t know about?
We travel a lot around the state of CO. We get to go to the San Luis Valley and Western Slope fairly often, and it’s cool getting to go to those places (and figuring out where the best restaurants are).
What’s been one of your proudest moments working here?
I would say getting my plaque for my ten-year anniversary. That was something that I had set as a goal and looked forward to for a long time. It was always something that seemed like a big milestone to me just from the people that had done it before me and seeing the strength of those individuals and respecting the contributions that had been made by those folks.
What’s the most unique part about working at Namaste Solar?
The people. The type of people that we somehow continually attract to this company and the folks that are drawn to working here after seeing our mission and the way we do business. The people that I’ve worked with here and gotten to know continually amaze me at how great they are.
How has Namaste Solar helped you develop your skills and career?
I was a fledgling electrician when I first got here. I had done some basic house wiring and almost a year of solar installs when I got here. Namaste Solar paid for me to go through IECRM (Independent Electrical Contractors Rocky Mountain) to get my license and encouraged me to move in the direction of getting my RW license, then my JW license, and now my master’s license. They’ve supported me every step of the way.
What advice would you give to recent new hires?
Take advantage of the opportunities that NS offers to learn more about how our business operates. Try to attend meetings or call into them or at least read meeting notes because there is a lot of incredible information in there about finance and different projects that we work on and the entire scope of work that we do. It’s pretty incredible that Namaste Solar gives us the ability to do that. It also goes without saying that I would encourage any new hire to pursue candidacy and co-ownership because it opens up even more doors to further your “Namaste MBA.” You get greater access to meetings and notes and that sort of thing.
Where are you from (if not from CO)? Why did you move to CO?
I’m from Wisconsin originally and I moved here straight out of college because I wanted to be out here near the mountains.
What do you like to do when you’re not at work?
Hang out with my family, go mountain biking, read books, and travel.
What is something most people don’t know about you?
I have a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering.
If you could pick one superpower, what would it be?
Perfect memory!
One of our core values is “Come as you are” and part of that is working to build a culture where people feel able to be their full selves at work. How have you experienced “come as you are” at Namaste Solar?
At retreat I think about how incredible it is that people go as deep and as personal as they do on different topics and the things people share with their co-workers. And the fun that we have and how much people just let loose and will be their true full selves at retreat has always amazed and inspired me.
What parts of our mission do you most connect with?
I love all parts of our mission. I like the holistic wealth aspect and the different perspective that this company takes on doing business by trying to do it in a way that benefits the whole.
