JOSE TORRE-BUENO — Founder & Executive Director

Dr. Torre-Bueno is a green technology scientist and campaigner with 16 years of experience creating better solutions for green energy cost-saving measures and lobbying with communities to pursue more sustainable energy programs. As a subject matter expert, he has in-depth knowledge of solar energy, EV charging, battery technology, programming battery control systems to photovoltaic systems, analyzing utility rates, and modeling future energy demand. He is highly active in the community to support green measures, distributed energy systems and CCAs (Community Choice Aggregators), and lobbies regulators, government, community leaders and influencers. LinkedIn Profile

SUSAN WAYO — Board Member & Director of Operations

Susan has been helping companies define business models and growth strategies, build brands, evaluate systems and technologies, and grow capabilities for over 20 years. With experience in multiple industries and with a diverse mix of companies, from startups to global corporations, Susan has been able to help create competitive products, solutions, and measurable value.  Susan has a Bachelors in Music Education from North Central College in Illinois and a Masters in Opera Performance from the University of Cincinnati where she was also enrolled in a DMA doctoral program, computer sciences studies, and later an MBA program before being recruited to move to California in 2000.  LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanwayo/ 

DAVID DUFEK — Vice Chair

David Sean Dufek, Esq., is a San Diego attorney with nearly two decades of practice in civil litigation.  As a parent and grandparent, his interests in environmental preservation spurred him to purchase a rooftop photovoltaic (PV, or solar electricity) system five years ago.  Since then, he has investigated further the system of utility interconnection and management of which he is now — as a solar generator — a part, leading him to offer his support to SDED. LinkedIn Profile

JAY KLOPFENSTEIN — Director

An educator by background, profession and passion, Jay is retired from the Carlsbad School System as a “Teacher of the Year” in sciences.  He currently teaches computer science and environmental studies at the college level, concurrent with consulting and advising in financial planning, especially for retired teachers, and a long list of environmentally-focused public service work in Carlsbad.  His passion for education has also led to multiple innovative grants in the sciences and considerable experience developing foundation- and grant-funded demonstrations (see for example “Clean Energy for Carlsbad”).  LinkedIn Profile.

AVERY KINTNER — Director

Avery brings over thirty years of financial, building and development expertise to the board, along with a passion for community service.  After earning a Business degree with an Accounting Emphasis from Southern Methodist University, he became a Certified Public Accountant.  Avery’s special certifications include Green Building Professional and Sustainable Accounting Standards Board (SASB) FSA-Level 2.  He has served on several executive board positions for USGBC-San Diego and The William J. Worthen Foundation, and numerous advisory/working groups related to building energy performance/ decarbonization, and water reuse.  He appreciates staying active by swimming, practicing yoga and art.  Avery’s ability to think strategically and sustainably, and his willingness to collaborate make him a valuable addition to the board, while his experience in risk management keeps us prepared for the future.   LinkedIn Profile.

 LANE SHARMAN — Executive Director, Co-Founder, Chair

Lane’s experience includes software engineering and data analytics; the legal development of California’s first independent water credit exchange; the formation of Spanish subsidiary Solarpack in California that developed 130 MW of utility solar projects; project finance and planning of residential and commercial water and power systems; and engagement with the City of Solana Beach as a Clean and Green Committee leader creating the first Community Choice Aggregation in San Diego, the Solana Energy Alliance. 

In his spare time he surfs, celebrating sixty years in the waves. ​LinkedIn Profile

EVE SIMMONS — Director

Eve Simmons is a decades-long environmental activist, keynote speaker, green blogger, and tireless optimist. She has lectured throughout Southern California and serves as a Congressional and Senate liaison, lobbying for action both locally and on Capitol Hill. Eve speaks on environmental topics ranging from loss of biodiversity and habitat, deforestation, our oceans, forests, air, water and soil, the Greenhouse Effect, extreme weather, pricing carbon, plastic pollution, divestment and other global warming solutions, to the social injustice and politics of climate change.  Eve serves on San Diego County’s Fish and Wildlife Advisory Commission, was a delegate to California’s State Assembly and a member of CA’s Environmental Caucus.  She’s a Climate Reality Project Leader, a former photojournalist, and wildlife guide.  She served on the board of Encinitas EcoFest.  Eve imparts knowledge from the world’s top scientists and institutions, bringing humor, solutions, and hope for a sustainable environment that fosters public and economic health, job creation, and improved national security. Follow her on Twitter @Eve_Simmons and her website and blog, TheGreenFlash.org.