In 2026, I'll be earning my second master's degree. And my forklift operator certification.

For the first half of my career, I built things mostly from behind a computer screen: software, systems, workflows. Now my days look different. In 2026 I'll be earning my second master's degree — and my forklift operator certification. I'm not sure which one I'm more excited about.

From Code to Kilowatts

I spent years building software. There's something satisfying about writing code and watching it run. But software is invisible — you can ship it without ever touching the thing you made. Hardware is different. I came to Bright Saver as Technical Director because I wanted to build something you could hold. Something you could install with your own hands and watch do its job in real time. Plug-in solar panels are exactly that.

Why the Advanced Degree

The master's program is about going deeper on the technical side of clean energy systems. I want to understand how distributed generation actually interacts with utility infrastructure. What are the real constraints on how much plug-in solar a home circuit can handle? How do we make the installation even simpler? At Bright Saver, our NEM GO kit ships four 250-watt panels with a plug-in installation that takes about 45 minutes and requires no electrician. Getting that right requires rigorous knowledge, not approximation.

Why the Forklift Certification

The forklift certification is about making sure I understand the physical reality of building and shipping hardware. I want to know what it takes to move a pallet, pack a kit, run a warehouse efficiently. We're a nonprofit that actually manufactures and ships a physical product to real customers. Every piece of that process matters. I intend to understand all of it.

If you want to see what we're building, visit brightsaver.org.