Electrifying the Future of Transportation

Barrett joined Norwich this summer! He completed his undergrad at UVM in natural resource planning and did environmental consulting after graduation. He then went to VT Law School and studied energy regulation, receiving a masters degree. He has project management experience in environmental consulting and has worked at the Institute of Energy and Environment developing community solar. 

An energy industry veteran, Charlie is our General Manager. In this role, he oversees the engineering, project management, construction management, O&M services and administrative staff.

Charlie comes to us from Evernorth, an affordable housing developer where he was Director of Energy Services. Prior to Evernorth, Charlie was the Chief Operating Officer for Northern Reliability, a VT based energy integrator, specializing in grid-tied energy storage, remote power and microgrid development. He helped start-up company Draker Energy as they evolved into a utility-scale solar monitoring and analysis company and worked to commercialize Northern Power Systems 100kW community scale wind turbine as Director of Community Operations managing the deployment of their first 155 wind turbines. He also spent some time working as a program manager for General Dynamics Wireless Systems building cellular networks for Nextel, Sprint and AT&T wireless.

Charlie worked with a start-up telecom consulting firm where he designed and managed telecommunications infrastructure in high rise buildings, influencing the design of several landmark properties in NYC. He was also a program manager for an emerging growth company building mission-critical data centers along the eastern US and Canada. Charlie’s diverse professional background is based on a solid technical foundation having spent his formative years working as a civil engineer.

Charlie holds a bachelor’s degree in land use planning, and has completed graduate-level work in Management & Finance from the School of Extension at Harvard University.

Email: vanwinkle@norwichsolar.com
Phone: 802.598.0128

Diana brings 20+ years of experience in comprehensive brand communications and design. She has an MBA in Marketing and is focused on strategic business growth for the company while making connections with the communities they serve. She is excited to work for this growing company and supporting increased adoption of clean energy solutions.

Dustin joined RunTime Solar in 2022 and is excited to continue his support of adding and keeping clean energy on the grid. After spending 5 years at SunCommon working on residential solar projects he is ready to serve as O&M Case Manager for solar systems of all sizes. Dustin grew up in Waterbury, VT in the shadow of a Ben & Jerry’s plant. This rubbed off on him, instilling a belief that work can be meaningful, fun and profitable. With that in mind, Dustin found a solar industry that was by nature, good for our planet and full of great coworkers and customers.

Dustin graduated from UVM in 2011 with a BA in Psychology and became a Certified Associate in Project Management through PMI in 2021. He is proud to have a home in the town he grew up in and spends his time hanging with his family, volunteering, seeing live music, skiing and yelling at his dog, Lenny.

Erik is a mechanical engineer with a passion for renewable energy. With several years experience in the wind industry, he is excited to expand into the solar energy industry. Erik holds a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Massachusetts and did his undergraduate work at the University of Vermont. He enjoys spending time hiking, fishing, skiing and grilling.

Email: edstrom@norwichtech.com

Forest has been in working solar since 2019. His experience includes installer and crew lead working in residential, light commercial and service work, including whole home battery backup. He got his start working in Eagle-Vail Colorado and moved to Vermont in 2021 with his partner and two dogs. When he’s not working, Forest enjoys time with family, BBQing, riding mountain bikes and working on home projects. You’ll usually find him on the trails on the weekends, and he hopes to see you out there!

Jennifer has been working in renewable energy since 2010, specializing in SaaS recurring revenue. Before joining Norwich Solar, she spent six years at Also Energy in Boulder, CO, helping drive business growth. Passionate about analyzing customer and market trends and finding ways to enhance profitability while aligning with environmental sustainability, Jennifer thrives on strategic thinking and long-term impact.  Outside of work, she enjoys embarking on adventures with her husband, Chris. A dedicated advocate for homeless animals, she shares her home with four beloved dogs. She is also passionate about her children—her daughter, Sophia, and her two stepchildren, Paige and Noah. In her free time, you’ll often find her reading, gardening, baking, or looking for treasures at thrift stores.

Email: walker@norwichsolar.com

Solar industry veteran Jim Merriam is our Chief Executive Officer. In this role, he continues his mission of making it easy for businesses, schools, and municipalities to go solar, save money, and do good.

Jim comes to Norwich Solar from SunCommon where he was Vice President of Operations. Merriam has previously worked in the renewable energy industry as VP of Operations at Northern Power Systems and at groSolar where he served as Chief Operating Officer.

Jim Merriam is familiar to many in Vermont as the longtime Director of Efficiency Vermont, the nation’s first statewide energy efficiency utility.

Jim, who holds an electrical engineering degree and an MS in Engineering Management, was attracted to the technical competence of Norwich Solar and their community-centric approach to building solar.

Email: merriam@norwichsolar.com
Phone: 802.281.3213

Joel Stettenheim is President of Norwich Solar, Inc. Joel has strong legal, business and technical skills with a PhD in device physics/materials research from Dartmouth College, a JD from Stanford Law School, and corporate and IP practice experience at Testa, Hurwitz, & Thibeault. Dr. Stettenheim’s broad technical skills include materials and device fabrication and characterization, control systems development, design and implementation of mechanical and electrical simulations, data analysis, mechanical design and machining, and extensive measurement work that includes design and fabrication of low-noise electronics and device-control and data-collection software. His research credentials include numerous peer-reviewed publications and public talks including lead authorship in Nature. Joel’s legal and business experience includes counseling clients from start-ups to Fortune 500 companies on a broad range of patent, trademark, regulatory, transactional, and licensing issues. Joel is PI on over $2.4M in grants from the US Department of Energy for the novel parabolic trough concentrating solar power and other technology being developed by NST.

Email: Stettenheim@norwichsolar.com
Phone: 802.281.3213

Lisa joined Norwich Solar in July of 2016 and has a BS in Mathematics & Business Management from Johnson State College. She has over 25 years of experience in the accounting and business management fields; most of which has been spent in the small business industry.

Although most of his career was spent in Telecommunications, Lou joins us having spent the last several years in the Solar Industry with SGC Power and Pivot Energy.  An Engineer by education (he has an Applied Mathematics undergraduate degree and a Master's Degree in Mechanical Engineering), he started his love of Accounting over 15 years ago - starting with Fixed Asset Accounting at Verizon in New Jersey and progressing to Corporate Controller to the telephone company in the U.S. Virgin Islands before transitioning to Renewable Energy.

Lou is a firm believer in the mission of our industry, as he also wants a cleaner, healthier and safer environment for his three children and six grandchildren (he's not that old - they started young).  In his spare time, Lou is a Member of the Board and Treasurer of both his Homeowner's Association in Maryland as well as with a religious institution in St. Thomas, USVI.  With what time is left over, he likes to travel, read, spend time with family and conceptualize his writing of a Children's Book series about the Tooth Fairy when he retires.   When he gets the chance, he loves roller coasters and other thrill-seeking adventures, and he dreams of hang-gliding.

Email: minion@norwichsolar.com

Luke Cady joined Norwich Technologies in 2021 after spending six years working at SunCommon managing their solar supply chain and working extensively on ERP development.  Luke’s role as Luke's role as COO/CIO will continue both of those threads – working to build out business processes and analytics and support Norwich’s solar supply chain demands.

When he’s not buried in spreadsheets, Luke enjoys woodworking, cooking, cycling, campfires, and travel.

Lynn has been involved with retail for the past 20 years working for a local family owned company. Her experience is in Purchasing and Inventory Management as well as Accounting. Supporting local business is important to her and she enjoys gardening and being outdoors.

Mike’s journey to his current career of IT manager began on an Apple IIe in his 3rd grade classroom. This interest was further bolstered by a few summers at computer camp in the basement of Stone Hall on the Greenway Institute campus (where Norwich Technologies currently has an office). A brief detour led Mike to a political science degree and a decade in the music industry where he did sound at hundreds of weddings, played accordion in an Irish band and bass, guitar, and keys in a country band. Eventually he realized the real rock stars use a different kind of keyboard and so he made his triumphant return to the world of IT.

If you are reading this bio in hopes of getting some tech advice, your web search has led you astray. But in case it helps: try rebooting.

Robert joined the Norwich Solar team in 2019 with 10 years of commercial construction
experience in NYC, RI, VT, MA, & NH. University of Vermont 4 year Varsity Athlete and graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Business with concentrations in Management
and Accounting. Robert was also a RI Small Business Representative to the United
States White House from 1994-1997.

Email: boylan@norwichsolar.com

Simon Leavitt joined Norwich Solar in 2022 as Director of Engineering. With a lifelong interest in renewable energy he is excited to support the engineering team while drawing on his background in manufacturing and quality systems. Simon graduated from Rose Hulman Institute of Technology with a BS in Mechanical Engineering. While Simon is not in the office he enjoys spending time with his family, biking, skiing, ultimate, and making pasta.

Email: leavitt@norwichsolar.com

Spencer is a seasoned executive with nearly twenty years of experience in helping companies develop and execute growth strategies in new and emerging markets. Spencer has held positions as CEO of Jvillage Network, Chair of the Board of Burlington Electric Commissioners, Director of the TastyGram division at Vermont Teddy Bear, and CEO/ founder of Adventurous Traveler, which was sold to the Away Network in 2000. Spencer is currently President of Green Mountain Insight, a strategic and financial planning firm for high growth tech and energy companies. Spencer received his MBA from the Kellogg School of Management and graduated Magna Cum Laude from Tufts University. Spencer is an avid skier, hiker and cook.

Email: newman@norwichsolar.com
Phone: 802.281.3213

Stefan has a background in trucking, logistics and heavy equipment operation. Based out of our Windsor Technology Park (WTP) location,  Stefan oversees receiving and managing inventory, and keeps our warehouse in ship-shape.

In his off time enjoys hanging out with his family and his dog. He loves to do anything outside such as hiking, gardening, camping and hunting. And also loves to cook.

Suzanne was the director at CraftStudies at Hanover League of NH Craftsmen for more than 20 years before joining Norwich. She is delighted to be doing her small part in saving the environment and to be a part of our amazing team.

Tom started his career in the solar industry working with SunCommon as a Residential Installer and Electrical Apprentice in 2017. After a four year apprenticeship program, Tom received his Journeyman’s Electrical License and transitioned into the role of Commercial Electrician.

Joining the team at RunTime has provided an opportunity to build upon his skills as an installer and electrician to include O&M work on both residential and commercial systems. Tom has now achieved his Master Electrician license and plans to contribute to the growth and development of the Electrical Apprenticeship program. Providing opportunities for professional growth and expanding the workforce within the solar industry is something Tom is passionate about.

Tom graduated from the University of Vermont in 2013 with a BA in Environmental Studies with a concentration in Ecology and Conservation. He also focused on Anthropology, specifically the archaeological study of indigenous cultures in the Northeast and Southwest of the United States.

When Tom isn’t working on solar he can be found somewhere in the woods, out on the water or enjoying a good book.