The Solar 4R Schools Team

Dick Wanderscheid, Vice President, Renewable Energy Group

Dick oversees BEF’s nationwide investments in small-scale renewable energy projects and manages the organization’s acclaimed Solar 4R Schools program. Dick spent 28 years managing renewable energy and energy efficiency programs for the City of Ashland and was the Municipal Electric Utility Director from 2001-2009. He developed one of the first net metering laws in the Northwest and installed several photovoltaic systems, including a 64 kW ‘community funded’ project in 2007. Dick has degrees from Oregon State University and Southern Oregon University.

Craig Collins, Program Manager

Craig has managed more than 40 Solar 4R Schools projects since joining the team in 2008. Prior to working for BEF, Craig was a licensed Journeyman Electrician in the state of California, where he installed several PV systems. Craig also held a position as an intern for the Energy and Resources Team at the Rocky Mountain Institute. Craig graduated from UC Santa Barbara with a B.S. in Environmental Studies and has an Electronics Technician Certification from City College of San Francisco. He is currently enrolled in Electrical Engineering coursework at Portland State University working towards a Masters degree. Craig brings a wealth of knowledge in computer programming and data systems to BEF.

Dave Lettero, Project Manager - Education Specialist

Dave has conducted numerous teacher training workshops and delivered educational materials and science kits to nearly all of the schools in the program. Dave continues to develop and improve the Solar 4R Schools activity guide and science kits and enjoys finding new ways to educate others about renewable energy technology. Prior to working for BEF, Dave worked as Energy Education Case Manager for the State of Oregon’s weatherization program. Dave earned a Master’s in Education at Penn State University studying sustainability education for adults.

Ben Stuart, Marketing Manager

Ben manages the press and outreach for Solar 4R Schools projects, creates content for Solar4RSchools.org and is also involved in strategic marketing decisions for the organization. Prior to working for BEF he worked as an award-winning journalist in Homer, Alaska, covering everything from politics and sports to the environment. Ben, whose degree in Business Administration is from the University of Oregon, has also worked in sales, marketing and tourism.

Emily Barrett, Project Manager - Program Specialist

Emily manages solar projects, educational materials and Solar 4R Schools program logistics. A graduate of Tufts University with a degree in English, Emily wrote the Solar Electric Energy Guide for Your Stadium or Arena. She has worked in sustainable agriculture and done lots of technical writing. Her sometimes lofty aspirations encompass voluntary simplification, global consciousness and grammatical perfection.

Sean LeFreniere, Project Manager - Technology Specialist

Sean LaFreniere is a project manager at the Bonneville Environmental Foundation specializing in the installation of solar projects in the Western United States. Sean studied urban planning and industrial design at the University of Copenhagen and sustainable urban architecture at the University of Oregon, earning his Master's Degree in 2007. Sean has worked with contractors such as Skanska and Howard S. Wright, with mechanical and safety consultants such as Heinz and Basic Fire, and with institutional clients such as Kaiser Permanente and Southwest Washington Medical Center. Since 2003 he has traveled to Europe, the Middle East, and the former Soviet Union to photograph and document sustainable development and alternative power solutions. Sean is an Associate Member of the American Institute of Architects, a returning member of the U.S. Green Building Council, and is active with the Oregon chapter of Architects Without Borders.