Central Valley Staff

Karina brings over 16 years of experience in community outreach, education, and training. Joining the team in 2011, she has driven the GRID mission forward serving homeowners, job trainees, and building partnerships. She thrives in challenging situations, always looking for ways to improve department outcomes and program offerings. She is passionate about serving and meeting individual needs. If not in her office, she can be found interacting with participants in the four training programs she helped to develop. Working alongside the Central Valley team, she envisions a new map for serving the needs of the CV region. Her roots run deep as she has lived in Fresno County for over 30 years. She currently resides in Fresno with her husband and four wonderful children. 

David graduated from CSU, Fresno with a B.S. in Business Administration-Accountacy. His work history includes retail sales, construction, insurance, and teaching prior to joining GRID Alternatives in September, 2010. David began volunteering with GRID after looking for a career that was socially, environmentally, and personally satisfying. As David volunteered often, he learned more about GRID Alternatives, it's mission and goals, and decided to join the Central Valley Fresno team.

Luis joined the solar industry in 2017 and has worked for Tesla and Solar Maintenance Pros. He completed the Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy training program at Proteus. This year he completed the GRID Installation Basics Training (IBT) - 200 program, where he came to know GRID. Luis appreciates the impact that GRID has on PEOPLE, PLANET and EMPLOYMENT. Prior to solar, he has over 15 years of retail sales experience. He has a passion for the outdoors and a healthy environment. He likes to spend time with his ten nieces and nephews and has taught them how to fish and to enjoy outdoor activity. He happily joins the GRID family!

David Fung was born in New York and raised here in Fresno. On his free time, he likes to go fishing and traveling. He is very passionate about GRID's mission and vision. Prior to becoming a GRID staff member, David volunteered for over 1,000 hours with our Fresno office. To this day he holds the most volunteered hours by any volunteer in the Central Valley. Prior to entering the solar industry, he worked in the food service industry for over 10 years. He enjoys working on interconnections, installations, & teaching in the different programs that GRID offers. David is thankful for working at GRID and looks forward to helping his community for years to come.

Jackie started working with GRID as a Solar Installation Intern but now has been promoted to Construction Project Manager. She gained her knowledge of solar through the AERO Academy at Porterville High School where she also learned other forms of alternative and renewable energy such as wind power, biofuels, and more. She started volunteering with GRID her senior year of high school and has decided to make a career in the field of alternative and renewable energy. Her favorite part about the job is being able to wear her pink hardhat because she is a strong supporter of women in trades and loves seeing another female getting her hands dirty out on the job site.

Tom has over 20 years of experience in affordable housing programs and has worked for local government agencies and non-profit organizations for 35 years. Tom has lived in Fresno all but 38 months of his life and graduated with a degree in Business Marketing from Fresno State. Tom has been a member of many community organizations over the years and is presently a member of EcoCenCal, a new community-based organization dedicated to making Earth Day every day.

Eric was born in San Jose, California, but was raised in Madera. He moved to Fresno about seven years ago. He just returned to college after 9 years and is working on a degree in Business. Before coming to GRID Eric worked in the finance field for 4 years as a personal loan executive for Citi. Eric enjoys watching football on Sundays. He also likes to take his family to visit different amusement parks around California. He loves helping the community as much as he can and is really excited to be at GRID.

Casildo was born in the Central Valley. His journey with GRID Alternatives started in May 2021 as an IBT 200 Trainee. After graduating from the program, he started working as a residential/commercial solar installer in the solar industry. An opportunity to be part of the GRID Alternatives SolarCorps Fellowship Program arose, which led him to discover and develop new skills. After his fellowship term, Casildo was hired on as a Workforce Training Programs Coordinator. This allowed him to connect with the community even further, through active community engagement and working alongside with other partner organizations. As a result of his venture with GRID Alternatives, he now takes on the role of Workforce Administrative Manager at the very Training Center, where it all started for him. Casildo believes in the value of an opportunity and the potential within each individual to create their futures. He says, "At one point, someone believed in me and provided me with the space and resources to grow. It is a privilege to pay it forward and an honor to work alongside people who are invested in the life changing work that takes place at the Central Valley Training Center."

Oscar found GRID Alternatives while attending a Proteus Photovoltaic training course. He enjoyed the excitement of installing with GRID and began volunteering on a regular basis. After completing GRID’s Team Leader syllabus, he participated in the 2013 Central Valley Solarthon. Having worked previously with A.P. Alternatives and Solar City, Oscar joined our Central Valley team in the fall of 2013 as a Solar Warehouse Assistant. Currently, Oscar serves GRID as a Workforce and Training Manager. We’re grateful for his hard work and dedication to our GRID family.