Executive Team

Karina Gonzalez, Co-Executive Director
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 Griffin, Co-Executive Director
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.
Marketing and Communications Coordinator
Construction

Kenneth Mull, Senior Solar Installation Supervisor
Kenneth Mull is an energetic, hard-working Solar Installation Supervisor at the Central Valley office. He has a multitude of construction skills and experience in carpentry, cabinetry, roofing, and solar PV. As a community volunteer with GRID, he quickly became a Team Leader and developed a passion to learn and grow with the solar industry. He went on to work with JT Solar for a few months and then applied with GRID and has been here since March 27th, 2017.
Solar Installation Supervisor
Solar Installation Supervisor
Construction Assistant
Warehouse Supervisor
Construction Assistant
Construction Assistant
Construction Assistant
Construction Assistant
Projects Team

Jackie Brown, Construction Project Manager
Jackie is a full time student at Fresno State and majors in Construction Management. She 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.
Senior Solar Installation Supervisor & System Designer
Project Designer - Site Visit Lead
Project Designer/Solar Installation Supervisor
Project Assistant & Site Visit
Solar Designer/Solar Installation Supervisor in Training
Outreach

Tom Esqueda, Outreach Manager
Tom has over 20 years of experience in affordable housing programs and has worked for local government agencies and non-profit organizations. Tom has lived in Fresno all but 38 months of his life and graduated from Fresno State University with a Business Marketing degree. Tom is proud to be a platelet donor of over 23 years, and averages 20 donations per year.
Outreach Program Specialist
Solar Outreach Coodinator
Warehouse Technician
SolarCorps Programs Fellow
Senior Outreach Coordinator
Senior Outreach Coordinator
Solar Outreach Coordinator
Solar Outreach Coordinator
Outreach Coordinator
Workforce & Volunteering

Eric Cortes, Workforce and Training Programs Manager
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.
Solar Installation Trainer
Solar Trainer & Installation Supervisor
Solar Trainer & Installation Supervisor
Workforce Administration

Casildo Aguilar Varbarin, Workforce Administrative Manager
Casildo was born in the Central Valley. His journey with GRID Alternatives started 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 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 which allowed him to connect with the community even further. As a result of his venture with GRID Alternatives, he now takes on the role as 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 that exists within everyone to create their own futures. He says, “At one point someone believed in me and gave me the chance to grow into something more. It is a privilege to be able to pay it forward and feel honored to work alongside people who are also invested in the life changing work that happens here.”
Workforce Coordinator