Board member Leroy Coffman is a true renaissance man with a diverse professional background that spans various industries. He's been a business owner, an entrepreneur, a cowboy, and a sailor. His journey began after college at University of Southern California - Los Angeles (USC), where he dedicated twenty years to the fire ventilation industry, a family business. In 2012, Leroy embarked on a new adventure, returning to school to earn his MBA from California State University - Fresno (CSUF). In 2014, he joined forces with Chris Moran of Solar Negotiators, building a company of 160 employees. Leroy has since moved on from that partnership. He is now the sole owner of Solar Data Pros, a software company he founded to provide valuable insights to solar consumers and providers, enhancing their service and system-building capabilities.
Leroy's commitment to our organization is unwavering. He played a pivotal role in the early years of our training program, Installation Basics Training (IBT 200), with his company hiring our graduates. His involvement with GRID allowed him to understand our staff and operations better. When asked about his decision to join our board, he cited his admiration for our people and our progressive approach. Leroy is one of our most engaged board members, regularly attending board meetings, graduations, and staff huddles.
Leroy is happily married to his lovely wife, Tisha, and they have two daughters who still live at home. As an entrepreneur, which he credits to his father, Leroy Brown Coffman II, sometimes comes with a heavy toll. Life can be stressful with a family to support and employees who rely on him for their livelihood. One way to combat that is by moving his family to the hills of Northfork, California and living at a slower pace. He works out regularly and eats healthy, so Panera Bread was where we sat down to have this conversation. Recently, he picked up sailing, a passion he developed early in life. In the summer months, you can find him cruising on the beautiful waters of Huntington Lake.
GRID Central Valley extends its heartfelt gratitude to Leroy Coffman for his dedication to our mission and for contributing his unique blend of professional expertise and personal commitment as a board member over the last three years. "May a gentle breeze forever fill your sails."