North Valley Board of Directors

As the Deputy Executive Director of Planning and Programs for the Sacramento Area Council of Governments, Kacey's work is regional long-range land use and transportation planning. Kacey has led collaborative initiatives in land use, housing, transportation, transit-oriented development, environmental and rural planning. This includes developing policies and programs for sustainable and equitable development that supports economic growth. All of this work is increasingly focused on climate mitigation and adaptation. The policies, plans, and programs developed at the regional level, with regional stakeholders, are ultimately implemented at the local level, and their true success is when public, private and non-profit sectors align in their distinct roles toward a common goal. "I see GRID working in that collaborative space between sectors as well and appreciate the role it plays," she states. "GRID’s mission reflects my values: for our communities, states, nations, and planet to survive and thrive, economic justice and environmental justice must be twin goals. To combat climate change and adapt to it as a society, we have to support our most vulnerable neighbors—clean energy for all and workforce training for the economy of the future."

With 20+ years of energy experience, Eric is the Director for Substation, Telecommunications, and Metering Assets for Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) and was the Project Manager for designing SMUD’s new Solar and Storage Rate that encourages fair and equitable solar and storage adoption for all SMUD customers.  He previously worked for NextEra Energy & Ethos Energy in various Power Generation roles including Wind generation, various utility-sized solar projects, and behind-the-meter solar and storage projects.  “I’m really excited to serve on the Board as Treasurer.  I see GRID filling a much needed role in bringing solar, EV, and storage solutions to under-resourced communities and allowing them to participate and directly benefit in the renewable revolution.”  Eric served 9 years as an Active Duty Army enlisted soldier in multiple duty stations including Germany, Hawaii, and Saudi Arabia.  In addition, Eric is the Director for the Military Employee Resource Group (MERG) for SMUD and is passionate about providing resources and opportunities for fellow Veterans in the energy sector.

Derrick Ross specializes in mechanical engineering, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) technologies. Currently employed as a Research & Development Engineer at UC Davis Western Cooling Efficiency Center, Derrick studies emerging HVAC technologies using a combination of equipment modeling, laboratory experiments, and field demonstrations with the hopes of ultimately reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Derrick states, "GRID Alternatives provides a comprehensive solution that will help push our planet towards a sustainable future, while at the same time giving back to local communities in the underserved portions that need it most. The support provided by the organization is enabling the participation of all people in the renewable energy revolution, regardless of socioeconomic status  In summary, GRID Alternatives’ mission is an effective approach to build a sustainable future while improving local communities, and I want to help facilitate that."

Bio Coming Soon

Willie Joe Marquez is passionate about creating innovative, comprehensive, and sustainable solutions that uplift communities and are founded on data, practicality, and equity. Born and raised in South Stockton to Filipino immigrants, Willie has experienced first-hand how under-resourced communities and communities of color have been marginalized and restricted in socioeconomic mobility. As a Digital Marketer for his consulting agency, Astro Optimized, and with more than 10 years of experience executing global and cross-functional projects in Ecommerce, Willie brings his expertise in data-based decision making and track record of community advocacy to GRID North Valley's Board of Directors. "More than EV job placement and lowering a utility bill, I believe GRID is a means for our historically marginalized communities to experience upward socioeconomic mobility. I believe we are a product of our environment and, unfortunately, history hasn't made all communities a level playing field with equal opportunity to make ends meet or create generational wealth. Joining GRID North Valley's Board of Directors is an opportunity for me to represent and be accountable to communities, like South Stockton, that don't often have a voice and are often unheard. As a GRID Board Member, I look forward to advocating for economic and environmental justice through renewable energy."

Pat Barrett (they/them) is a recent GRID Alternatives solar client and ardent advocate for climate resilience and environmental justice in Stockton, CA. Pat grew up in Menlo Park, moved to San Francisco and had four children who they raised in Fremont, CA. When they were grown, Pat moved to Hawaii and enrolled in the University, majoring in Admin of Justice and minoring in Agriculture. After a decade in Hawaii, Pat returned to the Bay Area before settling in Stockton as a truck driver (it was on their bucket list). Pat was able to purchase their home after 12 years of renting it. This house is located in the AB 617 area where Pat says, “I think we are tenth in the state for dirty air and, unfortunately, I have asthma. When COVID hit, since I was 65, worked with a high-risk population, and also had asthma, I chose to leave the workforce and try retirement. Needless to say, that didn't work, and I found myself back in the trenches of the unhoused. During COVID there was a program offered for climate leaders and since I love the Earth and all its mysteries, I decided to go for it. Through that program, I was introduced to TCC (Transformative Climate Communities) and all of its programs in the AB 617 area. When I bought my house I found out I qualified for solar through GRID, so when the opportunity to serve on GRID’s Board came up, my friends said, 'you have lived experience, go for it, they need you,' and VOILA here I am.”

Pat currently works in mental health and substance use disorder counseling and volunteers with Western Farm Workers. They are also focusing on restarting community gardens in their neighborhood.