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Contact Information: Power Trip Energy Corp Port Townsend, WA 98368 (360) 643-3080 phone (360) 539-1857 fax WA Cont Lic # POWERTE964JN
Meet the Dedicated Power Trip Staff:
President and Company Founder
Andy founded Power Trip Energy in September 2002 and handles site evaluations, system design, and administration. As a long-time resident of the Olympic Peninsula, his love for our community and environment drove him to create a company to work with developers in order to make the inevitable growth as sensible as possible.
Andy grew up in Port Townsend and graduated from PTHS in 1986. He started college at WSU, then moved to California, and received degrees in Marine Biology and Zoology from Humboldt State University in Arcata, CA. During and after college, his career was oriented towards technical sales, designing and selling computer network systems through the early 90's, and later directing sales and marketing for a commercial mill working company.
Andy met his wife Theresa in college, and when she graduated, brought her and her horses back to PT to be near his family. They currently live on the same farm he grew up on with his mother, two children, 2 horses, 1 pony, 1 dog, 2 cats, and 9 chickens. A runner since childhood, Andy ran his one marathon in 1998, but now mostly runs after the kids.
Andy believes that solar power is the best way for most people to create electricity, and that compared to hydro-carbon-derived energy, the environmental benefits are tremendous, and socially, the benefits of individual power production are emancipating. Andy sees that the benefits of developing localized power sources are important to the long-term health of the local economy.
Journeyman Electrician and Company Co-Founder
Steve is a co-founder of Power Trip Energy and a journeyman electrician who handles all our installations. Another PTHS graduate, Steve has resided in Jefferson County since 1979. Steve’s first opportunity to work with solar technology came when he was serving as a heavy equipment operator and fleet operations supervisor at McMurdo Station, Antarctica where he served seasonally from 1993 – 2002. The highlight of Steve’s experience came in 2002 when he completed a 1,900 mile traverse with the French Antarctic Expedition from Dumont ‘dur Ville (the place where March of the Penguins was filmed) inland to Concordia, a multinational French-British-Italian base about 150 miles from the South Pole.
Upon returning to Jefferson County, Steve joined a local electric firm to earn his stripes as an electrician with the goal of eventually specializing in solar electric installations. Steve and Andy crossed paths professionally in 2003 (they have been friends since 8th grade) when Steve was helping a customer install an off-grid solar power system and Andy was brought in as a solar consultant for the job. That cooperative effort inspired Andy and Steve to co-found Power Trip Energy Corp. in 2004. Bringing Steve on board allowed the company to convert from being a solar consulting company to a fully qualified, electrical contracting firm specializing in the sale, design, and installation of grid-tied solar electric systems.
Steve enjoys meeting our customers while installing solar pv systems. They are excited when he meets them and even more excited at the end of the installation. He finds that investing in solar power often causes people to open their minds to what else they can do to conserve energy and become more energy independent. His wife Cami, and three children were very happy in 2005 when Steve installed a 2.28 KW system on their home. In his spare time Steve enjoys road cycling and spotting homes with solar electric systems on their roofs.
Solar Agent mobile: 360-301-9019
Jeff is part of the Power Trip Energy sales team and also focuses on marketing and policy development. Jeff's goal is to promote solar power on the north Olympic and Kitsap Peninsulas as a vital component of sustainable economic development.
Jeff is a Washington native and has been a resident of Port Townsend since 1996. He joined the Power Trip team in December 2006 after completing a 10-month, 26,000 mile sabbatical/road trip around the United States and eastern Canada with his wife Shelly (to see travel pictures and stories see http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/waltzing-matilda/). Prior to their trip, Jeff was the Planning Director for the City of Port Townsend. Jeff received his undergraduate degree in Political Science and is a licensed attorney receiving his law degree from the University of Washington. In his spare time Jeff volunteers with Big Brothers & Big Sisters of Jefferson County, is a board member of the Homeward Bound affordable housing Community Land Trust, and looks for excuses to get on the water in his sea kayak.
Manager, Solar Thermal Division
Erik joined Power Trip Energy in September 2007 and immediately got us into hot water. Thanks to Erik, Power Trip Energy can now install solar thermal systems on your home or business. “I was very hesitant to get into solar thermal,” said company president Andy Cochrane, “until I met Erik. Erik has over 15 years experience working with these systems. He will provide our customers with a product we are proud stand behind.”
Erik is a long time Port Townsend resident and Washington native, growing up on Vashon Island. His spirit of adventure led him and his wife Betsy to Madagascar for 5 years where she worked for the Peace Corps and he was the special projects coordinator for the US Embassy in Antananarivo. It was in Madagascar that Erik solved local energy problems by installing small scale renewable energy systems using wind, solar, microhydro, and methane digesters. On returning to the states, Erik and his family (now including sons Gus and Anders) have owned a number of small, energy efficient homes outfitted with solar hot water systems installed by Erik. In addition to renewable energy, Erik’s passions include sustainable agriculture and affordable housing. He’s worked as a commercial diver, organic vegetable grower, and volunteer firefighter.
“Working with Power Trip Energy is really a perfect fit for me,” said Erik. “Power Trip has a good reputation in the community for providing quality renewable energy systems and the community really wanted and needed someone to install solar thermal systems. I’m having a splendid time.”
Office Manager Ph: 360-643-3080
If you call our office, you are likely to be greeted by the friendly voice of Nicole who is Power Trip's office manager and bookkeeper. Nicole joined Power Trip in November of 2007. She is another proud graduate of Port Townsend High School (class of 1999). While working for Power Trip Energy is Nicole’s first experience in the renewable energy field, she is enthusiastic and learning fast.
Nicole has long been interested in conserving energy and in the potential of solar power to generate clean, renewable energy. This interest is largely derived from Nicole’s family life as she and her husband Travis are the proud parents of two children (Isabella and Isaiah). Nicole feels it is our responsibility as adults to leave our world a better place for our children and grandchildren.
Electrical Trainee/Solar Installer
Caleb joined Power Trip Energy in May 2007 to assist Steve with installations. Graduating from PTHS in 1993, Caleb went on to earn a degree in English Literature from Carleton College in Northfield, MN. Caleb's professional journey to solar power has included being a professional juice barista at the Food Coop (his favorite smoothie creation is the Moon Blossom: a concoction of frozen strawberries, frozen bananas, honey, and soy milk, and little vanilla) and working as a carpenter for a number of local construction companies. One day wile working on a home, Caleb realized he wanted to work in the solar industry, and that evening he checked out a book from the library on solar power. That same evening his landlord (Dominic of Greenspace Landscaping Design) asked if Caleb was interested helping to install solar power systems. Kismet! Caleb jumped at the chance and over the years helped Greenspace install a number of PV and solar thermal systems.
Caleb thoroughly enjoys installing solar electric systems. "When I was holding the solar panel in my hands for the first installation, it felt like a good dream. I had my hands on a piece of technology which was creating something that is going to last. It feels like we are in the really early stages of what is going to happen, what is going to underpin the new economy. It feels like I am a part of a project that everyone should be a part of, not necessarily doing solar, but being part of saving the earth. Whether your are selling insurance or pumping gas, we all should be looking for ways that we can restore the earth."
Caleb spends his spare time with his partner Aura, daughter Moon (8), and sons Yanni (5), Yarrow (3). He is a voracious reader and enjoys books on philosophy, psychology, and mythology. His favorite authors are Carl Jung and Joseph Campbell.
Administrative Electrician
Graham (Steve's dad) is a master electrician who assists with solar system installations as well as acting as Power Trips' electrical administrator. Graham joined Power Trip in 2004 and has made a career as an aircraft electrician and maintenance electrician. Graham's electrical skills have served him well in Alaskan canneries, Oregon sawmills, and most recently as a maintenance electrician for the Jefferson General Hospital. Graham is a 27 year resident of Port Townsend and has been interested in solar power for a long time. He enjoys helping people live lighter on the planet by making their own green power.
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Congressman Jay Inslee and Andy Cochrane discuss national energy policy at the New Apollo Energy Project Forum, April 13, 2004, Seattle, WA. |
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