Our Team
David Raichart
Co-Founder and President of Sales
David has been passionate about renewables and sustainable living since childhood. Before founding Photon Brothers, he learned the ins and outs of the industry working for a national solar company. He played baseball for many years and even signed a few professional contracts along the way. After graduating college in Santa Cruz, he has searched for ways to protect the environment. In his free time he enjoys biking, hiking, and coaching baseball. His three young children inspire him to make a positive impact, pushing him to get solar on every home.
Matt Raichart
Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer
Matt serves as the COO of Photon Brothers. His responsibilities include system design, best installation practice, material utilization and technical support. He brings a wide range of electrical experience to Photon Brothers. Matt has been a master electrician for 8 years and prior to Solar he specialized in Lighting Control Systems, Home Automation and High End Commercial including Medical and Dental facilities. He has used this skill set as the model for Photon Brothers Solar installations. This means that only commercial grade equipment is used on all installs, ensuring the customer receives a system whose individual parts will perform for the duration of the panels they support. Matt holds a BA in Business Psychology from the University of San Francisco, a Master Electricians License in Colorado and an Electrical Contractors license in California.
John E Johnson
Co-Owner, Solar Consultant
After nearly 10 years on the “solar coaster,” John E. has a keen insight on the renewable energy industry: where it has been and where it is heading. You have to understand the ever changing business climate. As a graduate of the College of Business from Clemson University, he learned that hard work, dedication, and understanding the competitive landscape gives you leverage to succeed. Whether he is running, hiking or skiing in the Rocky Mountains, John E. pushes himself and those around him to go higher, reach for it and push your limits. Having worked in business and technology for over 20 years, he regards the customer and their satisfaction as his first and foremost concern. Living near the base of the Flatirons in Boulder, Colorado, he challenges his children Jett (3) and Ella (6) to enjoy the great outdoors alongside his partner, Jenny.
Sam Johnson
Co-Owner, Solar Consultant
Sam grew up in upstate South Carolina, in the lovely town of Spartanburg where he was an avid tennis player and first came to learn about his passion for our environment and how we can better protect it. In junior high school, he started rock climbing which soon became one of his greatest passions in life. Once he was able to drive, he was camping and bouldering all over the southeastern United States. After graduating high school, he moved to Colorado where he quickly established residency and then embarked on his Environmental Science degree from the University of Colorado at Boulder. Once he decided to move on from pursuing a career as a professional rock climber, he found himself working as an Environmental Scientist, cleaning up contamination on various industrial sites throughout the United States. After a few years in that field, Sam found that his passion for making the earth a better place was drawing him out of Environmental Consulting and into renewable energy. Ever since then, he has balanced spending his time with his family here in Colorado and back home in the Southeast with his love of music, the outdoors, and changing the way our world is powered.
Chris Swearingen
Solar Consultant
Chris is originally from Simsbury, Connecticut. After earning a Marketing Degree at Miami University in Ohio, he moved to Durango, Colorado almost 20 years ago to pursue a lifestyle closer to the outdoors and nature. Years later, he took a unique opportunity to move to Roatan, Honduras for a job in Scuba Diving and training dolphins. Having enjoyed the experience, but not entirely satisfied with a life so far from home, Chris decided to move back to Colorado in 2010 to be closer to friends and family. Wanting to find the perfect marriage between business and environmental stewardship, he pursued a career as a Solar Power Consultant and has been helping homeowners achieve savings through renewable energy ever since.
Kris Tallent
Solar Consultant
Kris is a Colorado native that loves the outdoors, four wheeling with his Siberian Husky, and survival training. He holds multiple degrees in environmental science and philosophy of linguistics. He is also ranked as a class A expert in chess and has placed in competitions around the world. Kris is passionate about conservation, protecting our environment and helping families. He brings that passion to helping people choose renewable energy to light up their homes. With almost 1,000 residential solar installs, your solar project will be in great hands.
Ryan “Monty” Montgomery
Solar Consultant
Monty grew up in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in Northern California. This is where he fostered a passion for preserving natural resources and helping people transition to clean energy. His many hobbies include surfing, rock climbing, and hiking in the high mountains. Monty’s work background includes being a Wildland Firefighter, High School Teacher, and Managing an Organic Vegetable Farm. He wants to make the transition for homeowners into clean energy as seamless as possible, helping clients power their homes and vehicles with the sun; while saving money in the process.
Jessica Blanchard
Finance Coordinator
Jessica grew up enjoying everything CO has to offer, steeping in the Rocky Mountain sunshine and enjoying every possible adventure in this beautiful place we call home. You are just as likely to see her hiking a trail or spiking a volleyball as you are to see her at the DCPA or the library. She is passionate about protecting the paradise we inhabit, loves to connect people and is excited about the continuous opportunities in the solar industry to make a difference and to grow.
Nick Rodriguez
Project Manager
Nick is a Colorado native that has a passion for going green and supporting sustainable energy through solar power. He spends the summers playing baseball and enjoys spending time outdoors. As the solar industry continues to grow, he strives to push himself to learn more about the opportunities and advantages of sustainable energy to help better educate others.
Ryszard Szymanski
Master Electrician
Ryszard was born and raised in Poland, but moved to the United States in search of new life adventures. He became an electrician specializing in residential and commercial construction wiring and troubleshooting. Throughout his work, Ryszard became passionate about clean energy in hopes of helping our planet move away from fossil fuels. While Ryszard is not at work, he loves to spend time with his family, travel and develop his mechanical skills.
Andy Maguire
Service Manager
Andy spent several years studying the solar industry and off-grid home design as a hobby, usually while at a local book shop with his wife and two young boys. In 2009, Andy finally convinced his wife to join in a leap of faith so that he could leave behind an unfulfilling career in the plastics industry and pursue his true passion. Andy has since become a NABCEP certified master electrician and is dedicated to making sure his clients understand every detail of their system and to holding the solar industry to a high standard of quality. On any given day Andy will tell you he is “living the dream” in Colorado with his wife and 2 grown sons. In his off time, Andy loves mountain biking, hiking and exploring the wonders of Colorado.
Connor Welch
Designer
Connor grew up in Louisville, CO and graduated from Cal Poly University. His degree is in General Engineering with a concentration in Solar Systems because solar is extremely important for future sustainability. Connor is happy to be back in Colorado designing for Photon Brothers to help save homeowners money and protect the environment. In his free time, you can find Connor skiing his favorite CO mountain Arapahoe Basin, watching his favorite English Premier League team the Tottenham Hotspurs and cooking.
Chelsea Bours
Permit Technician
Chelsea was born and raised in Colorado, and is currently attending the College of International Esthetics for her estheticians license as well as certifications in advanced/medical modalities. She likes being part of a company that is working to make a positive impact in response to climate change, something that is very important to her. Chelsea believes everyone should do what they can to save our planet. In her free time she likes to enjoy the CO mountains, travel to beaches and take fitness classes especially barre and yoga.
Lynsi Anderson
Accounting Collections Officer
Lynsi is an Herbalist, Holistic Practitioner, Intuitive Healer and Author, with over two decades of experience as an Accountant, Entrepreneur and Health Care Director. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business and Accounting with licensing in multiple medical modalities. She works passionately to help others reclaim their health and enjoys time in nature. Her experience in Business and Accounting led her to work with various industries where she could make a difference and give back. Lynsi loves time with family, reading and creating art. She hopes to one day be a mother to her own spawnlings and you can usually find her volunteering or whipping up an herbal concoction for a neighbor or friend in need.
Andrew Ehrnstein
Solar Consultant
Andrew is a veteran in the solar industry, having started back in 2008 sharing his passion for clean renewable energy. After working at a handful of top solar organizations, Andrew opened his own solar consulting company in early 2019 and has been a preferred partner of Photon Brothers ever since. He’s helped thousands of homeowners take the steps toward green energy and he doesn’t plan on slowing down any time soon. When he’s not helping save Planet A, he enjoys spending time with his wife and children.
Krista Turnage
Solar Consultant
A Colorado native, Krista spent 36 years in the Centennial State before departing for island life on Maui, Hawaii where she currently resides. Now that she’s traded in her snowboard, she spends her time exploring the island with her Boxer-mix dog, Ruger, and enjoys snorkeling, free diving and traveling whenever she can. With a degree in Psychology and Sign Language, Krista discovered Photon Brothers through her passion for renewable energy where she believes in clean air, clean oceans and clean lands.
Eva Klembarova
Solar Consultant
Eva grew up in Santa Cruz, California and made her way to San Luis Obispo where she studied Nutrition at Cal Poly University. She enjoys the active and healthy lifestyle of the Central Coast and you can find her doing yoga, circuit training or anything outdoors. As a person who believes in living a sustainable lifestyle, Eva was drawn to Photon Brothers because she wanted to be a part of a local company that not only improves the local community but also the planet at large. “It feels good to be a part of something that is bigger than me where I know I’m making a difference not only in people’s day to day lives, but getting to work together as a team to build a better future as well.”
Melissa Beach
Solar Consultant
Melissa was born and raised in San Luis Obispo, California where she also went to Cal Poly University for a degree in Psychology. Her goal each day is to get outside and soak up the Central Coast sunshine, whether it’s a hike, day at the beach or just gathering with friends and family to barbecue. Photon Brothers has given Melissa the ability to provide locals of the Central Coast with the best customer experience possible when going solar and she is proud to be a part of the solar industry offering an array of benefits through renewable energy, such as a reduction in their energy costs and coming together to improve our planet.
Patrick Hosbach
Business Continuity
Patrick was raised on the beaches of Florida’s Treasure Coast where he developed a passion for conservation and became a champion for sustainability and environmental protection. Patrick earned his BSBA from The University of Florida, majoring in Finance. Before joining Photon Brothers, he spent six years as a Senior Analyst for a large telecommunications company, leading a program of projects contributing to multiple J.D. Power awards. Now, Patrick works on a company roadmap that aims to use technology to drive growth and allow Photon Brothers to expand their reach to new customers looking to join us in our mission to achieve a more sustainable and brighter future.
Kona Kelsey
Barketing Executive
Kona is our California office’s Barketing Executive and joins us with 11 years of very professional experience. Originally from the ruff streets of Atascadero, he was rescued by his grandpa and resides happily in San Luis Obispo, where he enjoys being outside chasing after balls and discovering really big sticks. Kona is the ultimutt team player and his extensive background helps shape our vision and goals, reminding us that we need to leave a pawsome planet behind for our children and four-legged friends. If anyone gets out of order, Kona will be sure to let them know.
Logan Baumgartner
Project Manager
Logan grew up in the very northern California coastal town of Fort Bragg and then attended Humboldt State University where he got his degree in Environmental Resources Engineering. Growing up and studying the lush forests and pristine waters of northern California, Logan fostered a passion for preserving natural resources and the planet. He spent almost five years as a mechanical engineer in commercial construction before making the switch to solar and joining Photon Brothers. He’s excited to see the spread of solar throughout the Central Coast and around the world as technologies advance, and especially excited for the future of microgrids.
Jemma Wilson
Marketing Manager
Jemma is originally from England but grew up in Maui, Hawaii and eventually made her way to California to obtain a degree in Journalism from Cal Poly University. After a career in beer marketing for one of the country’s biggest craft brewers, Jemma came to Photon Brothers with a passion for digital media, building customer relationships and helping spread the word of a greener future. She is headquartered at our San Luis Obispo, California office and enjoys hiking with her dog, camping at the coast and taking advantage of the local wine country.
Itzia Romero
Senior Project Manager | Head of Administration
Itzia was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico and grew up an “Army Brat”, moving to Europe then eventually the United States. After obtaining various medical certificates in college (EMT, Phlebotomy, CNA), she is currently in progress of getting her Accounting degree. In 2013 she moved to Colorado where she discovered Photon Brothers and excitedly joined our team who she now considers her second family. Itzia holds many roles at Photon Brothers: Head of Administration, Human Resources & Payroll, Assistant Manager of Accounting, Senior Project Manager, Installation Scheduling, Equipment Procurement, Escalations and more. To say this woman does it all is an understatement! When not at work, she enjoys spending time with her three children and exploring their new backyard on California’s Central Coast. She loves the beach, traveling, scuba diving, family walks with their German Shepherd and her beloved red Jeep.
Miles Kingsbury
Master Electrician
Miles was born and raised in San Luis Obispo, California and is proud to still be a “SLOcal”, having never moved away from the Central Coast town. After high school, Miles began doing electrical work and joined the union where he obtained his contractor’s license at a young age and started his own business. He is a Master Electrician and specializes in all phases of electrical work with 20 years of experience. Now working with Photon Brothers, Miles is excited to master a form of electrical he had never done before and finds the renewable energy space a way to educate himself in his trade. When not installing wizardry solar and Tesla Powerwalls, Miles enjoys spending time with his family, sailing and working on his Harley (and of course taking it for a ride around town).
Nate Zirlen
Service Manager
Originally from Connecticut, Nate moved to Colorado in 2012 to study at the University of Colorado in Boulder where he studied Environmental Studies focusing on Renewable and Sustainable Energy and Business. He chose to stay in Colorado and can be found skiing, hiking, golfing, traveling with friends and family, and camping in his free time. Nate believes the transition to a clean energy future is not a matter of if, but when. Working for Photon Brothers allows him to be a part of this transition, helping owners take full advantage of the systems they have and to be a part of a local business providing the highest quality of service in the industry.
Micaela Jansen
Customer Service Receptionist
Micaela was born and raised in Colorful Colorado and loves all the activities the great outdoors has to offer. When not at work, you can find her shredding the slopes, hiking the trails, walking her dogs or inside her art studio. Micaela joined Photon Brothers because she wanted to be a part of a fun, family-oriented team working hard to preserve this beautiful world we call home. Give us a call and Micaela will be happy to help you with all of your solar and energy storage needs!
