Our Team 
John Alejandro, Communications Director
John is a seasoned communications professional with a consistent track record of delivering successful, integrated communications campaigns for global Fortune 500 high-tech and clean-tech companies. Having spent over ten years working with clients in emerging industries, he has devoted his full attention to the field of sustainability, helping renewable energy and environment-related companies establish their leadership through branding, media and industry analyst relations, public policy development, and executive positioning.
John has written about renewable energy topics for numerous publications, including a piece on the ethanol industry appearing in The Washington Post, and an op-ed related to sustainability and economic development in developing countries appearing in TheEconomist online.
Prior to focusing his efforts on business and sustainability, he served as a senior associate at APCO Worldwide and as a client manager at Burson-Marsteller public relations, managing global clients operating in the solar energy, green building, energy efficiency and high-tech industries.
He received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Pepperdine University and is a certified green roofer.
Darren Anderson, Project Manager
Darren is a PV Designer/Installer and Electrician with extensive international experience. He has led solar projects in Nigeria, Philippines, and Tanzania but comes to SELF after three years as the Technical Director at Sungrid, a PV manufacturing and distribution business in Australia that he co-founded after completing a MSc in Renewable Energy from Murdoch University in Perth. Darren is active in the grassroots sustainability movement and has been on the board of a number of community organizations including the Fremantle Environmental Resource Network, the Vancouver Renewable Energy Cooperative, and the Vancouver Biodiesel Cooperative.
Jean-Baptiste Certain, Project Manager - Haiti
Jean-Baptiste (“JB”) joined SELF as the Haiti Project Manager in January 2011. He is responsible for coordinating the implementation of various in-country projects, such as the electrification of schools, clinics, and multimedia centers, as well as PV powered streetlights for refugee camps, agricultural projects and clean water access.
In 2009, JB completed training (in “Rural Electrification for the Developing World” and “Sustainable Development for Rural Communities”) with Solar Energy International (SEI). Upon completing his studies, he spent six months living in Sabana Grande, an indigenous rural community in northern Nicaragua. While there, he was involved in manufacturing solar modules, designing and installing PV systems in local schools and households for Grupo Fenix. He also worked in the PV industry in Spain.
JB is a fluent speaker of French, Spanish and English, has extensive international experience, and has a great passion for environmentally sustainable technology.
Lisa Esler, Finance Director
Lisa Esler joined SELF in August 2009 as Finance Director. Lisa holds a CPA in the state of Virginia and has 15 years experience in financial management of international projects and programs. After working with Price Waterhouse in Moscow, Russia she spent 10 years working with the Eurasia Foundation as Controller and then Director of Internal Audit.
Lisa received her B.A. in French and International Affairs from Mary Washington College and her certificate of Accounting from the University of Virginia. She is fluent in French and Russian.
Julie Fisher, Office and Communications Manager
Julie is SELF’s Office & Communications Manager responsible for managing the organization’s operations, implementing and executing communications campaigns, managing fundraising activities, and supporting SELF’s projects. Her interest in solar energy solutions stem from her lifelong passion of improving the lives of those that are less fortunate and her strong belief in environmental stewardship.
Formerly, she served as the manager of a member-led travel and tourism association where she planned conferences, facilitated membership meetings, and executed communications initiatives.
Julie received a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from George Mason University.
Robert A. Freling, Executive Director
Bob has been the Executive Director of the Solar Electric Light Fund since 1997. Under his leadership, SELF has installed over 550 solar energy systems in 16 countries, making it one of the world’s leading nongovernmental organizations that designs and implements solar energy-based solutions for those living without access to electricity.
An early advocate of access to energy as being essential to achieving the Millennium Development Goals, he is widely considered an authority on the subject of energy poverty. During his tenure he has broadened SELF’s mission and vision to address the implications of energy poverty in developing countries. In 2000, he developed the Solar Integrated Development Model, an innovative approach for using solar energy to help communities improve their health, education, food and water security, and economic development programs. As a result, in 2003, SELF completed its first “Whole Village” project in Nigeria, utilizing solar energy to provide electricity for health clinics, schools, street lights, mosques, homes, micro-enterprise centers, and electric pumps that deliver fresh water for drinking and irrigation.
He currently serves as the Co-Chair of the U.N. Foundation’s “Sustainable Energy for All” Working Group on Energy and Health, which focuses on identifying ways to provide access to renewable energy for hospitals and health clinics. In 2008, he was presented the King Hussein Leadership Prize by Her Majesty Queen Noor of Jordan to honor his exceptional leadership in promoting sustainable development, human rights, equity, and peace.
A native of Dallas, Texas, Bob is fluent in six languages and received a Bachelor of Arts in Russian Studies from Yale University and a Masters degree from the Annenberg School of Communications at the University of Southern California.
Jeff Korcan, Design Engineer and Project Manager
Jeff joined SELF in 2010 as a design engineer and project manager and brings over two decades of experience designing large manufacturing systems and managing large construction projects for both U.S. corporations and the U.S. government. Having a long standing interest in the renewable energy field, Jeff transitioned to the solar industry in 2006 after relocating to Maui, Hawaii, where he worked with several solar contractors designing and installing solar electric systems prior to joining SELF. He received a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point and a M.S. in Manufacturing Systems Engineering from Stanford University.
Jeff Lahl, Project Director
Jeff Lahl combines a strong and varied management background, expert solar knowledge, and training experience with international development experience to lead unique and challenging solar electrification projects as SELF's Project Director. Prior to leading SELF projects in Nigeria, Bhutan, Benin, Tanzania, Rwanda and Mozambique, Jeff worked for a number of years in the solar industry as a system designer and specifier, as well as a community college instructor in solar energy. He first became involved with solar electrification for development as a Peace Corps volunteer from 1993-1995 when he managed the Kingdom of Tonga's solar electrification program. Jeff's solar career started over 20 years ago when he formed a company that designed and built solar homes.
Rick LaRue, Development Director
Rick brings three decades of experience in nonprofit fundraising and management to SELF, and is responsible for leading the organization’s development program, including corporate partnerships, foundation grants, and individual giving.
Before coming to SELF in 2009, he was the Deputy Director and Director of Development of American Society of International Law. His 10-year tenure at ASIL included leading capital, major donor, and institutional sponsorship campaigns, and organizing numerous programs marking the Society’s 2006 centennial. From 1992 to 1999, he led the Urban Land Institute’s foundation, where he created numerous philanthropic and public services programs. He previously served as Deputy Director of the Eisenhower World Affairs Institute, Director of Membership of Business Executives for National Security, and National Director of the Citizens Party, where he worked with Barry Commoner.
He received a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Maryland and a Bachelor of Arts degree from George Washington University, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa.
Claudalex Lauture, Senior Technician - Haiti
Claudalex Lauture is a PV Designer / Installer and Electrician from Haiti joined the SELF staff in 2010 to help install and maintain SELF’s photovoltaic systems in the central plateau. He previously worked as an Electrician/ Solar Technician at Raymag S.a, as well as PV designer/installer at Green Energy Solutions. Lauture studied Electromechanical Engineering at Universite GOC and Electrotechnique at Centre de formation technique professionnel Haiti Tec.
Lauture trained at Sun Energy Power International and learned how to design, install and operate alternative energy systems for health facilities in Haiti.
Adrien Namur, Project Manager - Benin
Adrien joined SELF in February 2011 as the Benin Project Manager. He is in charge of leading various projects in the field, in collaboration with local NGO ADESCA, including the implementation of Solar Market Gardens in 8 new villages, setting up clean water pumping systems and the electrification of schools and health centers.
He graduated from a top French engineering school (Ecole des Mines d’Alès), then specialized in Energy and Environment Systems at Strathclyde University in Glasgow (UK), before obtaining a Master's degree in Economy and Politics of Energy and Environment in Paris. Adrien worked for 6 years in the PV field for major engineering companies, managing rural electrification projects and grid-connected PV plants in Europe, South America and Africa. Passionate about issues such as global warming or access to electricity for rural populations, he is determined and glad to contribute his technical and management skills to one of SELF’s most challenging projects. Adrien is fluent in French, English, has a good command of Spanish and significant international experience.
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