Meet the team behind San Diego's Best Solar company
The people behind San Diego’s most trusted solar installer — real folks who live, work and play right here in our community.
Management
Kent Harle
CEO & Founder
Kent has been riding motorcycles for 52 years, run Stellar for 28 years and still loves doing both. Camping in the desert with his family is high on his list of perfect weekends.
Michael Powers
Founder
My wife Jeanne and I enjoy traveling and seeing as much of the world as we can. That includes visits to family back in the Midwest. We also live close to Mission Trails Park, so hiking there is part of our routine. And, I wrote a book! (Worldview: A Story of Life Remembering Itself)
Brian Grems
VP operations
Brian is an experienced electrical engineer and licensed electrician. He is a Purdue graduate, who studied at one of the world’s top PV research labs at the University of New South Wales in Australia.
Wendy Hoglen
Human Resources Manager
Wendy has been with Stellar for five years. Originally from Oregon, she has called San Diego home for the past 25 years. She enjoys traveling with friends and family, attending baseball games, lounging at the beach, and reading.
Marketing
David Boylan
VP of Marketing
David is an Encinitas resident, has been with Stellar for 16 years and in solar for 23 years. He is a Michigan native and enjoys surfing, fishing, cooking and writing a Coast News column called Lick the Plate.
Alec Maskiewicz
Digital Marketing Manager
Alec is a life-long Encinitas resident and has been with Stellar for five years. He likely met Stellar CEO Kent Harle 20 years ago via Kent’s son, as the two boys shared a childhood playground. Alec enjoys the outdoors, cooking, volunteering and reading.
Construction Management
Zachary Hood
Director of Residential Construction
Zac Hood is a Carlsbad resident with 20 years of industry experience, including the last 10 years with Stellar Solar. Outside of work, he enjoys traveling, cooking, and spending time at the beach with his wife. Zac is also a licensed U.S. Coast Guard captain and spends time offshore leading fishing charters and providing professional vessel transport services.
John Stemmerman
Design Team Manager
John grew up in Missouri before moving to Southern California and has been with Stellar Solar for 19 years. Outside of work, he enjoys family adventures, dirt biking, real estate investing, performance cars, and organizing the Bonsall Cars & Coffee community event.
David Bellamy
Construction / Project Manager
Loves the outdoors and riding his 3-wheeler. He has been with Stellar for 10 years and has been working in solar since 2008.
Commercial
John Darlington
Director of Commercial Construction
John has been with Stellar Solar since 2009 and lives in Encinitas with his family. He enjoys hiking, fishing, hunting and ice hockey.
Marie Moulton Phillipp
Commercial Solar Consultant
Oceanside resident and Midwest transplant via Japan and Maui, still loving lake time in Minnesota. Nearly 10 years with Stellar Solar and 17 years in the industry. Her favorite places are in, on, or near the water — for fun and relaxation, hiking, photography, and traveling adventures.
Shane O'meara
Commercial Electrician
I have been an electrician since 1998 and have been with Stellar Solar for just over three years. Outside of work, I enjoy cooking for friends and family and watching sports.
Santos Aguilar
Commercial Foreman
This Is Santos (Commercial Foreman) he’s been working for Stellar Solar for roughly 14 years and has done ground mounts and commercial buildings .
In his off time he enjoys spending quality time with his family and being outdoors at the lakes and beaches. He also likes to watch sports with friends and have some good BBQ on the grill.
Sales
Zac Dowell
Sales Manager
Zac Dowell joined Stellar Solar in 2009. Leveraging his architectural engineering degree, he progressed from hands-on PV system design and installation to his current role in sales management. Outside the solar industry, Zac plays guitar in various bands and cherishes his wife, Elizabeth, and their daughter, Sophie.
David Gersz
Sales Manager
Dave has been with Stellar Solar for 18 years. He is an Ohio native and enjoys traveling, watching Buckeye football, hanging out with his family and friends and coaching lacrosse.
Kenny Rutherford
Solar Sales Specialist
Kenny is a 22-year resident of San Diego and has been working with Stellar Solar for 12 years. He grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio in the 80’s and 90’s and brought his hard work ethic to California. He enjoys spending time with his family and teaching his daughters tennis and golf.
Erin Presley
Energy Consultant
Being one of the few women in solar has never stopped Erin — she strives to be one of the best energy consultants in the industry. With 10 years of experience, she takes an educational, no-pressure approach with homeowners looking to go solar, an approach many customers have praised in Yelp reviews. She began her solar career with Tesla, so she is well versed in EVs, solar and battery storage and how they work together to help homeowners electrify their lives. Outside of solar, Erin loves to run, hit the gym, bike, stay active, and whip up a delicious dish in her kitchen.
Peter Kennelly
Solar Energy Consultant
Peter has spent 20+ years in San Diego after graduating from San Diego State. He has been with Stellar Solar for 5 years and in the solar industry for 8. He enjoys traveling and spending time with his family.
Connor Smith
Energy Consultant
Connor is a California native who joined Stellar in 2015 after working as an installer in 2010. He now helps homeowners navigate solar with a straightforward, no-pressure approach. Outside of work, he enjoys being out in nature with his dog, mountain biking, surfing, camping, traveling, and playing beach volleyball.
Johnny Esposito
Energy Consultant
Johnny is a Virginia native who has called San Diego home for the past 10 years. He joined the Stellar Solar team in 2022. In his free time he enjoys camping, riding motorcycles and coaching lacrosse.
Service
Justin Bartlett
Service Department Manager
I have 19 years of experience in the solar industry, including 5 years with Stellar Solar. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family and dogs, and playing golf.
Andy Kass
Senior Service Technician
Andy has been with Stellar Solar for 13 years and working in the electrical industry for 18. Originally from Syracuse, New York, where snowboarding and snowmobiling were his passions, he now fills his free time on the west coast hiking the national parks, climbing and bouldering.
Nicole Olivas
Admin & Accounting Assistant
Nicole is an Oceanside resident, wife, and mother of a 4-year-old boy and 2-year-old girl. She has been with Stellar for 1 year and in solar for 5 years. She loves the outdoors and hiking, and is an artist and activist.
Bianca Ramirez
Service Coordinator
Bianca is a North County Native and has been with Stellar Solar for 4 years.
Outside of work Bianca enjoys reading, baking, traveling, spending time with her husband and children, and cheering on the Padres and San Diego FC.
Jake O’Neill
Energy Performance & Operations Consultant
Jake is the Energy Performance & Operations Consultant with Stellar and has been with the company for five years. He enjoys surfing, the ocean, the beach and anything outdoors.
Tiani Johnson
Service Coordinator
I have been with Stellar for 3 years. I enjoy spending time with my family, being outdoors, enjoying beach days, and finding fun little adventures along the way. I also enjoy cooking and creating new meals for the people I love. The simple moments—laughing together, exploring, and quality time together is what make me happiest.
Project Management
Jake Jackson
Purchasing Manager
Jake has been with Stellar for 3 years but in the solar industry for over 10. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his family and staying active outdoors. His hobbies include BMX riding, snowboarding, hiking, and exploring new adventures.
Jeff Warren
Project Coordinator
Jeff is a Vista resident and has been with Stellar Solar for 13 years. He grew up in Vista and enjoys fishing, playing bass guitar, hiking, and time spent outdoors in general.
Tiffany Schaeffer
Project Coordinator Assistant
Tiffany is a lifelong Fallbrook resident and proud mom of four. She has been with Stellar for over six years. When she’s not working, you’ll find her cheering on her kids from the soccer sidelines or spending quality time with her family.
Office / Warehouse
Team members coming soon.
damon Hershey
Warehouse
My name is Damon Hershey. I live in Orange County. I have been with Stellar Solar for over 14 years. I enjoy golfing, the beach, the mountains, pretty much anything outdoors
Ruben Briones
Warehouse Manager
Design
Anthony Bazan
Engineering Assistant Manager
San Marcos raised – Vista Resident
Been with Stellar Solar for 13 years, working in the solar industry for a total of 16 years.
Enjoys family time, outdoor activities, soccer, the gym, and art.
Javier Sanchez
Solar PV & Battery Designer
Javier, a Carlsbad resident, has been with Stellar Solar for 11 years. He specializes in solar PV and battery system design, bringing experience and dedication to every project. Outside of work, he enjoys the outdoors, golf, softball, and cooking.
Jose Delfin
PV & Battery Designer
On my days off, nothing tops spending quality time with my family and cheering on the Chargers. I’m a passionate sports fan and a dedicated family person who loves making memories with loved ones, enjoying great game days, and making the absolute most of my free time.
I have been with Stellar for 11 years.