Tom Cotter

I'm Tom Cotter. I work at Real Goods Solar and think capturing clean power from the sun is magic. I love to start stuff. I am funnier than my wife realizes. Please tell her.

Tom Cotter is a passionate clean energy advocate, business leader, social entrepreneur, creation care activist and ordained minister. Professionally, Tom is Regional Sales Manager at Real Goods Solar.

Tom is Chairman and President of the International Green Industry Hall of Fame and serves on the boards of both the Solar Living Institute and Restore Hetch Hetchy.

Growing up, a significant influence was the Boy Scouts, where he earned the rank of Eagle Scout. Hiking and camping in beautiful Northern California and the Boy Scouts rule: "Always leave the campground cleaner than you found it" led to a deep ecological awareness and accountability in adulthood.

A desire to re-think and build a positive, healthy future has moved Tom to launch initiatives to educate and raise awareness around environmental stewardship. His roles as husband/father, minister, entrepreneur, consultant, community organizer, and professor have provided a unique perspective on the challenges we face and the changes required to overcome them.

Leadership and Activism
   • President and Chairman at International Green Industry Hall of Fame
   • Board of Directors at Solar Living Institute
   • Board of Directors at Restore Hetch Hetchy
   • Creation Care Champion with Evangelical Environmental network 
   • Climate Leader with Climate Reality Project
   • Co-Founder of Green Central Valley
   • Founder of Fresno Green Drinks
   • Co-Chair of Fresno Earth Day
   • Producer of the documentary film The Forest for the Trees
   • Organizer and Curator of Fresno Solar Tour
   • Guest contributing blogger and online writer
   • Public speaker and media advisor
   • Mentor at Edison High School's Green Energy and Technology Academy
   • Adjunct professor of environmental ethics at Fresno Pacific University

Tom sees the end of the era of cheap fossil fuels and key materials, coupled with rising population and anxieties around water resources, food production and harmful wastes, as clearly demonstrating the need to re-imagine our model of production and consumption. He shares an optimism that a choice to actively live as a part of the solution will bring a better quality of life and increased opportunities as natural and social capital are restored.

Tom is a member of the American Solar Energy Society, Build It Green, California Business Alliance for a Green Economy, Compassion International, Encyclopedia of Life, Fresno Cycling Club, Open Source Ecology, Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, Kiva, United States Green Building Council, and World Vision.

Regional Sales Manager at Real Goods Solar

2009 | Fresno, CA, USA

Real Goods Solar has been lowering electricity bills across the U.S. since 1978. With over 13,000 installations under our belt, we're helping our customers save $$$. Our solar homeowners are generating over 75 mW of clean power, which helps to conserve limited resources, like water and oil, pristine forests and fresh air. Join our growing list of satisfied solar customers, including Nasa, Disney, Yale University, the US Navy, Timex, Stonyfield Farms, The Vatican, Tiffany & Co, and quite possibly, your own neighbor. Find out how much you could be saving on your cost of electricity at http://rgs.me/Oj876Y.

Co-Founder at Green Central Valley

2008 | Fresno, CA, USA

Green Central Valley is an online resource and community for exploring and engaging in ecologically intelligent, commercially beneficial and socially productive efforts going on in the San Joaquin Valley of California. I serve as community manager, curator and editor. Visit us at http://greencv.org.

Adjunct Faculty at Fresno Pacific University

2010 - 2010 | Fresno, CA, USA

Taught 'Theological Ethics and the Environment', which presents a combination of biblical, theological, and human resources to enable student exploration and formation of a theological ethic with which to analyze and respond to environmental challenges. For our class project, we partnered with a local church to organize and relaunch an annual Fresno Earth Day event, found at http://fresnoearthday.org.

Solar Power Consultant at Real Goods Solar

2006 - 2009 | Fresno, CA, USA

Did you know that by going solar, you'll lock in on a low, fixed solar rate from day one? Switching to solar keeps rising energy rates in check and guarantees a lower monthly electricity bill. Solar power for your home is more affordable than ever. Solar power is a clean, reliable and healthy energy source. No coal mining or oil spills here -AND the solar industry is bringing new jobs to American soil every day. And the best news is that solar is affordable! Yes, we are repeating ourselves. But we think this is worth repeating. Lease a system for as little as $0 down and pay a much lower bill for your electricity - month after month, year after year. Find out how much you could be saving on your cost of electricity at http://rgs.me/Oj876Y.

Pastor at Clovis Christian Church

1996 - 2006 | Clovis, CA USA

University of California, Riverside

2006 – 2006

Certificate

Concentration: Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

Ozark Christian College

1991 – 1996

BA Education and BA Literature

Concentration: Theology

MIT

2007 – -

Concentration: Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences

Activities: OpenCourseWare

Aerial Video, Circular Economy, Cradle to Cradle, Cycling, DIY, Electric Vehicles, Emerging Church, Geocaching, Multicopters, Simple Living, Social Good, Social Media, Renewable Energy, Solar Power, Stewardship of the Earth