Our Team and Experience

Mrs. Kaplan, CEO of Pearlwind, has been a key team member with Pearlwind since 2012 and developed the corporation into a woman owned business. Together with her partner, Jon Kaplan, have used their passion for the sustainability industry to stay ahead of the curve and lead the way in sustainability in NE Ohio, throughout North America.

As senior executive, Mrs. Kaplan’s main responsibilities include supervising all financial and operational functions of the business. She oversees the executive, sales and electrical teams through contracts between Pearlwind and its prospective clients and employees, negotiating with the many vendors Pearlwind partners with to ensure our clients are offered a comprehensive end to end solar solution, no matter what type or size of the project.

Mrs. Kaplan was born in California and grew up in Washington State. In Rachel’s own words, “growing up, I was exposed to and participated in our large organic family garden, bio-dynamic composting, recycling, and was surrounded by nature and the Native American culture in the Pacific Northwest. I learned the importance of sustainability and of being a good steward of the environment”. In the years leading up to Pearlwind, she taught, instructed and prepared personalized French lessons in multiple schools in Burgundy, France with Centre International d’Études Pédagogiques. During her extensive time living in France, she traveled in 17 countries. Mrs. Kaplan has a BA degree with a major in French language and French Cultural Studies, along with a minor in the Russian language from The Evergreen State College in Washington State. 

Mr. Kaplan has been in sustainability and recycling for over 45 years, from when he was a young boy.   At his Cleveland family’s auto recycling business, Pearl Road Auto Wrecking & Salvage Inc. he learned the value of renewable and nonrenewable resources as well as how to recycle vehicles to their lowest denominator. Auto recycling is the oldest, most complete process type of recycling in the world. Jon designed one of the first vehicle dismantling buildings. Companies from across the US and one from Australia came to visit to emulate his process. 

As an expert in renewables, Mr. Kaplan always has his finger on the pulse of where the industry is trending.  As the US and local governments implemented incentives that made renewables a financially viable solution, he installed one of the first urban commercial wind turbines on his property and consequently focused on businesses that want to mitigate their reliance of fossil fuels and help reduce pollution in our environment. Mr. Kaplan shifted towards solar energy generation and energy efficient lighting sources because after the experience of a wind turbine, solar turns out to be much easier to obtain and maintain. He says, “Solar Savings are No Longer a Small Ray of Sunshine!”  in 2010, he was awarded “Who to watch in Sustainability” by Crains Cleveland Business.

Past lighting clients that were pleased with past project work that Jon and the Pearlwind team executed are again revisiting Pearlwind to begin implementing solar, battery and other sustainability plans. Solar complements efficient lighting inside their facilities and in their parking lots. A tribute to Mr. Kaplan’s ability to deliver quality and customer service is reinforced by his extremely high customer retention and return rate. He looks forward to the exciting electric future and the direction of renewables on the planet.

Micah Jarvis is our Chief Electrical Engineer.  Mr. Jarvis engineers Pearlwind’s energy conservation and renewable energy development. 

Micah has worked extensively in the ICI (Industrial, Commercial, Institutional) sector, assisting clients in the reduction of utilities including water and energy, and lowering operating costs.  He specializes in water & energy auditing, renewable energy, building science, technical analysis, and report writing.  He earned his Masters of Engineering from the University of Waterloo. He has 14 years in engineering, and has professional designations of being a Professional Engineer [P.Eng.] - #100131951, received in 2009, a Certified Measurement and Verification Professional [CMVP], received in 2013, and a LEED accredited professionalism received in 2010. Micah Jarvis held a management position at Mindscape Innovations Inc. and a field representative position providing water & energy conservation with Klenzoid Company Limited.

He has extensive experience surrounding solar and sustainability including:

·         Project Management of more than 30 MW of renewable energy projects including owner’s engineering, project feasibility, design, utility interconnection, independent reviews, and commissioning.

·         Development of solar, wind, and biogas projects including knowledge of key financial implications, government approvals, utility interconnection, and industry suppliers.

·         Wide industry involvement including clients in provincial & municipal governments, schools, health care facilities, first nations, as well as private industrial and commercial buildings, hospitality and agricultural customers.

·         Financial analysis of projects including budgeting, costing from suppliers, risk-management, and cash-flow analysis.

·        Water & Energy Studies and Audits covering over 2,500,000 ft² of ICI building space

·        SCADA analysis and approvals for distributed generation projects with several LDC’s

·        Energy Conservation portfolios for six different municipalities in Ontario including:

v  Update to Environmental and Energy Plan for the Town of Caledon

v  Mayor’s Community Energy Plan for Halton Hills

v  Corporate Energy Management Plan for Brantford

v  Corporate Energy Management Plan for the Town of Whitby

v  Corporate Energy Management Plan for the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville

v  Energy planning for the Town of Aylmer

v  Energy planning for the Town of Aurora

·        Use of data-loggers to identify and quantify detailed energy and control strategies for targeted equipment.

·        Development and execution of measurement and verification plans, as required by utility grant programs.

Mrs. Green has a broad background and years of experience in working with the many financial and operational facets of small businesses. Her partnership allows us to optimize and integrate systems and processes to ensure efficient recordkeeping and reporting; and to ensure compliance with the ever-changing myriad of regulatory requirements, freeing us to focus our time on service to our clients.

She is continuing her education with the Surgent Accounting & Financial Education, Enrolled Agent with the IRS (Currently studying for a 2023 Exam) and studied at the Colorado Technical University with an AS in Accounting. Additionally, she is a Member of the American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers and a Member of the National Association of Certified Public Bookkeepers.

Michael Shaut has been admitted to the practice of law since 1978.  Today he manages his own  firm in Shaker Heights, Ohio.  He also has over 40 years of executive experience. He founded Carbon Vision, LLC, a renewable energy firm in 2008 to develop and finance numerous solar energy projects.  Carbon Vision built, financed, and owned over 100 separate projects in Ohio and in the Virgin Islands. In 2012, Carbon Vision built a community solar project using a three-way power purchase agreement with Cleveland Public Power and Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority. All but one project was sold after tax benefits were utilized, and Carbon Vision now focuses primarily on renewable energy consulting and legal work.

He co-founded Education Lending Group (EDLG), a national student lending company headquartered in San Diego, CA, which went public on NASDAQ National and sold to CIT Group in February 2005 for $380 Million. Earlier, Mr. Shaut served as President of Student Loan Funding Resources which sold to Sallie Mae for $155 Million in July 2000, with the proceeds creating The KnowledgeWorks Foundation. 

At Pearlwind, Michael’s primary role is to advise on Pearlwind’s solar projects and also legal particulars surrounding sustainability legislation.  He also advises on best practices and approaches to various sized solar projects, for which he has over 15 years experience.

Mr. Shaut received his J.D. from Georgetown University and a B.A. from Colgate University. He is admitted to practice in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.

Fred is a valued professional on the Pearlwind team that holds two licenses as an Ohio Registered Professional Engineer (Registration No. PE-38125) and an Ohio Electrical Contractor (# 46191). He has worked for several companies of merit, including Keilthley Instruments and the Illuminating Company. Fred is creative and quality focused, with a strong technical background and excellent problem solving skills. He is an effective leader able to motivate teams to meet demanding productivity goals while maintaining high quality standards. He brings expertise in safety, engineering, and electrical contractor experience.

His most recent work has been as an external electrical/electronic engineer providing specific expertise in a range from component level circuit design to electromagnetic compatibility assurance of products including welding equipment sold worldwide, and reverse engineering to repair inoperable and undocumented testing equipment.  Fred also teaches arcflash safety classes throughout the year for businesses and safety development companies.

Fred’s skills cover AC Power Distribution from substations to industrial/commercial, Arc Flash analysis and remediation, Analog circuit design, Industrial Controls, Power Electronics, Hazardous Environments, Data Acquisition, Batteries, Electrical measurements and testing systems, and standards: NFPA, 70, 70E, and 72. And IEEE 1584.

Edwin Gonzales has been an industrial mechanic and electrician since 1993. Started working full time at Pearlwind in 2016.  During that time he has been Pearlwind’s Lead Project Manager, Electrician Installer, and Technical Supervisor.  He has been instrumental in Pearlwind’s growth in commercial solar installations in terms of the many options and types of roof racking, panels, inverters and all related electrical skills needed when running a new solar service into existing load centers. Installing solar is really an art form because you are taking an existing facility with an older electrical infrastructure and engineering a new system to adapt seamlessly. Edwin took his skills and melded with engineering giving our clients a very professional experience.

Edwin has honed his trade through years of commercial exterior and interior lighting projects and upgrading commercial phase 3 load center panels. He is also the public face of Pearlwind by overseeing and managing of all Pearlwind’s electricians. To sum it all up, Edwin prides himself in passing electrical inspections on the first run. The icing on the cake is he is constantly being congratulated by clients through email and text messages to Pearlwind’s ownership.

In addition to electrical, Edwin is a remote networks configuration expert in wireless systems such as Ubiquity, Azuretec, Verint, Cambium, Firetide, Canopy, Tranzeo and others. Mr. Gonzalez has experience in government and municipal installations ranging from street, building and police cams with knowledge in IP and analog cams installation and configuration.

For the past 16 years Eli has been a marketing executive leading various national companies in lead generation, customer acquisition business development in a variety of verticals including insurance, auto warranty and e-commerce. His ads have won various lead generation awards. Eli is a digital marketing specialist in both B2B and B2C developing highly converting creative ads and landing pages through conversion rate optimization techniques along with customized business presentations for business development. Eli enjoys staying on top of the latest in digital marketing and is passionate about environmental sustainability energy sources like solar. Eli is excited about educating commercial businesses to switch to solar power through Pearlwind’s website, social media and paid advertising channels.

Before focusing on digital marketing Eli was an animator for television for 4 years in New York City working for Nick Jr., Cartoon Network and Sesame Street digital divisions. Born and raised in Cincinnati Ohio, Eli loves sports including the Reds and Bengals. Eli graduated film school at Pratt Institute with a BFA in Film/animation where he was awarded the “Outstanding Merit In Animation”. Eli is known for solving complex issues through creative solutions using all his skills to drive company revenue.

Eli  joined the Pearwind team to manage all marketing efforts from digital to traditional channels for commercial solar installation.

Valerie Garrett, Sales Representative, joined the Pearlwind Commercial Solar team in 2023. 

Valerie has been in the solar industry for over 15 years.  She began as a volunteer for a renewable energy advocacy group, then became an organizer and lecturer, and eventually moved into residential and commercial solar energy system sales.  The work directly compliments her passion for sustainability and technology.

At Pearlwind, she strives to help companies decrease their energy costs and meet emerging sustainability requirements through the installation of solar arrays. She brings many years of knowledgeable experience on systems, incentives, and financing to the table, and strives to build a loyal, trusting relationship with everyone, from client to co-worker.

She grew up in Northeast Ohio, born into a family that lived sustainably, partly through growing their own food and partly through not wasting resources.  These childhood lessons taught her respect for what nature had to offer.  It also imprinted on her how energy conservation (“Turn off the light!”)  could not only save money, but also provide personal satisfaction.

Valerie became involved in many non-profit groups, including one that promoted the financial and environmental benefits of solar.  Giving talks, organizing tours, and educating anyone willing to hear why a solar installation is for the now-and-the-future, eventually brought her to the attention of one of Ohio's leading system installers.  She was offered a sales position and found that she was able to make money in the solar world, helping others, helping the planet, and doing what she loved.  The growing solar industry is her “happy place”.

 Valerie remains a volunteer for Green Energy Ohio (GEO) and the American Solar Energy Society (ASES).   She lives in Mentor with her soulmate and the two of them still organize solar tours and give renewable energy workshops.  Together they work a small organic farm that uses solar powered tools and vehicles from the ground mounted array and hosts a non-profit organic food co-operative.

Anthony spent over 30 years in the energy industry holding various positions of leadership in sales and marketing for Centerior Energy (First Energy).  Through Anthony’s various roles with the regulated and de-regulated companies of First Energy, he established himself as a leader and innovator in the greater Cleveland/Akron communities.  Anthony has 40 years of extensive experience working with Ohio’s commercial, industrial, and institutional entities as well as Ohio Government.

Anthony is actively involved in the community, including the Shaker Schools Foundation, Board of Governor’s for the Meridia Health System (1992-1998), Shaker Heights School Board (1996-1998), Shaker Heights City School District Finance and Audit Committee, Providence House Vice President of the Board (1992-2002), Past Chairman of the Board for Cuyahoga Plan of Ohio, Inc, Past Chairman of Summa Health System Board of Directors, Antioch Baptist Church Board of Directors.

Anthony attended Miami University (Oxford, OH) and received a BS in Industrial Technology, Case Western Reserve University (Cleveland, OH) and received a BA in Economics, and earned a Juris Doctorate from Cleveland State University, Cleveland Marshall College of Law.

Ginger’s background includes significant experience in evaluation, process and procedure development and management. She has extensive experience in management and reporting for human resources, benefits, insurance, and workers compensation.

In addition, she has extensive CPA firm experience in all bookkeeping and accounting transactions, including financial statements and reconciliations, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, payroll taxes, and sales taxes.