Our Team

Cody joined EmPower Solar in 2009 as a service tech, quickly and efficiently troubleshooting photovoltaic systems, including solar arrays, electrical equipment, and monitoring systems. He then moved to serving as foreman for one of EmPower Solar’s residential crews, primarily in New York City, before being promoted to foreman for our commercial solar team.

When he’s not managing large scale solar installations, Cody enjoys hunting, fishing, or hiking, and spending time with his son.

Fred graduated from Stony Brook University with his Master’s in Human Resource Management. He currently holds his SHRM-CP certification and is an active member on the SHRM LI certification committee. Fred volunteers his time to help facilitate learning for HR professionals as they take on the challenge of obtaining their SHRM certification.

Prior to working with EmPower Solar, Fred was dedicated to supporting individuals with special needs. He started his HR career as a Professional Development Coordinator in 2009. From there, Fred became part of Human Resources Management team for over five years, as the Talent Manager and later the Director of Talent Acquisition at Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, Inc (FREE). This position allowed him the opportunity to successfully lead a team by applying his Human Resources knowledge to complex staffing and human relations challenges.

While at FREE, Fred was introduced to EmPower Solar when he learned of many residential homes having solar installed, as a client. Fred believes renewable energy must become an increasing part of everyone’s everyday life. He is excited to now be part of building a dedicated, motivated and committed workforce to achieving this goal.

Zack is the Director of Sales at EmPower Solar, bringing a wealth of knowledge from both the clean energy consulting and project finance aspects of the solar energy industry.

After graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with degrees in economics and environmental science, Zack began consulting and finance-brokering for large-scale solar and wind energy projects. After spending time in the commercial and utility-scale side of the business, he quickly became interested in bringing the benefits of solar energy to individual homeowners.

Today, Zack oversees the residential and commercial sales departments at EmPower Solar where he has cultivated a team of sales professionals that sets the standard for professionalism, subject-matter expertise, and client focus. Zack also oversees EmPower Solar’s sales operations and enablement, striving to continually deliver and improve upon an amazing experience for EmPower Solar’s employees and customers alike.

Mike brings a wealth of solar experience from his time working in renewables.

In 2015, Mike started his solar career in Kansas City. Two years later, after seeing immense growth and opportunity in the Northeast, Mike moved to New York City to further his career in solar energy. Now Mike oversees the best Residential Sales Team NYC has to offer.

In his free time, Mike enjoys the food and culture in NYC and planning trips with his wife and dog.

Jeff is the founder of The Long Island Fight For Charity, one of the largest and most anticipated charity events on Long Island for the last 18 years. To date, they have donated close to $2M dollars to Long Island charities. EmPower is a proud and leading sponsor of the event.

He began working with EmPower in 2008, placing both commercial and residential projects. Now in 2022 due to the high demand for residential solar, Jeff’s only focus is delivering the highest quality residential solar and battery systems to EmPower’s valued clients.

Kyle was born and raised on the eastern end of Long Island. He has always been motivated by his older brother, who is an environmental lawyer and always stressed the importance of protecting the environment with a particular emphasis on fighting climate change.

Kyle played Division One hockey at the University of Maine where he majored in public administration with a focus on environmental policy. After college, he coached hockey in his native East Hampton where he helped organize the area’s first high school ice hockey program. After seeing the program develop past it’s infancy Kyle decided it was time to follow a different passion, renewable energy.

He began working with EmPower Solar in March of 2017 as a customer experience representative, and now enjoys working directly with clients as part of the sales team.

Mat began working with solar panels in 2001 during his service with the United States Coast Guard. This powerful experience fueled his passion for renewable energy and mastery of the field.

In the summer of 2008, Mat joined EmPower Solar as an Installer. He quickly climbed the ranks to Site Foreman and managed system installations for three years. Mat went on to become a Service Technician, leading to his promotion to Service Manager. Mat now focuses on residential sales, bringing years of solar experience with him to the table.

Mat is a resident of Island Park, a proud husband, and father of two. He plays guitar and sings in various local bands throughout the area. Mat stays energized by helping people make the transition to a fossil free world

Scott McDonnell is a lifelong Long Beach resident who is excited to help expand renewable energy on Long Island and New York City.

Prior to joining the EmPower team, Scott worked for over ten years selling electronic components. He has also held marketing positions and has planned numerous special events. Growing up and working in a family-owned construction business, he has extensive knowledge in project management.

Scott holds a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Engineering and Management from Clarkson University, and is a former volunteer firefighter and paramedic.

When out of the office, Scott enjoys sailing, surfing and snowboarding. He also represents EmPower Solar at the Long Beach Chamber of Commerce.

Bethany transitioned into her role as a Sales Professional for EmPower Solar from the world of 3D printing. She is excited to combine her love of cutting edge technology with her lifelong passion for the natural world around us. By using her expertise to tailor-make solar solutions, she is able to save each individual customer the maximum amount of money while saving the environment as well.

Bethany came to New York eight years ago from the Golden State. She attended The University of Santa Cruz for Anthropology and San Jose State University for Integrated Nutrition. She is also NABCEP certified (North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners) by Ecotech Institute.

In her free time you might find her surfing or seeing live music, as well as volunteering at the Brooklyn Animal Collective.

Born and raised on the south shore of Suffolk County, Andrew was inspired to join the solar industry after learning how deeply rising energy bills can affect a family’s budget.

Andrew’s background lies in construction and sales, where he first began to connect with homeowners. He is passionate about helping each client find the best solar solution for their needs–all while saving money and the planet.

When Andrew isn’t busy connecting with clients, he enjoys playing ice and roller hockey, snowboarding, and riding his bike.

Alejandro Zancani was born in Caracas, Venezuela. He attended high school in Plymouth, New Hampshire, before graduating from Universidad Metropolitana in Caracas, Venezuela, where he majored in Business and Administration. 

In 2014, Alex moved to Texas to pursue a career in commercial and residential remodeling, then in the new construction of residential single family homes. 

For the past 18 years, Alex has served as an advisor to EmPower Solar CEO David Schieren as his brother-in-law. Alex’s general knowledge of home structure and functionality inspired him to pursue a career in solar energy to help make homes across New York more energy efficient.

Tara represents EmPower Solar as the Chair of the Long Island Solar & Storage Alliance where she is the government liaison for policy issues related to solar and energy storage.

Tara earned her BA in Sociology at SUNY Stony Brook and her Master of Public Administration at CUNY Baruch, both with a focus on environmental studies. She is also a “Semester at Sea” alumni, where she completed part of her degree while traveling at sea through several different global ports. In 2011, she was one of four U.S. Climate Change Professional Fellows for the Australia cohort, where she worked with Australian researchers, industries, and advocates dealing with energy and climate issues.

Prior to joining the EmPower Solar team, Tara was the Long Island Program Coordinator for Citizens Campaign for the Environment, where she organized educational and advocacy campaigns on various environmental issues on Long Island. She also spent three years as a “Young Island” blogger for the Long Island Business News. She has been active in various professional and environmental organizations, including the C3E Women in Energy group on LI and serves on the Advisory Board for the Renewable Energy and Sustainability Center at Farmingdale State College. Tara also co-founded two nonprofit organizations focused on smart growth and keeping young professionals on Long Island.

In 2018, Tara was named one of the Top 50 Women in Business by the Long Island Business News. She was also inducted into the Social Justice Distinguished Scholar Academy for her work in environmental justice issues in collaboration with Farmingdale State College.

As a charity boxer for the 2018 Long Island Fight for Charity, Tara raised over $18,000 for non-profits across Long Island. In her spare time, Tara enjoys hiking around Long Island’s parks with her husband and daughter or playing weekly beach volleyball with the EmPower Solar company team. Tara’s family has taken on the “Electrify Your Life” challenge, and recently added solar panels to her home that now cover 100% of her energy needs including a geothermal heating and cooling system, and an electric vehicle.