GWR Raises $75,000 + Current Projects Update!

Tim Schwan

Spending his entire life in Florida’s unique environment convinced him of the need for preservation in the midst of progress. Since he reached age three, Tim fished and spent countless hours on the water. He bought his own boat at age 12 to explore both fresh and salt water environments. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies, he worked for the Department of Environmental Protection where he was exposed first-hand to the diverse environmental challenges to Florida’s fragile ecosystems and the best means to protect its land and water surfaces.

Tim is certified in a broad range of crucial disciplines such as habitat assessment, wetland delineation, uniform mitigation assessment method (UMAM) and environmental rules and statutes.

Michael LeBlanc

Michael is a solution-oriented environmental operations professional with over 13 years of experience in both the public and private sectors. He’s established a successful track record of managing projects across a variety of disciplines, including sustainability, land management, environmental permitting, remediation projects and environmental restoration and monitoring.

He also carries and impressive list of certifications related to environmental protection and maintenance. In fact, Michael’s experience and special training in natural resource damage assessment earned him a deployment to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill site. He is a tremendous asset to the GWES team.

Rick Vaske

Rick Vaske, a Cincinnati, Ohio native and now Florida Full Time Resident since 2006.

Over the past several years Vaske has been working on developing solar education for students and the entire staff of Gulf Western Roofing, to help ensure safety and proper installation. His quest was to also be on the cutting end of industry-leading products as well as the sales staff to better educate customers.

This effort has resulted in Vaske to become a NABCEP Certified Sales Executive & NABCEP Certified Solar Installer and NABCEP Certified Exam Practitioner.

Taking solar education to a new level became Vaske’s goal as we rewrote the solar curriculum for The Department of Education. Vaske is the proud owner of The Florida Solar School where he teaches this curriculum at The Fort Myers Technical College for the Photovoltaic & Solar Thermal Design and Installation Course where they utilize Vaske’s Best Selling Solar Book: “Understanding The Power of Solar”.

Vaske believes that solar is truly making an impact in the world and it is his goal to leave this planet a better place for his young daughter, Mia. That is why sits on the Board of Directors for The SWFL Future Forestry Foundation, where Vaske works to plant a tree for every solar system installed.

It’s hard to keep Vaske from talking about sustainability and his passion for solar, so he has combined it with his original passion of radio. Catch Rick every Sunday morning as the host of Watts Up Radio on Sunny 106.3 WJPT.

Vaske has led Solar Install Companies to the following awards: six-time winner of the Lee Building Industry Association “Green Home of The Year” for Design & Installation, Parade of Homes “Best Upgrade” for Design & Installation of Multi-Solar System Install, two-time winner of Florida Weekly’s “Best Solar Company” and Vaske has been featured four-times in Florida Weekly’s “Market Pulse”.

With solar on the rise, many unqualified companies, sales associates and installers are joining the industry. This is putting homeowners and consumers at risk of being sold inferior products and receiving unsatisfactory installations. This along with copious amounts of misleading information on social media, and the Internet, Vaske felt it was important for homeowners and business owners who are interested in solar to get the TRUTH and the FACTS about solar, so they can make educated and cost-saving decisions.

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