Meet the Team: Ian Pirkey

In the words of Crew Liaison Ian Pirkey, "Connecting with our community and with the natural world around us are my two deepest motivations." Those motivations have not only guided Ian's life, but have made him a perfect fit at AES Solar.

Ian's love of nature took root at a very young age. Born in Denver, Colorado, he grew up in a region known for its abundance of outdoor opportunities. Hobbies like backpacking, kayaking, and skiing have been mainstays for Ian, and continue to be some of his favorite ways to connect with the wilds. His enduring passion for wildlife and nature, as well as his love of community, drove him to work as a teacher, outdoor educator, and youth minister, sharing his passion and knowledge with the next generation.

These twin motivations of community and the natural world eventually led Ian to Southern Illinois. While visiting to work at a summer camp, he fell in love with our region, especially the Shawnee Forest and the people of Southern Illinois. Ian soon pulled up his roots and planted himself in Murphysboro, where he lives today and continues to pursue his life's mission as a part of our team. "Working at AES Solar allows me to do work that helps save people money and helps to keep the environment in Southern Illinois beautiful."

When he's not at work helping to energize our community or out playing in the woods, Ian enjoys woodworking, leatherworking, and getting his hands in the dirt. Ian is also a long-time martial artist and boxer, keeping his body and mind in tip-top shape for his active outdoor life. If you share Ian's affection for the people and places of Southern Illinois, come by our HQ at 1804 Supply Rd. in Carterville and meet him for yourself. You might just learn something!

Meet the Team: Lucy

Life hasn't always been easy for our CCO (Chief Canine Officer) Lucy, but customers and team members alike are glad that her journey has brought her to our HQ.

Lucy showed up on the front porch of our CEO Shariff Shakir's mom around 2011. Badly malnourished and showing signs of abuse, Lucy's first job was to get better. With patience, TLC, and a good vet, Shariff's mom was able to restore her to good health before gently encouraging Shariff to take her home with him. "I think the last email before I caved was, 'What do you want to name your dog or I will pick and you won't like it,'" says Shariff. Lucy and Shariff have been together ever since.

Lucy's first fur-ray into the working world was as an Emotional Support Animal at an addiction clinic managed by Shariff. Her gentle nature made her a natural in an environment where calmness is key. These days, Lucy is happy trotting around our HQ and interacting with staff and visitors. Given her rough background, she can be a little shy at first, but she loves boosting morale, and it doesn't hurt that some of our staff keep treats in their desks for her.

Whether you want a little emotional support during design and contract signing, or you just want to tell Lucy what a good girl she is, we hope you'll come by the HQ to meet her!

Meet the Team: Gena Harper

It's all about small towns and big families for our Office Manager Gena Harper, and that has made her a perfect addition to our team.

Gena was born and raised in a wide spot in the road not far from here called Harco, and has always loved coming from a small town where everyone knows everyone. A close-knit group of family and friends is still her greatest joy in life, and a big part of why she fits in here so well. AES Solar is devoted to our community of small, Southern Illinois towns, and to bringing our neighbors into our solar family, making Gena particularly well-suited to be a face of the company. Gena says, "I am excited to be able to work for such a wonderful company, a company that cares for their employees, clients, and our surrounding communities."

Prior to joining us, Gena spent thirteen years working in Human Resources and Accounts Payable for an ophthalmologist. Always happy to take on a new challenge, she has quickly shown us that she is enthusiastic to help us and our community make the future greener. In her down time, Gena enjoys hiking, cooking, and of course, spending time with family, friends, and her "fur babies," Skye and Hulk.

We are all lucky to have Gena as part of our solar family, and we think you'll love her too. Give us a call at 618-988-0888, or visit our HQ at 1804 Supply Rd. in Carterville to meet her for yourself!

Meet the Team: Braden Fritsche

Southern Illinois is known for being a uniquely fruitful region of the midwest, but our land and culture produce more than just great food. Braden Fritsche is an example of another crop we specialize in: hard-working, outdoorsy, sustainability-minded citizens.

Braden, who professes, "a great love for Southern Illinois culture and people," is a local currently enjoying life in Carbdonale, where he lives with his wife and their newly born daughter. He relishes spending time with his family and friends, and enjoying Little Egypt's many outdoor activities, like hiking in the Shawnee National Forest. When Braden isn't working his own garden, he can often be found perusing the local harvest at the Carbondale Famer's Market, listening to music, or simply taking his best four-legged friend Jules for a walk at the Carbondale dog park.

Braden truly hit the ground running at AES Solar. With just under a year in the industry, he obtained his NABCEP PV Associate certification, and is excited to continue his education in the solar industry through the organization. Braden credits a passion for renewable and sustainable living for his success, and counts himself lucky to have a job where he can share that passion with our local community, saying, "I am grateful that I work in a position where I get to help locals with their rising energy costs." Our fantastic region gives us a lot, and Braden takes pride in reinvesting that bounty back into our community.

If you happen to see Braden out and about with his wife and daughter, (he is loving being a new father), be sure and say hi! He's always happy to chat about solar wherever he goes.

Meet the Team: Jay Griffith

Anyone passing by our HQ on Highway 13 knows our solar installation brings us a lot of electricity, but that's not where all of our energy comes from. A large part of it comes from our Solar Energy Consultant Jay Griffith, who is fond of saying, "Two-thirds of promotion is MOTION." Using that energetic mindset, Jay is energizing us here at AES Solar, as well as our local community.

Born right here in Southern Illinois in 1976, Jay graduated from Marion High School and went on to spend twenty-five years working for Brinks Smart Home Security, as well as a Berkshire Hathaway company. He chose to transition to solar out of concern for the environment, and with such deep-rooted experience in helping customers with their nearest and dearest investments, Jay is a natural fit when it comes to energizing our customers with solar.

Folks may already be aware of Jay's own investments in our company and community. Attendees of the most recent Elks Chili Cookoff will remember him stirring the AES Solar pot with Matt Smith, and he even coaches the local AES-sponsored K-1st Grade soccer team. With energy like that, it's easy to see why we're excited to have him aboard.

Jay is the proud father of five kids who have all grown up and attended TRI C here in Carterville, including a son currently active in the Marines for communications. With all of that, he still has the vigor to travel and enjoy the outdoors. You may find him fishing local lakes, hiking local trails, primitive camping, or golfing. Of course, if you'd rather not leave it to chance, you can call 618-988-0888 or visit our HQ at 1804 Supply Rd. in Carterville to meet him for yourself and try to catch some of his infectious enthusiasm.

AES Sells Solar Safely

A lot has changed in the last few months. Everyone from big box stores to local eateries are doing their best to keep everyone as safe and healthy as possible, but it’s also meant quite a bit of confusion about what safe actually means. Fortunately for us, two things have not changed and remain as clear as ever:

• People want the savings, security, and other benefits of solar as much as ever

• AES Sells Solar Safely. The practices we’ve used for years are already virtually contact-free, so let’s take a look at how each stage of the process is now 100% socially distant.
  

Initial designs and estimates can be done with as little as your address and a power bill. Our free quote form already sends us everything we need to get started, but if you (or we) have any other questions, they can all be handled over the phone or via video chat. You can also take additional photos for us as-needed while we design the perfect system for your location.

Signing paperwork by hand is already a thing of the past. We use secure software to handle it all via your phone, tablet, laptop, or desktop. In some cases, your utility company may still require physical signatures, but this can be handled via mail.

Installation is typically performed entirely outdoors, either on your roof or at the ground mount location. In some cases, it may be necessary to access your attic, garage, or electrical panel. All indoors work will be done:

• By trained solar installers who have not tested positive or shown any symptoms of COVID-19

• With your permission

• While wearing face masks

• With as little contact as possible and frequent sanitization

• Efficiently, so we’re back outside as quickly as possible

Though it may seem a little daunting, we are committed to your safety and health, and will go to any length we can to ensure it. Our benchmark is a 100% risk-free process.

In addition to these measures, most of our team are working from home to ensure that they are safe. We are maintaining limited hours and minimal in-person staff, and all employees are provided with PPE. Give us a call at (618) 988-0888, or message us any time on Facebook.

AES Solar has helped southern Illinoisans protect themselves against rising energy costs for over 20 years. Current state and federal incentives make solar more affordable, and in-house financing makes going solar with AES easier than ever. And it’s a good thing, too, because we could all use a little more protection right now.