Staff
Allen Rainey, Founder
Allen is a pioneer in solar-powered missions, having designed and installed over 190 solar projects in some of the most remote places on earth. Before Going Green became today's mantra, Allen developed a self-taught mastery of solar technology from a variety of courses and fieldwork. He earned an M.A. in Practical Theology from Regent University.
Allen was named a 2017 Finalist for the Jefferson Award, the Noble Prize of public service. This video was showcased during the presentation ceremony:
Kevin Sasson, Executive Director
Inspired by SonLight Power mission trips to Central America, Kevin left a Silicon Valley career to move to Honduras and launch a comprehensive outreach effort for SonLight Power in Latin America. He was named executive director in 2011. A former Rhodes Scholar nominee, Kevin is a graduate of Ohio University where he also served as a governor-appointed student trustee. Kevin is a featured speaker on Leadercast NOW.
Clay Luna, Director of Programs
Colin provides design and implentation support for all aspects of SonLight Power programs. He is a mechanical engineering co-op from the University of Cincinnati and a Young Life team leader on campus. For more, see this SonLight Power story featuring Colin.
Jill supports multiple areas of the SonLight Power mission, including mission team mobilization, logistical / supply chain management, donor relations and event planning. A graduate of Miami University, Jill is a leader of women's ministry activities at her church and in the Greater Cincinnati area. See Jill's SonLight SpotLight for more.
In addition to his finance duties, Gary has led several SonLight Power mission teams from his church in Oxford, Ohio. He is featured in this SonLight Power mission video in Honduras:
Sady has participated in the SonLight Power mission in Honduras since 2009. He is a valuable contributor on SonLight Power mission teams and projects, providing critical team-building, logistical, and technical expertise. Sady is featured in this SonLight SpotLight, as well as this video highlighting 20 years of SonLight Power impact in Honduras:
Andrew assists with various aspects of project development and grant proposals. Andrew first served with SonLight Power as a volunteer solar installer in 2019 while equipping an orphan care mission base with a solar microgrid. He has earned a M.S. in Environment and Sustainability from the University of Michigan and a B.S. in Physics from Eastern Michigan University.
Since joining SonLight Power in 2014, Jacob has provided engineering and installation support for several SonLight Power projects while serving as an instructor in SonLight Power Solar School.
Board of Trustees
Board Officers:
Monica Niehaus, President
Monica is Business Development Manager at Melink Solar, helping organizations across the U.S. transition to clean energy. She is passionate about finding ways to reduce her customers' bottom line and carbon footprint through commercial solar PV. Monica also loves sustainability, nature, volunteering, and children. She and her husband, David, live in Cincinnati with their sons, Cameron and Ryan.
Rebecca Ott, Vice President
Rebecca is Director, Sustainability for The J.M. Smucker Co where she leads the execution of its sustainability strategy across a diverse portfolio of products. An international business and supply chain leader with extensive experience in the CPG and Food industries, Rebecca is passionate about building strategic relationships and driving sustainable outcomes. She is active at her church and is excited to combine her love of Jesus with her passion for sustainable development.
Karl Bruggen, Treasurer
Karl served on his first SonLight Power mission trip to Haiti in 2017 and has supported the mission ever since. Karl is an experienced business development manager at Amcor, a global leader in packaging solutions. He is also an active volunteer leader at his church.
Tina McKinley, Secretary
Tina loves Jesus. She is a gifted leader of missions and women's ministry in the Greater Cincinnati area and has co-authored a spiritual development kit for SonLight Power mission team leaders. Tina and her husband, Doug, enjoy life's adventures together, having lived and worked in various locations around the world.
Board Leaders:
Angela Bradley, President Emerita
Angela serves as SonLight Power board president emeritus and is Director of Human Resources at Truckway, a full service commercial leasing, rental, and maintenance provider. Angela participated in her first SonLight Power mission trip in 2021 alongside her husband and former colleagues from the Melink Corporation. She is featured in this mission video from that trip to Honduras:
Keith Brown
Keith is a technology consultant and software developer, doing business as KB3 Technical Systems. He has served on several SonLight Power mission trips in Haiti and Honduras as Spiritual Care Leader for those teams. Keith leads a weekly men’s group and, with his wife, Nancy, serves in the Premarriage Ministry at their church. His other projects include UgandaBlessing.org and UnbrokenPeace.com.
Mark Fisher
Mark is the Vice President of Facilities, Planning and Sustainability at the Cincinnati Zoo. He joined the Zoo in 2006 after an 11-year career at Turner Construction and has become the driving force behind the Zoo’s commitment to sustainability. Mark oversees the Zoo’s aggressive green building program and has initiated programs that have led to dramatic reductions in natural resource consumption and dramatic increases in recycling. He has been instramental aligning SonLight Power with local needs, including this project in Cincinnati:
Phillip Poland
Phillip is an international trade attorney helping multinational companies succeed in navigating complex trade law matters around the globe. He works as Head of Regulatory Compliance | Senior Corporate Counsel at Illuminate USA, an American advanced manufacturing company committed to developing renewable energy solutions through cutting-edge solar panel technology, sustainable practices, and a dynamic workforce.
Liza Sanchez
Originally from Puerto Rico, Liza works as Vice President for Research & Development in Innovation Strategy at Procter & Gamble. At SonLight Power, she applies her passion for strategy and innovation management to advance the mission of equipping those in need with love and solar power. Liza is active in the Hispanic Community of Vineyard Cincinnati Church, where she serves as a Spanish-English interpreter for services and events.
Tim Sorensen
Tim has served on the faculty of Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy and currently serves as Mechanical Engineer and Master Teacher of Science, Engineering, and Leadership at St. Xavier High School, the premier college preporatory school in Cincinnati. Tim has also held leadership positions at YoungLife, a Christian ministry that reaches out to students from middle school through college in the U.S. and in 100+ countries. He has served on SonLight Power's local project installations at Lydia's House and Maple Knoll Village.
Advisors
Gary Booth, Ph.D.
Vice President for Research and Development, Europe (retired) at Procter & Gamble
Stephen K. Melink, PE
Founder & Chairman at Melink Corporation
