Richard Steele—Personally Speaking

Richard Steele of Steele Energy Solutions, Inc.

GoLocal Member since 2010

What is your fondest memory of living in Sonoma County?

Definitely family barbecue's during the summer with my wife and kids eating burgers, playing in the sunshine and a ball game on the radio.

Describe what you experience as the greatest treasure of Sonoma County.

I love baseball, so for me there's nothing better than heading out to a local high school game with a blanket, sandwiches, sitting down on a foul line and cheering on the boys. It's great the way I run into a friend or colleague no matter who's playing.

What for you defines 'quality of life'?

Quality of life is being struck by how beautiful and green our county is every time I come home from a trip.

What gets you really excited about your business?

The opportunity to provide our community with clean and independent energy. I feel so privileged to have a job I not only love, but, also, gives back to the community, provides local jobs, supports local and national economy, and protects the environment in a way few professions can.

Thinking about your business, what keeps you up at night?

Two things: first, I worry for my employees; construction has really slowed down due to the economy, putting many hard working people out of work. I don't want to see that happen any of the men and women that work for me or companies that we work with. I look for any solution I can to keep them working. Second, there is a lot of money supporting the opposition to the government financing of energy efficiency upgrades program known as SCEIP. Since the Sonoma County Energy Independence Program has been a key factor in allowing so many Sonoma County residents and businesses going green, I worry about the program being ended by Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac lenders. Visit http://sonomacountyenergy.org/ for more details.

If you could have one wish come true for Sonoma County, what would it be?

I really think PACE programs have the potential to raise the economy. My wish for Sonoma County would be for residents and businesses to go green/solar/energy efficient with the help of government financing and by doing so, create more jobs for a myriad of professionals in our own county, serve to protect our local environment and further save money for local persons.

What brought you to Sonoma County?

My parents moved from southern California to Rohnert Park when I was 17. I met the woman who became my wife, we married, began our business and never left.