Our People
Chris Graves, PhD, Founder and President
After more than 20 years in the energy, information technology, and financial industries, Chris opted out of the corporate world to pursue smaller-scale ventures focused on his personal interests. It took him a couple of years to overcome his background in fossil fuels to finally catch "green"' fever.
After "seeing the light," Chris started Switch. He also earned his general contractor's license with the intention of seeking opportunities to build green homes and remodeling existing homes to make them greener.
Prior to taking the turn toward green, Chris developed independent power plants in Asia, the Caribbean, and South America for Enron, Sumitomo, and other energy companies. He was instrumental in securing over $2 billion in structured financings for various energy projects. In addition to his experience in energy, he has led two start-up companies in information technology and managed the turnaround of another.
Chris has volunteered for Habitat for Humanity, helping to build homes in New Orleans, Bridgeport, CT, and Northern Virginia. He is a member of the Corporate Volunteer Council, which helps businesses partner with and support non-profit organizations by creating volunteer/charitable programs. He is particularly interested in helping the Council more effectively encourage and coordinate volunteer efforts among small business.
Chris is a graduate of Yale University and has a doctorate in Economics from the University of Maryland, College Park. Chris is married and has two boys.
Eric Weinstein, V.P. of Marketing
"I've been writing about the benefits of energy conservation and the importance of the environment for a long time, but this is my first full-time opportunity to be part of a company that's putting my values into action."
Eric joined Switch in early 2009, after 12 years in corporate America and 20 years as a freelance marketing communications consultant. He's a long-time member of a number of environmental organizations, including the Audubon Society, the Environmental Defense Fund, Green America, the Sierra Club, and the World Wildlife Fund.
Eric's specialty is translating technical information to various levels for less technical audiences and conveying information so people can make informed decisions. He is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, where he majored in English and minored in Mechanical Engineering. Eric is married and has one step-daughter and four cats. (He also likes dogs.)
Our Values
Integrity – We believe customers deserve a service provider who will give them the tools and information they need to make fully informed decisions that are right for their unique situations.
Sustainability – We believe every person's efforts to live more sustainably, no matter how small, make a difference for our environment, public health, and national security.
Simplicity – We strive to make buying and using renewable energy as simple as buying a household appliance.
Community – We are committed to being a positive and participatory influence in the communities we serve.
Professionalism – We do what we commit to, and we commit only to the things we can do and that make sense for you. We communicate clearly throughout the sales and installation process, to make each customer's experience pleasant and worry-free. Our goal is to not just satisfy customers, but to make them happy, if not downright delighted.
Our Vision
We want to help create a world where the places we live, play, and work are energy-efficient and use renewable energy. We believe this is the right thing to do and the economically sensible thing to do for ourselves and for future generations.
Our Mission
Our mission is to provide practical, cost -effective solutions for people who want to become more energy-efficient and independent. We make it easy for people to make smart decisions about energy efficiency and renewable energy for their homes, workplaces, and communities.