Our people
The people make it possible
At ACCIONA we do things like climb towers, manage events, tighten bolts, close deals and review contracts. We are engineers, meteorologists, project managers, marketers, accountants, supply-chain experts and much, much more.
Meet a few of us:
Shawn M. Chavez
Supplier Quality Engineer, ACCIONA Windpower – West Branch, Iowa
In his role as a Supplier Quality Engineer, Shawn is helping ACCIONA Windpower deliver on its promise of providing reliable, long-lasting wind turbines that are easy to own and operate. He does this by evaluating and improving the ways in which materials and services from external suppliers support ACCIONA manufacturing and production processes. Shawn’s work enables ACCIONA Windpower to continually improve the way it serves stakeholders and produces products for modern energy infrastructure.
I work at ACCIONA because …
“We are a rapidly growing company in a rapidly developing field with many opportunities to learn, grow and impact the energy independence of the U.S.”
How I live sustainably:
“My family and I have cut back to one vehicle. We recycle and monitor our energy use. We try to find new ways to live independently like storing rain water for garden use. By using fewer resources, we not only have the potential to positively impact our economic status, but also create greater self-sufficiency in our family and for our country.”
Most proud of:
Serving and becoming a veteran of the U.S. armed forces.
Personal motto(s):
Life is too short to drink skim milk.
Goals:
Earning a master’s degree and developing my own residential wind tower.
David Balfrey
Senior Scientist, ACCIONA Energy North America – Chicago, IL
David keeps ACCIONA on the frontlines of innovation in wind-resource management. He is involved at every phase of all ACCIONA’s North American wind projects, analyzing their current potential and working to ensure their future success. The intelligence David provides guides ACCIONA to make well-informed decisions, based on scientific data, for developing its wind farms and creating a more sustainable world.
I work at ACCIONA because …
“The sense of purpose in this business is inherently powerful. The things we do are progressive (culturally and technically) and present a wide array of very unique and intellectually challenging opportunities.”
How I live sustainably:
“My friends and roommates call me ‘The Conserveanator’. I am constantly turning down the thermostat and turning off lights after them. I also recycle and reuse anything I can, which doesn’t just mean the stuff that goes in the blue bin. I look at furniture, clothing and electronics as recyclable as well. I try to be a responsible consumer. I use my bike or public transportation to get around. In general, sustainability for me is less about an isolated decision and more about general behavior, lifestyle and being aware of the impact of habits.”
Most proud of:
The first megawatt produced at Tatanka, ACCIONA’s newest wind farm.
Personal motto(s):
Human beings were built to never stop learning new things.
Making more good decisions than bad ones is more important than not making a decision at all.
Goals:
Using science and technology to change the way we live and create a more sustainable future.
Lisa Leipzig
Project Developer, ACCIONA Energy North America – Toronto, ON, Canada
Lisa helps ACCIONA maintain its leadership role in the field of wind energy by juggling the many aspects of running multiple utility-scale wind-power projects in Canada. From identifying new opportunities for growth to performing everything needed to bring a project from green field development to the pre-construction phase, Lisa does it all to make sure ACCIONA remains the world leader in the development of windparks.
I work at ACCIONA because …
“It’s great to work at a company with a long-term vision of a cleaner, better future and a day-to-day policy of sustainable development.”
How I live sustainably:
“I try to live sustainably on a number of levels, such as taking public transportation, conserving energy, recycling and buying local foods. Sustainable living is so important because people are part of a larger system of biotic and abiotic cycles. Moving toward working within these natural constraints is vital to reducing waste, pollution, pesticide use and energy consumption.”
Most proud of:
Successfully defending her master’s thesis in ecology.
Personal motto(s):
Keep your eye on the goal.
Goals:
Leave the world having had a net positive environmental impact.
Howard D. Kettle
Commercial Manager, ACCIONA Infrastructures Canada Inc. – Vancouver, BC, Canada
In his role as a Commercial Manager, Howard’s primary objective is to deliver a successful commercial outcome for a bid or a project. He is responsible for the overall commercial management of a project or an element of the company’s business. In a project environment this covers the commercial and or procurement, subcontracted management payment, valuation, and commercial reporting. In the office environment this covers commercial related to tenders, contract documentation, design work management and project supervisions.
I work at ACCIONA because ...
“ACCIONA is a rapidly growing company in Canada and North America and it is exciting to be part of something you can add some value to”
How I live sustainably:
“I use public transport whenever I can, including my journey to work, and as a family, we own just one vehicle. My family endeavours to think about usage of water - we are very aware of the issues around the world regarding this most precious natural resource.”
Most proud of:
My children and their inherent sense of generosity and fair play.
Personal motto:
Just try to be happy with life…
Goals:
To continue my lifelong learning with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and to one day apply for membership as a fellow.