David Kelly, P.Eng

Founder/Director/Employee Owner/Lives with Solar

With a burning passion and interest in solar power, David Kelly marked his entry into the solar industry in 2001 when he installed a 600 watt solar photovoltaic (PV) system on his own home. The solar PV system on his roof was the third grid tied solar PV system in Alberta.

David then progressed to designing and installing many solar thermal and photovoltaic systems all over Canada.  He saw a future in solar PV systems and was convinced it would be a growth industry that would not only be environmentally beneficial but also cost-competitive with grid power. He turned that solar dream into a reality when he formed SkyFire Energy Inc with Tim Schulhauser and David Vonesch. David Kelly has been a leader in the solar industry for more than a decade. He served four terms on the board of the Canadian Solar Industries Association (CanSIA) He also sat on the board of Solar Energy Society of Alberta (SESA)for three years. David regularly speaks at solar events across Canada. He received his Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of Waterloo in 1989.

David Vonesch, P.Eng

CEO & President/Director/Employee Owner/Lives with Solar

David has a Bachelors of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Alberta and is President of SkyFire Energy. David has worked full-time in the solar industry since 2007 and has played a leading role in hundreds of notable solar projects across Canada. David serves as vice chair of Alberta Co-operative Energy, Alberta’s first member-owned retail power and natural gas co-operative that is focused on supporting renewable energy development. David is a Professional Engineer and a CanSIA/Seneca College Certified Photovoltaic Technician. As a volunteer with the non-profit Light up the World, David spent three weeks training local technicians and assisting in the installation of six solar electric systems in remote areas of the Peruvian Amazon.

Terry French

Chief Financial Officer 

Landon Aldridge

COO/Director/Employee Owner/Lives with Solar

Landon was born and raised in British Columbia. Growing up in a family with Construction and Real Estate focused parents led Landon to BCIT’s Building Technology program and an early career in Construction Management.

Spending time living and working in California gave Landon much exposure to a rapidly expanding green building and solar industry. In 2005, Landon co-founded Terratek Energy on Vancouver Island. Landon and his business partner grew Terratek Energy to be one of the largest and most experienced solar contractors in British Columbia. Over the last 13 years, Landon has designed, installed, and commissioned hundreds of solar PV systems in British Columbia and is happy to now be a partner and the VP Operations for SkyFire in BC. Landon feels fortunate to be able to live, work, and play in the beautiful Okanagan Valley.

Stacy Haakonson

VP, Revenue Operations/Employee Owner

Greg Sauer

VP, Business Development/Employee Owner/Lives with Solar

Greg has a long-standing passion for renewable energy dating back to 2001, following a career working in oil & gas exploration.

In 2007, Greg earned his Masters of Environmental Design (Planning) degree from the University of Calgary where he completed a thesis (“Energy As If People Mattered”). Greg went on to work in socio-economic and environmental consulting in Calgary prior to entering local government as a Planner. Having worked with and for local governments including cities, counties and regional districts in both Alberta and British Columbia, Greg has an in-depth understanding of their policies and regulatory processes. As of 2016, Greg brings this planning background to SkyFire. Greg is also currently pursuing the Solar Business & Technical Sales Certificate through Colorado-based Solar Energy International. Greg is a past volunteer with Habitat for Humanity, including a build in Vietnam with Habitat’s “Global Village” initiative.

Sander Lekas

General Counsel/Employee Owner

Sander joined SkyFire Energy in 2021. As General Counsel, Sander is responsible for risk management and oversight of all legal issues affecting SkyFire’s business operations.

Sander obtained his Juris Doctor degree at Thompson Rivers University in 2018 before completing a clerkship with the Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta. Sander carried on a diverse practice at Reynolds Mirth Richards & Farmer LLP with a focus on commercial transactions, construction law, mergers and acquisitions, securities, financing, and real estate.

Prior to his legal career, Sander obtained a Bachelor of Science in Biology from The King’s University. Sander is passionate about renewable energy, hiking, and traveling. As a former collegiate athlete, he continues to play basketball and support the Toronto Raptors in his free time. Sander is grateful for the opportunity to work from SkyFire’s Kelowna office and live in the Okanagan Valley.

Nicole Friesen

Director, People & Culture/Employee Owner/Lives with Solar

Nicole joined SkyFire Energy in 2018. Her career background includes nutrition, marketing and coaching having attended the University of Saskatchewan, SAIT and the Coach Training Institute. As Director of People and Culture she leads the initiative to develop and retain a high performing, inclusive and diverse workforce while fostering a healthy and safe work culture.

Nicole’s career path in the sustainable food and renewable energy industries have closely followed her personal values which include:  integrity, sustainable living, eating, growing, and cooking great food,  spending time in nature, lifelong learning, and having people at the core of her focus.