About Meridian
Client Quote
"My electric bills have dropped 75%! Thank you Meridian Solar!"
J. Clark
Did You Know
In 1966, the Orbiting Astronomical Observatory was launched with a 1-kW PV array.
Our Team
Meridian Solar features a team of industry leaders with a combined fifty years of experience in the field. Our common trait is a passion for solar technology, so keeping up with the latest trends and new developments isn’t a chore, it’s a way of life. Our installation crews consist of well-trained professionals who do not compromise on quality. We believe in what we do, and it shows in our work.
Our Management Team
Andrew McCalla
Founder & President
Andrew McCalla is the founder and President of Meridian Solar, Inc. Andrew has been a professional in the solar industry since 1995 when he joined SWPV, a photovoltaic distribution company, to head its international sales and design efforts. After 4 years, Andrew founded what was then Meridian Energy Systems to fill the regional need for high-quality renewable energy system design and installation. One of two inaugural NABCEP (North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners)-qualified installers in Texas, Andrew has served on the board of the Texas Solar Energy Society, currently serves on the board of the Texas Renewable Energy Industry Association and is a regular presenter at industry events and conferences. In addition to his extensive solar training, Andrew holds a B.A. from the University of the South. When he's not at Meridian, Andrew enjoys piloting, tinkering with old mechanics and spending time with his lovely wife, two children and beloved Pug.
Doug Simpson
COO
Doug Simpson is the Chief Operating Officer of Meridian Solar. Doug has over twenty-five years of professional leadership experience working within the construction, manufacturing, healthcare and public accounting industries. In addition to owning and operating his own residential construction and land development company, he served as CEO for a manufacturing and installation company employing over 165 teammates. He has also served in progressive financial management roles within a national healthcare organization, providing consulting advice on national construction projects and performing accounting operations and internal control oversight for regional major expansion projects. In addition, Doug has also worked with several large publicly traded companies, serving as a Sarbanes-Oxley implementation and compliance leader. Doug is a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin, is a Certified Public Accountant and an Arthur Andersen alumni.
Mark Begert
CFO and EVP of Business Development
Mark Begert is the Chief Financial Officer at Meridian Solar. He is also co-founder of Long Branch Capital, LLC. an investment firm making minority investments in private companies focused on renewable energy, clean technology and energy efficiency, an area Mr. Begert has exclusively focused on since 2006. Previously, Mark served as Chief Financial Officer of Linktone Ltd., a leading wireless technology developer based in Shanghai, China successfully leading the company in its private financing activities, strategy decisions, major acquisitions and to its Nasdaq initial public offering in March 2004. Prior to that, Mark was a Vice President in the fixed income capital markets group of Merrill Lynch in New York, London and Tokyo. Mark also serves as advisor and seed investor to several young companies in China and the United States. Mark graduated from Harvard University with a Bachelor of Arts degree, a concentration in government, and a sub-concentration in international relations. In his free time, Mark likes to hike with his family, fish, golf, sing and play a mean harmonica.
Charles Farmer
Senior Project Coordinator
Charles Farmer is the Senior Project Coordinator at Meridian Solar and is a NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer™. Prior to joining Meridian Solar, Charles was founder and President of his own successful renewable energy business. He has designed and managed government, commercial, and residential renewable energy projects and has over twenty-five years experience designing and managing technical projects. Charles is a member of the American Solar Energy Society, the Texas Solar Energy Society and the Texas Renewable Energy Industries Association. When not immersed in solar, Charles enjoys cooling off by hitting the slopes at his favorite ski resorts.
Max Davis
Director of Projects
As Director of Projects, Max Davis brings over twenty-five years of operations and project management experience to Meridian Solar. He has extensive experience managing commercial, educational, and government projects. Max holds a bachelor's degree from the University of South Carolina and served 2 tours in the United States Marine Corps. Max enjoys traveling with his wife and working in his garden.
Alex Tynberg
Director of the Government and Public Division
Alex Tynberg is the Director of the Government and Public Division at Meridian Solar. Alex leads all government and public project business development and sales efforts for the company and has been in this role since early 2009. Previously, Alex was an urban real estate developer for projects in downtown Austin with Tynberg LLC and Andrews Urban LLC. Alex also was Program Director for the Trust for Public Land and an attorney in the San Francisco office of Sedgwick, Detert, Moran & Arnold. Alex is actively involved in many local Austin civic organizations, including serving as a Board Member of the Downtown Austin Alliance and a Corporate Council Member for the Long Center for the Performing Arts. Alex received his B.A. in Economics from the University of California at Berkeley and his J.D. from the University of Oregon School of Law. He also has a LEED AP certification.
Jacob Forbes
Principle Electrical Engineer
Jacob Forbes is the Principle Electrical Engineer of Meridian Solar. Jacob has over ten years of engineering and project management experience working within the power distribution, water, waste-water, industrial automation (SCADA), semiconductor manufacturing, and solar industries. He has separately performed duties as both owner and designer of electrical distribution systems. He is licensed by the state of Texas to perform electrical engineering, and he is a LEED accredited professional. Jacob holds a bachelors degree in electrical engineering from the University of Texas at San Antonio.
Zac Paxton
Senior Project Manager
Zac Paxton is the Senior Project Manager. He is a licensed Master Electrician in the State of Texas and NABCEP Certified PV System Installer™ with more than 12 years experience in the construction industry with expertise in electrical and renewable energy. Mr. Paxton has been a Master Electrician for 2 years and ran a successful electrical company here in Austin, TX before coming on board with Meridian Solar. Mr. Paxton has been nationally certified by NABCEP for over 3 years and has been designing, installing and overseeing the correct and efficient implementation of photovoltaics in the renewable energy industry for over 8 years. He has been head electrician on multiple PV installations such as the Palmer Event Center in Austin, City of Austin City Hall, 50kW installs in Houston and 75kW Commercial Systems in Dallas, including 200 kW installs for the TX National Guard. Mr. Paxton has experience as Superintendent on a number of prominent commercial installations such as the Ronald McDonald House and multiple City of Austin projects such as Service Center 5 and 6 in addition to several community resource centers with personal installation experience on over 40 residential and 20+ commercial PV systems throughout Texas.
Tony Gust
Project Manager
Tony Gust is a NABCEP Certified PV System Installer™ and Project Manager for Meridian Solar. Mr. Gust has 7 years of PV and solar thermal project management experience in both Texas and California and a total of 11 years of construction experience overall. Mr. Gust has managed the installation of over 3.2 MW of grid-tied solar generating capacity in government, commercial, nonprofit and residential applications. He is trained in confined space, asbestos abatement, fall protection, forklift operation and electrical hazards. Mr. Gust also holds multiple manufacturer training certifications for various products and has managed 3 Solar Energy International (“SEI”) installations where he instructed 20+ students in the hands-on installation of PV systems. Mr. Gust has a breadth of experience which brings a multidisciplinary approach and an ability to coordinate complex projects from conception and financing to construction and commissioning. Prior to his employment in the solar PV industry, Mr. Gust worked as an electrician’s apprentice for 2 years and has 2 years of experience in the industrial scaffolinding construction field.
