Southeast Wisconsin Solar Group Buy Committee Members:

Brian Gleichauf

Brian Gleichauf is a science and math teacher, lover of the outdoors and passionate about restoration and regeneration as a way of living. He realized his dream of installing solar panels in 2019, and has been part of the SWSGB leadership since then. He rides his bike whenever he can, and drives his used electric car when he needs to. He keeps bees, raises chickens, grows as much of his own food as he can, and would hug a tree.

Cara Pratt

Cara Pratt serves on the board of Greening Greater Racine. By day, she works as the very first Sustainability and Conservation Coordinator for the City of Racine under the personal motto “maximize our positive impact on communities, minimize our negative impact on ecosystems.” Outside of work, Cara finds joy in gardening, home improvement projects, soccer, and vegan cooking.

Joe Dubaniewicz

Joe Dubaniewicz is a new resident of Wisconsin, now living in the Village of Somers. Joe moved into his ranch style home in late 2015 and in 2016 he installed a heat pump to supply the HVAC needs of the home with electricity (except for the very coldest days of winter). So, it seemed logical to add rooftop solar, which he added in late 2017 with 18 panels on our southwest roof. To subtract more from his carbon footprint, Joe added a Chevy BOLT EV at that same time and is very happy with all of his environmental sustainable purchases.

Steve Oppeneer

Since his retirement from the corporate world, Steve has immersed himself in projects that hold meaning and passion for him. He currently serves on the boards of Greening Greater Racine and the Eco Justice Center, is a member of the Clean Power Coalition of Southeast Wisconsin, runs the North Side Food Pantry, and is the Treasurer at North Point United Methodist Church. Steve was instrumental in installing 57 solar panels on the church. He has also installed 20 panels on his home. In his spare time, Steve enjoys golfing, long-distance cycling and wandering around his yard pondering which trees to plant next. 

Chris Litzau

Chris Litzau serves as the President of the Great Lakes Community Conservation Corps (Great Lakes CCC), a regional job training and education program in southeastern Wisconsin. He is a tireless advocate for preparing young adults from under-resourced communities with national, portable credentials and skills necessary to achieve careers in emerging technologies. He was instrumental in the installation of several phytoremediation projects by crews of Corps members for contaminated groundwater, soil and sediment remediation. He initiated the production of nearly 15,000 rain barrels by Corps members, the installation of dozens of rain gardens, green roofs and other green infrastructure mechanisms, and created the curriculum for a clean energy and solar training program for young adults that resulted in the award of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Green Jobs Innovation Fund through a partnership with Jobs For the Future.