Biographies
Biographical information about key members of SonLight Power:
Allen Rainey
Founder and Director of Programs
A former operations manager and journalist, Allen served as SLP Executive Director from 2002-11. He became an advocate for renewable energy when he discovered how expensive it would be to extend the electrical grid to his 50 acres of rural property in Indiana. Allen received his M.A. in Practical Theology with a concentration in Missions from Regent University in 2000. He traveled with professors on several mission trips to developing countries; these experiences birthed the idea of solar-powered outreach upon which SonLight Power was founded.
Allen’s drive and initiative led him to enroll in a Solar Energy International course to learn the basics of solar power. He supplemented his coursework by reading Hope Power magazine. Over time, Allen developed a mastery of PV technology. He put his knowledge to practical use on his rural property by installing a $1,200 system – the approximate cost of connecting to the grid. Over ten years, he invested an additional $1,000, adding and upgrading components. Today, the property continues to be run off-grid, entirely on solar power. These grounds became the training facility for SonLight Power, while research on products and design contribute to the organization’s success.
Kevin Sasson
Executive Director
A former Rhodes Scholarship nominee and university trustee, Kevin was named SLP Executive Director in 2011. He has demonstrated high performance at all levels as a trusted spokesperson in program development, strategic sales, and marketing. He has thrived as principal ambassador for firms in diverse workplaces in Europe, Latin America, and the U.S. – forging a global view and unique perspective to solving problems. In 2006, Kevin cared enough about SLP that he left a successful Silicon Valley career to apply his skills leading SLP’s outreach efforts in Latin America.
Kevin is grateful to have been acknowledged by the U.S. Ambassador to Honduras while earning media acclaim for creating SLP’s solar power deployment model that is a standard for U.S.-Honduran collaboration. His career is based on Christian principles of integrity, personal accountability, leadership by example, and sound judgment. He demonstrates these principles as he builds collaborative relationships with a wide variety of audiences, from foreign ministers to C-suite executives to his lovely wife, Jenny, whom he met while serving in Honduras.
Leo Radar
President of SLP Board of Trustees
Leo is a senior Consultant with a fast-growing company in Mason, Ohio. He earned a BS in Electrical Engineering from the University of Cincinnati and completed Masters course work before launching a consulting business. He has collaborated with corporations large and small for more than 20 years, developing solutions around IT operations, systems analysis, and operational efficiency. Leo remains active in his church and is currently engaged in long-term mentoring of an individual in poverty.
In addition to his board leadership, Leo lends his mechanical, electrical, IT, and operational expertise to SonLight Power, both in the mission field and at SLP headquarters. He believes his Christian faith journey must include serving those in need. Leo appreciates the sustainability of the solar power systems he has helped install on past SLP trips, knowing his efforts will bless and provide long-term impact to generations of students, families, and entire villages.
Mark Fay
Vice President of SLP Board of Trustees
Mark obtained his Masters of Social Work Administration from the University of Cincinnati in 1998 and became nationally credentialed as a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor in 2003. His career began in direct practice as a professional Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor and a Vocational Expert on Disability and the Labor Market. Mark is now a Regional Manager in the field of vocational rehabilitation, overseeing targeted programs serving people with disabilities. Both professionally and personally, he is driven to impact the lives of others and is excited about the immeasurable promise of SonLight Power.
Combining the benefits of renewable energy with Christian principles of outreach to improve the lives of the disadvantaged attracted Mark to SLP as one of the organization’s original board members. He is a well-traveled leader of short-term mission teams and has applied his leadership expertise to train over 50 volunteers in photovoltaic installations. Mark’s commitment is evident in his leadership of five separate SLP mission trips, including one pioneering trip deep into the jungle of the Patuca region of Honduras. He believes the potential is boundless for an organization that combines sustainable energy with educational and infrastructure improvements. But for Mark, the most impactful part of SLP’s mission is witnessing lives transformed in the midst of poverty-stricken conditions – such experiences keep him engaged at the highest levels at SLP.
Lance Brown
Treasurer and Board Member
Lance is Executive Vice President and owner of Beck Consulting. He has been engaged in the real estate industry for 24 years, and earned his MAI designation from the Appraisal Institute in 2001. He is experienced in the valuation and evaluation of commercial, industrial, residential, and other types of properties, and advises clients on real estate investment decisions. Lance is a state-certified general appraiser in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana, and is an Ohio Department of Transportation pre-qualified appraiser and appraisal reviewer. He holds a BS in Real Estate and a MBA from the University of Cincinnati. He has also served as an adjunct professor of real estate appraisal at the University of Cincinnati.
Lance has traveled with SLP on several mission trips to Central America, and has served as a member of the SLP board since 2004. He has personally witnessed the immediate and sustained impact that a SLP solar power installation has on communities without reliable access to electricity. For Lance, this impact is central to SLP’s mission – improving the quality of life for people and empowering them to improve their own community, nation, and world. SLP takes the first step by reaching across borders and into the lives of those who have less so that they can do more. Lance is committed to the success of SLP and is dedicated to using his talents to further the SLP mission.
Sharon Civitello
Board Member
Currently the Communications Coordinator for the Catholic Inner-city Schools Education fund and board member for the Greater Cincinnati chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Sharon is an experienced leader in public relations, marketing, and grant writing. Prior to her work with nonprofits, Sharon worked for Market Day in management roles to drive enterprise sales and effective communication. With Market Day, Sharon was recognized for her teamwork, sales results, and innovative approach to problem solving. She is an active member of St. Aloysius on the Ohio Catholic Church as a volunteer and past Parish Council president.
Sharon takes time each day to listen to God and follow His plan. These practices led her to join a SonLight Power mission trip to Honduras in 2009. Sharon’s trip to Central America and her fundraising efforts to sponsor a solar power system in Honduras have been the highlights of her SonLight Power experience. Sharon enjoys fundraising and welcomes the opportunity to share her experience with others through mentorship.
Bernie Reagan
Board Member
Bernie is Vice President of Duplicator Sales Company with over 30 years of relationship-building, sales, and business ownership experience in the office systems industry. He is renowned for earning the trust of his clients, many of which are faith-based institutions that share commonalities with SonLight Power.
In relation to his Christian faith, Bernie often connects the work of SonLight Power with biblical scripture: What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? – James 2:14. He is driven by SLP’s mission to transform lives, especially children – applying a sustainable model to bring affordable, renewable sources of electricity to schools and communities in some of the world’s most neglected areas, enabling power for lights, laptops, and other applications to promote education and wellness while ultimately empowering others with faith, love, and a renewed sense of hope. In his role as board member, Bernie generates awareness of mission trips, best practices for fundraising, and prayer opportunities to help the underserved people impacted by SLP’s solar-powered ministry.
Kevin St. Cyr
Board Member
Kevin is the Director of Recruiting for a Fortune 500 financial services company based in Cincinnati. He has attained outstanding results for more than a decade in human resources management, ranging from contingency/retained responsibilities to internal human resources oversight. Prior to his work in executive search and recruiting, Kevin built a successful 18-year career in the hospitality sector.
Kevin’s zeal for SLP started in 2007 after meeting Allen Rainey at a SLP celebration event. Kevin listened with an open heart as Allen passionately described the SLP mission that brings light into darkness and shares God’s love with children who yearn for hope. The SLP story inspired Kevin to travel to Honduras with a team and witness the SLP mission first-hand. This trip changed his life and later led him to accept an invitation to join the SLP board.
Meilyn and Mauricio Moncada
Program Coordinators in Honduras
Native Hondurans, the Moncadas play a critical role in SLP’s innovative deployment model. They are responsible for maintaining SLP’s collaborative relationships with the Honduran government and other in-country alliances from their home office in Tegucigalpa. They also coordinate logistics for SLP project teams. The Moncadas hold degrees in architecture from the Honduran National University (Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras, or UNAH) and are credited with designing the innovative Moncada solar panel pole mounting assembly, a key component in SLP’s solar power system architecture.
Advisory Board
Gary Booth, Ph.D.
Vice President for Research and Development, Europe (retired) at Procter & Gamble
Stephen K. Melink, PE
President at Melink Corporation
D. Gates Smith
President & CEO at H&S Associates
Executive Vice President (retired) at Ohio National Financial Services