Project by project, kilowatt by kilowatt, SUN LION ENERGY designs & builds SOLAR POWER systems that help our clients -- business owners, farmers, non-profits and homeowners -- cut their energy costs dramatically, boost their bottom line, become more energy-independent, and reduce their carbon footprint. And we develop other customized advanced energy solutions, such as energy storage and electric vehicle charging stations. We, the founders of Sun Lion Energy, are veterans of the solar industry in Ohio. Our mantra is to treat you, our client, just as if you were our favorite cousin. With honesty, integrity & enthusiasm, and acting always with your best interests at heart. We will design, build & maintain for you a state-of-the-art, durable, efficient, long-lasting solar power system that will exceed your expectations.

Solar PV sales and development for businesses, homes, utilities, schools, municipalities & non-profits.

Ecojiva designs and installs solar photovoltaic electricity systems for farms, commercial and non-profit enterprises in Ohio, Michigan, Indiana and Minnesota. The company offers one-stop, turn-key design and implementation of rooftop and ground-mounted solar energy projects and expertise in utility permitting, federal and state incentives for solar, grant writing and system monitoring. To date, Ecojiva has designed and installed more than 240 solar photovoltaic systems, enabling customers to take control of their electricity costs immediately and over the long term. This clean, renewable, self-generated electricity -- produced with sunlight -- replaces the purchased electricity supplied by utilities whose main supply is generally produced by coal-burning power plants. Jess opened the Ohio market for Ecojiva and sold and developed a combined total of more than three million watts of solar power in the Buckeye State, mostly for dozens of farms and rural businesses. He offered one-on-one feasibility consulting with business owners interested in determining whether solar power is a good fit for their businesses. Jess also has given numerous educational presentations on solar power to various groups, including Chambers of Commerce, farmers' groups (for the Ohio State University Extension, Farm Bureau, Soil & Water Conservation Districts, Ohio Produce Growers & Marketers Assn.), schools, universities and civic organizations, such as Rotary & Kiwanis.

UniVerve is an advanced renewable energy company striving for market leadership in the rapidly emerging biofuels industry. Its specialty is the economic production of microalgae for synthesis into biofuels. Starting with its innovative technology for algae cultivation – patented V-shaped transparent ponds ("HAVP") – UniVerve offers a complete, cost-effective process to supply algal oil as feedstock for renewable transportation fuels that can be price-competitive substitutes for conventional fossil fuels. Along with green crude oil, UniVerve’s process also delivers valuable biomass for a wide range of additional markets, such as nutraceuticals, bioplastics & feed for fish & livestock. UniVerve’s high-yielding, low-cost process will be deployed on microalgae production farms to be established by UniVerve -- solely & in strategic joint ventures -- & through technology licensing to independent producers.UniVerve Americas, the US subsidiary, is working in parallel with UniVerve's Israeli headquarters to test, prove & apply the UniVerve technology commercially in the US & throughout the North, Central & South American regions.

Blazed a trail into Latin America for the granddaddy of agricultural publishing -- into Mexico, Central America, then worldwide. Built from scratch a robust, dynamic, profitable Latin American publishing venture, including print, eMedia & live events.Led an international team that launched a Spanish-language trade magazine & developed it into the dominant & most-respected publication in its industry in Mexico; expanded into Central America. Both editions served thousands as "the professional grower's right hand," providing practical, hands-on information on Good Agricultural Practices for producing & marketing high-quality fresh fruits & vegetables to satisfy the most discriminating & lucrative consumer markets. Managed US-based & international sales teams. Launched 3 popular, recurring events in Mexico for professional growers -- the International Tomato-, Pepper-, and Cucurbits Congresses. Delivered welcoming speeches, lunch addresses, awards presentations.Incorporated a popular electronic component to the business with an active website & weekly eNewsletters, delivering additional key information not best delivered in print.Bridged the gap between Latin American producers and US buyers by launching "Fresh Americas," a beautifully designed magazine, to serve the US produce industry of importers, wholesalers & retailers with fresh information about the burgeoning trade of fruits & vegetables originating in Mexico, Central & South America.Resurrected "Cotton International," -- a global publishing brand & original company flagship -- from imminent danger of collapse. Quickly built revenue around the globe, including Brazil, US, India, Europe, Asia & the Middle East; directed reps in Egypt, Pakistan, Taiwan & Europe; elevated the business to support hiring full-time editor & to become, once again, a company profit center & respected voice in global cotton.As the company's only writing publisher, crafted 250+ lead editorial columns & many features.

Curated special gallery exhibits of works by folk artists in Mexico, Haiti, Central America, Africa and the US. Traveled to remote areas and bought directly from "folk," "naïve" or "outsider" artists -- those not trained in (or encumbered by) classical disciplines, but whose artistic creations are raw expressions of the soul. Promoted and sold 2- and 3-dimensional works by those artists, whose often meager incomes received a nice boost.

Directed this 3-year Sustainable Agriculture Project, a collaborative effort of the WRDC, UW-Madison and the Wisc Dept of Agriculture. Wrote the grant proposal and obtained federal funding for the project. Recruited 40 dairy farmers around Wisconsin to participate, half of whom produced organically or otherwise used sustainable practices. Conducted a detailed economic study of the farms. Organized frequent meetings and roundtables of all the farmers to discuss practices and exchange ideas. Although this wasn't a goal of the project, some of the "conventional" farmers implemented substantial changes to their approach to farming as a result of their involvement in the project.

"When people, land, and community are as one, all three members prosper; when they relate not as members but as competing interests, all three are exploited. By consulting Nature as the source and measure of that membership, The Land Institute seeks to develop an agriculture that will save soil from being lost or poisoned, while promoting a community life at once prosperous and enduring." -- The Land Institute