Terrasmart Wraps Up Its ‘Faces of the Field’ in 2023
Every project tells a new story. Last year, Terrasmart engaged construction teams from across the country in our #FacesoftheField social media campaign to highlight just a few of our team’s accomplishments. We gathered perspectives from our committed team members to hear what inspires them and celebrate their tremendous impact on our people and projects.
Below are nine highlights gathered over the course of the year that illustrate our team’s dedication, freedom to lead, and perseverance to keep going in less than ideal weather conditions while encompassing the strong bonds that make it all worthwhile.
Precision, perseverance, and teamwork through tough conditions
Tyler Hoerter – Survey Technician
As a survey technician with more than five years of experience with Terrasmart, Tyler Hoerter and his team are responsible for ensuring that ground screw foundations are installed according to exacting engineering plans. This can mean working in rough terrain and with very low tolerances for deviation on location, pitch, and torque — all to prevent foundation instability in uncompromising frost heave environments.
What does Tyler love about Terrasmart? A company culture that empowers teams with the freedom to get things done in any way needed to gain efficiencies and ensure project success. Unlike average construction norms, this can mean course-correcting and shifting plans to adapt to unforeseen issues on a site.
Tyler’s fondest memory was made when he and the team were working in extremely hilly terrain. The entire survey technician team — usually dispersed throughout the Northwest — all came together on the site to help set legs. The collaborative teamwork displayed was yet another example of dedication and perseverance on tough job sites in difficult wintery conditions.
First woman site supervisor advances quickly through dedication and hard work
Shyanne Rockwell– Site Supervisor
It’s not always easy being the first. As Terrasmart’s first female site supervisor, Shyanne Rockwell has applied dedication and grit to advance herself quickly from solar installer through the ranks to supervisor. She credits her rapid success to mentors who consistently pushed her to do better while training her to be the exceptional field supervisor she has become.
Shyanne says that working with Terrasmart offers many opportunities to learn and grow professionally. She loves what she does at Terrasmart and is closely connected with her co-workers, who have become like family to her.
Shyanne reports that she can operate through tough decisions and adjust to unseen variables through staying positive in difficult situations and soliciting her team’s input. She credits her team for contributing 110% every day to keep field operations running smoothly. In an environment where women make up only five percent of the field team, Shyanne has set a bold example of strong leadership, teamwork, and mutual respect.
Mentorship, a ‘freedom to lead’, and focusing on the positive
Ryan Pereira – Construction Site Supervisor
Construction Site Supervisor Ryan Pereira credits his rapid promotion in leading crews to the advice and leadership of his mentor Eddie DeJesus. His praise for the Terrasmart mentoring experience is echoed by most of the Terrasmart faces featured in this story.
He and many others appreciate Terrasmart’s company culture that grants people in the field the freedom to lead. Because every site is unique with its own unpredictable complexities, Terrasmart relies on empowering its people with the autonomy to get things done.
Ryan’s secret to turning a bad day into a good one is to stay positive. As he navigates the highs and lows, this attitude keeps him open to innovative ideas and tactics in the field. That in turns allows Ryan to support and empower his crew as they discover unique solutions to unexpected challenges. “Construction is gritty, dirty, and cold, but if you take care of your people, they will take care of you,” he says.
A positive impact on the environment today and into the future
Adam King – Site Superintendent
Site Superintendent Adam King is passionate about two things: His stellar team and making a positive impact on the environment. “What I enjoy the most is being part of such a great team within the renewable energy industry and the impact of our work today and into the future,” Adam says.
Adam is dedicated to client success. After leading his team through a tough ground screw installation, Terrasmart’s delighted client reported that it was one of the best builds they had ever seen. Through Adam and his team’s work on this full-scope project — including surveying, rock-drilling, screws, legs, racking, and panel installation — Adam and his team brought to bear Terrasmart’s complete project integration advantage.
Work ethic and a commitment to quality
Eduardo Vaca – Survey Technician Lead
Terrasmart survey technicians provide the precision groundwork and geological surveys required to ensure long-term viability. Eduardo Vaca brings this precision to his work.
His manager and mentor, Mario Vazquez, cannot say enough great things about Eduardo’s work ethic and commitment to quality production. “There is no down time for Eduardo,” Mario reports. “As soon as he finishes one task, he is on to the next or helping his co-workers complete their tasks.”
Eduardo is enthusiastic about the job’s freedom to travel and experience different cities and regions across the country. Most of all, he appreciates the team’s encouragement, support and trust — from the first day on the job to when he was ready to take the lead on Terrasmart’s survey team.
Camaraderie and a feeling of accomplishment completing tough projects
Matthew Johonness – Site Supervisor
Always ready to get the job done no matter the site conditions, Site Supervisor Matthew Johonness loves that Terrasmart is constantly changing to help its customers and employees.
In remote construction, not everything goes according to plan, as Matthew knows. Instead of dwelling on the negatives, however, he concentrates on helping colleagues turn a bad day into a good one. That requires situational analysis and putting a positive foot forward to encourage everyone around him.
Like many of the others cited here, Matthew credits his mentors for teaching him how to run a complete solar site from start to finish. From unloading trucks and staging materials to preventing corrosion and installing screws, Matthew knows how to address every essential detail.
Toiling in swampy conditions with three feet of mud under two feet of water for weeks on end doesn’t usually result in a cherished memory. But after Matthew and his crew persevered through the experience to commission the site, he came away with a feeling of hard-won camaraderie and accomplishment.
A rewarding clean energy career with the support of mentors, management, and family
Zach Newell – Site Supervisor
When Zach Newell entered renewable energy as a field laborer five years ago, his colleague and mentor Danny Tellez helped push him further. Today Zach credits his teammate’s support for growing into his leadership role as supervisor. Danny provided an understanding of site surveying, which offered Zach an exciting career opportunity within Terrasmart and the world of clean energy.
Another reason Zach loves working for Terrasmart are the relationships he has built with his management and team. Ultimately, his favorite memories at Terrasmart are those spent with colleagues sharing personal stories about what’s going on in each other’s lives.
“The best way for me to turn a bad day into a good one is by taking a moment to breathe. I make sure to reach out to a family member or co-worker to talk with when needed,” says Zach.
With his family based in Luzerne, Pennsylvania, Zach credits his amazing partner, Emily for her support to travel with Terrasmart and continuously grow in the solar industry.
A love for travel and a fresh perspective
Ethan Ernst – Shop Supervisor & Road Mechanic
An essential member of Terrasmart’s field team, Ethan Ernst brings sharp mechanical skills to his field role as shop supervisor/road mechanic for Terrasmart’s Northeast Operations facility in upstate New York.
The position allows him to pursue his passion for travel. Ethan appreciates the diversity of his work and his many experiences working in various regions of the country.
When the job’s inevitable challenges come along, Ethan has learned to turn a bad day into a good one by remembering that tomorrow is a “new day full of opportunities and that each day isn’t the same as the last.”
Advanced training and technical expertise ensures project success
Adonai Cisneros– Screw Drilling Equipment Operator
In the field, Terrasmart’s dedicated site supervisor Adonai Cisneros operates our proprietary screw machine at a site in Mattawamkeag, Maine. Adonai successfully completed Terrasmart’s technical training to operate the company’s ground screw drilling machines.
Adept at installing ground screws in rocky soil and undulating terrain, Adonai brings his advanced training and installation experience to the job. Seasoned drillers like Adonai ensure every hole is drilled with precision to ensure accurate and plumb foundations. Adonai and his team deliver a complete installation of Terrasmart’s ground screws, legs, and TerraTrak A-frame trackers.
Thank you all for your hard work and commitment! We commend you because at Terrasmart it’s our people who make all the difference.
