Who We Are

Ryan Mayfield

SENIOR LEADERSHIP: FOUNDER & OWNER 

Discovering renewable energy while pursuing his degree in Environmental Resources Engineering at Humboldt State University, once Ryan got his hands into PV installation work, he knew exactly how he would spend his future. Ryan’s early career moved quickly from hands-on installer to customer support technician to Engineering Manager for a national renewable energy wholesale distributor.

Both before and since founding Mayfield Renewables in 2007, Ryan’s successes have blended technical expertise with an affinity for writing and education. While CEO, he doubled as the PV Systems Technical Editor for SolarPro magazine (2010–2018), writing insightful feature articles for both SolarPro and Home Power. Ryan also authored PV Design and Installation for Dummies (2010) and teaches national PV courses on topics such as: National Electrical Code, Oregon solar code and PV systems, commercial PV systems, and PV + storage. He holds a Limited Renewable Energy Technician (LRT) license in Oregon.

Ryan lives in Corvallis with his wife, three children, one dog, and enjoys quality time with all of them when not competing in triathlons, traveling, or sipping a good Scotch.

Laurel Hamilton

SENIOR LEADERSHIP: GENERAL MANAGER 

Although Laurel’s early days included degrees in Biological Anthropology and Global Public Health and experience designing international environmental health programs, she came to Mayfield Renewables following years of wearing multiple hats in the solar installation field. After helping to develop a small installation company in Southern California, she returned to Oregon to manage the branch office of a solar firm in Bend. Laurel has tackled everything from marketing, administration, and sales, to design, project management, installation, and operations management. 

As a NABCEP-certified PV Technical Sales Professional and Subject Matter Expert, Laurel brings a commitment to ethics and the gold standard to every project she touches. She volunteers her time and expertise to advance solar policy, advocacy, and education for the City of Bend and the State of Oregon and as a volunteer project manager for nonprofit, Twende Solar. 

In her free time, Laurel enjoys getting outside to embrace all four seasons, dancing, live music, and checking out the latest restaurant or brewery in her beloved mountain town.

Brian Bruggeman, PE

SENIOR LEADERSHIP: ENGINEERING DIRECTOR

With more than 20 years of experience in the solar industry, Brian is a registered Professional Engineer, a licensed Colorado Master Electrician, and a NABCEP-certified solar installer. His technical experience spans controls design, solar PV and energy storage, solar water heating, electrical engineering, and building efficiency. 

After his degree in Electrical Engineering from Iowa State University, Brian began designing gas- and coal-fired power plants before transitioning to a focus on renewables. Landing in Colorado, Brian joined a solar company installing water heating systems and grid-tied and off-grid PV systems. He later worked in MEP engineering and PV design and has now specialized in commercial PV design and energy storage projects for over ten years. Brian is committed to designing projects with professionalism and integrity.  

Brian lives in Boulder with his wife, two dogs, and a grid-connected PV system that offsets 100% of their home’s energy consumption. He’s an avid cyclist, off-road and on, and enjoys getting his hands dirty with home projects and hiking his dogs in the mountains.

Preston Kahl

SENIOR DESIGN ENGINEER

Preston earned his Associates of Applied Science degree in Drafting and Engineering Technology with an emphasis on Civil Engineering Technology from Oregon’s Linn-Benton Community College in 2012. Before being discovered by Mayfield Renewables, he was employed by a large, Oregon-based telecommunications company working closely with designers and engineers to draft detailed designs of cell phone tower structures. 

After joining the Mayfield Renewables team as a PV designer in 2012, Preston found his passion for solar and was later promoted to Senior Design Engineer. He now helps clients through the full project lifecycle—from the initial design stage all the way through the permitting process. Preston became a NABCEP Photovoltaic Associate in 2020 and a NABCEP-Certified PV Installation Professional in 2021.

In his leisure time, Preston recharges by camping, wakeboarding, and fishing.

Greg Kamps

SENIOR DESIGN ENGINEER

Greg brings 15 years of hands-on PV installation experience, system design know-how, and electrical code fluency to the Mayfield team. His career in renewables began with Mr. Sun Solar in 2007 where he manufactured and managed the installation of solar water heating systems for residential and commercial applications. Greg shifted to PV system design in 2013 and never looked back, leading design teams for three different Portland-based contractors before joining Mayfield Renewables in 2020. 

Working with smaller, local contractors, Greg was responsible for the entire design process. From conducting preliminary site evaluations to working in tandem with structural engineers, AHJs, and inspectors, he has truly seen and done it all. 

Greg has certifications in off-grid and battery backup storage from Outback Power, advanced PV design and NEC from Solar Energy International, and has been a licensed Solar Thermal Journeyman Installer in Oregon since 2009. He also holds a B.A. in Geography with a minor in Economics from the University of Oregon.

Nick Kirk

SENIOR DESIGN ENGINEER

Nick joined Mayfield Renewables with over 11 years in the solar industry, specializing in design, operations management, and service. Since 2010, he has led the design, construction, service and O&M for thousands of residential and commercial solar projects, including several unique projects incorporating energy storage, hydro, and gas generation, both on and off the grid. Nick is NABCEP-certified as both a PV Installation Professional (2013) and a PV System Inspector (2019). He earned a BS in Electrical Engineering Technology from SUNY Utica and is working toward his Professional Engineering license. 

Beyond PV, Nick is committed to finding ways for the built environment to complement the natural world instead of diminishing it. To that end, he is educated in building performance (BPI-certified, 2011–2014), solar water heating systems, earthships, and heat pump technology (NATE-certified, 2021).

Nick lives in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains where he chases outdoor adventures with his partner, their two dogs, and their self-converted camper van.

Azalea Gonzalez

DESIGN ENGINEER II

Ever at-home in Southern California, Azalia received a Bachelor of Architecture from Woodbury College where she participated in a transformational, two-week, off-grid study of the relationship between energy, climate change, resiliency, and the human condition. This experience sparked a deep appreciation for renewable energy and sustainable building design that persists to this day.

Prior to joining Mayfield Renewables, Azalia spent five years as a PV designer for a few of the largest residential solar installers in America, working on well over 1,000 projects across nine states. These days, her designs balance customer and builder needs while optimizing performance and reliability for the lifetime of the system—all while adhering to the latest electrical, fire, and building code standards. Azalia has earned the Residential PV Design Professional certificate from Solar Energy International, is OSHA 10-certified, and is pursuing NABCEP board certification.

In her spare time, Azalia prioritizes time with family, hiking, kayaking, indoor rock climbing, and volunteer work with Twende Solar and Habitat for Humanity.

Mike Morse

DESIGN ENGINEER II

Mike has a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Iowa State University and is a P.Eng (Professional Engineer) in Alberta, Canada. Before joining Mayfield Renewables, he had over eight years of experience as a project engineer with multiple EPCs in the oil and gas industries before pivoting to concentrate on photovoltaics several years ago.

It wasn’t until he first became a residential PV installer in 2018, including his first opportunities to design smaller commercial systems, that his renewables passion took root, driving a career transition to clean energy technologies. Since joining Mayfield Renewables in 2021, Mike has completed the NABCEP PV Associate program (2021) and is working towards his NABCEP PV Installation Professional certification.

Living in Calgary, Alberta with his wife and two young children, they love outdoor adventures and camping. During his me time, you’ll find Mike mountain biking or paddling—or working on home renovation projects to keep warm in the colder months.

Michiel Zuidweg

Senior Microgrid Specialist

Shortly after completing his Master’s degree in Physics at the University of Washington (2006), Michiel began twelve years as a project manager, director, and later COO of a Seattle-based PV installation firm. He became a NABCEP-Certified PV Installation Professional in 2009, before founding MZ Solar Consulting in 2020. 

A dedicated consultant to Mayfield Renewables, Michiel brings over 20 years of experience designing, installing, managing, and commissioning large, complex projects in the solar and energy storage space. His expertise spans microgrid/resiliency design from feasibility studies and conceptual design to full-project construction management and owner’s representative services. His long list of project clientele includes municipalities, schools, public and private entities, tribes, and non-profits in the US and island nations where resiliency infrastructure is paramount. 

Michiel has a unique ability to foresee development hurdles, collaborate with EPC’s, AHJ’s, and utilities, and provide efficient problem solving to bring projects to successful, timely completion.

Robert W. Cross

Strategy Consultant

Following an early career in business finance, Robert transitioned to the energy efficiency and renewables industry in 2008, helping the Energy Trust of Oregon develop financing solutions for clean energy projects. He subsequently took a lead architect role on several groundbreaking projects including GreenStreet Lending with Umpqua Bank, the Real Estate Professional Trade Ally Program, and the Home Energy Score.

Recognizing that the cleantech and renewables industries are important for the future of our cities, drive innovation in sustainability, and serve as pillars of today’s economy, Robert founded Cross Consulting Services in 2015 to help well-positioned CEOs address challenges in their business models. He is also the Founder of Crest Creative, a marketing firm that serves the targeted communication needs of the solar-plus-storage industry.

In recent years, Robert has worked closely with Mayfield Renewables on all facets of strategic marketing, operations, business development, and long-term planning.

Hamilton Hutchinson P.E.

Design Engineer III

Hamilton joins Mayfield Renewables with over 10 years of PV engineering experience. His solar industry background began in New Orleans where he was a part owner and engineering director for a PV installation contractor. This gave him the fundamental understanding of what it takes for PV projects to be successful from beginning to end. Prior to joining Mayfield Renewables he was lead designer focusing on C&I projects in the state of Georgia.

Hamilton’s educational background is in structural engineering. He is a licensed structural engineer in the state of Arizona where he worked prior to getting in the solar industry. Interest in efficiency improvements, including gaining his LEED AP credential, led Hamilton to his career in solar energy. After more than ten years he definitely brings an acute attention to detail, an eye for process improvement, and a commitment to quality in all aspects of his design work. 

When away from his desk he enjoys collegiate sports and outdoor activities.

Lucas Miller

Senior Product Consultant

As a lifelong climate advocate, Lucas dove into the renewables industry straight out of college by moving from Madison, Wisconsin to Portland, Oregon to join a PV contractor. In the years since he has held many roles in the solar and energy storage industry spanning from marketing and market research to product development and project coordination.

Lucas’s experience blends engineering acumen and industry knowledge with a backbone in content development. Lucas holds a Bachelor’s of Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin and is currently pursuing a degree in Renewable Energy Engineering from the Oregon Institute of Technology.

Outside of the office, Lucas can be found cooking, hiking, playing soccer, and taking way too many pictures of his cats.

Zach Snyder

Client Solutions Engineer

In 2018, with a background in geology, technology, and education, Zach decided it was solar or bust. After spending a year as a marketer at an Oregon PV installation company, he went on to lead the statewide consumer education nonprofit Solar Oregon. There he developed and managed educational programs and tours funded by the Energy Trust of Oregon to teach home and business owners about the ins and outs of installing solar plus storage. Maintaining his techno-chops all the while, in 2022-23 he contracted independently with PV Evolution Labs to develop computer vision algorithms and automations used for PV module quality testing.

As an educator, Zach supports Mayfield’s mission to provide accessible information about solar and energy storage to the industry. As a technologist, he supports Mayfield’s commitment to quality through continual process improvements and knowledge engineering. When he is off the clock, Zach loves to travel and read widely, as well as cruise like lightning on his bicycle.