Thank You to Our Veterans
Happy Veterans Day!
This year we would like to express our gratitude to all the amazing veterans we are honored to have on the Cypress Creek Renewables team. These team members truly embody our shared values of care, courage, creativity, conviction, and collaboration. We thank them for their contributions to our mission and even more for their sacrifice and service to our great country.
Here are just a few of the veterans on the Cypress Creek team:
Chris, right, in Puerto Rico
Chris Akios, Senior Environmental Manager,
U.S. Army, U.S. Army Corp of Engineers
“I was an Airborne Infantryman and was stationed at various locations, including several posts in Alaska. While in the “Last Frontier”, I spent a great deal of time in the field participating in training maneuvers and spent most of my free time hiking and fishing. This fed my love for the outdoors and solidified my desire to become a field biologist.
While with the Army Corps of Engineers, I served as a biologist and project manager. After the catastrophic events following Hurricanes Irma and Maria in Puerto Rico, I deployed several times to the territory to assist in the power restoration and recovery effort. My roles included serving as the Environmental Manager for the Eastern third of the Territory and the Environmental Compliance Restoration Manager for the Territory. After witnessing the decimation of Puerto Rico firsthand, my need to move from the reactive role of helping post-disaster to a proactive role of directly addressing climate change was solidified. Getting back into renewable energy became my career goal and when the opportunity to work for Cypress Creek presented itself, I jumped at the opportunity.”
“I was an Airborne Infantryman and was stationed at various locations, including several posts in Alaska. While in the “Last Frontier”, I spent a great deal of time in the field participating in training maneuvers and spent most of my free time hiking and fishing. This fed my love for the outdoors and solidified my desire to become a field biologist. While with the Army Corps of Engineers, I served as a biologist and project manager. After the catastrophic events following Hurricanes Irma and Maria in Puerto Rico, I deployed several times to the territory to assist in the power restoration and recovery effort. My roles included serving as the Environmental Manager for the Eastern third of the Territory and the Environmental Compliance Restoration Manager for the Territory.
After witnessing the decimation of Puerto Rico firsthand, my need to move from the reactive role of helping post-disaster to a proactive role of directly addressing climate change was solidified. Getting back into renewable energy became my career goal and when the opportunity to work for Cypress Creek presented itself, I jumped at the opportunity.”
Patty, right, at 29 Palms Marine Corp Base
Patty Allison, IT Helpdesk Specialist
U.S. Marine Corps
“I was a field radio operator – this early training has helped me because I had to talk on a radio all day, so I had to be clear, correct, and concise.”
Julie Alpert, Senior Environmental Manager
U.S. Army, U.S. Army Reserves
“My Mom told me before I joined up: ‘If you can make it though Basic Training, you can make it through pretty much anything in life.’ She was right! Confidence, inspiration, movement forward, can-do attitude, team work and so much more that transpire into daily life, work, and relationships built upon a solid foundation of training and discipline – oh, you gotta have fun too!”
Dylan receives his Associates Degree
Dylan Bleimeyer, Technology Support Specialist
United States Air Force
“While I was stationed at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, there were a few solar sites I would frequently drive by, not to mention every other house in the village I lived in also had solar panels. I've always been fascinated with Solar and renewable energy.”
Paul Blossom III, Field Service Tech II
United States Navy
“I was in the US Navy as a Petty Officer 3rd Class working as an Aviation Electricians Mate (AE3) with the air warfare specialist pin also known as (EAWS). … I became experienced with aircraft work and loved the electrical side of everything. I never saw myself going into solar energy since my skills were always set on making things fly. But since I have been here, working with this beautiful company for almost 2 years on November 30th. I can say I am happy to have been a part of something grand.
I knew almost nothing of solar work before I came in, but with the help of other veterans in the company, I am becoming the best I can be in this field.”
Frederick Blumberg, Field Service Tech II
United States Coast Guard
“The Coast Guard is America’s smallest service. We are taught from the beginning to be self-motivators, with good attention to detail. If you don’t take initiative and do it, it won’t get completed. These are skills that are required as a remote field technician. Field technicians are the boots on the ground for Cypress Creek. We are the ones that notice key issues that occur on our sites, and if we don’t take the initiative to report these issues, and as a team member, partake in their repair, things on site will become a larger challenge.
As a Chief Petty Officer I had anywhere from five to ten people work for me as direct reports. The Coast Guard Chief has always prided themselves on being those you come to for results. We also know how to look after the individuals that report to us. We made it our priority to balance work life, while also concentrating on result orientated task completion. In layman’s terms, complete the job safely in a timely manner, but also look after yourself. A delicate balance that I believe is a priority here at Cypress Creek.
I’m excited to be a member of the team at Cypress Creek Renewables, as we grow in the future and as I continue to embark on my second career.”
Jonathan Caillier, Array Service Technician
United States Marine Corp
“Things that the military prepared me for with renewable energy would be…I’ve been weathered (I’m good with or adaptable to most weather), gave me a good work ethic and efficiency of learning and working safely. My wife and I just bought a house and are slowly working towards the goal of self sustainability.”
James with his best friend best friend, Tony, the last Marine Corps ball before his service ended. “I have a handful pictures, but thousands of good memories.”
James Krause, Systems Engineer, Corporate Infrastructure and Operations
United States Marine Corp
“The Marine Corps helped me find my purpose. While continuing service wasn't for me, it exposed me to different experiences, cultures, personalities, and leadership styles. These experiences led me towards working in the energy industry with the goal to help secure the nation's critical infrastructure. Renewables interest me as they are often overlooked, but they are one of the most critical components to a resilient and healthy future.”
John with the Close-in Weapon System he operated and maintained that was the last line of defense for his warship.
John Shannon, Field Service Technician I
United States Navy
“My job as a Fire Controlman required training in electronics, electronic circuitry, safety and procedures, digital theory, microcomputers, test equipment, and troubleshooting techniques that made the transition to Cypress Creek as a field service technician seamless.”
