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David Zacharias, Ph.D., is in the right seat on the Solar Stik®, Inc. bus. His background is rich—teaching yoga, organic farming, caster of bespoke jewelry all while holding a doctorate in biomedical molecular neuroscience—and he says every day in his current role as Solar Stik’s Technical Writer he draws upon his 30 years of previous work experiences.

David joined the Solar Stik Team in 2014. Since then, he’s implemented MIL-810G standards into Solar Stik manuals and has created an easy-to-understand diagram for programming the PRO-Verter 5000 and 7000—the most complex products in the Solar Stik lineup. It’s not just the technical writing about solar power generators and systems that makes his work invaluable to the Solar Stik Team; it’s his skill as a translator of engineer-ese and his measured approach to all priorities, even when hair-on-fire deadlines are looming.

Every Solar Stik technical manual begins with David perched on his office chair in Sukhasana (seated cross-legged with each foot beneath the opposite knee) and a bottomless cup of coffee that’s long gone cold. Here’s a little bit more from David, in his own words, about riding the Solar Stik bus.

Q. How did you find Solar Stik, or did Solar Stik find you?
A. It was fate that we found each other. The long series of strange events that resulted in my being hired is a good story. Probably the key connection was that Jason Zumstein, the principal engineer at Solar Stik at the time, was also a friend and one of my yoga students. He knew my background and thought I would be a good fit. You really can’t have too many friends.

Q. There’s a phrase at Solar Stik that comes up often, “Authorities in our field, but students of application.” How does that resonate in your work?
A. I think we are authorities in our field precisely because we are students of application. We work hard to understand the needs of our customers and to design the simplest and most effective solution. We continue to learn from our customers after the sale, too, when we work through issues or answer their questions. Being a “student of application” is one of the coolest things about working at Solar Stik. Every day is an adventure with new “problems” to solve that require thoughtful analysis of a customer’s needs in the context of the way our power systems function. Fortunately for me, everyone at Solar Stik is an excellent teacher. We all have an open mind as we listen to our customers, whether we are designing a system to meet their needs or helping operate the system after it’s installed.

Q. Why are you in the right seat on the bus?
A. Some might look at my background and imagine there could not be a seat for me on the Solar Stik bus. However, the essentials of what I do every day at Solar Stik are the same as what I did as a scientist and a teacher. For one, I translate technical jargon into a language that can (hopefully) be understood by anyone. For another, as a Systems Support Specialist, I help to solve issues people have by asking specific questions to get to the right answers. It’s the same method I used as a scientist to answer questions.

I’m also lucky to be part of the education and training team at Solar Stik. We create our own multimedia training materials and use them to teach people from all around the globe how to operate and maintain our power systems. I have been a teacher in some capacity or another for over 30 years. The basic principles of teaching are the same whether it’s in a university classroom or the warehouse of a security company. I love teaching. It is so rewarding to see the light bulbs come on.

Q. You worked for Merck, a very large, publicly held company. What was it like coming to Solar Stik, a small, privately held business?
A. Coming to Solar Stik was wonderful because of the really smart, enthusiastic people I get to work with. The culture at Solar Stik is amazing. I look forward to coming to work every day, even four years into my time here. It just keeps getting better. A culture like we have here is rare. It’s a culture that arose directly from the character and personalities of the founders. At Solar Stik, honesty, integrity, and kindness are the rule rather than the exception. I learned a lot of valuable life lessons from my time at Merck, and I am grateful for that. Those lessons make me appreciate the culture here at Solar Stik all the more.

Q. One last question: you’re an avid birder. Do you have a favorite bird?
A. Choosing a single bird would be about impossible, but I do have a favorite family of birds—the Corvidae.  This family includes crows, ravens, magpies, rooks, and a few others. They are incredibly smart. When I’m watching them, it feels very much like a two-way interaction.

Story and Interview by Ceal Potts, Marketing Specialist at Solar Stik, Inc.

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We’ve got appliances, indoor and outdoor furniture, sporting goods, fashionable clothing, and more! Bonus: Many trendy interior design items up for grabs!!

All proceeds from this sale support the fundraising efforts of Team STIK Together for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Come see us on Saturday!

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March 8, 2014 | 2nd Annual Solar Stik® MuckFest Garage Sale | Our Facility in St. Augustine, FL

Come out and support the 2nd Annual Solar Stik® MuckFest Garage Sale benefiting the Jacksonville National Multiple Sclerosis Society on Saturday, March 8.

Solar Stik has put together an adventurous group to participate in MuckFest MS, a run through mud and obstacles in support of a world free of multiple sclerosis (MS).

TVs, appliances, indoor and outdoor furniture, toys, sporting goods, fashionable men and women’s clothing, and more will be available!

Did we mention there might be a leg lamp?

We look forward to your support.

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It was two days before Christmas in 2012, and the new clinic under construction by Alaska Sudan medical Project (ASMP) was almost finished. In a matter of several hours, the team almost watched this dream evaporate as a fire engulfed the clinic. Almost half the building was destroyed. However, hope was quickly revived by our friends at TIDES. The TIDES team sent out a note to the global STAR-TIDES network and members were quick to respond. Samaritan’s Purse donated a year’s supply of medical equipment. The supplies arrived in early January 2013 and we unpacked some of the IV fluids for immediate use.

Solar Stik donated a kit to replace the power system that was lost. The kit arrived in March 2013 via DHL Humanitarian Cargo program. The system was quickly installed by solar engineer Greg Greenman from Portland, and ASMPProgram Manager David Kapla. The system is currently powering the new and old clinic. The facility operates during the early morning and evening hours (due to the heat), and power is vital to Dr. Jill Seamen and her staff. In addition to lights, the system has powered microscopes, lab testing equipment, surgical equipment including autoclave, and a portable ultra sound.

The completed new clinic is an “unimaginable source of pride” to the community. Shortly after the lights were turned on, a local worker commented “We are like Khartoum now!” (Khartoum is a modern city of 8 million in north Sudan). Another long-time African logistics officer named Amos noted: “There is no system like this south of the Sahara.” The solar panels and exterior apparatus have endured a full season, including the heavy rains and dry high heat season, with flying colors. The battery bank is performing well. The portable Extender Paks have also allowed staff and volunteers to charge computers, cameras, phones, fans and medical equipment. The simple fact that Dr. Jill has a reliable source of lights during the night time has been a game changer. Previously the majority of medical work was done at work with headlamps. Now, more serious diagnostic and laboratory work can be done during these important night hours. For emergency situation where an important lab test or ultra-sound is needed at night, these tests can now be done! In general, a more modern and clean clinic has brought a higher level of professionalism and care to this very needy region.

To learn more about the STAR-TIDES network’s response to Old Fangak please download the PDF or visit www.star-tides.net

Special thanks to DHL Global, National Geographic, Samaritans Purse, Solar Stik, Jayson Southworth, John Crowley, John Francis, Jon Waterhouse and all the other STAR-TIDES members that assisted with this request,
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On this Memorial Day weekend we honor the brave men and women who served and paid the ultimate sacrifice in defending our freedom. We ask each of you to take a moment in remembrance of their service.

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Our offices we will closed November 21–25. Tech Support will be available at 800-793-4364 ext. 102.

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