Meet Our Board of Directors & Staff

Diane Cheklich: Board Member

Co-founder of D2 Solar

Solar Faithful

Diane Cheklich is a project manager and environmental advocate with a focus on solar energy as a response to the climate crisis caused by fossil fuel-based energy. She is a co-founder of D2 Solar, a solar equipment distributor in Detroit, and is active in several other solar ventures as well. Diane is a co-chair of the Detroit City Council’s Green Task Force Renewable Energy Committee, which works to promote progressive energy policy in Detroit. In 2017 she was hired by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar in Your Community Challenge initiative to coach five project teams in the State of Michigan, one of which established the initial model for Solar Faithful. In addition to being on the board of Solar Faithful, Diane is also on the board of Detroit Audubon, where she chairs Detroit Audubon’s Conservation Committee.

Allen Drew: Board Member

Ordained pastor in the Christian Reformed Church

Solar Faithful

Learn more

Rev Allen Drew is an ordained pastor in the Christian Reformed Church, North America (CRCNA) with 10 years of experience as a parish minister. He lives in Philadelphia and serves as the East Coast Regional Organizer for the Climate Witness Project, which focuses on engaging and equipping the church to take meaningful action on the climate crisis. He is also the chief organizer for the Hunting Park Community Solar Initiative.

Calvin Glass, M.Div., D.Min: Board Member, Officer-Vice President

Solar Faithful

Learn more

Calvin Glass, M.Div., D.Min., is the Senior Pastor of Lord of Lords Ministries, Detroit, MI. He is the author of two Books and a certified relationship coach. He serves as the Vice President and a Project Coach for Solar Faithful. He is the current President of Ministers United and a board member of MIIPL. A few accomplishments under his leadership are:

LOLM is the first Black church to go solar in Detroit, MI, in 2023
The Biggest Loser, 2030 Detroit District, 2023
MI Battle of the Buildings, 1st place, 2023
The GLREA Exemplary Project Award, 2024
Detroit City Council Green Task Force Resident Leadership Award, D3, 2024
A Golden Ticket Resilience Hub Awardee, Eco Works, MIIPL, and Solar Faithful, 2025

Richard Killmer: Board Member, Outreach Team, Director of Strategic Initiatives

Solar Faithful

Learn more

Rev. Richard Killmer has worked for national denominational and interfaith agencies in peace and justice ministries. His last position before retirement was the Executive Director of the National Religious Campaign Against Torture in Washington, DC.

Tim Lundgren: Board Member

Solar Faithful

Learn more

Tim Lundgren, J.D., Ph.D., is an environmental and energy attorney with decades of experience representing renewable energy developers, customers, and non-profit organizations. Tim has a B.A. from Hope College, an M.A. from the University of Colorado, a Ph.D. from The Ohio State University, and a J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School.

John Mirsky: Board Member

Retired Engineer

Solar Faithful

Learn more

John Mirsky is a civic volunteer with a passion for the environment, sustainability in the broadest sense of the term, and developing high-performance organizations. He retired after a 37-year career as an engineering executive with Bosch. He lives in Ann Arbor with his wife, Renate.

Steve Mulder: Board Member, Officer-Secretary, Outreach Team

Solar Faithful

Learn more

Steve Mulder retired from a corporate career in IT and Learning and Development in 2016. He became a Regional Organizer for the Climate Witness Project. In that role, he collaborated with several other organizations and helped launch Solar Faithful in 2023. He focuses on climate mitigation efforts that include Four E’s: Efficiency, Electrification, Renewable Energy; and Environmental restoration. He is driven by his love and concern for the Creation and future generations.

Pamela Pugh: Board Member

State Board of Education President

Solar Faithful

Learn more

Pamela Pugh, PhD, MS, was elected to the State Board of Education in 2014, and currently serves as its vice president. She is a member of the Healthy Schools Network Board of Directors, and a member of the Board of Directors for the National Association of State Boards of Education where she serves as Chair of the Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion committee. She is the Chief Programs Officer for The Chisholm Legacy Project: A Resource Hub for Black Frontline Climate Justice Leadership. Dr. Pugh was the Chief Public Health Advisor for the City of Flint, Michigan for three years. She is the co-founder of Regeneration LLC, a consultancy that serves as a catalyst for economic sustainability and healthy urban communities. She was previously employed by the Saginaw County Department of Public Health for 14 years. She received both a Doctor of Public Health and Master of Science from the University of Michigan School of Public Health, a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Florida A&M University, and an Associate’s Degree in Pre-Engineering from Delta College.

Rob Rafson: Executive Director

Solar Faithful

Learn more

Rob Rafson has over 42 years of experience in the environmental engineering, design, construction and operation of environmental improvement projects in the United States and abroad. Rob has a Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and is also a licensed Professional Engineer. Mr. Rafson has achieved recognition in energy efficiency, patented innovative soil remediation technology, gaseous emission controls and Brownfield redevelopment. Mr. Rafson is also the founder and President of the Muskegon-based Solar company Chart House Energy. Rob believes that the energy transition can have a transformative effect in our economy through a just transition. Mr. Rafson believes in using solar development as an entrance ramp for those traditionally left out of the energy and construction industries.

Murray Rosenthal: Board President

Solar Faithful

Learn more

Murray Rosenthal, PhD, is an advocate for installing solar on the roofs of non-profit organizations. He helped guide eight solar installations using the Investor Model, acting as the chair of Solar Faithful of Ann Arbor, the precursor organization to Solar Faithful. He also chairs the Ann Arbor 2030 District House of Worship (HoW) and Non-Profit Green Team and is a member of the leadership council of the Ann Arbor 2030 District. He is currently the Board President of this Solar Faithful non-profit organization and the combined Episcopalian and Reform Jewish HoWs known as Genesis of Ann Arbor. Murray is President of NSF Toastmasters and has earned the Advanced Toastmasters Gold award. He also co-facilitates a NAMI (National Alliance for Mental Illness) support group. He is best known professionally for helping to invent the first commercial Hemoglobin A1c test, which is used to monitor and diagnose diabetes. Murray is retired but still consults in the medical device and regulatory arenas.

Lynn Roosevelt Wiggins: Board Member, Outreach Team

Solar Faithful

Learn more

Lynn Roosevelt Wiggins was born in Ann Arbor, MI and raised in Detroit, MI. As a 4th generation Detroiter he’s spent the past 20 years focused on local & national politics, workforce development, public policy and sales; working in marketing, government and with non-profit agencies (particularly dealing with youth, formerly incarcerated and adult job seekers) in Florida, the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, Nevada and Michigan. He returned home to Detroit 5 years ago and began working on multiple projects to help aid the city’s on-going renaissance.

Jennifer Young: Outreach and Operations Manager

Solar Faithful

Learn more

Jennifer serves as the Outreach and Operations Manager for Solar Faithful. In this role she coordinates between design and construction teams and project site representatives, and provides each site day-to-day site management and support. Additionally, Jennifer supports community engagement efforts as needed, working with each organization to facilitate education amongst organizations’ staff as well as to their members and the communities they serve. Prior to joining Solar Faithful, she led community engagement, education, and communications programs at Michigan Interfaith Power & Light and served as a Program Manager for the Southeast Michigan Regional Energy Office where she convened local government leaders in collaborative renewable energy and energy efficiency initiatives. Young holds an MS in Resource Policy & Behavior from the School for Environment and Sustainability at the University of Michigan and a BS in Biology from Eastern Michigan University. She enjoys hiking and biking Michigan’s great outdoors.

Wesley Newman: Executive Assistant

Solar Faithful

Wesley serves as the Executive Assistant for Solar Faithful. In this role, they work in marketing, communications, and content development. Additionally, they manage organizational duties and conduct research for projects and grants. Wesley is passionate about sustainability and music. They consider themself to be a lifelong learner.

Together, our board and staff are driving Solar Faithful’s vision to create a world where faith-based organizations lead the equitable transition to renewable energy—empowered with solutions that strengthen their role as pillars of community care, sustainability, and resiliency.

Welcome
About Us
Completed Projects
Interest Form
In The News
FAQ’s
Contact Us