Tucker Ruberti is the director of product planning and applications engineering at PV Powered, an innovation leader for grid-tied PV inverters located in Bend, Ore. His job, as he puts it, is to listen to what the market needs, and to develop product solutions for the ever-increasing number of customers who are installing solar power systems for home use or large-scale solar power generation for the grid.  We had the chance to catch up with Tucker, who also guest lecturers at OSU-Cascades, and ask him a few questions about his work, Cascades’ Energy Management Program, and his Bend experience.

Where are you from, how did you get into your line of work?

I’m from a small town in the Adirondacks in New York State called Gloversville, and getting into this industry was a natural fit for me. I’ve always been concerned about the environment, and wanted to work in an industry where I could make a difference. But I never realized you could have a real job and make a difference until I went back to graduate school about 10 years ago. I realized you could make a business out of doing good things for the environment.

Tell us about your relationship to OSU-Cascades?

I have a great relationship with OSU-Cascades. I’m so excited they’re in the Central Oregon community. Their programs are going in the right direction. The addition of the energy engineering management program is an important new option for people that want a hybrid technical/business career in the energy industry so they can be well positioned to capitalize on the current boom in renewable energy.

Tell us about the guest lecturing and teaching you do at OSU-Cascades.

I started guest lecturing two years ago at OSU-Cascades in the sustainability course. My first experience was so good that since then, I’ve been looking for more opportunities to get involved and connect with the community and the students at the campus.

What do you like most about the students at Cascades?

OSU-Cascades students are here for a reason. Many of them don’t come straight from high school, and even the ones who do, come for a purpose. They seem very passionate about building a career, and they recognize that going to school is an opportunity to grow, make a difference and create a better life.

How do you feel about the OSU-Cascades community and Bend in general?

Bend in general and the community at OSU Cascades campus offer a special northwest experience. There’s a lot of energy, positive attitudes, and a lot of creative ideas. We work hard and play hard. It’s what brought me to Bend and what makes Bend special and different.

Tell us how you think Cascades students will be prepared to enter the workforce.

Students coming out of the energy engineering management program will be exceptionally well positioned to have a great career in renewable energy or even traditional energy technologies. The curriculum is not just pure engineering and ‘How do things work,’ but ‘How do you apply these things and how do they fit into the greater economic and political situation’ People with this type of mindset are difficult to find and are in high demand in the industry right now. It’s a whole new breed of student that will come out of the program with a real impact and get hired right away.