MSEL Interns
As a part of our environmental initiative, we have taken on high school seniors as interns from the Marin School of Environmental Leadership (MSEL). The MSEL program is a magnet school within Terra Linda High School and focuses its students on an environmental lens. They implement many of their environmental studies through community action, and we are proud to be a supporter.
Taren Bouwman
Taren began at the San Rafael Airport by creating a five year sustainability plan designed to showcase the steps to convert the San Rafael Airport into an eco-friendly business. Taren created a presentation to showcase all of the benefits – both environmentally and financially. In addition Taren submitted our Green Business application, which allows us to maintain our reputable status as a California Green Business.
Nick Slanec
Nick Slanec continued where Taren left off by implementing various parts of the sustainability plan, most notably by purchasing the LED bulbs to replace the overhead lights – a change that saves an estimated 168,390 kWh and $41,870 annually. In addition, Nick created a utility tracker to help track the energy use of the airport to keep up to date on issues and inefficiencies. Nick’s biggest project was creating the airport’s new website, highlighting our environmental practices and showcasing our facilities with drone shots.
Ben Pearson
Ben began the year by learning the management program for our solar panel systems. Using this he was able to catalogue our energy intake and determine if there were any potential faults in the system. Additionally, Ben took over where Nick and Taren left off. He took on the sustainability project, utility tracking, and continued maintenance on the website. Recently, Ben has been primarily focused on the LEED certification of our newest building to undergo construction sometime next summer.
Owen Bartolf
In the beginning of the year, Owen compiled reports on several potential financing options for sustainability improvements for San Rafael Airport’s upcoming sports center. The following semester, Owen primarily focused on digitizing the maintenance workflow for the airport’s solar panels. He set up a computerized maintenance management system to consolidate historical maintenance records and automate scheduling for preventive maintenance. Owen also assisted in on-site information technology support, including the maintenance of the website, creating professional slide decks and document templates, and various other tasks.
Ben Kanter
Ben’s overarching project was to find electric vehicle charging stations for San Rafel Airport’s new indoor sports facility. He created a report on over twenty different brands selling electric vehicle charging stations. Through talks with representatives, he obtained quotes and derived which companies he considered best suitable for this project. After choosing the company and model of electric vehicle charger, he conducted a similar report and execution but with installation companies. Once he found a suitable electric vehicle charger and install provider, he applied for all available rebate programs that could help fund this project. San Rafael Airport qualified and obtained funding that would net in zero out-of-pocket cost. After receiving funding for the chargers and their installation, the San Rafael Chamber of Commerce requested that Ben create a handbook which would help other local business owners navigate the multitude of electric vehicle providers, installers, and rebate programs.