Comments on: MDUSD interviews four solar bidders

By: tharrington

tharrington — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 19:50:55 +0000

I don’t know why it didn’t work. Here it is again: http://www.linkedin.com/in/garyeberhart.
If it still doesn’t work, just choose the second option here: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&source=hp&q=linkedin+gary+eberhart&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=CJUldb3OSTMKIOKmsoAS3sKG1CwAAAKoEBU_Qf63h.

This is his LinkedIn summary:

“Gary Eberhart’s Summary
My objective is to utilize my knowledge of the functioning of school districts in the State of California along with my knowledge of solar photovoltaic energy production and my comprehensive construction knowledge to provide service to school districts in their effort to reduce general fund expenditures while securing a financially secure future. I have served my own school district as a Member of the Board of Education for 15 years and I am passionate about improving the educational environments of students Statewide.

Gary Eberhart’s Specialties:
**Certified LEED AP**
Solar Photovoltaic Design and Project Management**
California Licensed General Contractor**
Construction Management**”

By: Doctor J

Doctor J — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 16:02:28 +0000

Eberhart’s “Linkedin” profile link doesn’t work.

By: tharrington

tharrington — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 01:08:52 +0000

Eberhart was not part of the selection panel, but he will review the proposals tomorrow night and will ultimately be involved in the final selection. In the materials I’ve seen, his company Seward Shreder Construction is not listed as a partner or part of the project team.
However, some of the companies stress their intention to work with “local contractors” who are unnamed.
Eberhart’s company donated $25,000 to the Measure C campaign (before he was hired) and Seward Schreder’s father’s company, Jack Schreder & Associates, donated $2,000 to the campaign.
Eberhart recently abstained from voting on a $25,000 contract for Jack Schreder & Associates to perform a school closure study, saying he is currently working with a relative of the person the district was entering into contract with. Board President Paul Strange lauded Schreder & Associates, saying the firm has done work for the district during the past 15 years.
In a response to a request for information about this work, CFO Bryan Richards wrote that the district paid Schreder & Associates $12,985.22 for a developer fee study in May.
“The District’s accounting system only has data back to 2001/2002 school year,” Richards wrote. “During that time, the firm has done several different studies, including demographics, State Facilities eligibility, annual Developer Fees Justification, etc. Over the 9-year period, the district has spent a total of $305,333 with the firm.
Seward L. Schreder Construction is not in the District’s vendor database. There is no record of them receiving a payment from the district in the past 9 years.”
Eberhart has said he took the UC Berkeley Extension course titled “Advanced Solar PV System Design and Project Management” to gain expertise for the district. He also lists “Solar Photovoltaic Design and Project Management” as one of his professional specialties on his LinkedIn profile: http://www.linkedin.com/in/garyeberhart.

By: Joe Smith

Joe Smith — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 17:21:55 +0000

Realia,

Excellent question. This doesn’t seem to jibe with what Eberhart has been saying about why he was chosen to take the class.

Does anyone know anything more?

By: Realia

Realia — Sun, 12 Sep 2010 17:17:04 +0000

One name is missing on the interview board: MDUSD School Board member Gary Eberhart. Didn’t he just get $983.75 to take a class to become a “solar expert” for the district (and, only coincidentally, for his new job working for Seward Shreder Construction as Vice President of Solar Business Development)? It seems like solar expert Eberhart would have been part of the interview panel. Was Eberhart present and his name omitted from the list, or was he busy enjoying his new job that tax dollars helped him get?