Bob Winn is a veteran of the solar industry and owner of Sky Power Systems, a Diamond Certified company since 2006. He can be reached at (925) 567-3974 or by email.
Bob Winn: Sky-Powered Success
By James Florence, Diamond Certified Resource Reporter
SAN RAMON — After growing disenchanted with his banking career, Bob Winn decided to leave the financial field behind and reach for the sky. “Prior to getting into solar, I was in banking—mainly digital check processing and security,” he says. “In 2002, after the dot-com crash and Enron fiasco, I decided it was time to get into a new field. Since I was involved in technology, I started looking around for a related business opportunity. When I came across a small solar company, I thought it might be a good investment, so I bought it from the original owner in 2005.” After more than a decade, Bob has no regrets about his decision. “My career today is a lot more rewarding than my previous one. It’s great to be making a positive impact. Plus, solar is the future, so it’s neat to be a part of that.”
Today, as president of Sky Power Systems, Bob says his favorite part of his job is delighting his customers. “Compared to writing a $250 check to PG&E every month, writing a $20,000 check for a solar system isn’t easy. However, at the end of the project, when the meter is spinning backward and the PG&E bill is basically nothing, our clients are really happy with the decisions they’ve made. I call it the ‘solar halo.’ It’s very satisfying to have a job that allows me to make people happy on a regular basis.”
A resident of Danville (where he lives with his wife, Lisa), Bob likes to spend the bulk of his free time outdoors. “There’s a lot of open space in this area, so I spend a lot of time hiking and riding my mountain bike around Mount Diablo, Pleasanton, and the Oakland Hills,” he says. “When I get the chance, I also like to go dirt biking in the mountains or the desert.” In addition to enjoying the outdoors, Bob likes keeping up with his and Lisa’s three children, all of whom are currently attending college.
In regard to a professional philosophy, Bob espouses the importance of doing the right thing. “When it comes to serving customers, our company’s mantra is to always do the right thing,” he affirms. “Don’t do the easy thing or the least expensive thing; just do the right thing. If you do that over and over, it’ll pay off in the long run. You may experience some short-term pain, but you’ll be better off overall.”
When asked the first thing he’d do if he were to retire tomorrow, Bob says he’d hit the open road. “I would probably get an RV and travel around the Western United States. That would give me and my wife a chance to see all the national parks and spend some more time enjoying the outdoors.”
Ask Me Anything!
Q: What’s your favorite TV show?
A: “Survivor.”
Q: What kind of music do you like?
A: Classic rock.
Q: What’s your favorite local restaurant?
A: Pete’s Brass Rail & Car Wash in Danville.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
A: Patagonia.
Q: Do you collect anything?
A: Old coins that end up in my pocket. You’d be surprised what people give you in change sometimes.
