Teamwork makes the dream work! The Wisewood Energy team is a solid group of individuals passionate about the wise use of resources, the clean energy economy, and high quality workmanship.
Our Team
Andrew Haden, Founder & President
Andrew is considered one of the nation’s foremost experts in woody biomass energy systems and technology. As founder and president of Wisewood Energy, Andrew has led the development and implementation of numerous biomass energy projects throughout his nearly 20 years of experience in the biomass industry. When not in the office, you can find Andrew fly fishing, skiing, mountain biking and enjoying the beautiful Pacific Northwest.
Nerissa Zahora, Vice President & Director of Operations
As Director of Operations, Nerissa manages the details — both big and small. From accounting and operations to project coordination and subcontractor management, she makes it happen. Bringing 15 years of experience in the engineering and construction fields, she is a natural fit in the biomass business. Originally from New York, Nerissa now calls Oregon home and can often be found outdoors with her family or working on house projects.
Meagan Hartman, Vice President & Director of Business Development
With roots in rural Oregon and training in fire ecology, restoration economies, and collaborative governance, Meagan came upon wood energy at the confluence of her interests nearly a decade ago. After cutting her teeth on all aspects of biomass project development from origination through operations, Meagan now leads business development across the American West for Wisewood. Outside of work you can find Meagan getting her hands dirty with her husband on their two acres, singing soprano in a choir ensemble, or playing a mean game of Nertz.
Georgia Reid, Project Development Manager
Georgia leads early-stage projects through data collection, energy modeling, and wood fuel supply estimation. Raised in the Santa Cruz Mountains of California and having lived and worked in many rural communities spanning Alaska to Ecuador, she brings both firsthand experience and training in the ins and outs of developing biomass and wood products markets that support long-term forest stewardship. When not advancing wood energy projects, she dedicates her time to getting outside and hand-making as much as she can—including gardening, woodworking, and fiber arts.
Derrick Record, Mechanical Engineer
Derrick’s interest in mechanical engineering is rooted in his childhood love for Legos and grew as he tore apart old devices to see their inner workings and formulate his own ideas about what makes our world tick. As a mechanical engineer at Wisewood, Derrick digs into the details of projects, using 3D software to design projects from the inside out, leaning on two decades of production experience since earning his degree in mechanical engineering from Eastern Washington University. In addition to his passion for engineering, Derrick plays bass in a local rock band and strives to perfect his outdoor cooking skills to become a self-proclaimed “Pit Master.”
Jaime Rivas, Mechanical Designer & Energy Analyst
Jaime loves a challenge. Whether it’s figuring out a new software, adapting a model, or building a custom website from scratch, he gets the job done and always finds ways to improve it along the way. When he’s not solving problems for Wisewood, he may be woodworking, hiking, or checking our new restaurants and breweries around town.
Kevin Mai, Financial Analyst & Accountant
With nine years of accounting experience, Kevin ensures every dollar at Wisewood is tracked, providing essential financial reports. Before joining Wisewood’s team, he gained diverse experience in how to help businesses thrive, from restaurants and grocery stores to property management, banking, and accounting. Outside of work, Kevin enjoys time with his wife and three daughters. When not balancing numbers, he pursues his passion for hip-hop dancing—a skill that might surprise many!
Operations Team
Wisewood’s operations team is on the ground in Washington, Oregon, and California, working on construction projects, long-term system operations, and equipment maintenance. Their skills span welding and fabrication, assembly, rigging, and more, keeping our systems running continuously and efficiently through our O&M service options.