The Electrify Ashland Now! volunteers are dedicated to providing the best advice and service to their Ashland neighbors. They deeply care about reducing greenhouse gas emissions in our town, and know this is one of the most powerful levers we have to reduce emissions FAST. Our professional volunteers are here to help you on your electrification journey — every step of the way.
Ben Scott
Ben Scott has 25 years experience in construction and energy efficiency, the last 15 as a building science professional based in Ashland. He has worked for non-profits and with utilities, communities and local government, helping people utilize residential energy efficiency programs like Home Performance with Energy Star & Energy Trust of Oregon..
Ben is actively involved in local community efforts to mitigate climate change and advocates for smart, sensible ways to work together on critical environmental issues. He provides independent energy services, performance testing and field verification for Earth Advantage & EPS new homes certifications. He has been a licensed contractor and is certified by the Building Performance Institute.
Candace Turtle
As a former journalist, Candace has always been interested in figuring out how things work. She relishes the chance to work with neighbors to create their own personal plans for electrification.
Her journey to transform her historic home to 100% electric took about three years and was completed this year when she replaced a 20-year old heating and cooling system with a Mitsubishi heat pump system. She has also replaced a gas cooktop with an induction, and invested in improving her weatherization with DIY and handyman projects.
Now, she is researching electric vehicles as she prepares to replace her 2009 hybrid Toyota Camry.
Doug Piper
Doug enjoyed a 25 year career as a software developer,then entrepreneur in San Francisco. He took early retirement in 1997, spending his time backpacking and pursuing academic interests in plant physiology and human genetics.
In 2007 Doug and his wife Marcia bought a summer home in fabulous Ashland where they made friends, gardened, entertained and enjoyed the theater. Eventually they undertook a major remodel of their main house back in San Francisco at which point Doug developed an interest in building science. This led to the complete electrification of his Ashland home removing all gas appliances and the gas meter. Doug joined the Electrify Ashland Now! team in 2023 and has often served as the “answer man” on questions about federal heat pump subsidy programs and more.
John Spillman
John has worked as an energy modeler, instructor, verifier, and sustainability consultant with Earth Advantage for 15 years. John conducts computer simulations of energy consumption for multistory affordable housing projects participating in Earth Advantage certification program. He developed and taught courses on the subjects of building science, energy efficiency, sustainable building practices to Builders, Architects/Designers, Home Inspectors, Energy Auditors and Building Code officials, and Real Estate Professionals. John is a USGBC LEED for Homes Green Rater and Quality Assurance Designee.
Mike Wright
Mike Wright is a volunteer for Electrification Ashland Now! In 2020, after he and a group of friends participated in a year-long book study focused on the climate crisis, Mike began to identify how he contributes to the problem as well as can be part of the solution. This led Mike to electrify his home in Ashland as well as install rooftop solar panels to contribute clean renewable energy to the electrical grid.
Mike served as a former financial executive at consumer products businesses before transitioning to a second career in public education in a non-teaching capacity.
Ray Mallette
Ray moved to Ashland in 2014 after 37 years as an engineer with IBM. Since retiring, he has pursued learning about the causes and solutions of climate change. This led him to act as assistant teacher on a climate change course with Southern Oregon Climate Action Now! (SOCAN). In addition, he sat on the Ashland Climate Policy Commission for three years with a goal to reduce citizens’ greenhouse gas emissions.
While in Vermont, Ray acted as the general contractor when he and his wife built a house. They learned about building design and envelope along with heating, cooling, plumbing and electrical systems. In Ashland, Ray recently installed a hot water heat pump and a Mitsubishi heat pump in his home, and looks forward to assisting others in their electrification journey alongside Electrify Ashland Now.