GigaWatt’s Deep Patel, whose first name means “light” in Hindi, is on a mission to help companies harness the power of the sun—and their voices.

As businesses large and small look for ways to improve their energy security and decrease their dependence on limited fossil fuels, companies like CBS have turned to GigaWatt to help them meet their energy needs with renewable power. From engineering, financing, and permitting to installation and ongoing maintenance, the company helps homeowners, companies, and government agencies through all phases of their transitions to solar.

Patel joined Business Forward’s Local Leadership Council to encourage business leaders to speak up and advise policy makers about how best to create jobs and move our economy forward.

“Let’s sit down and talk with the people who craft public policy,” says Deep. “It’s our responsibility to actively contribute to our democracy and Business Forward creates a space for us to do that.”

As a Local Leadership Council member, Deep helps convene events with business leaders in his area and government officials. If you’re interested in learning more about the Local Leadership Council, let us know.

And if you want to know how you can save money by making your building more energy efficient, join a webinar with Business Forward and the Department of Energy on Thursday, May 22. Stay tuned for details.