Tom Cotter (born June 29, 1972) is an American conservationist, entrepreneur, renewable energy advocate, and ordained evangelical minister living in Clovis, California. Biography Early life and inspiration Tom Cotter grew up in Napa Valley, California, United States. A significant influence of his work was the Boy Scouts of America. In 1988, Cotter was awarded the title of Eagle Scout. Professional career In 1997, he was ordained clergy at First Christian Church in Napa, California. He served as a pastor at Clovis Christian Church in Clovis, California, from 1996 to 2006. From 2006 to 2015 he worked in sales leadership in the U.S. Photovoltaic Industry, starting at ReGrid Power, which was later acquired by Real Goods Solar. He also worked at Sunrun. From 2015 to 2017 he worked as Regional Sales Manager at Renew Financial for the California counties of Fresno, Madera, Tulare, and Kings. Cotter has taught as an adjunct professor of Theological Ethics and the Environment at Fresno Pacific University. Personal life Cotter resides in Clovis, California, with his wife, Christi Gaither, and their three children. The family has a solar power and solar thermal system on their home. Mr. Cotter drives a Nissan Leaf. Mrs. Cotter drives an alternative fuel VW Jetta TDI. The Cotter family uses vermiposting to turn kitchen scraps, junk mail and paper packing materials into nutrient rich soil for their garden and yard. Cotter is a part of the California Climate Ride, a 320-mile bicycle benefit ride for bicycle advocacy and renewable energy down the coast of California from Eureka, California to San Francisco, California. Sustainability education and advocacy Community In 2007, Cotter and Socient CEO, Victor Ramayrat, co-founded Green Fresno, a free online community and information portal (in 2012 it was relaunched as Green Central Valley). Cotter is the organizer and curator of the annual Fresno Solar Tour part of the American Solar Energy Society's National Solar Tour. Cotter is an Organizer of Fresno Earth Day, purposed to inspire and mobilize individuals and organizations to demonstrate their commitment to environmental protection and sustainability. Cotter is founder and coordinator of Fresno Green Drinks, an informal monthly gathering of environmental field professionals, educators, public servants, activists, and people wanting to learn and inspire each other towards broader ecological stewardship in the Fresno metro area. As of May 2012, Green Drinks was active in 642 cities worldwide. In 2012, Cotter became a Climate Leader in the