About ReGo

Our vision, history and people

We are committed to having a positive impact in our work at every stop along the way—from the technologies we continually evaluate, test and specify; to the proven enterprises we find and partner with; to the committed and talented people we have been lucky enough to find who want to help build ReGo’s contribution to the evolution of personal transit; to the individuals, families and other groups we serve as they seek to lessen the impact their travel needs have on the world, from our neighborhoods to our globe.

• Started in 2008 with a mission to provide to provide reliable, cost-effective and accessible electric car conversions and services to benefit our community and the environment while building a strong local economy.
• Invested in research and development to improve electric vehicle performance and viability specifically in Minnesota’s cold climate.
• Completed Minnesota’s first all lithium-ion battery electric conversions in 2009.
• Launched plug-in hybrid vehicle conversion services in 2010.
• Continuing to innovate an economically and environmentally sustainable approach to make electric vehicle technology accessible to Minnesotans.
• Brand/manufacturer-agnostic: we research, bench test and then select the best components for our system configurations from proven manufactures and distributors.
• Our partners and providers have been around for decades

ReGo Belief Statements

We believe that you can’t consume your way out of global warming. Our business focuses on the modification of existing vehicles with an emphasis on reuse, reduction and the provision of services that meet a demonstrated need.

We believe that this business should be a sound, financially profitable, self-sustaining enterprise so that we are able to continue and expand our work and impact on the community and environment.

We believe that “profits” include financial, environmental, and social gains and we will value all three of these profits equally as a core, guiding principal of our business.

We believe in supporting the local economy wherever possible and using resources from our business to create new local opportunities where none currently exist.

We believe in creating this model authentically from the start and looking at our environmental footprint broadly to invest in upfront measures to maximize our long term environmental, social and financial profits. Our goal is to be powered by 100% renewable; sourced 100% locally; pay above prevailing, family sustaining wages; and create zero-waste.

We believe in shedding the “business as usual approach” to create a new economic model that values people, the environment and profits. We believe this model will give us a competitive advantage and provide for long term success.

We believe that converting hybrid vehicles to plug-in hybrid vehicles will have a significant environmental benefits by reducing our use of fossil fuels. We believe that alternatives to our current electric grid will be developed in the near future to realize even greater benefits.

The ReGo Team

Shayna Berkowitz

Shayna Berkowitz, Owner: As well as the brainchild of ReGo, Shayna is a parent, educator and activist. She has a long history of community involvement, organizing, service and activism for social change, environmental sustainability, and justice. She has taught in Minneapolis Public Schools, Congregation Shir Tikvah and has worked with numerous progressive organizations over the years. Shayna was the Executive Producer of the documentary, WELLSTONE! and is the president of Still Ain’t Satisfied; A Foundation With Attitude.  She recently got a 3.5 kW PV grid-tied solar array with a Minnesota made panel at her home. Shayna is extremely excited about recharging her plug-in hybrids with solar!

Alex Danovitch

Alex Danovitch, Owner: Alex is an experienced entrepreneur in sustainable business with over 15 years experience with triple-bottom line business development. Prior to ReGo, he was a co-founder and the Director of Business Development for Eureka Recycling, the largest nonprofit recycler in North America. He started out as an AmeriCorps*VISTA volunteer where he was part of the national “Recycling to Build Community” initiative.

Dave Peichel

Dave Peichel, Technology Advisor: An electrical engineer by training, Dave is currently a Senior Principle Product Engineer in the New Therapies and Diagnostics division of Medtronic. He has served as an officer and president of the Minnesota chapter of the Electric Auto Association and drives a fully electric Geo Metro and recently installed a 3.4 kW PV grid-tied array at his home.

Garrett Ferderber

Garrett “The EV-Angelist” Ferderber, Shop Manager: An experienced electrician, Garrett combines his project management skills with his knowledge in electrical and automotive mechanics to lead in the installations of ReGo’s conversions. He has a vast array of prior experience from theatrical to sustainable, and previously worked with True Blue Electrical and True Blue Solar.

Noe Cardenas

Noe Cardenas, Shop Technician:  A skilled technician, Noe has been a car enthusiast from a young age and has been working on cars for over 12 years. He is currently enrolled in the automotive technology program at Dunwoody College of Technology. Noe’s enthusiasm for technology and experience with cars is a great addition to ReGo’s team. When Noe isn’t servicing vehicles at Toyota, in class at Dunwoody, hitting the books for school, converting a hybrid to a plug-in for ReGo or tinkering on his own car, he enjoys exploring new places on his bike and rock climbing when he can.

Eric Powers

Eric Powers, Wisconsin Area Manager: Eric has been a car-enthusiast for decades. He has owned everything from a 1950′s cruiser to a 1970′s muscle car to his highly-modified Honda Insight hybrid. His latest passion is spreading the word about green vehicles and sharing his enthusiasm with others. His technical knowledge about Plug-In Hybrids comes from years of hands-on experience. When not working on cars, he runs the Madison Hybrid Group (A car club for owners), and organizes the annual Green Drive Expo events in Madison, WI and Richmond, CA.

Tim Klein

Tim Klein, Communications and Marketing: Tim has worked on a number of different political campaigns, produced/directed documentary films (www.whatarewedoinghere.net) and has recently been fixing-up an old house in the Powderhorn Park neighborhood of South Minneapolis. He bikes all year around and is completing his degree in Communications and History at the U of M.

Jade Patrick

Jade Patrick, Communications and Marketing: Jade merges creative and critical thinking in the same breath, drawing from her degree in economics from Hamline University and her artistic endeavors which include photography, painting, dance, and a deep love for music. She loves to bike, cook, and be outdoors with her family and friends. At ReGo she works directly with our partners and customers to help them reduce their carbon footprint.

Catharine Reid

Catharine Reid, a member of the ReGo advisory board, has had an interest in alternative energy since she wound up the propeller on her toy boat with a rubber band and it moved across the water for 3 seconds. She does whatever needs to be done in the office.

Advisory Board

• Leslie Christian
• Julie Goodridge
• Ashwin Madia
• Catharine Reid
• Phyllis Wiener

Past Team Members

• David Carroll
• Steve Peichel
• Keith Jackson
• Janell Vircks
• Devi Weiner Berkowitz
• Harper Zwicky
• Carol Bouska