Nelson Fernandes

(Founder, CEO)

Nelson Fernandes obtained his bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Southern Illinois University Carbondale and the Galileo Master Certificate from the Renewable Energy Institute. He started the Green Roof Team in Fall 2019 with the support of Stanford University d.shool's University Innovation Fellows program for practicing Design Thinking at SIUC.

The initial vision focused on cultivating an outdoor innovation hub for students to explore their own passions in a collaborative setting on campus. Then, Nelson found ways to leverage passions in clean energy & emerging technology along with building a virtual team of university students at the start of the 2020 pandemic to showcase opportunities the SIU Green Roof can nurture.

He has earned many rewards including Illinois Innovation Network's Student Innovator of the Year (August 2021), the SIU College of Engineering’s Outstanding Senior Award (Class of 2022). Nelson is a young entrepreneur with a passion for renewable energy, sustainability, and creating positive change.

Prem Rana

(Co-Founder, CMO)

Prem Rana obtained his bachelor's degree in Computer Science and Radio/Television/Digital Media from Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

Prem is someone enthusiastic about multidisciplinary learning. Graduating from Southern Illinois University with degrees in both Computer Science and Digital Media, Prem understands the impact combining two separate fields can have in regards to innovation. It's a primary reason why Prem joined the Green Roof Team, where he could create opportunities for students to learn about unique sustainable solutions on campus.

Now as part of the Green Roof Team LLC, Prem hopes to create exciting products and spread the unique brand that is the Green Roof Team. Prem wants to create something that inspires the generations after him, as he was inspired from the generations before him.

Outside of the team, Prem does Video Production for various online communities and produces music in his free time.

Tanner Clark

(Manager)

Tanner Clark grew up in Strasburg Illinois, a rural village in Shelby County. After graduating from Stewardson-Strasburg High School and then Lake Land College in Mattoon Illinois, he attended Southern Illinois University from fall 2020 to spring 2022.

While attending SIU, Tanner met other students at SIU who were forming the Green Roof Team. He joined the group with them in the fall of 2021 primarily as a member of the Disaster Resilient Wind Turbine and Green Roof Turbine projects.

Beyond Green Roof Team, Tanner enjoys working out, learning about anything and everything, and spending time with friends (like his fellow GRT members).

Stephen Schulte

(Manager)

Stephen Schulte is a senior Computer Science undergraduate at Southern Illinois University Carbondale after graduating from Mascoutah High School. He was introduced to the team in early 2020 and worked on both the Temporary Wind Turbine and NREL Solar District Cup Projects. Continuously finds himself improving as an individual and team member to help the team reach new heights. Currently, he works as a Resident Assistant and pursuing interests in cyber security.

Zachary Boehl

(Manager)

Zachary Boehl grew up in Southern Illinois. He graduated from Southern Illinois University in Spring 2022 with a bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering.

While attending SIU, Zach met the founder through the Leadership Development Program and joined the Green Roof Team in Fall 2020 part of the Temporary Wind Turbine project, then later on the Disaster Resilient Wind Turbine project.

Gustavo Felicio Perruci

(Engineering Manager)

Gustavo Felicio Perruci grew up in Brazil where he had his bachelor degree from the Federal University of Sao Carlos.

In 2019, Gustavo moved to the USA in the pursuit of a master's degree at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. In this opportunity he joined the Leadership Development Program and through those connections started collaborating to the Green Roof Team in 2020. His main role was to manage the design team in the design and installation of wind turbines and solar energy for the green roof of the agriculture building at SIU.

Nowadays Gustavo is a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Texas from where he still collaborate to the development of the Green Roof Team. His main studies are related to the development of sustainable advanced materials.

Other than work, Gustavo enjoys working out outside, biking and running. he also has an special appreciation for Bonsai.