“CSL embodies my belief that life is most fulfilling when spent volunteering to help others, and to make a difference in the world. For me that’s mostly meant helping others reduce their individual energy impact with solar and energy efficiency, which improves the environment for everyone.”

Woodie strives to live sustainably through “voluntary simplicity.” After going to the Simply Living Fair in 2005, the Bessler family decided to move to Bloomington and become involved with the CSL. Then, in 2007, SIREN held a meeting to form a group around solar energy and Woodie found a way to support environmental efforts while using his engineering expertise.

He researched and authored the first Going Solar Leadership Forum in 2011, and has presented Solarize and Going Solar programs throughout Indiana. He consults with individuals, businesses and government agencies wanting to reduce their utility expenses with energy conservation, efficiency, and solar energy via SIREN and the Monroe County Energy Challenge. Woodie is a Purdue Electrical Engineer, semi-retired from a career in electrical design engineering and project management–most recently at the Proton Therapy Center at IU’s Cyclotron, and previously at General Foods, and Kraft Foods’ headquarters. He has been active in the community as a STEM mentor to the Quadrangles F.I.R.S.T. Robotics Competition team, the B-town Bots Lego League team, the Cyber-Squids Seaperch team, and several Jackson Creek Middle School Science Olympiad teams. He’s married with teenage twins, and has been loving their family’s decision to move to Bloomington about a dozen years ago.