Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Early entry into solar industry set up Alston for leadership role

Tom Alston has discovered multiple roles in the solar industry, just as the state is gearing up to be a major player in the sector.

Alston said he didn’t always have a desire to work in solar, but he learned about the environment firsthand growing up as a “park rat.” His father, Joe, served for more than 31 years with the National Park Service, including some time as assistant superintendent of Yosemite National Park and six years as superintendent of Grand Canyon National Park.

Alston went to the University of Arizona as an undergraduate, then went on to the Thunderbird School of Global Management to earn an MBA with a focus on energy and international development.

During a discussion on energy at Thunderbird, he met Glenn Hamer, president and CEO of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce. Today, he credits Hamer for piquing his interest in the solar industry.