Navisun Narratives: Tomasz Gawel, Senior Accountant

At Navisun, our people are the driving force behind every project we build, own, and operate. Through our Navisun Narratives series, we spotlight the individuals whose unique journeys and perspectives power our mission and help shape the future of clean energy.

We recently spoke with Tomasz Gawel, Senior Accountant at Navisun, to discuss his journey from Poland to the U.S., his unexpected career path into renewable energy, and his reflections on what it means to work for a mission-driven, close-knit team.

Can you tell us a bit about yourself to get started?

I came to the U.S. from Poland when I was 18, right after high school, chasing what people call the “American dream.” At that time, I didn’t speak English and had no idea what I was getting into. I lived with my aunt and cousins for a few months before moving out on my own in New York City. It was truly a life school.

I’m a proud husband and father of three beautiful children. I earned my bachelor’s degree in accounting over the course of seven years, as I attended college part-time while working full-time. Looking back, I wouldn’t trade those early challenges for anything; they made me who I am.

You’ve worked in project management, operations, and construction. What led you to solar?

Honestly, it was a bit of an accident. I started out in construction roles and moved toward accounting because I wanted a broader view of how things run. While working as a project accountant for construction firms, someone offered me a role in renewable energy. I hesitated because solar seemed risky, but I decided to take the leap. That decision opened a door to something new.

My first real renewable-energy job was at Lime Energy, where I helped run state-sponsored savings programs for small businesses. That’s where the vision of clean energy began to resonate. Later, I joined a company that spun off its solar business and started building distributed generation solar farms. That experience gave me end-to-end exposure: development, construction, procurement, and operations.

Eventually, through industry connections, I met Mark Anderson while at Signal Energy and that led me to Navisun.

How have your previous roles equipped you for your work at Navisun?

My experience in construction (field work, trade roles) and in accounting gives me an inside view of both sides of the coin. I’ve seen firsthand the challenges crews face in the field, and I’ve worked the numbers behind the scenes. Because I understand both perspectives, I can serve as a bridge: engineers speak a different “language” than accountants, but I’m comfortable translating between them.

Also, having worked across different accounting roles, from project accounting and cost control to forecasting, which has helped me adapt to new challenges. At Navisun, I'm now exposed to development and entire project lifecycles — something I hadn’t done before — but my prior foundation gives me confidence to learn fast.

What does a typical day look like for you at Navisun?

There’s no one “typical day.” Every day is different. Some bring fires, others bring calm. My role bridges field operations and finance. I spend time:

Communicating with field teams and helping troubleshoot issues
Managing payables, receivables, cash flow, budgets, and forecasts
Working on purchase orders (POs) and vendor relationships
Supporting construction and procurement from a financial lens

One of my favorite (and challenging) parts is vendor coordination. Keeping vendors happy, negotiating, and resolving issues keeps me on my toes, which I enjoy.

How does your role in accounting help advance Navisun’s clean energy mission?

Even though I’m not directly designing or building the solar systems, accounting has enormous influence. If the financial side isn’t solid, budgets get out of control, vendors aren’t paid, cash dries up and the project fails. The quality and rigor of our work allows field and engineering teams to operate smoothly.

When people are empowered and have clarity, a stable process, and timely payments, they can focus on execution, not blockages. Happy teams build better projects.

What skills or perspectives from your past work are most valuable now?

First, the accounting fundamentals: cost control, forecasting, and financial risk management. Those are bedrocks no matter the industry.

Also, working on construction projects, even traditional ones, teaches patience, coordination, and dealing with uncertainty. I didn’t fully grasp how complex development-to-construction processes can be until joining Navisun. Some projects take two or three years before equipment even goes into the field. That scale is fascinating to me.

What gives you energy at Navisun, and how does collaboration work?

I love that we’re all trying to do meaningful work. Even though many of us are remote, there’s a shared drive: we’re building something positive together. We all wear multiple hats, which keeps things dynamic and engaging.

As for my part, I see accounting and finance not as a support function but as a central piece of making projects succeed. If we don’t manage the numbers well, there’s nothing to build. Project managers may excel in execution, but they rely on us to keep financial flows in check.

Which project moments make you proud?

I don’t track one standout job, but every time we reach mechanical completion, that moment is special. It means construction is done, and the system is ready for energy production. Given how many challenges every project throws at us, those sign-offs feel like hard-earned wins.

Where do you see your role and Navisun evolving?

I see Navisun continuing to build on its strong foundation and growing into an even more efficient, resilient company. As we expand, we’ll be able to strengthen relationships with vendors, optimize procurement, and enhance control over project delivery. Growth, for us, isn’t just about size — it’s about deepening our capabilities and creating lasting value across every project.

As for the energy sector, I believe renewables will continue their ascent. We’re in a transition that may take 10 or 20 years, but I’m confident we’ll get there. Technology will evolve; society will shift. We just have to keep building.

Advice for someone considering clean energy finance/accounting

Jump in early. Work for a renewable energy company as soon as you can. The terms, pace, and challenges differ from traditional construction or accounting. The earlier you're exposed, the more fluent you become, and that fluency becomes invaluable.

Outside the office: What’s your ideal day?

If I could do anything, I’d hike the Appalachian Trail. I love hiking, nature, and being outdoors. Walking trails and disconnecting from screens are the moments I cherish most.