As a child, Ron MacKinnon had an obsession with how things worked. From dismantling and putting back together his first watch, to designing and engineering alternative energy systems, Ron believes that the awareness of renewable energy solutions is essential to a long term sustainable approach to the nation’s energy needs. It’s his passion.

Ron’s background is rooted in avionics engineering. Cryogenics (liquified gases) led him to the HVAC industry where he has worked as an installer, HVAC system designer and business manager. In 2005, he launched Can-Am Consulting, a business based on the principle of educating consumers about renewable technologies and alternatives available for both homes and businesses.

In addition to his consulting work, Ron works with a Wisconsin-based HVAC distributor where he establishes dealer programs for HVAC contractors and develops and conducts training programs on geothermal and hydronics. Ron is also knowledgeable about solar thermal, solar PV, wind, biomass, hydroelectric and biofuel technologies.

Most recently Ron launched WhoKnowsThisStuff.com, the ultimate classroom designed to inform and educate consumers about renewable and alternative energy and how to incorporate these technologies into their lives.

• How do you find a qualified dealer?
• What alternatives and renewable options are available to you?
• What questions should you ask?
• Where can you find credible information?
• How do tax credits and rebates work?

WhoKnowsThisStuff.com (WKTS) was created to offer answers to these, and more, questions in a simple, easy-to-access and easy-to-understand format, through short (6-9 minute) video segments that are both fun and informative. WKTS seeks out industry experts to assist in simplifying these technologies and offers proven resource links, a blog and opportunities to advertise on the WKTS web site or be part of a dealer locator network.

After earning my degree from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in Journalism, I’ve spent my entire career producing a wide variety of video related programs for a variety of businesses both on the local and national level. My talents are many as I’ve worn many hats as a creative writer, producer, videographer, director and editor.

I’ve won numerous broadcast awards on several topics for my work and dedication to my profession. It began early in my career as a photojournalist working at WEAU-TV (NBC) in Eau Claire where I produced feature reports, documentaries and covered local and major news and sports stories.

Following the world of television news, I transitioned to producing training and educational programs for a national publication and seminar company. I traveled extensively throughout the United States developing material to assist attorneys, paralegals, bankers, doctors, nurses and realtors to become better in their career and helping obtain their continuing education credits necessary to retain their licenses.

It was in 1991 that I left corporate America and started Compete Video Productions in Eau Claire. For ten years that business created sales and marketing videos, training and educational programs, and documentaries for a variety of professional groups throughout the United States and internationally.

In 2000, I sold my business to pursue other broadcast and freelance avenues. I started Total Media Productions with partner Barry Hottmann in 2003. We primarily create national award winning video programs, as well as web page development and graphic design. Watching video grow over the years, it was inevitable that video on the web was, and is going to be huge, and being part of this growth is fascinating to me.

Which brings us to Who Knows This Stuff! Rmac and I had talked for years, while he was in the HVAC industry, that we should create content not only for consumers, but also to create training and educational DVD’s for manufacturers, distributors and dealers. Why? Because we saw there was a genuine need for this in their industry. In attending industry specific trade shows over the past few months, education and training video programs was the loud and clear message expressed to us as the missing link.

So, with my talents as a video producer, Rmac’s talent as the industry expert, and Barry’s talent in the internet/web arena, we figured we had a great core to start Who Knows This Stuff – which we did in June of 2009. We wanted to produce short, easy to understand high definition video programs in the renewable and alternative energy arena. Our goal is to educate consumers in making smart decisions. On September 11th, 2009, Who Knows This Stuff was born and launched on the web! Our mission is to create a detailed library of video programs that will educate consumers to make smart, educated purchases in whatever alternative or renewable application is used.

Barry Hottmann has been in the technology arena for more than 17 years, and provides technical insight for all electronic media needs at Who Knows This Stuff. His formal education is in Management Information Systems and Business Administration, and he has also completed his Master’s in Business Administration. Barry’s varied technical background allows him to proficiently perform a number of tasks at Who Knows This Stuff. In fact, he is commonly referred to in the organization as the “jack of all trades… master of none”! Let’s just say he wears a lot of hats. From sales and marketing guy to web designer and video editor, he takes on anything that comes his way and has a difficult time saying “no.”

Barry brings his perfectionism, professionalism, and high level of customer service to everything he does. From the last detail on the editing timeline, to polishing the last graphic on a web page, he makes sure that all the parts go together and meet the customer’s exact specifications.

Whether in front of the computer (editing or web developing) or on the golf course, he always brings his enthusiasm and passion for what he does. His ability to focus on the details, and create unique compositions either on the web or in the studio, is second to none.

Jackie Meudt has more than 25 years experience in marketing and advertising and says: “I’ve designed, created and built just about everything that’s fit to print!” Jackie’s work experience is diverse and includes 15 years at a graphic design/marketing agency and 10 years as a sole proprietor, providing freelance services to clients in agency, corporate, non-profit and private environments. Her varied experiences provide her with insights beyond those related specifically to graphic design, providing her with business perspectives that help her deliver work that’s intended to get results.

Jackie has created, built, produced and managed projects, budgets and people. She’s worked with art directors, designers, production artists, quality-control professionals, account executives, print coordinators and outside vendors.

Her broad range of experiences allows her to focus on designing and creating communication pieces that are focused on specific clients needs and intended to generate results. Whether producing brochures, catalogs, packaging, annual reports, direct-mail pieces, flyers, magazines, logos or trade show materials, Jackie works to create cohesive messages that can be delivered visually.

And, as the world has evolved into the electronic age, so has Jackie. In addition to traditional design, she has worked on web pages and has built photo montages for web marketing materials.

Jackie brings a broad range of experience with various tools, state-of-the-art equipment and software to her projects. She has extensive experience in InDesign, QuarkXPress, Photoshop and Illustrator and has worked with the Microsoft Office products, Dreamweaver and Flash.

The bottom line – choosing the right tools and the right graphic solutions to achieve desired results.

Linda Pophal is a marketing communications, PR and social media specialist with experience helping organizations raise awareness for their products and services in local, regional and national media outlets. By leveraging the various communication options now available from the traditional (newspapers and trade publications) to the new-media (web sites, blogs and social media), Pophal has achieved exposure for clients in outlets like USA Today, The Globe and Mail, Advertising Age and numerous local print and broadcast outlets. Through her firm Strategic Communications, LLC (www.stratcommunications.com), she works with clients to build awareness and exposure through media placements and the development of social media commuunities, based on their specific goals and target audiences.

Pophal has managed all aspects of corporate and marketing communication including employee communication, public relations, advertising, market research and brand management. She has led several strategic planning initiatives in the areas of crisis management and marketing planning.

She is a prolific writer of business management and marketing articles for both general and trade publications and is the author of several books, including The Essentials of Corporate Communications and PR (Harvard Business School Press, 2006) and Marketing With the End In Mind (IABC, 2005). Her next book, The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Strategic Planning will be released in spring, 2011.