Native
Austin, TX 78737
Locations
Native
Vice President
Key Contacts
Owners, Principals & Senior Executives
Lloyd Lee's Bio
Lloyd was born and raised in Texas and has lived in the Central Texas area since 1992. Lloyd worked in construction during college, which spurred his interest in building. After graduating with a degree in Industrial Technology from Southwest Texas University, Lloyd worked in the high tech industry and gained an appreciation for using new technologies to solve old problems. His passion for building and interests in technology led him to pursue an active role in sustainable construction and renewable energy system integrations. At Native, Lloyd cultivates a culture of empowering team members to excel within their individual talents. Lloyd is very proud of his team and considers Native’s long term viability to be a direct result of the passion and hard work each person brings on a daily basis.
Thing that baffles me: People who focus on obstacles when solutions are there if you look for them.
Best vacation: My wife and I rented a private island in Bora Bora for our honeymoon.
During the weekend: I enjoy spending time on nearby lakes, rivers, and creeks with my family.
My favorite place on earth: In a hammock under a couple of oak trees (or palm trees).
I’m inspired by: My father who never considered inexperience or lack of formal training to be a reason to avoid trying something new.
Nick Ryza 's Bio
Nick was born in Austin and raised in Corpus Christi. He went to college at Texas A&M in Corpus Christi and spent many days surfing when he should have been in class. After graduating with a degree in Chemistry, he moved back to Austin and started his professional career in the Semiconductors Industry. He began in engineering and ended up in sales and on the side he found himself dabbling in construction. During this time, Nick met his future business partners, and helped to found Native in 2007. At Native, Nick is in charge of the company’s financial operations.
Thing that baffles me: How difficult my kids’ bedtime still is every night.
Best vacation: My best vacation was traveling to the Czech Republic with my family and meeting our distant relatives in the small town of Lidechko. It’s probably the largest collection of Ryza’s in the world!
Random fact: Native’s conception can be tied back to a few pints of Guinness at a pub in Dublin, Ireland.
Thing that inspired me to do what I do: Helping my parents build their home as a teenager. My parents then returned the favor when I wanted to build my home. One thing led to another…
Nick was born in Austin and raised in Corpus Christi. He went to college at Texas A&M in Corpus Christi and spent many days surfing when he should have been in class. After graduating with a degree in Chemistry, he moved back to Austin and started his professional career in the Semiconductors Industry. He began in engineering and ended up in sales and on the side he found himself dabbling in construction. During this time, Nick met his future business partners, and helped to found Native in 2007. At Native, Nick is in charge of the company’s financial operations.
Thing that baffles me: How difficult my kids’ bedtime still is every night.
Best vacation: My best vacation was traveling to the Czech Republic with my family and meeting our distant relatives in the small town of Lidechko. It’s probably the largest collection of Ryza’s in the world!
Random fact: Native’s conception can be tied back to a few pints of Guinness at a pub in Dublin, Ireland.
Thing that inspired me to do what I do: Helping my parents build their home as a teenager. My parents then returned the favor when I wanted to build my home. One thing led to another…
Operations
Eric Jacobus 's Bio
I am a project manager of new home construction at Native
Super power: Invincibility, I have never died once my whole life. Not even once!
Best Vacation: When I was younger I went to Montana for the summer with a friend of mine, it was the best summer ever. I was in a parade, went to Yellowstone, learned to heard sheep, rode 4 wheelers, drove a car for the first time, and fell in love with the outdoors.
Favorite quote: “All experience has shown that mankind is more
disposed to suffer while evils are sufferable than to right themselves
by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed”. – American
Declaration of Independence
And it’s so true, even though
sustainability and renewable energy is clearly a better way to go most
people won’t make the change only because it’s not what we have always
done before.
Les Wilcox 's Bio
At NATiVE I project manage commercial and Lennar home solar installations. I also perform residential sight assessments.
During the weekend I: Spend most of the time outdoors with the family. We do a lot of hikes, long runs, or bike rides around the Hill Country. Also we like to take the kayaks out to the local water holes.
My favorite place on earth: MacRea’s Peak, grandfather mountain, NC. At the peak there is a 360 degree vue of the blue ridge mountains.
Business Development, Marketing & Sales
David Dixon's Bio
David has been with Native since its beginning and at various times has overseen sales, marketing, and operations over the past ten years. Currently, he is the Business Development Manager. It is a dynamic and exciting environment and he continuously looks to improve the capabilities, comfort and sustainability of our homes. David earned a Bachelors of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science degree from the University of Connecticut in 1994. After five years in the HVAC industry, he returned to the University of Texas at Austin and earned a Masters in Mechanical Engineering, with a focus in environmental science and solar design in 2000.
Book that moved me: There have been several books that have shaped by world view. The first that comes to mind is Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert Pirsig. This is a great read about the importance of quality.
Thing that inspired me to do what I do: My awakening to the potential of a clean energy future began with a seventh grade science fair project I did on the subject. This was in the early 80’s – when there was less than 10MW of PV installed in the entire US…and now we are over 50GW!
Thing most people wouldn’t believe about me: I was athletic enough to have played in the 1997 World Ultimate Frisbee Championship games.
Most serendipitous moment: Serendipitous moments happen all the time. They occur when you reach out to others. That simple act often results in unexpected opportunities.
Ryan Doty 's Bio
Born and raised in the midwest, Ryan went to school for art, film, & theatre, attending Purdue University, Oxford, and the University of Central Florida. He has a varied background, with experience working in graphic design, film, computer-aided drafting, website design & optimization, marketing, education, construction, carpentry, and solar PV. Ryan manages the NATiVE website, produces videos, graphics, and maintains NATiVE’s digital and printed presence.
During the weekend: I like to spend time on the greenbelt hiking and swimming with my dogs and family.
Thing most people wouldn’t believe about me: Although pretty laid back and mellow, I am an adrenaline/sports junkie. I like skydiving, scuba diving, bungee jumping, flying (piloting), sailing, snowboarding, skateboarding, hiking, climbing mountains, and long to base jump, hang glide, pilot a helicopter, and fly bigger planes. Oh, and I’d like to travel through space.
Favorite quote: “No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it’s not the same river and he’s not the same man.” – Heraclitus
Best advice: Do not walk upstream after taking a drink from a river.
Finance & Accounting
Tonya Young 's Bio
As Construction Coordinator, Tonya supports the construction team to help facilitate efficient operations while your home is built. She transitions your project from Sales & Estimating to Construction and remains involved throughout the entire process and after move in. You will work with Tonya to approve selections and change orders, for homeowner portal assistance, and to submit warranty claims. She’s excited you’ve chosen NATiVE to build your new, sustainable home and strives for positive homeowner experiences during and after construction.
Best advice: Let Go. Let God.
In my spare time I enjoy watching documentaries.
I am inspired by people who are genuine, selfless, and driven to find solutions for daunting issues, for the benefit of the world we all live in and are responsible for together.
My favorite place on earth is in a good dream.