Dylan Tindall, Chair Quality Control, 15 Lightyears Years in the building performance industry: 4 Bio: Florida native with a love for doing the right thing and making the world a better place for all. Being as accurate and as honest as possible is something I strive to do in every aspect of my life. I have a BS in Engineering Technology specialized in Sustainable Design. My position at 15 lightyears is Quality Control. This involves ensuring our technicians in the field are doing their jobs properly as well as holding builders accountable for fixing issues discovered during inspections. I also oversee all energy modeling and registrations at 15 lightyears. What does your workspace look like? A small desk with a laptop and a second monitor and a work van with a full set of testing equipment What’s been one of your proudest moments working at your company? I created our modeling methodology for Ekotrope from scratch along with how we keep track of projects over time. I have also significantly improved the accuracy of our work since moving into Quality Control. Jacob Kamen, Vice Chair Account Manager, Ekotrope Bio: Jacob Kamen is an Account Manager at Ekotrope, a software company which has developed the most widely used HERS® Rating software as well as a suite of advanced residential analysis tools. Jacob joined the Ekotrope team after spending time at Bosch, researching and designing cooling technologies for electric vehicles. As a mechanical engineer by training, Jacob prides himself on solving both clients’ business and technical challenges and has worked closely with numerous stakeholders in the RESNET HERS® industry. Why did you choose to join the ELC? I felt that there were more people getting ready to leave this industry than there were people joining it, and this felt like the place to try and solve that. What’s the weirdest job you’ve ever had? I once had a job taking large bags of birdseed and breaking them down into smaller bags of birdseed… What’s the best thing about your job? Talking to so many various types of people from all over the country (and world)! Leo Jansen, Immediate Past Chair Vice President / Primary QAD at Energy Efficient Homes Midwest, Inc. Years in the building performance industry: 2 Task Group: ELC Video Competition, ELC RESNET Conference Sessions, ELC Fellows 2020 Program, Standards Working Group, Existing Rater / Retention Content TG Bio: Leo serves as the Primary Quality Assurance Delegate (QAD) for Energy Efficient Homes Midwest, Inc., one of the largest 3rd Party QA Providers within the RESNET Network, providing Quality Assurance services for HERS® Raters across seven States. A second-generation employee of EEHM, Leo began his career following a different path in the United States Army, where he served as a Transportation Officer in the 101st Airborne Division, deploying his unit twice to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. After the military, he worked as a Manufacturing Supervisor and then as an Account Manager for an international freight forwarder, where he earned his U.S. Customs Brokerage License. He joined the family business after learning more about building science and energy efficiency and the exciting opportunities the industry holds. He has jumped with both feet forward into the industry, earning his RESNET QAD and IECC Plans/Examiner certifications. He currently serves as the Chair for the RESNET Emerging Leadership Council (ELC), the Chair for the Equipment Subcommittee for SDC300, and as a Task Group member on the Standards Integration Task Group within the Enclosures Subcommittee for SDC 300. Leo brings a wide set of experiences, an analytical mindset and a process driven approach to the building science and energy efficiency industry that he hopes will help bring these concepts into new markets and business opportunities for all members of the building and rating industries. If you could learn to do anything, what would it be? I would like to continue to learn the skill of mindfulness. What’s the weirdest job you’ve ever had? On my second deployment, I once had to hook up a 20’ container for a sling load mission. I basically had to sit on top of this container while a CH-47 Chinook hovered about 5’ above the container and then hook the slings to the helicopter without becoming the middle part of a metal sandwich. Richard Barrell Owner, Paradigm Home Energy Audits LLC Years in the building performance industry: 3 Bio: I have been a rater since 2016 and looking for ways to grow my business. If you could learn to do anything, what would it be? If I had the time and money, I would like to race cars in multiple types of racing What’s the best thing about your job? I get to learn and pass that knowledge to others and help solve problems. Emily Bremmon Program Coordinator for High Performance Insulation Professionals Years in the building performance industry: 2 Task Group: ELC Video Competition, ELC RESNET Conference Sessions, ELC 2020 Volunteer Event Bio: Emily is relatively new to the building performance industry, having just started with HPIP in March of 2018. She hopes to continue to extend her knowledge and expertise by earning from other industry professionals and experiences she encounters through the ELC. In her down time, Emily enjoys traveling, cooking, and spending time with family and friends. If you could pick one superpower, what would it be? The ability to see into the future. If you could learn to do anything, what would it be? I would learn to speak every language known to man fluently. Andy Buccino Bio: Carpenter , builder, residential project manager, cellulose insulation installer, dad, baseball and basketball coach, tai chi and bass player, and a practitioner in the Kagyu School of Tibetan Buddhism. HERS® Rater. Presently director of Energy Services at Stephens and Company Inc, a Building Company. My primary focus is delivering HERS® Rating services to the island of Nantucket, and using the HERS® platform to expand our offerings and bring Energy conservation and indoor air quality awareness to our community Where is the Best Place you’ve Traveled and why? Alaska for 6 months in the summer, and Finland for a winter, for a pretty unique cross section of the tundra landscape. If you could pick one Superpower, what would it be? Flight so I could travel more. Tough being 30 miles out to sea!! Proudest moments: Working with a small leadership team towards town adoption of the Massachusetts Green Communities Act. Nantucket officially became a Green Community in Winter 2020. Cristen Burrell Director of Engagement Years in the building performance industry: 14 Task Group: ELC 2020 Volunteer Event Bio: I used to work with golfers discussing swing sequence and course rankings while organizing instruction camps and boondoggles; but for 14 years now, I’ve been learning and loving the building science, HERS, and home building industries. After more than a decade managing D.R. Wastchak, I took a much-needed and extended staycation, immersing myself in my local culinary community. When it was time to get back to business, I took on a challenging consulting project with another HERS® Rating firm before being offered the position of Finance Director for the Energy & Environmental Building Alliance – or “EEBA” as most would know us. My skills and recent experiences are varied and cover leadership, problem-solving, and management of everything small business; from strategy, staffing, bookkeeping, and budgeting, to rating & training providerships, QA programs, sampling protocols, and now even event planning. I’ve been a Founding Partner of a software startup, the Managing Partner of a Rating Providership, a Mentor, Consultant, and even the Treasurer of a political campaign. I’m driven by my passion for people, the home building industry, and great dining experiences. I prefer to keep my proverbial plate full and currently serve on the RESNET Emerging Leadership Council and SDC 900 Committee, EEBA’s Next Generation Development Committee, the Scottsdale Casa Granada East HOA, PhxFoodNerds, and I’m a board member for the Foundation for Exceptional Kids. Next time you see me, please say “HI” What’s the weirdest job you’ve ever had? As a teenager, I worked in a pet store for about an hour. They asked me to stick my hand into a fishbowl to extract live crickets and bag them for purchase. NOPE! If you know me, you know that’s the stuff my nightmares are made of. What does your workplace look like? Working remotely has helped me embrace minimalism and my entire office fits in one bag. Most days, I unpack that bag in a coffee shop or I grab a lap desk and just sit on my couch. MIchael Caruso Assistant Manager, Energy Testing Services, LLC. Years in the building performance industry: 3 Bio: I live in Long Island New York, I am 23 years old. I have a degree in HVAC and used to work in the industry before turning to energy efficiency. I am passionate about my work and hope to improve upon the industry that I have made my focus! Where is the best place you’ve traveled to and why? New Orleans because of the culture and the food If you could pick one superpower, what would it be? Teleport Emil De Jong Team Lead & QAD, Southern Energy Management Years in the building performance industry: 3 Bio: My interest in this industry started when I decided to Study Architecture at Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston. However, after a year and a half I realized I wanted to be more involved in how buildings use and save energy. I didnt know where to start with this so I took another gap year and while working I discovered the Appropriate Technology and Building Science programs offered by Appalachian State University in Boone NC. I was immediately confident that this was for me and applied, attended, graduated and now have the pleasure of working at Southern Energy Management as the Charlotte division team lead QAD. I love helping builders and trades make smart and practical building science decisions and best of all I love showing them the fruits of those decisions in the form of low HERS® scores or energy efficient program compliance. Where is the best place you’ve traveled to and why? Backpacking around the Andes mountains of Bolivia, Peru, and Ecuador are some of my fondest memories. What’s the best thing about your job? I love how fun, easy going, and motivated the people in our industry are. Trevor Donnely Team Lead/ HERS® Rater, EnergyLogic Years in the building performance industry: 5 Bio: I completed my undergraduate degree at the University of Kansas in Environmental Studies and from that point knew that I wanted to work in building and construction. I interned at Southface Energy Institute for 6 months which led to a full-time position there where I worked for almost 5 years. I then moved out west to work for EnergyLogic in 2016. April of 2020 will be 4 years at EnergyLogic and I am now a Team Lead and HERS® Rater. Where is the best place you’ve traveled to and why? The Grand Canyon because it is a truly American icon and an amazing experience to behold. What does your workspace look like? A Subaru Impreza and my dining room table 🙂 Lindsey Elton President of Eco Achievers Years in the building performance industry: 10 Task Group: Standards Working Group, Existing Rater / Retention Content TG Bio: Lindsey Elton is certified in advanced building science and building diagnostic testing. Her company, Eco Achievers, helps project teams throughout the country to construct high-performance single-family, multi-family, and mixed-use buildings that meet everything from NGBS to LEED, ENERGY STAR, ZERH, and PHIUS standards. Lindsey volunteers as Vice President of the Passive House Alliance of Chicago and frequently speaks on topics related to LEED, PHIUS, and building science. She is a credentialed LEED for Homes Green Rater, RESNET, BPI, and ENERGY STAR Rater; and PHIUS+ Rater/Verifier and Certified Passive House Consultant (CPHC). If you could pick one superpower, what would It be? Ability to immediately convert hate to love If you could learn to do anything, what would it be? To speak more languages. James V. Fera Sustainability Consultant at Steven Winter Associates, Inc. Years in the building performance industry: 3 Task Group: ELC 2020 Volunteer Event Bio: Jimmy Fera is a Sustainability Consultant supporting residential single and multifamily projects pursuing HERS, ENERGY STAR, NGBS, LEED for Homes, Enterprise Green Communities, and various federal, state, & utility incentive programs. His main duties at SWA include performing energy ratings, field inspections, verification, plan review, and general project support. Where is the best place you’ve traveled to and why? Glacier National Park in Montana because it was beautiful! If you could pick one superpower, what would it be? Immunity to physical injuries. Jonathan Gensler Founder of Revive Energy LLC Years in the building performance industry: 2 Task Group: ELC Fellows 2020 Program Bio: Old US Army Veteran who has been working in the advanced energy & technology sector since leaving the Army in 2005. West Virginian by birth, Nashvillian by choice. Where is the best place you’ve traveled to and why? Doubtful Sound, New Zealand – the absolute serenity of communing with nature on such a grand scale, and in such pristine wilderness. What’s been one of your proudest moments working at your company? Having the largest customer slowly work up through getting 100% HERS® Rated homes to committing to 100% Energy Star certifications. Matt Gingrich Director of Energy Diagnostics INC Years in the building performance industry: 14 Task Group: ELC Video Competition Bio: Matt Gingrich is a principal at Energy Diagnostics, where he has worked for the past 14 years, as a Rater, Green Verifier, and Quality Assurance Designee. During his time at the Midwest-based firm, he has seen the evolution of the industry, and the impacts of energy-efficient construction. In 2015, he was elected to the RESNET Board of Directors and is currently the Board President. If you could pick one superpower, what would it be? Teleportation. What’s the weirdest job you’ve ever had? Honestly, weatherization audits. Jacob Hooper Bio coming soon! Aaron Hope Team Lead, Building Performance Field Technician, Southern Energy Management Years in the building performance industry 2.5 Bio: I’m a husband and father of two little people living in Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina. I am working to increase access to renewables and energy efficiency to create sustainable places to live, work, worship, and play. If you could choose anyone, who would you pick as your mentor? Tom Silva – he’s like my personal super-hero. I just want to download his knowledge. If you could learn to do anything, what would it be? I would really like to learn to fly small airplanes. Alex Jagoe Owner, Quantum Raters Years in the building performance industry: 6 Task Group: ELC RESNET Conference Sessions, Standards Working Group, Existing Rater / Retention Content TG Bio: Alex Jagoe is the Owner and Lead Energy Rater of Quantum Raters. Alex served as a 4th-gen builder in his father and uncle’s building company for more than 10 years and approaches all Ratings from the builder’s perspective. During that time, Alex became a HERS® Rater and performed over 1,500 Ratings before learning large energy rating firms — or even RFIs — existed. Alex then decided to leave the family business behind and embark on a new adventure in the energy rating industry. Alex received his degree in Chemical Engineering from Vanderbilt University in 2014. Based out of Owensboro, KY, Quantum provides HERS® Ratings to builders in KY, IN, TN, and MO, and is actively searching more markets to serve! What’s the best thing about your job? Selling! Nobody buys ’til I solve their problems Where is the best place you’ve traveled to and why? My backyard during COVID-19! Nathan Kahre Bio coming soon! John Keener Owner, Mountaineer Inspection Services, LLC Years in the building performance industry: 5 Bio: I am a certified WV home inspector that has a passion for energy efficiency. I am both ResNet and BPI certified. I strive to help builders in my area build energy-efficient homes and help homeowners achieve better energy efficiency. Where is the best place you’ve traveled to and why? I traveled to Germany in 2006. It was interesting to see the different cultures of Europe. What’s the best thing about your job? I truly enjoy being my own boss and knowing the success or failure of my company is based on my efforts. Nathan Kleist Director of Operations at Energy Diagnostics, Inc. Years in the building performance industry: 10 Task Group: ELC Video Competition, Standards Working Group Bio: Nate Kleist is a Purdue alumnus (Boiler Up!), HERS® rater, IHCDA weatherization auditor, is ICC certified and specializes in energy codes and design. He has spent the last ten years fine-tuning his expertise in the home energy rating industry at Energy Diagnostics, a Midwest rating firm based in Indiana, Michigan and Illinois. Nate works with and trains builders, code officials, design professionals and contractors on energy codes and industry best practices. He is also involved in the state and national energy code development process. Nate has worked under several different variations of the 2009, 2012, 2015, and 2018 IECC, giving him a unique and robust look at the state adoption process, along with the benefits and concerns of each code and corresponding amendments. Where is the best place you’ve traveled to and why? Florence, Italy. I absolutely love art and architecture and it was amazing being able to study in a place that is so full of historic relevance for both. Plus the food was great! What’s been one of your proudest moments working at your company? Being invited to be part of the Leadership Team! Rachel LaMantia EnergyLogic, Quality Assurance Specialist / Energy Rater Years in the building performance industry: 2 Bio: Rachel LaMantia is a graduate of the College of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture at the University of Arizona. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Built Environments in December of 2014. With a focus on Design and Energy Conservation, she graduated with a Master of Science in Architecture in 2016. Upon completion of her education, Rachel relocated to Colorado to fulfill her greatest passions of green building and the outdoor adventurer lifestyle. Rachel began her career with EnergyLogic as a Rating Field Inspector and rapidly advanced her credentials as a certified RESNET® Energy Rater—LEED Green Associate, ENERGY STAR®, IECC® 2015, WaterSense®. These career milestones quickly propelled Rachel to her current role as EnergyLogic’s Quality Assurance Specialist. Where is the best place you’ve traveled to and why? Peru, I got to trek through the Amazon Jungle where I saw pink dolphins as the sunset and fell in love with a sloth who clung onto me like he’d known me forever. If you could pick one superpower, what would it be? To be able to fly, for the amazing views, easy travel and the feeling of being free. Robert Palmer Field Engineer for PEG LLC. Years in the building performance industry: 10 Bio: Dedicated to growing the residential energy efficiency industry. RESNET HERS® Rater, BPI certified Build Analyst Professional, Envelope Professional, Multifamily Building Analyst Professional. Jeffery Parker Partner, Project Manager, Eco Achievers Years in the building performance industry: 2.5 BIO: Jeff joined the building performance industry in December of 2018. He previously worked in Natural Areas Management, with a focus on restoring native prairie and savannah ecosystems in Chicagoland. Jeff is a partner at Eco Achievers, where he focuses on HERS, NGBS, and local affordable housing project certifications. He is a graduate of Skidmore College with a bachelor’s degree in Music and is an avid musician maintaining a busy performance schedule. What does your workspace look like? Codebooks, testing equipment, and usually a stringed instrument for the evening’s gig. What’s been one of your proudest moments working at your company? Successfully completing a very challenging PHIUS certification for a school addition. Guarded blower door testing involved depressurizing (and pressurizing) two adjacent buildings with 10 fans. It took several long testing days to emerge with solid data, but we got there. Glenn Pease Manager of Quality Assurance, EnergyLogic Years in the building performance industry: 13 Bio: Glenn Pease is the Manager of Quality Assurance for EnergyLogic and serves as a trainer and mentor for HERS® Raters across the country. Glenn applies his strong background in technical support and experience in the industry to help mentor and guide energy raters, utility program administrators, and independent RESNET QA Providers. Glenn now resides in Loveland, CO where he enjoys hiking, camping, watching football and basketball and especially spending time with his wife and kids. “One of the many perks of working with EnergyLogic is the company culture of being on the cutting edge. Having a company culture that embraces new and improved ways of doing things keeps it fresh and exciting. It is especially important that we add this value to our clients who share a common goal of putting efficiency on the forefront of our everyday lives. Anything we can do to make efficiency more tangible, marketable, and visually appealing strengthens our energy future.” Where is the best place you’ve traveled to and why? Snowy Range, Wyoming – accessible wilderness areas with very few people! If you could pick one superpower, what would it be? Supervision to see insulation covered by drywall Elizabeth Sanfelippo VP of Operations at Eco Three LLC Years in the building performance industry: 6 Task Group: New Rater / Recruitment Content TG Bio: Elizabeth was born in California and raised in Birmingham, Alabama. She earned her BA from Middlebury College in Vermont and a Master of Science in Environmental Management with a focus in Energy Management from Samford University. She is an accredited LEED Green Associate through the U.S. Green Building Council, a Certified Infiltration & Duct Leakage Professional through the Building Performance Institute, a Certified HERS® Rater through RESNET, and is a registered contractor with the Alabama State Board of Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration certified to perform Duct Air Tightness Testing and Building Envelope Tightness (blower door) Tests for Energy Code compliance. She was named one of RESNET’s Emerging Leadership Council Fellows in 2018. She loves high performance buildings, green building technology, and environmentally conscious operations and maintenance. She lives in the Highland Park area where she is President of the Neighborhood Association and enjoys walking her Chihuahua, Easel. What does your workspace look like? Organized chaos. What’s been one of your proudest moments working at your company? Completing 62 HERS® ratings for Reynolds Landing at Ross Bridge. Manon Shankle Operations & Outreach Manager, Viridiant Years in the building performance industry: 4 Bio: Manon Shankle graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a Bachelor of Science in Urban and Regional Studies, and a Baccalaureate Certificate in Product Innovation from VCU da Vinci Center. Following her passion for sustainability, she joined the Viridiant team in 2015. Like most nonprofit workers she wears many hats! As Operations & Outreach Manager, she provides a wide range of high-level administrative and technical support to Viridiant’s green building programs, services, and trainings. She also assists with marketing, events, fundraising, and communications. Manon earned her HERS® Rater Certification in 2017. She hopes to continue her education in building science to better support future generations pursuing careers in the construction industry. Task Group: New Rater Recruitment Clint Shireman Manager of Training & Certification at Knauf Insulation Years in the building performance industry: 6 Task Group: ELC 2020 Volunteer Event, ELC 2020 Fellows Program Bio: Clint Shireman is a training manager for Knauf Insulation. He works with builders and installers nationwide, teaching building science, and spreading best practices. He is also heavily involved with High Performance Insulation Professionals, an insulation trade group that’s focused on improving the quality of residential insulation work. Along with HPIP and RESNET’s ELC, Clint is involved in EEBA’s Next Generation Development Committee, focusing on how to recruit the next generation of skilled tradespeople into sustainable construction. Prior to Knauf, Clint worked as a contractor doing whole-house remodels. If you could pick one superpower, what would it be? Speed read like Allen Strange (bad 90’s tv show character) What’s the weirdest job you’ve ever had? Delivering food in a college town provided a lot of unique circumstances… Bill Spohn, PE President, CEO & Owner of TruTech Tools, LTD Years in the building performance industry: 30 Bio: Designed and marketed test and measurement products for 20 years before starting TruTech over 10 years ago. Love the industry, the people and the cause. Host of the RESTalk podcast and my own, Building HVAC Science podcast, Chronic volunteer and presenter at conference. He and his wife are building a NetZero home near Pittsburgh, PA. Learn more at www.SpohnHome.com Where is the best place you’ve traveled to and why? Galapagos Islands, nature at its best and rawest form. If you could choose anyone, who would you pick as your mentor? Abraham Lincoln. Kelcey Sykes Quality Assurance & Training Specialist, EnergyLogic Years in the building performance industry: 5 Bio: Kelcey entered the construction industry as an RFI for The Performance Point in NC become succumbing to the call west and moving to Colorado where he is now a QA specialist for EnergyLogic. Outside work he enjoys all the things Coloradans enjoy; hiking, snowboarding, and beer. If you could choose anyone, who would you pick as your mentor? Carl Sagan What’s the best thing about your job? Schedule flexibility Xavier Walter Owner of Energy Partners LLC. Years in the building performance industry:12 Task Group: ELC RESNET Conference Sessions Bio: A lifelong learner of dedicated to growing the residential energy efficiency industry. RESNET HERS® Rater, BPI certified Energy Auditor and Quality Control Inspector, IECC2015 Plans Examiner, Pearl Certified Contractor. If you could pick one superpower, what would it be? Turn off cell phones without touching them. If you could choose anyone, who would you pick as your mentor? Elon Musk Kevin Weer Area Manager for Home Energy Group Years in the building performance industry: 10 Task Group: ELC RESNET Conference Sessions, Standards Working Group, Existing Rater / Retention Content TG Bio: Over his ten years in the custom home building industry, Kevin developed a passion for home performance and building science best practices and continually strives to help other builders build better performing, longer lasting, and healthier homes by guiding clients through the learning curve associated with high performance building practices and third party inspection requirements. Where is the best place you’ve traveled and why? Banff National Park, Alberta Canada. Mountains, glaciers, thermal hot springs, and no cell-phone service. If you could pick one superpower, what would it be? Infrared vision.
