NYS Green Building Conference
2019 Green Building Conference

Rick Alfandre, AIA, LEED AP BD+C is a prolific architect who, over the past 27 years, has designed and built more than 300 projects ranging from multi‐million dollar hotels and resorts to solar residences. Recently completed projects include office buildings, churches and synagogues, retail buildings and spaces, multiple dwellings, restaurants, hotels, manufacturing facilities and custom residences. The founder and President of Alfandre Architecture, he is expert in the design of energy‐efficient, climatically responsive buildings. Alfandre's offices are located in their LEED Platinum, and Net Zero Energy, office building situated on Main Street, New Paltz, NY, He launched EcoBuilders Inc. in 2009 to provide full design and build services to his clients.

Lauren Asplen, BlueGreen Alliance

Lauren Asplen serves as Director of Healthy Sustainability Programs for the BlueGreen Alliance, a partnership of labor unions and environmental organizations. Her involvement in environmental issues started with the 1990 Earth Tech fair in Washington, D.C. She spearheaded a program that gained White House recognition in 2012 as a "Champion of Change" for engaging manufacturing workers in identifying energy efficiency opportunities. At BGA she manages the Building Clean project, which encourages the purchase of local and healthier energy efficient products. Lauren attended the first Harvard University/USGBC executive certificate program on Building for Health in 2016. Her work focuses on hazardous chemicals in building products.

Amber Bartosh is a LEED-accredited architect and interior designer who has designed and managed award-winning projects in the United States, China, Kuwait, and the U.A.E. She received her B.A. in Art and Architecture from Rice University and her M.Arch from the Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc). Amber is currently an Assistant Professor at Syracuse University School of Architecture, a Syracuse Center of Excellence Faculty Fellow, and co- director of the Interactive Design and Visualization Lab (IDVL). Her work focuses on the architectural application of emergent materials through physical prototyping and advanced visualization technologies including hybrid reality simulations.

Erik is a Professor of Practice and the Howard E. Lechler Endowed Director of the Construction Engineering Management program at Clarkson University. At Clarkson, Erik teaches courses and executes research/work in an array of topics related to the built environment. Chief among these topics are issues related to sustainability, resilience, and life‐cycle thinking of infrastructure and buildings. Erik serves as the Volunteer Co‐Chair for the NY Upstate Community of USGBC and has been a leader in numerous initiatives statewide, inclusive of enabling the Lake Placid/Olympic Region of NY to become the first registered LEED Community in New York State.

Charles Bertuch, Bergmann Associates

Mr. Bertuch has more than 30 years professional experience as a consultant and plant engineer. He is currently the Principal ‐ Energy Solutions for Bergmann Associates in Syracuse, NY. He is a registered NYS PE, Certified Energy Manager, and LEED accredited professional.

Bethany Borel, COOKFOX Architects

Bethany Borel is a Senior Associate at COOKFOX Architects. With expertise in interior design, she has designed interiors for developments ranging from luxury high-rises to affordable housing. She is currently working on two projects in Manhattan: the design of a new school building in the Upper East Side and the International WELL Building Institute headquarters on Fifth Avenue. Bethany was the project architect for COOKFOX's LEED-Platinum and WELL-Gold certified office space, a studio that utilizes high-performance technology combined with biophilic design to craft an environment that fosters health and wellness. Bethany frequently speaks on the topics of biophilia and high-performance design. Having spent her childhood living in the city of Tokyo and the rural farms of Iowa, ethany is architecturally influenced by a wide range of cityscapes and landscapes. She brings this inspiration to her work in New York City and strives to create design that is rooted in a strong sense of place. Bethany holds a BFA in Interior Design from the Pratt Institute and an M.Arch from Columbia University.

Jim D'Aloisio, Klepper, Hahn & Hyatt & Jodi Smits Anderson, DASNY

Jim's Managing Principal of Klepper, Hahn & Hyatt, with 30+ years' experience as a consulting structural engineer. He has experience in Insulated Concrete Forms, Structural Insulated Panels, and Frost‐Protected Shallow Foundations. Jodi's Director of Sustainability Programs at DASNY. Previously she was a practicing architect at various firms. She is a contributing author to The Drawdown Project. She was awarded 2018 Green Building Advocate of the Year at last year's Conference. Jim and Jodi have both served on the USGBC NY Upstate Chapter as board members, chairs, and various other positions. Both have written several articles on sustainability.

Jeffrey Domanski, MPA, LEED AP, Hudson Valley Energy and Erase40

Jeffrey Domanski is a proud New York native and has worked for more than 25 years as a multi-disciplined environmental professional focused on resource conservation strategies in the built environment and sound economic development. He has extensive experience in program and project management and organizational sustainability leadership for large and globally-recognized organizations, and has worked in-house and as consultant for public, private, and academic organizations. He is Director of Hudson Valley Energy, which focuses on promoting people-powered sustainable communities and the integration of behavioral science to optimize organizational and individual effectiveness.

He serves on the nonprofit boards of Sustainable Hudson Valley; the United States Green Building Council (USGBC)-Upstate New York chapter, and the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater. Jeff is also the organizer of Hudson Valley Green Drinks. He previously served on the Leadership Council of the Garrison Institute's Climate, Mind, and Behavior initiative and the Mayor's Conservation Advisory Committee in Beacon, NY.

Jason Evans, Ashley McGraw Architects

Jason Evans, AIA, LEED AP BD+C joined Ashley McGraw in 2008. His passion for developing the social aspect of architecture is evident in the numerous projects he has completed, particularly in his work for universities across New York state. Active in local affairs, he is a recipient of the Downtown Committee Award of Excellence for his dedication to improving Syracuse through public art and community engagement. Evans holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Syracuse University.

Elizabeth Gilman, Student, School of Architecture and Planning, University at Buffalo

Elizabeth Gilman is a first year graduate student in the School of Architecture and Planning at the University at Buffalo. Prior to joining the Resilient Buildings Lab, she worked for eco_logic STUDIO. She finished her undergraduate career with a Bachelor of Science in Architecture in the fall of 2017. She can be reached by email at ekgilman@buffalo.edu.

Nate Goodell, Taitem Engineering

Nate Goodell has commissioned over 2 million square feet of projects together with Lou Vogel at Taitem Engineering. Nate is a senior engineer and works primarily as a commissioning agent and is also involved in Taitem's M+V work. He is a Certified Commissioning Professional through the Building Commissioning Association and Existing Building Commissioning Professionals through Association of Energy Engineers.

Greg Hale, NYSERDA

Greg Hale joined NYSERDA in February 2018, as Senior Advisor for Energy Efficiency Markets and Finance. Greg is leading a team creating a policy roadmap to achieve a zero net carbon building stock throughout NY State. This work includes strategic co-leadership for RetrofitNY, an initiative aimed at developing scalable high performance retrofit solutions that achieve or approach net zero energy. Greg is also a strategic advisor to NY Green Bank and other NYS policy efforts related to energy efficiency financing. Prior to joining NYSERDA, Greg served in Governor Cuomo's administration as Senior Advisor to the Chairman of Energy & Finance, where he focused on the development and execution of the Governor's signature energy policy– Reforming the Energy Vision (REV). Greg was responsible for overseeing the establishment of the $1 billion NY Green Bank and was the lead author of NY's 2015 State Energy Plan. He also led an inter-agency working group developing clean energy solutions for the low to moderate income sector. Prior to joining the Governor's Office, Mr. Hale was the Director of Efficiency Finance at Natural Resources Defense Council's Center for Market Innovation. Greg is a founding board member of the New York City Energy Efficiency Corporation, and he served on the steering committee of the PACENow Coalition.

Barry Halperin, Beardsley Architects + Engineers

With over 25 years of professional experience in Northern and Central New York, Barry Halperin culls from an extensive history of varying project scopes and building types. Barry Halperin's experience has equipped him with an understanding of the complex environmental and geographic conditions his projects often face. With an emphasis on contextual design, his work includes commercial, institutional, affordable and senior housing, high‐end residential and great camp design projects. Mr. Halperin has a special ability to determine the needs of his clients and develop a project directly involving them through an interactive design process.

Lauren Hildebrand, Steven Winter Associates, Inc

Lauren Hildebrand is a Sustainability Principal and certified LEED AP with 10+ years of experience in both residential and commercial green building technologies, specializing in LEED, ENERGY STAR, and Enterprise Green Communities certification. She also provides expertise in performance testing, contractor training, healthy building materials, energy code compliance, and incentive opportunities.

Rebecca Hughes, New York Energy Manager

Rebecca Hughes is the program manager for marketing and training for the New York Energy Manager (NYEM), a virtual energy management service of the New York Power Authority (NYPA). Ms. Hughes is responsible for training building operators and facility managers to utilize NYEM's secure, web-based platform to view real-time energy use data and to identify and implement energy and cost savings measures. Prior to joining NYPA, Ms. Hughes was responsible for the administration of NYSERDA's Career Pathways program, on-the- job training incentive program for businesses, and workforce development training programs as well as administration of research on sector-based strategy and industry engagement. Throughout her career, Ms. Hughes has held various positions in higher education administration including project manager with the Center for International Programs at Empire State College and as technical assistant to the Dean of Business, Engineering and Industrial Technologies at Hudson Valley Community College.

Elizabeth Jacobs, Akwesasne Housing Authority

Elizabeth M. Jacobs has designed over 50 homes for the Akwesasne Housing Authority, streamlining and incorporating energy efficiency measures into their design and construction to promote sustainability and reduce energy costs for tribal members. Elizabeth has been an invited speaker at the National Tribal Forum on Indoor Air Quality conference in Tucson, Arizona, to speak about standardization of energy efficiency practices in tribal housing. She is also involved with the SRMT Environment Division and National Tribal Air Association and has been involved with webinars and training in improving indoor air quality of tribal housing and the toll poor IAQ has on our tribal communities throughout the US.

Steve Klocke, Steven Winter Associates

Steve Klocke is a Senior Sustainability Consultant at Steven Winter Associates, Inc. specializing in LEED for Homes and ENERGY STAR certifications for affordable multifamily buildings. Over the past eight years he has completed ratings for nearly 1,500 dwelling units. This breadth of experience has provided an understanding of what works and what doesn't in the design, construction and occupation of residential buildings.

Bess Krietemeyer, Syracuse University School of Architecture

Bess Krietemeyer is an architectural designer, educator, and researcher whose expertise lies at the intersection of advanced building technologies, interactive visualization tools, and human and energy feedback systems. Prior to joining the faculty at the Syracuse University School of Architecture, she received her Ph.D. from the Rensselaer Center for Architecture Science and Ecology. Dr. Krietemeyer is a Research Fellow at the Syracuse Center of Excellence, where she leads the Interactive Design and Visualization Lab (IDVL). Her interdisciplinary research focuses on developing simulation software that merges contemporary techniques for energy modeling with new visualization and interactive methods.

Thomas Lanzilotta, Stony Brook University

Bess Krietemeyer is an architectural designer, educator, and researcher whose expertise lies at the intersection of advanced building technologies, interactive visualization tools, and human and energy feedback systems. Prior to joining the faculty at the Syracuse University School of Architecture, she received her Ph.D. from the Rensselaer Center for Architecture Science and Ecology. Dr. Krietemeyer is a Research Fellow at the Syracuse Center of Excellence, where she leads the Interactive Design and Visualization Lab (IDVL). Her interdisciplinary research focuses on developing simulation software that merges contemporary techniques for energy modeling with new visualization and interactive methods.

John MacArthur, PE, Beardsley Architects + Engineers

With over 25 years of professional experience in Northern and Central New York, John MacArthur culls from an extensive history of varying project scopes and building types. John MacArthur has been responsible for mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineering for a variety of projects, including housing, governmental, municipal, educational, medical, commercial and residential work. He also has experience with small hydro-electric generation, and other renewable energy technologies including solar and biomass.

Michael Madigan, P.E., LEED AP, CEM, OBG

As Technical Director supporting the OBG Energy brand, Michael Madigan performs energy efficiency studies and energy project development for public and private organizations. He has developed campus-wide energy master plans for colleges and universities, including the SUNY University at Albany, Buffalo State College and 5 senior campuses at the City University of New York (CUNY) as well as plant-wide energy studies for industrial facilities. Mr. Madigan's mechanical engineering experience includes advanced HVAC systems and energy projects involving combined heat and power, biomass, biogas, wind, photovoltaic and waste heat recovery.

Robert Neimeier, O'Brien & Gere Engineers

As Director, Energy Efficiency and Planning, Rob Neimeier provides program and project management to public and private institutions with energy reduction and climate action goals under NYS Executive Orders 88 and 166, and the REV Campus Challenge. His technical experience includes facilitated stakeholder engagement, energy efficiency audit management, climate action planning, and energy master planning. Clients include University at Albany, SUNY ESF, SUNY Oneonta, College at Brockport, City University of New York, and Ithaca College.

Rob has 27 years of environmental and energy consulting experience with OBG. He has a bachelor degree in Environmental Science, Natural Resource Planning and Management from SUNY Plattsburgh, and an associate degree in Business Administration from Onondaga Community College. Rob has presented or co-presented with clients on Energy Efficiency and Energy Master Planning topics to professional organizations including the SUNY Physical Plant Administrators Association (PPAA), State of New York Sustainability Conference, International District Energy Association (IDEA), and the Keystone Association of Physical Plant Administrators (KAPPA).

Dr. Daekwon Park, Syracuse University

Dr. Daekwon Park is a registered practicing architect and assistant professor at Syracuse University School of Architecture. He is a faculty research fellow and director of the Material Archi‐Tectonic Research Lab (MATR LAB) at the Syracuse Center of Excellence. Before joining Syracuse Architecture, Park engaged in a wide range of teaching and research opportunities at Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne. Daekwon received his Doctor of Design degree at Harvard University Graduate School of Design and currently serving as Director of Education for the Central New York Chapter of the American Institute of Architects.

Jesse Rosenbluth, Omni Ecosystems

Jesse has spent 10 years working in applied ecology from Oregon to Massachusetts. He brings his expertise to bear when he is supporting clients as they apply Omni Living Infrastructure systems. Jesse wants every landscape to grow into the best version of itself and take full advantage of ecological principles possible through Omni's advanced technologies. With his career spanning wetland remediation in Ohio, riparian restoration management in Oregon, organic farm management focused on sustainability practices in Michigan, and green roof and green wall installation with Omni throughout the U.S.

Brandon Specketer, COOKFOX Architects

Brandon joined COOKFOX Architects in the summer of 2006 and is currently a partner of the firm. His past projects include One DeKalb, the first phase of the City Point development in Brooklyn and 130 West 12th Street, a prewar condominium in Greenwich Village that was awarded LEED‐NC Gold certification and the 2012 Sustainable Design Award by Global Green USA. Most recently, Brandon served as project director for 535 Carlton Avenue, a 292‐unit affordable housing development, and the 550 Vanderbilt Avenue condominium development, both at Pacific Park in Brooklyn. A native of the state of Oklahoma, Brandon holds a deep connection to the natural landscape. His work at COOKFOX fosters this connection in an urban environment and melds it with his passion for architecture.

Lindsay Speer, HeatSmart CNY & Alliance for a Green Economy

Lindsay Speer is the Campaign Manager for HeatSmart CNY and staff for Alliance for a Green Economy. HeatSmart CNY is a multi‐year campaign over five counties to promote greater adoption of air source and ground source heat pumps. A longtime advocate on local and global environmental issues, Ms. Speer brings over a decade of environmental justice and community organizing experience to the critical issue of reducing the amount of fossil fuels we use to heat and cool our homes. Ms. Speer has a Masters in Environmental Law and Policy from Vermont Law School and participated in the 19th Conference of Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. She also has hands‐on experience in sustainable renovations on a low‐income urban home, featured in the 2018 EcoBuilding issue of Communities Magazine.

Kevin Stack, Northeast Green Building Consulting, LLC / Building in Nature's Image, Inc.

Kevin Stack works as a builder, building scientist, and eco literacy educator to teach, support design, and Build in Nature's Image. He is founder and CEO of Northeast Natural Homes and Northeast Green Building Consulting, affiliated companies that focus on innovation and sustainability for homes and human-built environments based on building science, biomimicry, resilience, and the sciences of life. He builds, supports the design, and verifies the performance of innovative, sustainable and affordable construction projects, including complex and unique residential and mixed use projects. He is a credentialed LEED for Homes Green Rater, LEED AP+Homes, certified HERS Rater, ICC 700-2012 National Green Standard Verifier, and Building Performance Institute (BPI) certified Building Analyst and Envelope Professional. Kevin also trained as a Biologist at the Design Table (BaDT) and gives presentations on biomimicry, resilience, and how to build homes based on life's laws using traditional and scientific ecological knowledge.

Amanda Stevens, Project Manager, NYSERDA

Amanda Stevens is a Project Manager in the Environmental Research Program at the New York State Energy Research & Development Authority (NYSERDA), with a focus on climate change impacts and adaptation. She began by overseeing NYSERDA's ClimAID Assessment, which developed climate change projections for New York State, assessed the impacts of the projections on multiple sectors across the state, and provided potential adaptation strategies for those sectors. The ClimAID sea level rise projections were recently adopted by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation as the official State projections. Since the release of ClimAID, Amanda has overseen various research focused on filling research gaps and information needs related to climate change. Before beginning work at NYSERDA, Amanda was an intern in the Environmental Protection Bureau of the NYS Attorney General's Office. She has a Bachelor's degree in geology from Hartwick College (2000).

Robert Switala, Bergmann

Robert Switala, PE is a professional engineer and serves as a Principal at Bergmann. Robert served as the Project Manager for this project. He has over 18 years of experience in the development field include energy, utility and civil engineering. Mr. Switala holds a dual national certification in Storm Water Quality and Erosion and Sediment Control. Ryan Wallace is the CEO of Solar Home Factory and part of the development team for the Lake Tunnel Solar Village. Ryan has been involved in commercial and residential solar projects for over 20 years.

Colleen Thomas, Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe

Colleen Thomas has worked on residential and commercial projects in Ontario, Quebec, Florida, and for the past 12 years, in her home community of Akwesasne, NY. Colleen works closely with Beardsley and other AE firms on all Tribal capital projects, including a new 12,000sf Planning & Infrastructure building, a new 54,000sf Administration building, and a renovation and 17,000sf addition to the existing SRMT Health Services building; all of which have incorporated solar photovoltaic arrays. She also incorporated solar street lights on a $2.2M new road project and was part of the "Go Solar!" initiative.

Paul A. Torcellini, National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Paul Torcellini is a Principal Engineer for Commercial Buildings Research at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and he is on the faculty at Eastern Connecticut State University. Paul has authored more than 50 papers and is a key contributor in the development of the Advanced Energy Design Guides (ASHRAE/AIA/IES/USGBC) including chairing several of the technical committees that produced the guides. Paul is a registered Professional Engineer and an ASHRAE Distinguished Lecturer.

Lou Vogel, Taitem Engineering

Lou Vogel has commissioned over 2 million square feet of projects together with Nate Goodell at Taitem Engineering. Lou is the president of Taitem, and among his many accomplishments, led the team that developed the Energy Star for Multifamily Housing label for NYSERDA on behalf of the U.S. Department of Energy. He is a Certified Commissioning Professional through the Building Commissioning Association and Existing Building Commissioning Professionals through Association of Energy Engineers.

Jaimee Wilson, Pathfinder Engineers & Architects

Jaimee Wilson, PhD, PE, LEED AP, BEAP, BEMP, is a Senior Energy Engineer at Pathfinder Engineers & Architects, Rochester, NY. She has been with the firm since 2008 and is also an Associate of the firm. Dr. Wilson is a LEED Accredited Professional. She has been certified as both a Building Energy Modeling Professional and Building Energy Assessment Professional by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, of which she is also a member. She holds a Doctor of Philosophy and a Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Rochester and a Bachelor of Science in Biological and Environmental Engineering from Cornell University. Dr. Wilson is a frequent presenter on topics relating to energy savings, New York State energy conservation directives, and the role energy modeling serves in high performance design.

Jensen Zhang, Syracuse University

Jensen Zhang is a Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Syracuse University and the Director of Building Energy and Environmental Systems Laboratory. He has more than 30 years of research experience in building energy and environmental systems, and has authored/co-authored more than 150 peer-reviewed journal papers, 1 book, and 3 industry standards. His research ranges multi-scale systems, from nano/micro-scale in porous media to buildings and urban environment, and involves engineering, architectural design, human health and performance. Jensen was elected the Fellow of ASHRAE and ISIAQ, and now serves as the Chair of International Association of Building Physics.