Justin Aruck

Director of Building Performance

While a student at James Madison University I saw a presentation on energy auditing through the college’s student chapter of the Association of Energy Engineers and was immediately hooked.  I loved the opportunities for creativity and the ability to affect real changes with real impacts.  I can now say I have had the privilege of working in sustainability and energy efficiency for over 12 years and my favorite way to describe what SBP does to friends and family is to say “Well, before a building project happens, we work to figure out how a project that does not exist might exist if it existed and use that work to find meaningful information that helps the building exist better when it finally does exist.  Once the project is underway, we work to make sure the project comes to exist in the way it was intended to exist.”

Outside of the office I can be found existing and working on various renovation projects in our historic (and slowly getting more energy efficient) home on Chincoteague Island as well as acting and designing/constructing sets and lighting for The Chincoteague Island Theatre Company, which was founded by my (beautiful and talented) wife in 2011.

Brian Atkinson

Senior Commissioning Engineer

Brian, SBP’s self proclaimed trivia savant, is our extra set of eyes and ears on projects for building owners. Before joining SBP, Brian served 21 years in the Navy and then retired as a Chief Petty Officer. It’s well known throughout the military that those who rise to the level of Chief are not only technical experts, but also leaders, mentors, and problem solvers. He uses all of those skills in his work reviewing MEP designs, equipment installation, and ensuring everything is running properly before we hand a building over to any owners. He also helps buildings complete their certification processes by submitting all necessary paperwork – a true hero to those of us without the patience for paperwork. His interest in commissioning is driven by learning new things about different systems and processes every day. When he’s not in the office or playing trivia you can find him beating his friends in bowling or losing to them in golf.

“The Devil is in the details, but so is salvation.” – ADM Hyman G. Rickover, USN.

Scott Atkinson

Residential Programs Manager

Out of college Scott worked in the field of environmental science, focusing on indoor air quality.  For many years he has helped clients tackle issues related to mold, sick building syndrome, designing shelter in place programs in response to biological warfare, and general issues related to comfort while indoors.

While studying issues related to general indoor comfort, Scott became involved in green building, sustainability and energy efficiency.  He pursued and gained his certification with National Green Building Standard, as a Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Rater and ultimately as a Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) Quality Assurance Designee (QAD).  Through these experiences Scott has gained a vast knowledge of construction practices, energy modeling and diagnostic testing of buildings and building components, which help design and construct more energy efficient, healthy and ultimately sustainable buildings.

When not at work you can find Scott with his wife and two sons doing all of the activities that young boys love to do.  He also enjoys going to local car shows, and if the wife allows it, playing a round of golf.

Sahiti Ayala

Commissioning Engineer

Sahiti found herself in the U.S. after a bit of soul searching and a need to utilize her skills to do something fulfilling and exciting with her passion for sustainability. Luckily, it led her to us! She grew up in Canada and attended the University of British Columbia where she studied Mechanical Engineering and then went on to work in HVAC and plumbing design for mixed-use high-rise buildings. Now, her focuses as a Commissioning Analyst include helping buildings maintain their Energy Star certifications, ensuring systems are working properly on site and deciphering data submittals. When asked what her favorite part about working at SBP is, she said “Besides the team being absolutely amazing, there is always something new to learn. Each site will introduce you to something new, and each person you meet will have something new to share with you.” If you haven’t caught on by now, Sahiti is focusing on expanding her world through knowledge, experiences, and more. She spends part of her free time walking dogs and cleaning kennels at the Humane Society of Fairfax County, camping, cheering on the Calgary Flames (she’s a die hard hockey fan), going dancing, and desperately trying to keep her plants alive. On top of all that she’s committed to crossing off items on her bucket list, anyone up for jumping out of an airplane together… give her a call!

“The seas may be rough but I am the captain. No matter how difficult, I will always prevail!” – Captain Jack Sparrow

Mike Babcock

Founder / Managing Partner

Mike has been in the energy efficiency and green building consulting arena for twenty years.  With a background in mechanical engineering and a passion for holistic building design, Mike looks to find creative solutions that balance long-term performance and environmental impact with cost, health, wellness, comfort, durability, and return on investment. Mike has an in-depth working knowledge of building systems and can translate highly technical subjects into straightforward concepts and actionable information.  Mike is committed to advancing the art and science of high performing buildings through collaborative workflow, technical agility, and ultimately meaningful dialogue and is grateful everyday for the opportunity to work alongside a wonderful team of professionals that inspire and challenge him to perform at the highest level and execute this mission.

Abbey Beal

Sustainable Project Manager

Meet Abbey, our dedicated project manager at SBP on the West Coast. Originally from Massachusetts, she pursued her undergraduate studies in Historic Preservation and Planning at the College of Charleston before earning a graduate degree in Sustainability from the University of Oregon. Immersed in a pioneering sustainability cohort during graduate school, Abbey developed a fervent dedication to mitigating anthropogenic impacts on our planet.

Abbey’s career began in sustainable transportation, contributing to initiatives such as launching the first U.S. bike share program in Santa Monica, California, and managing a cycling non-profit. She embraced sustainable living by navigating Los Angeles sans car for several years. 

In 2015, Abbey joined SBP as an Analyst and initially settled in Falls Church before returning to California and making Sebastopol in Sonoma County her home. Abbey strives to provide project management focused on integrating meaningful and measurable sustainability practices and energy efficient design principles. She envisions mobility systems and vibrant communities that support rich social interaction, resource efficiency, cultural integrity, and happiness.

Beyond her professional pursuits, Abbey enjoys tending to her backyard chickens and horseback riding. She frequently embarks on journeys to see live music and explore Northern California’s beautiful coasts and vast hiking trails.

“Once in a while you get shown the light, in the strangest of places if you look at it right” – Grateful Dead

Mike Boggs

Building Performance Manager

Mike started his path to our building performance team at Penn State University where he majored in Energy engineering, it was there that he got his first taste of energy auditing. His motivation behind his work is the fact that his job contributes towards the fight against climate change, even if he feels it’s only a small contribution. Conserving our natural world goes hand in hand with his hobby of competing in trail running. When he’s not at work you can find him traveling the country competing, reading, tuning into obscure British panel TV shows, or rooting on the Eagles – Go Birds!

“You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t climb a ladder with a rabbit in each hand.” – Bob Mortimer

Katharine Brand

Sustainable Program Specialist

Katharine is dipping her toes into all aspects of our projects that need a green touch. Her role is to direct and encourage sustainable designs from conception to completion of construction. She collaborates with all of our teams to deliver the most sustainable results possible! As you can imagine, her work varies constantly and is always presenting her with new challenges. She loves getting to work with different team members and watch projects develop from blueprints into buildings. Katharine stays busy outdoors when she’s not at work. From hiking and biking to rock climbing and gardening, it seems work isn’t the only place she’s switching things up.

“Be fearless in the pursuit of what sets your soul on fire.” – Jennifer Lee

Paul Brefka

Sustainable Project Manager

One of my favorite places in the world is a cabin perched on a mountain ridge in West Virginia. Sleeping on the deck under the stars, waking to the beautiful 360 degree views and sharing it with friends and family are just some of the highlights.

My love of nature began as a child- playing outside with our dogs and learning to fly fish on the streams of CT and ME. Classes in environmental science in high school and college continued to fuel my interest in nature, as did my semester studying in Malta with a focus on sustainable societies, overfishing, and artificial reefs.

My first job out of college introduced me to the construction/building science side of things and I began to get interested in constructing environmentally friendly buildings. At SBP I have moved into a career that is a perfect match with my environmental background and my interests in nature and sustainability.

“I always wondered why somebody doesn’t do something about that. Then I realized I was somebody.” – Lily Tomlin

Marisa Britton

Sustainable Project Manager

Marisa first found her passion for the built environment as a child, building magnificent sandcastles at the beach with her father and two sisters.

Following graduation from the University of Miami School of Architecture (Go Canes!) her growing passion for sustainability eventually led her to Washington DC. From there she spent several years in architecture, finally finding her niche in sustainable building consulting. Recently, Marisa became an appointed Council member of the Maryland Green Building Council, a volunteer position that keeps her involved in State policy development. Marisa takes great pride in her work and continues to strive to be a better leader. “I find this industry very fulfilling, knowing I am contributing to making a positive impact on the environment and the surrounding community.”

Outside of the office, Marisa is a dedicated equestrian, competing with her horse Winston in the world of eventing. Raising two wonderful girls alongside her husband, striving to instill the importance of caring for the future and for each other.

“We shape our buildings; thereafter they shape us” – Sir Winston Churchill

Richard Chung

Building Performance Specialist

A Northern Virginia native, Richard Chung graduated from the University of Michigan in 2021 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. During his time at Michigan, he was a design lead for BLUELab Thailand, a project team that developed flood mitigation prototypes for a small community in Thailand. This experience ignited his passion for a career that directly engages communities and creates lasting, tangible change.

Since graduating, Richard has gained diverse experience across industries. He began his career at Eaton, where he developed and maintained a web interface for electric metering devices, then moved into the MEP industry, where he designed mechanical systems for a wide variety of building types. Now at SBP, Richard has transitioned to building performance and energy modeling, which he finds is a perfect combination of his computer science skills and engineering background.

In his free time, Richard enjoys unwinding with video games and movies. He also likes collecting new hobbies and is currently learning to play the trumpet.

Kyle Clark

Building Performance Specialist

Kyle is another one of our James Madison University ISAT representatives. His passion and motivation for working in the sustainable building sector is knowing the work he’s doing every day is contributing to a more sustainable future. He made an amazing addition to our building performance team as an analyst and works extensively with our modeling software to create 3D models of buildings and various mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems within those buildings. Another aspect of work he covers is creating a baseline model to measure our projects against so we can estimate energy and annual savings compared to a typical building. When he’s not busy modeling for us he likes to spend his time painting, tabletop gaming or watching Formula 1!

Daniel Colbert

Commissioning Engineer

under development…

Kalin Cormack

Building Performance Analyst

Kalin graduated from James Madison University with a degree in Integrated Science and Technology, concentration in Environment and Sustainability. Kalin first joined SBP as an intern the summer before my Senior year at JMU, then officially joined the Building Performance team a year later. As a building performance analyst, she examines architectural, mechanical, electrical, and plumping drawings to create a building performance report. Kalin likes knowing that the work she does is helping the environment by being a part in creating sustainable buildings that are energy efficient. Outside of work she enjoys volunteering for environmental conservation and protection groups, as well as going camping and skiing!

“The more clearly we can focus our attention on the wonders and realities of the universe about us, the less taste we shall have for destruction.” -Rachel Carson

Becca Doermann

Sustainable Program Specialist

Becca gained her education at University of Maryland where she studied Environmental Science and Policy with a concentration in Environmental Economics. Now, she uses that knowledge to educate our project teams on sustainability and the LEED program. She loves watching the information she shares integrate into new projects to make them more sustainable. She’s got plenty of hobbies to keep her busy when she’s not at work like hiking, going to concerts and festivals or playing with her kitten.

“Unless someone like you care a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” – The Lorax, Dr. Seuss

David Doyle

Residential Programs Specialist

David is a specialist on our residential programs team. He has been a part of the building industry for 12 years and is very knowledgeable in Energy Star and building guidelines ensuring new homes are being built to the highest standards. After receiving his HERS RFI rater certification in 2014 he has gone on to rate and perform numerous inspections and energy audits in the DMV area. David is passionate about sustainability and is currently pursuing both his NGBS and LEED certifications and is looking forward to applying his knowledge to the green building industry. Residing in the Annapolis area, David is married with 4 wonderful children who keep him busy. When not tackling projects, he and his family enjoy long weekends boating on the water and camping trips to the mountains.

Katriana Dubytz

Operations Manager

Laura Featherstone

Sustainable Project Manager

“Even the smallest person can change the course of the future.” – J.R.R Tolkien

John French

Commissioning Team Manager

John, another member of our commissioning team piqued his interest in the construction industry when he began his degree in mechanical engineering at University of Maryland College Park. After he graduated he went on to gain some experience as a general contractor before switching to a career in commissioning work. His work at SBP involves facilitating the commissioning process of a project from start to finish. He assists in reviewing design documents and creating a commissioning plan, reviewing installation of equipment, testing equipment to verify it meets the design requirements and facilitating the hand off of building operations to the maintenance staff. One thing John loves about working in commissioning is that he gets the opportunity to work on lots of different projects with many teams, allowing him to have an impact on each project and meet a variety of people with different backgrounds. His hobbies also keep him active meeting new people. He loves spending his free time outdoors rock climbing, backpacking, and playing volleyball!

“Be yourself; Everyone else is already taken.” – Oscar Wilde

Nico Galdiz

Commissioning Analyst

under development…

Sierra Garrity

Sustainable Program Specialist

Sierra has been passionate about the environment and sustainability her whole life. Through her Architecture mother and her Geologist father, she found a common passion in building sustainability.

Sierra followed this passion into her college career. At Virginia Tech she majored in Environmental Policy and Planning. Through internships with general contractors and the USGBC she was able to hone her craft and find the niche field of LEED consulting. She joined Sustainable Building Partners team after graduating in 2021 and found it to be a perfect fit. The most satisfying part of her work is being able to affect the design of buildings in a way that will benefit the environment, as well as the occupants who will be residing or working there.

When she is not developing her sustainability expertise, Sierra enjoys reading and participating in various physical pursuits such as running and hiking.

“I was within and without, simultaneously enchanted and repelled by the inexhaustible variety of life” – The Great Gatsby

Thiru Gudluru

Building Performance Specialist

Thiru is another University of Maryland alumni who managed to find his way into the SBP family. At UMD he completed his Masters in Mechanical Engineering with a focus in Energy Systems and also joined the University Energy Audit group where he performed Energy Analysis on campus facilities and data centers. He also went on to work for the Maryland Department of General Services where he carried out Energy Auditing and Modeling for various state facilities and after graduating began working for a utilities company helping with rebate incentives. All of this previous experience led Thiru into his current position with us as a Building Performance Analyst where he analyzes the energy of buildings and facilities to measure project performance and identify energy savings measures. The direct outcome of his work is what he finds most interesting about his job, contributing towards a more sustainable future and getting to see the energy saving results of his personal work. However, limiting our carbon footprint isn’t the only dedication Thiru has, he follows Arsenal soccer club religiously and never misses a game. When he’s not at work and there isn’t an Arsenal game on, you can find him reading, hiking, or planning his next road trip!

“Each of us is a tiny being, permitted to ride on the outermost skin of one of the smaller planets for a few dozen trips around the local star” – Carl Sagan

Haley Hiller

Sustainable Program Specialist

Haley grew up along the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Central Virginia where she first developed a keen interest in sustainability. With this in mind, she attended the University of Virginia to pursue a BS in Civil Engineering with a Concentration in Environmental Engineering. After finishing her degree, she spent several years in the general contracting industry before boarding the SBP ship to dive deeper into the world of green building! At SBP, her primary focus areas include certifying LEED Multifamily Midrise residential projects and conducting whole-building life cycle assessments to capture building embodied carbon impact. She loves how her role in designing more sustainable buildings makes a positive difference for the environment and for future generations. She also enjoys collaborating with and driving project teams towards more sustainable solutions. When she’s not busy at work you can find her scouting out new restaurants, honing her cooking skills, and discovering new hiking trails on her explorations of the great outdoors.

“Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value.” – Albert Einstein

Dave Jacob

Sustainability Technical Manager

My name is Dave Jacob, and I am a Sustainability Technical Manager on the Sustainable Programs team at SBP. I went to James Madison University (go Dukes!) and majored in Integrated Science and Technology (ISAT) with a double concentration in Energy and Biosystems. This background enabled me to become a subject matter expert in residential and non-residential building ventilation, as well as a LEED Project reviewer specializing in Minimum Energy Performance, Enhanced IAQ Strategies, and Thermal Comfort. I believe that one should strive to learn something new every day, which fits in well with the type of work SBP does since I am constantly being exposed to new concepts and ideas. In my spare time, I enjoy making movie props, learning new home improvement skills, listening to music, and watching movies and sports.

Ish Keener

Manager of Building Enclosures

Ish has over 15 years of experience as a building engineer (structures and enclosures), with a bachelors from Penn State and a masters from Missouri University of Science and Technology. Ish’s passion for building engineering started as a young boy working for his father, who operated a residential construction business, and grew throughout school as he had a knack for math and science. Ish’s experiences have led to his drive to contribute towards a more durable built environment through focus on team collaboration and quality processes.

Outside of the office/jobsite, you can find Ish on a frisbee golf course or playing basketball in his driveway with his two sons, Weston and Max. Ish’s engineering brain is properly balanced out by his creative partner, Emily, who owns/operates This is Happiness Studio in Lancaster, PA.

“Maybe in order to understand mankind, we have to look at the word itself. Mankind. Basically, it’s made up of two separate words – “mank” and “ind.” What do these words mean? It’s a mystery, and that’s why so is mankind. – Jack Handey in Deeper Thoughts

Austin Luginbuhl

Enclosure Specialist

under development…

Raj Mathur

Commissioning Engineer

Rishiraj came to the United States when he joined Drexel University for a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering. He loved every minute of it! Soon after his first year as a mechanical designer fate took him to work in India, and then briefly, to work in Ireland. Locked up at home in a foreign country amidst a pandemic, he took to reading books. Most books geared towards climate change inspired him to pursue a career in sustainability. One book in particular, The Sea Around Us by Rachel Carson, inspired him to apply to Johns Hopkins University, Rachel Carson’s alma mater. After graduating from Hopkins with a Masters in Civil Engineering, he joined Sustainable Building Partners as a Commissioning Analyst.

Working at SBP, Rishiraj is dedicated to improving building energy efficiency and to make the commissioning process as efficient as possible for the owners, the GC and other stakeholders of the project. He loves meeting new people and seeing new buildings come to life, which he gets to do on a daily basis at SBP! In his opinion, no team is better equipped and more passionate towards making a considerable impact on our projects and seeking out opportunities to increase building energy efficiency.

When not working, he loves playing squash and strumming his guitar. When outdoors, he loves to play badminton and to travel with his wife.

“It is our failure to become our perceived ideal that ultimately defines us and makes us unique.” – Conan O’Brien

Hailey Madara

Marketing Analyst

Hailey earned her degree in Marketing with a minor in Sustainability Leadership from Penn State University. While at Penn State, she actively participated in sustainability-focused clubs, which ignited her passion for environmentally conscious practices. She joined SBP as a summer intern before her senior year, where she gained valuable insights into the green building industry and embraced SBP’s collaborative culture. Outside of work, Hailey loves to stay active and connected with nature. You can often find her hiking scenic trails, experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen, or spending time with friends and family.

Charlotte Metzler

Senior Enclosure Specialist

Charlotte, part of the Building Enclosures team, is a licensed Architect with a Master’s
degree in both Architecture and Science of Sustainable Design. From a young age,
she’s been curious about how things are assembled and feels fortunate to be able to
put that same curiosity to work in her career. Through early career positions in an
architecture firm and through the licensing process, Charlotte gained the perspective of
an Architect’s role in the building industry. Sustainable design piqued her interest in grad
school which led her to discover the world of Building Science. The role of an Enclosure
Consultant allows Charlotte to apply her natural problem-solving skills and architectural
training in her work. SBP provides an opportunity for Charlotte to work closely with other
professionals in the Sustainability Industry while applying fundamental Building Science
principles to each condition a project has to offer.

Andy Miles

Sr. Building Performance Engineer

Andy is a Virginia native who continued his education at James Madison University where he was enrolled in the Integrated Science and Technology major with concentrations in the Energy and Environmental sectors. After JMU he began his career in energy modeling where he specialized in single family homes and townhouses. He continued to nurture his knowledge of energy modeling and moved into the commercial sector ensuring that the designs from the architectural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing teams all come together to make an energy efficient building. Andy chose the green building industry because he likes knowing that his work has a direct impact on mitigating environmental damage and that he’s contributing towards this effort on a daily basis. He’s looking forward to expanding his knowledge in the commercial sector and to continue pursuing a cleaner, greener world. His favorite activities outside of work include playing guitar, watching movies, and getting together with his friends to cut a rug- something we’re all looking forward to seeing at the next holiday party.

“If you don’t risk doing something foolish, you’ll never do anything special” – Ethan Hawke

Scott Neill

Sustainable Program Specialist

Scott’s passion for the environment came about from camping and canoe trips in Ontario and Maine. His inspiration – and some degree of romanticism – came from environmental writers like Thoreau, Jon Krakauer, and Edward Abbey. After receiving an undergrad in cultural anthropology from UMW, his ambitions grew out of the unique understanding whereby Westerners view nature – as an object of alienation. Seeking to close this gap that he too was experiencing, he spent several months in South America learning amongst Amerindian societies. 

With the fortune to have had this experience, Scott went back to earn a master’s in natural resources at Virginia Tech to apply theory into practice. As a student consultant he developed a practical understanding of resource challenges we are currently facing. Energy being the primary global driver that dictates environmental policy. Ever since he has worked in various capacities installing retrofits, performing residential ratings, and energy modeling. SBP has encouraged him to pursue a balanced approach to energy consulting; reaffirming an ethos that people with informed decisions (or lack thereof sometimes) are what makes the world tick. Realizing them as the most important of resources will pay off for future generations and our planet.

Aside from being a national parks junkie, Scott enjoys hiking with his wife Sarah, reading, occasional DC United games, spicy foods, jiu jitsu practice, and volunteering.

Rachel Nicely

Director of Sustainable Programs

As a youngster, Rachel was fascinated to learn about green house gas and pollution. Over the years, she has turned this fascination into her chief ambition to single-handedly save the earth. She currently spends her days advising projects how to incorporate sustainability into the built environment.  Originally an army brat, she decided to stay in the DC area so she can pollute the air while in traffic, thus keeping herself marketable.

Rachel joined SBP in 2011, adding to the 70% JMU ISAT population within the company – Go Dukes! Though she has a master’s degree in Environmental Engineering, she has yet to design a wastewater treatment system and hopes that will never be in the cards for her (crappy work). Rachel’s 9 years of experience with LEED projects has lead her to managing the LEEDers in SBP where the team kicks sustainability butt.

Her family has been susceptible to her environmental influences while updating their 50+ year old home.  They tolerate her antics only because if she ran away they would never have clean clothes. She and her husband are raising two rug rats raring to save the planet.

Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud – Maya Angelou

Amrut Ratnala

Commissioning Specialist

Amrut Ratnala holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and possesses a diverse educational and work background. During the academic years, Amrut interned as a research mechanical engineer at the GAMCO manufacturing plant, concentrating on the automation of assembly lines. This endeavor resulted in heightened efficiency in product development and timeline processes. Additionally, Amrut undertook a pivotal role as a participant in a senior design project, contributing significantly to the inception of an autonomous harvesting robot for Beanstalk Farms, an indoor vertical farming establishment situated in Herndon, VA. At SBP, Amrut engages with diverse industry professionals across an array of projects and showcases used for tackling the distinctive challenges each project brings forth. What truly captivates Amrut about the profession is the daily exposure to new systems and concepts. Beyond the professional sphere, Amrut plays the guitar, has a love for soccer—both as a participant and an observer—and derives pleasure from partaking in a variety of outdoor sports and activities.

Ashley Rice

Commissioning Specialist

Ashley is another graduate from the University of Maryland with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Prior to joining SBP, she spent 8 years in the defense industry working in electronics packaging as a design engineer, test engineer, and eventually a project manager. While the correlation may not be obvious, it was this opportunity that allowed Ashley to hone her attention to detail and critical thinking skills by regularly applying them to new problems. Ashley has been able to successfully parlay these skills into the world of commissioning as she now works towards a common goal of a sustainable future. Outside of the office, Ashley likes to spend her winters in the mountains and summers on the bay, bringing her pup McHenry along for every adventure.

“Don’t be intimidated by what you don’t know. That can be your greatest strength and ensure that you do things differently from everyone else.” – Sara Blakely

Jessica Sandels

Commissioning Project Manager

Jessica has a background in Mechanical and Energy engineering and loves using the skills and tools she’s developed towards the evolution of the built world, helping make a real difference in the fight for a more sustainable planet. As part of our commissioning team, she helps ensure sustainable systems and solutions are implemented and functioning properly to generate the best energy results. Another aspect of her life where she enjoys contributing to better the community is through tutoring high school students. She focuses on STEM subjects and SAT/ACT prep to help students achieve their best in high school and hopefully pursue college degrees. Although Jessica is busy as ever, she finds time to travel, continue exploring the DC metro area and attend lots of different sporting events, especially her Baltimore Ravens games!

“Prior planning prevents piss poor performance, probably.” – The 7 P’s

Kirsten Smith

Building Performance Specialist

Kirsten is another Hokie member of our team with a degree in Construction Engineering & Management and is our resident carbon specialist. She provides sustainability consulting with a focus on life-cycle assessment, embodied carbon, and carbon accounting and works with project teams through design and construction to select materials that will have a reduced environmental impact. One of her favorite materials to work with is concrete! She finds being able to influence the concrete mixes used in a project to reduce the carbon footprint and environmental impact of a building, one of the coolest things she’s learned since joining the green building industry. Speaking of the industry, Kirsten and another SBP team member, Rachel Nicely, started the Carbon Leadership Forum (CLF) Hub in Washington, DC with the hope of bringing the DC AEC industry together to brainstorm and discuss strategies on how to reduce embodied carbon in our projects and in our city. You can catch Kirsten going to see live music, hiking or backpacking when she’s not in the office!

“The answers to our questions are everywhere; we just need to change the lens with which we see the world.” – Janine Benyus

Aaron Taule

Sustainable Program Analyst

Aaron joined us as a recent graduate from the University of Maryland where he earned a degree in Environmental Science and Technology with a focus in Ecological Technology Design. It was there that he was first introduced to the LEED program and developed a passion for the integration of natural systems into the built environment. He is looking forward to expanding his knowledge in the sustainable construction sector and helping set industry standards to build a more sustainable and just world. When he’s not working as a sustainability consultant and our in-house photographer, he loves being outdoors, photography, reading comic books, and camping with his friends and family.

“It’s surely our responsibility to do everything within our power to create a planet that provides a home not just for us, but for all life on Earth.” – David Attenborough

Bishan Thapa

Building Performance Analyst

After completing his undergraduate in Mechanical Engineering from the Institute of Engineering, Pulchowk Campus, Nepal, Bishan worked in the solar thermal industry. Bishan was looking to engage in the sector where his contribution could be broad. While pursuing his Master’s Degree in Applied Energy and Electromechanical Systems at UNC Charlotte, Bishan realized that he could have maximum impact as a professional if he focused his energy in the built environment. Therefore, over the last five years, Bishan has dedicated his time to research or professional settings related to the built environment. During his internship, Bishan got an opportunity to work on a DOE Building America project which further fueled his passion. As a Building Performance Analyst at SBP, his usual work routine consists of constructing whole building energy modeling from drawings so that an energy efficiency plan can be laid out for the building. Outside of work, Bishan incorporates meditation into his daily routine. Volunteering in the meditation programs is what he misses most from back home in Nepal. Hiking, running, and physical activities complement his work routine and Bishan makes time for them as much as possible.

Success is not in a particular conclusion achieved but in the joyful and ceaseless striving of what you truly care for – Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev

Hawkins Thomas

Director of Client Services

Hawkins Thomas brings over ten years of project and account management experience to SBP. Hawkins’ experience as a green building consultant and construction manager for a premier general contractor provides project teams with unique perspective solutions and thorough yet streamlined service. Over the years, Hawkins has had a sustainable impact on millions of square feet across various building types, green municipal codes and rating systems throughout the country. Dedicated to customer service and experience, Hawkins also believes in the intersection of sustainability and creating business value for project stakeholders.

Jake Torok

Director of Building Performance

After spending no less then half of his parenting-life reading (and re-reading) Dr. Seuss, its only fitting that Dr. Seuss has provided Jake with some much needed guidance when it comes to maintaining a clear head both at home and work.  When not being fully consumed in the energy modeling lifestyle at SBP, Jake balances life with two little ones, a hyperactive dog, and his patient wife. Somewhere in-between he finds time to coach swimming, train for marathons, fix-up his dream home, and play countless games of Pretty, Pretty Princess. Jake’s affinity for problem solving helps to work through the trials and tribulations of potty training a toddler, but ultimately piqued his interest in building energy performance and drove him into the field of energy modeling.

“Step with care and great tact, and remember that life’s a great balancing act.” – Dr. Seuss

Adam Ugliuzza

Director of Building Enclosures

Adam Ugliuzza holds an engineering degree from Syracuse University and is currently one of SBP’s Directors of Building Enclosures. Throughout Adams’ life, he has always been very hands on and captivated by engineering and science. As he was growing up, he always had a project to obsess over in his backyard or on his grandparents farmland. In the early days once Adam was out of school, he was obsessed with bridges and continued designing and inspecting them for many years, until he had an amazing opportunity to shift career paths into the Building Construction industry. Building Science and the Building Enclosure quickly became his new areas of expertise.  Over a decade later, Adam is even more excited than ever about his profession at SBP; it is a natural fit for him with his skillset.

Neha Vyas

Sustainable Program Manager

Neha is a part of our sustainable program team and joined us with a background in sustainability consulting, architectural design and urban planning, green buildings rating systems and health and wellness.She has always been passionate about sustainability in the built environment and the use of passive design techniques to create an environment that mimics nature. At SBP she gets to utilize all of her skills and experience to help project teams navigate the complexities of design and construction when the focus is sustainability.She believes that sustainable design, construction and operation should be an integral part of any building project and that ratings and certifications should be a by-product of this process. Being a part of something that is helping our planet keeps her motivated and passionate about her work and leaves her satisfied with the results achieved at the end of every project. While Neha already has an impressive set of skills, she loves collaborating with different teams and learning new aspects of the industry through her colleagues. In her personal life she also likes dabbling in different hobbies. She spends her free time traveling, hiking and watching sunrises with her husband, volunteering at a local homeless shelter, and growing and cooking with her own home-grown veggies.

“Live as if you were to die tomorrow and learn as if you were to live forever” – M.K. Gandhi

Dan Wilcox

Founder / Senior Partner

As Partner and co-founder of SBP, Mr. Wilcox offers clients over 30 years of experience in the energy industry.  He has experience in utility power procurement, energy auditing, building commissioning, measurement & verification execution, HVAC design reviews, LEED consultation and administration, LEED credit calculation and compliance, business development, sales, and project management.   He is also heavily active in ENERGY STAR consulting services and general energy project support. Dan’s work experience includes commercial, industrial, and residential facilities.

Mr. Wilcox graduated with a B.S in Mechanical Engineering from California Polytechnic University.  He is a Certified Energy Auditor in the State of California, and is a LEED Accredited Professional.

James Davis

Sustainable Program Analyst

Currently a Virginia resident, I am originally from Maryland and have worked around DC since 2018. I went to Hobart College for my undergraduate degree which was in Environmental Studies, and also competed on the schools rowing team. I developed a passion for green building design after a visit to a Smithsonian exhibit during college.

Upon graduating, I took a job in multifamily apartment management during which I gained a deep understanding of building operations. After five years, I decided I wanted to pursue a career more dedicated to sustainability and made the decision to go to graduate school. I participated in a dual masters program within James Madison University’s ISAT school and also spent half the year aboard at the University Malta focusing on sustainability.

I now work on SBPs Residential Programs team to assist buildings and homes in achieving their energy and sustainability goals.

When not at work you can find me doing all things outdoors, though I especially love skiing and biking. I get very excited about urban bike access! I am also a live music lover and newly minted JMU football fan.

Jennifer Wolf

Director of Sustainable Programs

Jennifer graduated from Virginia Tech and started her career in the construction industry with a commercial contractor in the Washington, DC area.  After working on a high school project targeting LEED Gold certification and managing the construction credit documentation she realized her true interests were in the green building field.  She made a career switch into a green building consulting role at SBP and has loved every minute!  At work, most of her time is devoted to guiding projects through the LEED certification process.  During her free time, you can find her traveling with her husband, daughter, and crazy Lab and doing anything active (biking, skiing, boating, fishing, running).  If she happens to be at home, she’ll attempt to whip up a good meal or tend to her garden.  But she’ll be the first to tell you, she is better at finishing a great movie.

“Go Hokies !!”

Aisha Zhanuakassova

Commissioning Analyst

Born and raised in Kazakhstan, Aisha Zhanuakassova started her academic journey as an international student at Drexel University, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering. Her dedication and passion for engineering solutions have guided her career, as reflected in her diverse experiences and contributions. She was introduced to the sustainability industry through one of her internships and never looked back! Aisha feels fortunate to have found and joined SBP, where she is surrounded by people truly passionate about their work, making it the perfect place to jump-start her commissioning career. She finds it fulfilling to know that her work is a part of the chain that will help people and the planet in the long run. Outside of work, you can find her reading, listening to true crime podcasts, or occasionally missing a step in a choreography at her dance classes.

‘The most effective way to do it is to do it.’ — Amelia Earhart

Jared Zimmerman

Building Performance Engineer

Jared attended college at Grove City College where he received a degree in Mechanical Engineering. As part of a professional development program at his church, Jared started working at SBP as an intern on the Building Performance team. Going into it, Jared had minimal experience with sustainability and energy modeling so he learned a lot over this period. A great team culture and knowing that Jared was helping to make the earth more sustainable caused him to want to come on full-time after his internship. He particularly enjoys coding in Python, which allows SBP to present a more complete story of the results the Building Performance team’s models produce. Outside of work Jared enjoys volunteering at his local church, hiking, and watching every Manchester United game he can.