:: January 27-29, 2010 ::

:: Speakers and Presenters ::

Speaker Biographical Notes

See the complete list of speakers on the Session page.

Edward Pollock, is the Team Leader of the Residential Buildings Research Team in the Office of Building Technologies at the U.S. Department of Energy.  Through the Building America program, his team applies a systems engineering approach to select the most cost effective combination of energy savings strategies for homes in each climate zone in the U.S.  The ultimate goal is to develop homes that produce as much energy as they use at a cost point where the incremental cost of financing the energy efficiency improvements will be equal to or less than the cost of the energy saved.

Presenters

Alexander Bell is the Sustainable Building Specialist for the Alabama Association of Habitat Affiliates where he provides training and certification in energy efficient practices and techniques for the 37 Habitat for Humanity affiliates statewide.
    Alexander is a Certified HERS Rater, EarthCraft House Technical Advisor, BPI Building Analyst, LEED Accredited Professional and ACCA trained residential HVAC designer.
   During the last 12 months Alexander has held trainings and one-on-one design reviews with 15 affiliates and private builders .  He has an excellent grasp on solutions and objections with strong goal oriented results tempered by an understanding of cost constraints and limitations.
   In 2008, HFH affiliates in Alabama built 150 houses, none were Energy Star qualified. In 2009, more than 75 will be Energy Star qualified, 20 EarthCraft House certified and 4 LEED for Homes certified. By comparison, in 2008 less than 3% of new homes built in Alabama are Energy Star qualified; the national average is 20%. In 2009, Alabama HFH affiliates built Energy Star qualified homes at a rate nearly 50% well above the national average.

Steve Best,  Research Engineer V,   The Space Research Institute (SRI) of Auburn University is engaged in the engineering and development of energy, transportation, and national security technology for space based and terrestrial applications.

Arthur O. Buff,  EPA Region 4 Atlanta,  is a registered professional engineer in Georgia with a BS degree in Civil Engineering from Northeastern University and an MS degree in Environmental Engineering from Georgia Tech.
  Currently the Region 4 WaterSense Coordinator.  The WaterSense program is a national program developed to conserve the nation’s water supply for future generations.  As Region 4 Coordinator, educate the public about the importance of water conservation, discuss how the WaterSense Program works and encourage local governments, utilities and non-profit organizations to become WaterSense promotional partners. Also, Project Officer for water and wastewater infrastructure improvement projects in MS, AL and NC.
  Prior to working at EPA, spent 14 years as a consultant in the private sector.  Worked on projects involving above ground and below ground petroleum storage tanks and piping systems.  Conducted environmental investigations, wrote corrective action plans, and designed soil and groundwater remediation systems.

Alex Cary has been the Construction Manager of Habitat for Humanity of Baldwin County for the last 4 years, and has built 35 homes since her arrival.  She is responsible for the planning and construction of each home, in addition to working with sponsors, volunteers and partner families throughout the entire process.  Prior to her construction leadership with Habitat, she owned her own successful remodeling business for 7 years, while also working as a volunteer Team Leader with the organization.
   Alex also serves as the Advocacy Chairperson on the board of the Gulf Coast Branch of the US Green Building Council, serves on the board of Smart Home Alabama, and is a member of the Baldwin County Homebuilder’s Association.  She just completed one of the first LEED Certified Homes in the state of Alabama, and is certified in the Green Energy Key, Earthcraft and NAHB green building programs.

Stephen Christensen began his career with Southface in 2006 as a Technical Advisor in the metro Atlanta area for EarthCraft House, Southface’s residential green building certification program. Stephen was introduced to green building techniques in 2000 as Materials and Logistics Coordinator for Habitat for Humanity-Detroit. He continues to be involved with Habitat for Humanity as a volunteer skilled supervisor for the Atlanta affiliate. He currently promotes green building throughout the Southeast by training and managing EarthCraft House Regional technical advisors and builders. Stephen has a bachelor’s degree from University of Michigan, Ann Arbor and a J.D. from Wayne State University Law School in Detroit.

Christian Dagg has been on the faculty of Auburn University’s School of Architecture since the fall of 2000. In addition to being the Program Chair for Interior Architecture, he is currently the year level coordinator for Second Year.  Additionally, he teaches Modern Architectural History, Elements of Interior Architecture, Interior Architecture Thesis Studio, and Thesis Research.  He received the Outstanding Faculty Award from the School of Architecture AIAS in 2002 and 2006, the College of Architecture Design and Construction Outstanding Teaching Award in 2005 and the College of Architecture Design and Construction Collaborative Initiative Award in 2004. 
    Originally from Vermont, Christian lived in Boston for twelve years. While in Boston, he worked in the offices of Machado and Silvetti Associates and Kallmann, McKinnell and Wood Architects.  He holds a Masters in Architecture degree (with Distinction) from the Harvard Graduate School of Design and a Bachelor of Science in Art degree from Northeastern University.  Christian is a registered Architect in the State of Alabama; a member of the American Institute of Architects, a member of the Society of Architectural Historians and a LEED Accredited Professional.  In addition to teaching, he is the principal of his own architecture practice that pursues custom residential projects committed to typological appropriateness and environmental responsibility.

Dr. Bill Deutsch has been a Research Fellow in the Department of Fisheries and Allied Aquacultures at Auburn University for 20 years.  He has been the Director of a citizen volunteer water monitoring program called Alabama Water Watch since it began in 1992.  Bill also directs other research and outreach programs related to watershed management including the Saugahatchee Watershed Management Plan, and Global Water Watch, a network of water monitoring groups in several countries.

An avid plantswoman and student of nature, Tia Gonzales has spent the last 28 years as a professional horticulturist. She received a BS in Horticulture from Auburn in 1985 and has worked in horticultural research, greenhouse and nursery production, forestry, wildlife management, was the landscape curator for Gifford Pinchot’s historic family estate, has managed retail nurseries including one specializing in culinary and medicinal herbs , where she received an unofficial  masters degree in herb gardening. In 1997 she started her own garden design business, specializing in herb gardens and perennial borders. After many years of working in gardens all over the Auburn area, she experienced first hand the detrimental effects of increasing impervious areas and soil disruption. She also observed that many well intentioned folks seem unaware of how their actions can impact their watershed. She sought training from Alabama Water Watch, first as a volunteer, then as an employee.
 : : After attending an ARCSA (American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association), a quiet storm began brewing in her head. In 2008, the Rain Catchers came together. Starting in 2009, a grant from SWaMP (Saugahatchee Management Plan) and generous support from Eve Brantley and the Water Quality Divison of Auburn Cooperative Extension Service, Tia and the other Rain Catchers share her quiet storm with the general public through a series of rain barrel workshops.

Kevin Gobble has spent over 15 years in residential construction; building energy efficient, higher performing homes, and has consulted with several sustainable building programs on ways to develop their own best practices.  As a third generation builder he has applied knowledge in the fields of residential building science and has furthered his education to include many industry certifications: EarthCraft Builder, NARI Certified Remodeler, NAHB Certified Green Professional, RESNET Certified Green Rater, BPI Building Analyst, and LEED AP while working directly with industry partners to focus on cost effective construction solutions.  He currently serves on several building code committees and continues to present trainings and educational workshops on Best Practices, Green Building Science, and energy modeling within the Habitat for Humanity organization.

Michael Hein is a Professor in his twenty-third year with the McWhorter School of Building Science at Auburn University. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from Tulane University in 1971 and Masters Degree in Structural Engineering from Princeton University in 1973. His industry experience includes working as a Project Engineer for structural engineering consulting offices in New York, Olympia and Seattle, Washington, and Auburn and Birmingham, Alabama. Professor Hein is a registered Professional Engineer in the State of Washington. He has extensive experience in computer based training and software application development for architecture, engineering and construction. His specialty areas include Visualization software including CAD and BIM, Structural Design, Soils and Foundations, and Computer Aided Instructional delivery methods including the WWW. For the past six years he has been constructing with his students pervious concrete pavements in and around the Auburn University campus.  He is PI on a WRRI funded research project measuring water quality improvement through pervious concrete paving, and is conducting research on effective methods of cleaning clogged pervious concrete pavements.  More at www.eng.auburn.edu

David Hinson serves as the Goodwyn, Mills, & Cawood Professor and Head of the School of Architecture at Auburn University, where he has been a member of the faculty since 1997. He teaches upper-level design studios, lecture courses in professional practice, and seminars on leadership and civic engagement. In addition, Prof. Hinson is actively engaged in research into the evolving challenges of architectural practice and how higher education can best prepare students to succeed as professionals and as community leaders. Hinson also leads the award-winning DESIGNhabitat Program, an ongoing collaboration between the School of Architecture and Habitat for Humanity.
   Building on a foundation of experience and scholarship, Hinson’s efforts in the studio and classroom have earned him regional and national acclaim, including election to the AIA College of Fellows (2008), the AIA Education Honor Award (2008)the AIAS National Educator Honor Award (2007), two ACSA Collaborative Practice Awards (2002 & 2007), a national AIA Housing Award (2007), an AIA Alabama Honor Award (2006), and a HUD Secretary’s Award for Excellence in Affordable Housing (2002). 
   Before beginning as a full time educator, Hinson practiced for 15 years in Philadelphia. His work in the Philadelphia community earned Hinson a Kellogg National Leadership Fellowship (1991), and the Philadelphia Young Architect Award (1993).
   Hinson holds a Master of Architecture (1983) from the University of Pennsylvania, and a Bachelor of Architecture (1982) from Auburn University
Read more here.

Scott Kubiszyn is the founder and president of Nature's Tap.  He has twelve years of experience working in venture capital and with start up companies.  Scott created Nature's Tap in 2007 to bring more practical and environmentally friendly water solutions to the southeastern market.  He specializes in the design, product selection, and installation of rainwater harvesting, greywater reuse, and stormwater retention and detention systems.  Nature's Tap has installed dozens of systems across the state, saving hundreds of thousands of gallons of water a year and growing, one drop at a time.
    Scott holds a finance degree from Auburn University and a Masters in Business Administration from Vanderbilt University.  He is a LEED Accredited Professional, ARCSA Accredited Professional, board member of the Green Resource Center of Alabama and active proponent of water conservation and sustainability in the state.

Charlene LeBleu is an Associate Professor of Landscape Architecture in the graduate program at Auburn University, Auburn, AL. Ms. LeBleu teaches in such areas as environmental studio, storm-water design and construction, research methods and landscape ecology. Collaborations with other disciplines, municipalities and stakeholder groups are incorporated as learning based service learning outcomes for these classes. Her primary areas of interest and research have been focused on "green" building and water quality issues in Alabama, especially issues related to natural resource based planning and design. Other interest and research areas include public access, low impact development and brownfield redevelopment She is a member of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), where she serves on several national committees. She is also a member of the American Planning Association (APA) and the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP).
    Professor LeBleu has shown exceptional public/community service and leadership especially in the field of outreach scholarship working with regional partners and city planning commissions on projects such as, the Mobile, AL Green Streets Project, Alabama Smart Yards, Auburn University Green Community and Community-Based Restoration initiatives. She has demonstrated extraordinary leadership in university, town, and state affairs as well as in our national professional and academic organizations. She is a member of the AU Water Resource Center Committee and serves on the Faculty Senate Research Committee. LeBleu holds a B.S. Forest Resources and Conservation from the University of Florida, and a Master of Community Planning, and a Master of Landscape Architecture from Auburn University.

Norbert Lechner Author of "Heating, Cooling, Lighting: Design Methods for Architects"  used by more than one-third of all architecture schools in the United States. "We have the technical know-how to make buildings very energy efficient. We are presently building zero energy buildings. "

Steve Lindsley has worked in the Atlanta remodeling industry for 15 years, the last 8 years as the Service Division Manager for HammerSmith, a high end remodeler in Atlanta.  After graduating from Georgia Tech in Industrial Management and serving for 2 years in the US Army, Steve joined the theatre community in Atlanta, performing in over 40 productions over a 12 year period.  Needing to support his acting habit, he learned carpentry by working on theatrical sets as well as remodeling his 1930's bungalow home in the Lake Claire neighborhood in Atlanta.

Fred Malik joined IBHS in September 2009, as the Fortified program manager with more than 17 years of experience in the residential and commercial construction industry. He has extensive experience as both a small business owner and as the vice president of operations for a Florida residential and commercial development firm.  Read more here.

In 1980 Tony Mainsbridge commenced his formal training in the trade of Carpentry through an apprenticeship program with a prolific homebuilder in Melbourne, Australia. Soon after the completion of his training he was employed as a Construction Superintendent with the same homebuilder, and then joined the largest construction company in Australia as a trainee Estimator in their multi-family division.
   In 1986 Tony moved into the field of Roof Truss design and fabrication, and further pursued this specialty after moving to the United States in 1988.
   In 1992 he stepped back into residential house framing in coastal Alabama, establishing his own business specializing in large, high-end custom home framing. In 1994 Tony incorporated another company as a General Contractor, building approximately 100 custom homes and office buildings along the Gulf Coast of Alabama.
   In 2005 Tony accepted an invitation to direct the manufacturing and installed sales divisions of a multi-million dollar Building Supply company as their Operations Manager VP.
   Tony has recently joined Edgefield Lumber Company, an exclusive manufacturer of BLUWOOD, as a Product Representative and Building Consultant.
   Over the years Tony has volunteered his time as a director with the Baldwin County Home Builders Association, a committee member for the City of Foley Construction Board of Appeals, and Committee Chairman of Baldwin County Habitat for Humanity, for which he still serves as a committee member and construction team leader.

Ty Maloney graduated with high honors from Auburn University with a bachelor’s degree in Building Science in May of 2009.  He was the recipient of several awards and scholarships including the SGA president’s award for the college of design and construction. He is currently working on a Master’s Degree in Design-Build at Auburn University, with focus on integrated practice between designers and constructors.  Throughout his educational career, he focused with special interest in the adaptive reuse of abandoned industrial facilities and historic structures and green building technology.
   His hands-on experience in the construction industry came through work for J Marsh Enterprises and Hosey Construction. He moved to Auburn in 2005 from Florence, Ala. and was married in 2006 to Ali.

John Marsh grew up in Albany, Georgia and moved to the Auburn/Opelika Area in 1989. John has been restoring, dismantling, moving, and reassembling historic structures for 16 years. They have restored 40 historic houses in Opelika, and purchased and restored over 18 buildings in downtown Opelika. J. Marsh Enterprises also restored one of the oldest covered bridges in Alabama (Shotwell Bridge) which collapsed during a storm and was relocated to the Opelika Municipal Park.
    John teaches financial seminars in the U.S. and abroad with a focus on real estate and building wealth through biblical principles of measuring, managing and multiplying. John has spoken for Chick-Fil-A, World Leadership Group, and many civic groups and churches around the country. John serves on the Opelika Historic Commission and Opelika Downtown Redevelopment Authority as well as the Opelika Historic Preservation Society. John and Ashely have two sons Nelson and Joshua. They are pastors of a local church, CCI Christian Fellowship.

Since 1990, Janet McIlvaine has been a research analyst at the Florida Solar Energy Center with an emphasis on energy efficiency for affordable housing. Her work is currently funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Building America program – an initiative that brings builders and researchers together in pursuit of high performance housing with energy savings up to 60%. She is the Building America Liaison to Habitat for Humanity and recently completed a demonstration project of 11 houses with 30-45% energy savings with six HFH affiliates in the Gulf Coast region. Read more.

Justin Miller is an Assistant Professor at Auburn University’s School of Architecture.  He continues to collaborate with the Alabama Association of Habitat Affiliates through the DESIGNhabitat program focusing upon improving the quality of affordable housing in the state and region.  His teaching focuses upon design and environmental technologies; which includes architecture studio and courses in building systems.
    Justin is a graduate of Auburn University with degrees in Architecture and Interior Architecture, and holds a Masters in Architecture from the Harvard Graduate School of Design. He is a registered Architect in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and a LEED Accredited Professional.
   Currently an independent consultant, Justin Miller has practiced professionally since 1999.

Nathan R. Norris is the Director of Marketing and Sales for The Waters, a Traditional Neighborhood Development in Pike Road, and the Director of Implementation Advisory for PlaceMakers, LLC, working with developers and municipalities to plan, develop and market traditional places.  Nathan is a licensed attorney and real estate broker.  He frequently speaks to municipalities, organizations and groups interested in placemaking as an economic development tool; zoning code reform for sustainability; greenbuilding; and promoting Smart Growth through intelligent school planning and design.  He is a contributor to the SmartCode Manual, a Board Member of the New Urban Guild Foundation as well as the SmartCode Advisory Board, and is the primary author of the Smart Growth Schools Report Card.  Nathan received his undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia and his law degree from the University of Alabama.

Rebecca Retzlaff is an assistant professor in Auburn University’s Community Planning Program. She specializes in environmental and land use planning. She teaches plan-making, environmental planning, historic preservation, and planning theory. Her current research focuses on green buildings in planning and development regulation. She is interested in how local development regulations can expand their scope to focus not only on the use, character, and timing of development, but also on the impacts of buildings.
    Rebecca holds a Ph.D. in Urban Planning and Policy from the University of Illinois at Chicago, an M.S. in Historic Preservation from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and a B.S. in Urban and Regional Planning from Michigan State University. She is a certified member of the American Institute of Certified Planners. Before joining the faculty at Auburn, she worked in the research department of the American Planning Association. She has also worked as an environmental planner for the City of Detroit.

Tabetha Reyes is the president of Energy Potential, Inc. After graduating from New College at the University of Alabama with a degree in sustainable city planning she worked at Southface Energy Institute in Atlanta and earned her certification as a (HERS) rater. Since then she has spent five years in the building science industry as a technical consultant and field advisor for residential and light commercial projects with plan reviews, on-site evaluations and consultation on over 500 homes.  Accreditations with NAHB Green Home Standards and EarthCraft House.

Eric Reutebuch, Research Associate IV, Dept. of Fisheries and Allied Aquacultures Auburn University Eric received a B.S. in Biology at Purdue University in 1981, then served two years as a Fisheries Extensionist with the Peace Corps in Nepal, where he heard about Auburn University.  He went to Auburn and received his M.S. in Fisheries at Auburn University in 1988.  He has worked with the Rivers and Reservoirs group and Alabama Water Watch at Auburn University for the past 20 years. Eric serves as Publications Coordinator for the Alabama Water Watch Program, works in the development and implementation of watershed management plans, and enjoys traveling around the state interacting with citizen volunteer monitor groups in training for water quality testing and data interpretation presentations.

Julie Rodiek,  Research Engineer II,   The Space Research Institute (SRI) of Auburn University is engaged in the engineering and development of energy, transportation, and national security technology for space based and terrestrial applications.

Carl Schneider is the principle of Smart Home Alabama, Inc. a non-profit organization which advocates building a Safer, Stronger & Smarter Alabama; a State that is resilient to natures winds, water and waves. Smart Home Alabama focuses on property loss reduction, storm resiliency, long term sustainability and rapid economic recoverability. They provide public awareness & mitigation programs for homeowners, construction industry, real estate professionals, lending institutions, building code officials, the insurance industry and elected officials; promoting the availability, and affordability of quality insurance protection through education, and risk reduction.

Brian Stanley has been a homebuilder and remodeler with Stanley Builders, in the Mobile and Baldwin county area  since 1993.  After hurricane Katrina, he joined the Habitat for Humanity in Mobile County, where they built more than 160 homes, during his four year employment as Construction Director.
: : He  held a key role in  organizing special projects.  HfH in Mobile was one of the host sites of the Jimmy Carter Work Project of the Gulf Coast and constructed 30 homes.   Mobile has built over 40 ENERGY STAR qualified homes and 30+ EarthCraft House Certified homes.   The affiliate was one of sites of the Gulf Coast High Performance Demonstration houses, with the Building America Industrialized Housing Program.  In south Mobile county, a 37 lot subdivision was developed from raw land to build new homes for Hurricane Katrina displaced families.  Mobile was the site of an 11 house AmeriCorps regional build, with 300 AmeriCorps members blitz building for 4 days.
: : Brian redesigned the HfH in Mobile house plans and continues to produce plans for the affiliate.
: : Brian and Eric Rickey started Home Performance Professionals in 2009.  Home Performance Professionals tests, diagnoses and corrects homes with moisture, insulation, indoor air quality, duct leakage and other energy efficiency and home health related problems.  Services include thermal imaging with an infrared camera, blower door, duct leakage test, moisture and  indoor air quality.  Home Performance Professionals is also the Alabama distributor for Geyser Heat Pump Water Heaters, the most energy efficient way to heat water on the market .  Contact Brian.