STAFF DIRECTORY

Donald Fournier is the Chair and a Senior Researcher at the School of Architecture's Building Research Council. He is also the Managing Director of the Smart Energy Design Assistance Center (SEDAC). He performs research and consults in the areas of sustainable design and development, green building, environmental sustainability based on risk assessment due to urban development pressures, strategic sustainability assessment, strategic energy planning and energy security, tribal energy, energy efficiency, and energy management. Don is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts (BSEE & MSME) and has more than thirty-five years of experience in the energy and environmental areas.

Fournier was a member of the United States Green Building Council's LEED Steering Committee for two years. He also chaired the USGBC's Multiple Buildings Product Committee which has developed the Application Guide for Multiple Buildings and On-Campus Building Projects. He was a four-year member of the USGBC's Energy and Atmosphere Technical Advisory Group and chaired the Combined Heat and Power and District Energy Subcommittees. Fournier was the U.S. delegate to the International Energy Agency's (IEA) Annex 31, the Environmental Impact of Buildings, a member of IEA's Future Buildings Forum, the Governor's Green Building Advisory Group, and the American Planning Association's Energy Policy Task Force. Don was a Board Member of the Central Illinois Chapter of the USGBC and is a Member of the American Planning Association, the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air-conditioning Engineers, and a Charter and Senior Member of the Association of Energy Engineers. In addition, Don is a member of the Clinton Climate Initiative Resource Group and a member of the Technical Advisory Committee for the development of ICLEI's Community-Scale Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory Protocol.

More information on Don Fournier.

Brian Deal teaches courses in physical planning, sustainable planning theory, energy systems in planning, and a multi-disciplinary workshop on the application of sustainable planning principles. He also teaches course material on-line that contribute toward a better understanding of sustainability in planning and the USGBC’s LEED rating system. His research activities have focused on developing and deploying planning tools that engage the profession of planning and ultimately help communities make better decisions. His current research includes urban land use transformation and modeling, the development of useful decision support tools, and research into energy systems and planning for climate change. He is the Director of the Land use Evolution and impact Assessment Modeling (LEAM) Laboratory and the Co-Director of the Smart Energy Design Assistance Center. He is also one of the primary authors of the University of Illinois’ climate action plan (iCAP), is a faculty mentor to the Student Sustainability Committee, and chairs the facilities committee for campus sustainability planning efforts.

More information on Brian Deal

Ben J. Sliwinski is presently Technical Director of the Smart Energy Design Assistance Center at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Mr. Sliwinski has more than thirty years experience as a project manager and principal investigator completing interdisciplinary research projects involving energy systems simulation and analysis, design optimization of energy systems, software development, data collection, statistical data analysis, and utility program evaluation. He has provided consulting services to utilities, government agencies, and private research organizations in the areas of building energy efficiency, energy system modeling, and energy data analysis.

He has a Master of Science degree in Nuclear Engineering from the University of Illinois, with specialization in Heat Transfer and Fluid Mechanics. He has completed three advanced courses in systems simulation and optimization (ME323, ME423, ME499) at the University of Illinois Mechanical Engineering Department. He has a Bachelor of Science Degree in General Engineering from the University of Illinois with specialization in Mathematics and Computer Science.

Kristine Chalifoux is a licensed architect who has spent much of her career working with energy efficiency and sustainable buildings.  She holds a BA from Clemson University, a B Arch from University of Arizona, and an MBA from the University of Illinois.  She has worked as a Director of the Environmental program at the American Institute of Architects and was a partner in the energy and sustainability consulting firm, ENSAR Group, in Boulder Colorado.  Kristine has worked on many projects around the United States including the Greening of the White House during the Clinton Administration and the first straw bale house in Urbana, Illinois.

Kristine is a member of the local board of education, providing facility expertise to the district.

As a Design Assistance Specialist for SEDAC, Kristine consults with businesses throughout the state to help them reduce their energy use and improve their financial bottom line.

Robert Nemeth is a Design Assistance Specialist for the Smart Energy Design Assistance Center (SEDAC) at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign (UIUC). He consults with Illinois businesses to help them identify cost effective improvements to their planned or existing buildings and equipment to increase energy efficiency. Studies examine insulation levels, the effects of different glazing types, roof characteristics, mechanical system alternatives, lighting systems and controls, and more.

Robert has also worked at the U.S. Army Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (USACERL) for eight years as a researcher in the Energy Systems Division performing many of the same functions as at SEDAC.

Robert has his own architectural practice and also works for the Building Research Council (BRC) at the University of Illinois. BRC projects include investigating mold in Native American Housing for ONAP/HUD, and energy related work. He has been to approximately 36 Reservations to investigate moisture related housing problems, and provide on-site technical assistance. Robert also was the technical consultant on two videos addressing mold issues and building practices in Native American Housing.

Robert is a licensed Architect in the State of Illinois. He has been involved with the design and construction of buildings since 1975. He has a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies, a Masters of Architecture, and Master of Science in Civil Engineering, all from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He has taught building technology courses at the University of Illinois in the School of Architecture and at Parkland College in the Building Sciences Department.

Jean Ascoli is currently engaged full time in building energy analysis and auditing of commercial and public buildings with the University of Illinois Smart Energy Design Assistance Center. She also has her own independent green building consulting firm. Jean has more than twenty-five years of professional experience encompassing all aspects of architecture as well as restoration expertise and fine furniture making.  Jean is a co-founder and active member of the U.S. Green Building Council, Central Illinois Branch. She has also successfully completed the Passive House Institute US’ requirements to become a Certified Passive House Consultant.  In 2008 Jean taught a course at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign entitled “Sustainable Redevelopment: Exploring possibilities for green development of existing and new public schools.”  From 2004 to 2006 Jean was the owner’s project manager for the University of Illinois’ first LEED project, the College of Business Instructional Facility. The building, completed in 2008, was recently awarded LEED Platinum certification. 

Eileen Westervelt is a Design Assistance Specialist for the Smart Energy Design Assistance Center (SEDAC) at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign (UIUC). She performs energy assessments for small businesses and identifies strategies to increase business profitability by enhancing the energy and cost performance of building construction, space conditioning equipment, standard appliances/ equipment, specialized commercial/ industrial processes, and power generation. Recently her work on energy trends and options for Army installations received national and international attention as is was discussed in the US Congress and reviewed by US News and World Report, Energy Bulletin and Global Public Media.

Eileen served as a Research Engineer for the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center/Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (ERDC-CERL) for fifteen years. She led the Strategic Energy Planning group, which reviewed and suggested improvement opportunities for Army Energy Programs, including energy management, energy security, and building construction. These comprehensive recommendations were supported with policy, business process, energy, financial and pollution assessments. As program manager of REEP, an energy modeling software, Eileen was responsible for model enhancements, software releases and website design and maintenance. On the Energy Security Plans team, she assessed distributed generation (DG) options for increased electrical security at Army installations. She co-developed a screening tool for assorted DG technologies including renewable energy, fuel cells, micro turbines, and internal/external combustion engines. She managed assorted energy demonstration and verification projects of building envelope upgrades, HVAC equipment and controls, and commissioning efforts. She is a registered Professional Engineer, a Certified Energy Manager and member of AEE (Association of Energy Engineers) and SAME (Society of American Military Engineers). She has a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Illinois.

Ann Campbell has been with SEDAC since 2005. She takes care of web content for sedac.org, organizes and keeps track of the outreach and training opportunities for the UIUC-SEDAC team, monitors the project flow, and coordinates production of the monthly SEDAC newsletter.

Ann graduated from the University of Edinburgh in Scotland in 1973 in geography and economic history. After graduation she worked for the City of Newcastle-upon-Tyne in housing research and development. She came to Champaign-Urbana in 1977 to pursue a Master of Urban Planning degree from the University of Illinois. She worked in the UI Housing Research and Development program from 1978 to 1984 on housing needs and housing for the elderly. She took a break from the paid workforce to raise three children; during that time she was involved with many volunteer organizations which provided valuable leadership opportunities.

After developing a passion for science and technology at the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, Adrian Gurga received a Bachelor’s degree in Materials Science and Engineering from Drexel University with a focus in nanotechnology. Communicating with a number of nanotechnology start-ups after college, it became clear that a major obstacle stood in the way of advanced technologies having a positive impact on the world. This obstacle was energy. Without reliable, affordable energy, businesses in these fields would struggle to become viable. He took a position at the Smart Energy Design Assistance Center (SEDAC) in the School of Architecture at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where he studies energy use in buildings using a whole-building analysis approach. There, he has performed audits for dozens of businesses and public buildings in Illinois, including all buildings types, from small manufacturing, to schools, to skyscrapers.

Andy Robinson is a LEED-accredited energy engineer with experience in building energy modeling, electrical engineering, remote sensing, and oceanographic mapping.  As a member of SEDAC he performs energy audits and building energy modeling for public and private clients, along with public outreach and consultation for civic and community groups in Illinois. 

Robinson’s interest in educating clients on green topics can be traced back to his first student job in 1995, as Ecology Director at Camp Drake near Danville. He attended Trinity College in Hartford, CT as an Illinois Scholar, graduating with a Bachelors in Electrical Engineering, a concentration in City Studies, and project experience as a leader of the robotics club. Robinson spent part of a season on a French research ship off the coast of Asia, processing historical climate data from the deep-sea core samples they were collecting. His first career work was with an East-coast marine survey company, where he processed data from side-scan sonar surveys of underwater sites for wind turbines, power cables, and pipelines. After a weekend trip to the ’07 Solar Decathlon on the mall in Washington, Robinson signed up for a LEED certification course with a local green architectural firm. Shortly after that, he and his wife decided to find exciting jobs back home in sunny, windy, green Illinois where, in their spare time, they now enjoy hiking and kayaking and other outdoor adventures.

Karen Winter-Nelson manages program tracking and reporting for SEDAC. She oversees the design and operation of data collection, management, and analysis for all SEDAC activities.

Karen has over twenty years of experience conducting research and analysis for policy and program use. She has experience in the areas of research design, project management, data management, analysis, planning, survey work, and editing. She started at SEDAC in 2008. Her past work includes research and analysis related to affordable and low-income housing for local, state, and federal governments and organizations.

Karen has a Master of City Planning degree from the University of California at Berkeley.

Patrick Brown is a full time energy assessor at the Smart Energy Design Assistance Center. Since starting at SEDAC in 2007, Patrick has assessed and performed energy modeling on a large variety of buildings: from the small such as convenience stores and small apartment complexes; to large warehouses and condominium buildings; to public buildings such as schools and courthouses.

Patrick graduated from the University of Illinois with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nuclear, Plasma, and Radiological Engineering and a minor in Physics. Upon graduating, he became interested in playing a role in the increasingly important field of energy conservation and green technologies. He joined SEDAC in order to help businesses and public buildings become more efficient and to help increase awareness of energy conservation throughout the state.

Scott Jasinski started his professional career as a Design Assistance Specialist after completing his Bachelor of Science degree in General Engineering with honors from the University of Illinois at Urbana/Champaign. His pursuit of energy reduction through efficiency came after working in manufacturing since high school. During his experience at the various manufacturing plants from coil processing equipment to diesel engines, he observed a common theme of high energy use. This theme of high energy use and the realization that we will always need buildings, led to interest in lowering energy use in the built environment. Since starting at SEDAC as an energy efficiency analyst, he has also performed as lead and assistant in the retro-commissioning of public buildings. Beyond performing energy efficiency analysis and outreach in the industry, he is also pursuing a master's degree in Energy Engineering at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Steve Wallon is a building energy specialist with the School of Architecture’s Building Research Council, serving the Smart Energy Design Assistance Center (SEDAC) at the University of Illinois. Beginning in the summer of 2010, Steve joined SEDAC’s team of experienced architects and engineers where he performs energy analyses on building designs and systems for facilities throughout the state of Illinois. His work includes: technical research and data gathering surrounding topics in building science, computer energy modeling, and economic analysis. Steve’s personal interest in Information Technology (IT) has given him a vital role in the SEDAC team’s retro-commissioning projects in successfully deploying wireless data sensors in buildings to view data remotely.

Steve holds a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies and a Master of Architecture, both from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. His graduate thesis work investigated energy efficiency, environmental, social and economic sustainability, and also design-behavior principles; his thesis won the American Institute of Architects (AIA) 2nd place Chicago Prize and the Ecological Design Consortium’s (EDC) 1st place Green Rescheme competition.

Steve has gained practical architectural work experience in a variety of firms interning on projects in educational, healthcare, and commercial building markets. He also has a background in commercial and residential construction from working for his father’s construction business. Currently, he is pursuing his architectural license by preparing to take the Architectural Registration Exam (ARE).

Wael El-Sharif is Chief Executive and founder of 360 Energy Group, an international energy consulting firm. He plays a major role in the strategic development and oversight of the Smart Energy Design Assistance Program. Prior to 360, he was Executive Director at the Geothermal Heat Pump Consortium a $100+ million public-private emerging technology market transformation collaborative. He develops, implements, and directs internal and external strategies, policies, operations, business planning and business development activities, technology deployment initiatives, and market mobilization programs for corporate clients, electric utilities, energy services companies, and government agencies (state, federal, international).  He is an expert in energy efficiency and renewable energy technology, assessment and commercialization.

Wael is a skilled policy maker and has helped influence public legislation, regulation and rulemakings in the United States, Canada and Europe.  He has helped many energy companies and businesses increase profits.

He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Engineering and a Master of Engineering Management in Marketing of Technology from the George Washington University.

Mike Stanch is a graduate of Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, MN and William Mitchell College of Law, St. Paul, MN. Mike has over 19 years of experience in the lighting energy efficiency field and has worked in almost every type of building from hospitals to retail to office space as well as schools and universities. He is a Design Assistance Expert with SEDAC as well as a trade ally to the Com Ed, Ameren and SEDAC energy efficiency programs.

Mike’s role as Energy Solutions Manager is to provide outreach services, technical support and implementation coordination for SEDAC customers looking to implement SEDAC recommendations. He is also involved in helping SEDAC customers access available financial resources like utility and government incentives and financing.

Ashley has more than 10 years of experience in environmental management and policy.  Most recently, she worked for the Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago (RHAMC), where she managed the Illinois Campaign to Clean Up Diesel Pollution, a coalition of more than 100 public health, business, labor, and environmental organizations committed to reducing diesel pollution in the state. Previous to her employment at RHAMC, she worked for a national leading environmental organization in Washington DC where she worked to advance clean air, renewable, and energy policy. Ashley received a B.S. in Environmental Science from DePaul University in Chicago and M.A. in Environmental and Natural Resource Policy from George Washington University in Washington DC.

Paul Reitz attended Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, MI where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering.  He has developed a passion for energy efficiency through a yearlong co-op in Building Automated Systems and in his work managing energy modeling for federal tax incentives.   Paul has performed energy models on over 50 buildings of several different types, including: schools, hi-rise hotels, and low-rise office buildings.  He has analyzed over 5.5 million square feet of building area.  Additionally, he brings energy audit experience to 360 Energy Group, which includes studies of a manufacturing facility, military facilities, and a 400,000 square foot commerce building.

As an Energy Engineer with 360 Energy Group, Paul provides technical assistance to both SEDAC clients and Design Assistance Experts.   Additionally he works with Design Assistance Experts to manage the technical phases of Design Assistance projects.

Muhammad has an undergraduate degree in Computer Engineering from University of Central Florida, and a graduate degree in Energy Engineering from University of Illinois at Chicago.  He has long been involved in buildings’ energy conservation and efficiency, as well as in electrical (power & lighting) and HVAC design of various facilities. 

At 360 Energy Group, Muhammad provides assistance to clients for all the engineering and technical aspect of the projects.  Also, Muhammad manages technical aspects of retro-commissioning and design assistance projects, from the start to the successful completion.

Yuriy holds both BS and MS in Architectural Engineering from Illinois Institute of Technology and has nine years of field experience working with energy efficient design of buildings. Yuriy has a strong background in HVAC, controls, plumbing and fire protection, construction methods, and lighting and electrical design. He has worked on design and energy efficiency measures for buildings of multiple uses and wide range of sizes, ranging from 2,000 to over a million square feet in area.

At 360 Energy Group, Yuriy provides assistance to clients for all engineering and technical aspects of the project. As Senior Energy Engineer, he manages all stages of technical aspects of retro-commissioning and design assistance projects.