As a principal at Environmental Building Strategies, Ryan Potvin brings years of experience in the real estate sales, marketing and development fields to compliment an active involvement in the progress of green building. While attaining degrees in business and communications at the University of Colorado, Ryan was an active member of the University Real Estate Council. As a LEED Accredited Professional (BD+C), Certified Green Building Professional, LEED for Homes Green Rater, HERS Rater and Certified Sustainable Building Advisor, Ryan’s consultation expertise ranges across every potential aspect of a sustainable project. Ryan remains active in his field as a member of several non profit organizations that provide leadership in green building including the California Home Energy Efficiency Rating System, the Bay Area LEED Users Group (BAyLUG), the Northern California Chapter of the USGBC, the Urban Land Institute, and the Emerging Green Builders Association. Ryan is highly involved in his community of San Francisco as a cross country coach at Stuart Hall for Boys and a board member of the Northern California Chapter of the University of Colorado Alumni Association. email Ryan »

Through years of hands-on experience in the construction and development fields, Matt came to appreciate firsthand the need for progress in green building. Matt gained over six years of experience in project management as owner of MAK contracting, a New England construction company. Following the sale of MAK, he moved west and started Environmental Building Strategies because of a need to positively affect a larger community through his passion for the built environment. He is now a LEED Accredited Professional (O&M), RESNET Energy Rater, Certified Sustainable Building Advisor, Certified Green Building Professional and Certified Energy Plans Examiner. He currently serves as the Chair of the Pacific Regional Council of the USGBC, board member of the USGBC-Northern California Chapter and member of their finance & Existing Buildings committees. Following a love of numbers, Matt has pursued higher education in the fields of finance and economics. As a result he is considered an expert in Life Cycle Costing as well as scenario optimization matrices where he works with clients to make the most effective decisions possible under given parameters. email Matt »

Jake is a seasoned LEED project manager with projects ranging from LEED Consulting on tenant improvements and New Construction projects to developing an Energy Efficiency Program for all County-owned buildings in San Diego. He is an expert in LEED across all it’s rating systems and has extensive experience maximizing projects’ certification level. He also has developed a very strong understanding of HVAC systems, the interplay between building systems, and how to use this knowledge to maximize the efficiency of buildings. Currently at Environmental Building Strategies, Jake leads all LEED consulting projects. In his time with EBS he has led over 20 buildings and 7 million sq. ft. through the LEED EBOM certification process nationally and internationally and managed a total of 70 LEED certification projects. He is currently working one of the highest rated LEED EBOM Certification project’s in the world for Japan’s Obayashi Corporation. Jake has been integral in the development of the LEED EDGE, a project management tool which brings efficiency to LEED consulting by combing the LEED reference guide with LEED Online providing a streamlined approach to understanding credit compliance. He also helped design and build EBS’ Sustainability Financial Impact Analysis tool, which analyzes the financials of improvements to commercial real estate. He is currently building a database of energy and water efficiency measures that the County of San Diego will use to determine the most financially sound investment opportunities to employ in their existing building stock. email Jake »

Shane Mason serves as the commissioning engineer and project manager for Environmental Building Strategies. Through detailed document analysis and performance testing, Shane helps clients realize the operational benefits and energy savings potential of properly configured mechanical, plumbing, lighting, irrigation, water reuse, renewable energy and comprehensive building management systems. Shane works hand-in-hand with EBS’ LEED, CALGreen, Energy Modeling, and Engineering Departments, rounding out their services with effective commissioning to achieve successful projects. He ensures that project services are financially effective and environmentally responsible while managing multiple projects with various rating systems and certification goals. Shane’s background includes mechanical and structural engineering positions where he draws a breadth of experience in reviewing drawings, creating plans, creating technical documentation and instruction materials and supporting new product development. email Shane »

Warren applies his international experience in green building and project management to enable developers to realize their sustainability goals. As Environmental Building Strategies’ (EBS) sustainability consultant, he assists projects throughout the entire project timeline from the pre entitlement phase, incorporating sustainability design and initiatives, through to the construction, LEED documentation and closing phases. As a LEED Accredited Professional, Certified Green Building Professional, GreenStar AP and GreenPoint Rater, Warren is able to educate and personalize sustainability goals for all his clients.

Warren’s passion for green buildings started in undergrad where he studied Construction Management at Louisiana State University. After spending 3 years helping a General Contractor in Florida reduce its construction waste stream and focus on building more sustainable structures, Warren continued his passion for environmentally sustainable design and construction by obtaining his Masters in Sustainable Development from the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia. While obtaining his Masters, he gained an in-depth understanding of passive design strategies, building information modeling and sustainable business management practices. In the process of completing grad school, Warren was recruited to work for the Green Building Council of Australia where he managed 70+ GreenStar (Australia’s equivalent to LEED) projects throughout the country. After spending several years in Australia he settled in San Francisco where he has consulted directly with the World Green Building Council, the Berkshire Encyclopedia of Sustainability and several LEED Platinum projects throughout the US. He is an active member of the green building community as a member of the USGBC’s LEED Implementation Advisory Committee, and currently holds a visiting professor position in Devry University’s Sustainability Management program. email Warren »

Michael Hummel is a LEED AP and a licensed Architect and General Contractor in the state of California, with a background in high performance buildings, efficiency analysis, project management and passive/active building systems integration. With his passion for getting into the details of things, Michael Hummel is a natural fit to the progressive and integrated work of sustainability. His experience ranges the full gamut from green development charrette facilitation, LEED project management, and project delivery problem solving for both new construction and existing building clients. He attended the University of Hawaii Architecture Program where he developed a solid multi-disciplinary approach to problem solving. This methodology includes strong skills and experience in the fields of Architecture, Engineering, and Construction, as well as interpersonal relationship building that promote exceptional synergy in the building delivery process. He has extensive experience with new construction and existing buildings and his diverse portfolio includes a wide spectrum of projects ranging from Government, Hospitality, Office, Commercial, Education, Tennant Improvement, as well as Single and Multi-Family Residential. Michael is committed to furthering the work of high performance, environmentally sensitive building development, and his systems thinking approach to collaboration and communication, and his commitment to client needs makes him a valuable asset on every sustainability project. email Michael »

As the Director of Engineering for EBS, Shai brings years of sustainability engineering expertise with mechanical systems including water, electricity, HVAC, plumbing, building management systems (BMS) and more. Shai has extensive experience conducting building energy analysis and modeling, as well as working alongside building design teams to design and implement sustainable building systems. At EBS, Shai has a wide range of responsibilities including high performance building consulting services (both private and commercial buildings) as well as performing ASHRAE level I, II and III audits. In addition, Shai also supports various services, such as LEED (New Construction, Commercial Interior, Core & Shell and Existing buildings), commissioning, ENERGY STAR certifications, public schools and municipal/federal projects. As a certified Professional Engineer (P.E.), LEED Accredited Professional (BD+C), Certified Building Commissioning Professional (CBCP) and Certified Energy Manager (CEM), Shai’s consulting expertise includes energy analysis and modeling, commissioning, HVAC design, utility bill and tariff analyses, Measurement & Verification (M&V) and energy audits. email Shai »

Eric Corey Freed is Principal of organicARCHITECT, an architecture and consulting firm in California, with nearly 20 years of experience in green building. Eric is a licensed architect (California, New Mexico, Arizona), and a recognized pioneer in the tradition of Organic Architecture, first developed by Frank Lloyd Wright. A lifetime proponent of individualism and sustainability, Eric Corey Freed knew he wanted to be an architect at the early age of eight. Promoting both an organic and ecological approach to design, Eric wishes to provide an alternative to what he calls the “harsh, style-driven fashions” that are so popular in architecture today.

Born and raised in Philadelphia, Eric Corey Freed attended Temple University College of Architecture, graduating with honors in 1994. While a student, Eric had the opportunity to focus his concentration on Urban Design in Rome, Italy.  During several years working in both Philadelphia and New York City, Eric became very active within the profession. He worked under acclaimed architect Beverly Willis, and helped design two schools in New York. Their design for Manhattan Village Academy was widely published. At that time, noted architect and critic, Philip Johnson cited Eric as “one of the real brains of his generation.”  In 1996, Eric accepted a position in Santa Fe, New Mexico with a former apprentice of the master, Frank Lloyd Wright. While there, he had direct contact with both the most ancient and the newest of environmental building materials. Seeking to expand his knowledge, Eric relocated to San Francisco in 1997 to start his own practice and join the heart of the environmental movement.

Eric is the author of four books, including “Green Building & Remodeling for Dummies” (John Wiley & Sons), a best seller with 100,000 copies in print. His latest books, “Sustainable School Architecture” and “Green$ense for the Home” were released in 2010.  Eric is considered a leader in the field; named by San Francisco Magazine “Best Green Architect” in 2005 and “Best Visionary” in 2007; and “Green Visionary” by 7×7 Magazine in 2008.  A sought after public speaker, Eric speaks at over 40 events a year tirelessly promoting his vision of innovative green design. email Eric »

As a LEED project assistant and coordinator for EBS, Annalise applies her passion for green building with much enthusiasm and determination. With a Bachelor’s of Science in Environmental Policy Analysis and Planning and Sustainable Development from University of California Davis, Annalise has an in-depth understanding of both the economic and scientific aspects of sustainability. She has assisted with several LEED projects, specifically water efficiency and daylighting analysis credit documentation, and has gained extensive experience with Revit, Ecotect Analysis, DAYSim, and Google Sketchup for building design analyses. Annalise is both a LEED Green Associate as well as a member of the USGBC Northern California chapter, and her talents integrate seamlessly with the mission and sustainability goals of Environmental Building Strategies. email Annalise »

With over 7 years of experience working in architecture firms in St. Louis and Denver, Kristen brings expertise in architectural design, interior design and construction to EBS. She has advised commercial and residential clients on sustainable initiatives such as Net Zero Energy, passive design, and sustainable community development, performing services including energy modeling, facility assessments, Energy Star consulting, renewable energy consulting and more. At EBS, Kristen applies the skills gained through her recent MS degree and in-depth knowledge from her previous professional experience to assist on a wide variety of high- performance building projects. With a strong interest in the green schools movement, she is expanding EBS’s reach, activity-level, and understanding in the education sector.

Originally from southeastern Louisiana, Kristen received her Bachelor of Interior Design from Louisiana State University, a top-ranked program in her own backyard. Driven by a passion to practice at the intersection of interior design, architecture, and sustainability, Kristen returned to school to pursue a Master of Science in Sustainable Design at Carnegie Mellon University. The first interior designer in the program, Kristen gained the tools she needed to quantify sustainability and apply it within her career. She holds a National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) Certification and founded an Interior Design department in a satellite office of her previous architecture firm. She was among the first to become a LEED AP at this large firm, and applies this same level of dedication for sustainability in the built environment to all of her projects. email Kristen»

As a LEED GA and LEED Project Coordinator, Katie assists EBS’ project managers with the LEED certification process, including registration, credit documentation, project file management and client correspondence. With a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies and Economics from the University of California Santa Cruz, Katie possesses extensive knowledge on environmental policy and planning and a solid foundation in economic analysis. Before EBS, Katie worked at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, applying her environmental science background to the preservation of California’s coastal watersheds. Her interest in green building stems from a deep passion and understanding of the importance of integrating the natural and built environment, promoting sustainability across the board. email Katie »

Burke Pemberton manages all aspects of EBS’ accounting operations including general ledger, accounts payable/receivable, and payroll. He maintains and drives continuous improvement for all of our internal control systems and procedures, including financial reporting, all operational accounting functions, and company policy and procedure. Currently holding a B.S. in Accounting, Burke’s personal commitment to sustainability is exemplified by his status as an MBA student at San Francisco ‘s Presidio Graduate School. Through his MBA, he is studying Sustainable Business Management with the objective of helping organizations realize wasted value through the implementation of sustainable and efficient operating practices. Burke has spent the last ten years gaining a complete understanding of business cycles in the Bay Area restaurant circle where he had the opportunity to work as the opening General Manager of one of San Francisco’s most sustainable restaurants. Burke also holds a GRI certification.
email Burke »

Kimberly Kuettel is EBS’ marketing manager, who also assists with proposals, business development and every day operational tasks to keep EBS running like a well-oiled machine. With a background in corporate communication, business and public relations in the clean technology field, Kim brings a strong environmental passion with communicative finesse to the organization, articulating EBS’ mission, goals and sustainable service branding to our current and prospective customers. She has previously represented the marketing efforts of cleantech industries including sustainable building technologies, smart grid, water technologies, solar, and Environmental Health & Safety software. Kim also serves on the managing and event planning board of San Francisco Green Drinks, the local chapter of a global organization that connects environmental professionals with job opportunities, volunteer opportunities, and like-minded friends in the sustainable community. email Kim »

As Bookkeeper/Office Manager, Jolene’s job is to keep EBS running as smoothly and efficiently as possible by providing administrative and accounting support, as well as project assistance. Jolene graduated from the University of San Francisco with degrees in Environmental Studies and Sociology, with an emphasis in Urbanization. Her interests lie primarily in sustainability and energy efficiency, exemplified by her commitment to making USF a greener campus through her previous position in the USF Environmental Safety Office and involvement with the USF Sustainability Committee. She has also held an internship at SF Environment and provided research assistance to the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Jolene is excited to put her passion and knowledge to use at EBS and learn more about the exciting world of green building. email Jolene »