Legal Language of Green
When: 9:30 am – 11:30 am – Thursday November 3, 2011
Where: Merrimack Room
If you are involved with Green Building, fielding questions and requests from customers, or looking to enter this growing market segment, you need to know the legal ramifications of what you say, do, and sign. Your best approach is knowledge, not reaction! Topics include pre-construction, construction, and post-construction implications; performance vs. aspiration; impact on owners, design professionals, and contractors; new opportunities and risks; and legislation and regulatory environment at national, state, and local levels. Other issues to be discussed include questionable claims about increased worker productivity and performance in sustainable buildings; the fact that current studies are inadequate to provide any accurate support to claims that indoor air quality and decreased health problems result from green buildings; and that there’s far too much marketing activity around green, which often creates hidden risk and mismatched expectations.
PRESENTER:
Ronald Ciotti, Esq., Partner at Hinckley, Allen & Snyder LLP
Ron’s practice is focused on all aspects of the construction industry. He represents general contractors, construction managers, subcontractors, owners/developers, architects, and engineers both regionally and nationally in construction-related matters, including all aspects of construction law, contractual disputes, lien work, bond claims, construction, and design-defect claims, bid disputes, litigation, and dispute resolution. Ron has lectured on construction law, including IPD contracting, ConsensusDocs topics, and other construction law topics for numerous construction-related organizations.
Carleen Goguen
Carleen Goguen CGP has been involved in the commercial, residential, and industrial construction industry for more than 20 years and currently serves as marketing manager for Associated Concrete Coatings Inc., a waterproofing and protective coatings contractor established in 1969. This NH-based company serves all of New England and specializes in protecting buildings from top to bottom from water, vapor, and air infiltration with specialized coatings, sealants, insulated waterproofing systems, above and below grade concrete and masonry restoration.
Carleen is a Certified Green Professional and serves as the public relations chair for Build Green NH, the first National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Green Building council in New England. She is also a member of Associated Contractors and Builders NH/VT (ABC) and is the recipient of numerous awards on behalf of Associated Concrete Coatings, including the NH/VT- ABC – Excellence in Construction Award for “Thermal and Moisture Protection” and the Home Builders & Remodelers Association of New Hampshire Cornerstone Award for “Most Energy Efficient Design Solution.”
Martin J. Orio
Martin’s family, led by his father, Carl Orio, has one of the longest involvements with geothermal heat pumps in the United States today. They are full members of ASHRAE, employ three full-time Certified GeoExchange Designers- CGDs (AEE), 13 IGSHPA Accredited Installers (AIs) and a Certified Geothermal Instructor (IGSPHA) where they have been long-standing members of the advisory board. In the past 33 years they have been directly involved in over 14,000 geothermal heat pump installations as designers and distributors. They provide comprehensive NATE recognized trainings and are co-authors of the “Geothermal Heat Pump Manual” for New York City’s Department of Design and Construction.
For ASHRAE coauthored and lectured on “Studies Applied to Standing Column Well Design”, “Geothermal Standing Column Wells: Ten Years in a New England School” for ASHRAE Transactions 2006.
Martin will provide an overview of responsible geothermal installation methods and goals his family business recommends to their customers in their effort to guide interested parties toward maximum efficiency, lowest first cost geothermal installations.
Paul Button
Paul Button has had a passion for energy conservation for over 40 years. He attended UMass-Boston where he studyied Marine Ecology and Environmental Science. There was little available field work, so Paul fell back on his Associate Degree in Engineering and began a 30-year “detour” into the corporate world of mechanical engineering. Paul retired from Hewlett-Packard in 2002 as a Principal Mechanical Engineer, where he designed ruggedized cabinet-based network systems.
Paul went back to work in 2003 as an electrician for a small weatherization company out of Milford, NH. It was there he first began performing energy audits, writing work scopes, submitting computer models to the utilities, and performing QA inspections. Paul then moved into the low-income weatherization programs run by the State of NH, and became a certified energy auditor under the auspices of the New Hampshire Office of Energy and Planning.
Energy Audits Unlimited LLC, Paul’s company, was formed when Paul saw a need to address single-family homeowners who did not qualify for the low-income programs, due to income levels. The company has transformed over the last two years to include training classes for not only auditors but also crew and crew chief training. Energy Audits Unlimited is a BPI affiliate organization and Paul is a BPI-certified Building Analyst Professional and Envelope Professional.
Your Building Is Green, but Is Your Project? A Brief Intro to the Bigger Picture of a Sustainable NH
Thursday, 12:30-1:30pm
This interactive workshop introduces the framework of sustainability as outlined in The Natural Step for Communities as well as the principles of Smart Growth that were introduced in Achieving Smart Growth in New Hampshire. Participants will learn how these together form a Big Picture vision for the state, and can start to think about how their own projects fit into it.
Speaker: Robin LeBlanc
Robin H. LeBlanc
Robin H. LeBlanc has been the Executive Director of Plan NH since October 2008, with a background in program and project management, non-profit leadership, and organizational and business development. She has a Masters in Library Science as well as an MBA, and a love for New England and its communities. She has lived in Portsmouth for almost 30 years with her husband, where together they have raised three now-grown children.
Scott Hopps
After years of managing large energy consumers (i.e., luxury hotels), Scot Hopps transitioned to a role where he could help reduce consumption. At Waterline Alternative Energies, Scot has been developing small and large wind projects in New England while also expanding solar PV. He supports and encourages renewable energy to help protect our environment, but also knows that in today’s economy, the penetration of renewable energy will rely on the project making financial sense for his clients. To provide adequate information, Scot has spent much time becoming educated on how to make these projects financially feasible. Scot received his undergraduate degree at Harvard University, and is currently completing his MS in Energy Engineering at UMass Lowell.
Bill Pryor
Bill Pryor is an expert in the fields of content marketing and social media and has been involved with B2B marketing in a variety of roles for over 20 years. Online media and social networks have created a whole new landscape for marketers at small and large businesses in recent years, and Bill has worked with a number of companies to help simplify and take advantage of these new tools.
Bill has an extensive background at business to business media companies, having run publishing, event, research, and online efforts for companies such at International Data Group, Reed Business, and PennWell. At these companies, he oversaw sales, marketing, and media activities in a variety of niche markets, including energy, technology, manufacturing, and architecture/building. Most recently he has helped develop social media marketing services with Network Communications Inc., and is the director of member services for the Content Marketing Institute. He is also a small business owner and entrepreneur.
Michael Bruss
Michael Bruss, LEED AP, quality builder, has 35 years of experience in the construction business and is the founder and president of Bruss Construction, based in Bradford, NH. He has extensive experience in green building technologies and the adaptive reuse of historic structures. Michael is very knowledgeable with the US Green Building Council’s LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) certification program.
In 2003, Bruss constructed the FIRST LEED-certified structure in the northeast for the Society for the Protection of NH Forests and recently achieved the FIRST Platinum Certification for a Single Family Residence in New Hampshire. Michael is on the Board of Directors of the NH Preservation Alliance and has participated in many panel discussions on green building technologies throughout New Hampshire.
Cashing In on Energy Efficiency
Thursday, 11:00am – 12:00pm
Speakers: Melissa Aho, Paul Button, & Martin Orio
“Energy Efficient” and “Green” are two areas that everyone is striving to accomplish. In order to begin, you need to know where to start and you may ask yourself, “Is it feasible?” Making your house more efficient can actually save you a lot of money over time and it certainly will increase your home value. Join a panel of experts in the area of home efficiency that will show you applications for both new construction homes and existing homes.
Melissa Aho
Melissa Aho is the president of Ultra Geothermal Inc., which is located on Rte. 4 in Barrington, NH. Ultra Geothermal is proud to have over 500 systems installed in the New Hampshire, northern Massachusetts, and southern Maine region. The company represents themselves as a renewable energy alternative to fossil fuel heating and cooling. Ultra Geothermal installs systems to Energy Star standards and all heat pump options that are offered qualify for the 30% Federal Tax Credit. Everything for the system is designed, sized, and laid out directly by Ultra. On the installation side, the sheet metal, piping work, technical service, and homeowner training are all done by the certified staff of Ultra Geothermal.
Melissa has a background in civil engineering from the University of New Hampshire and she holds a degree in Paralegal, which brings legal background to the company for contractual and business purposes. Melissa is an accredited Geothermal Installer through NATE (North American Technician Excellence) and she is also an accredited Geothermal System Designer through IGSHPA (International Ground Source Heat Pump Association).
Melissa is very active in the New Hampshire Sustainable Energy Association, Build Green New Hampshire, and the Green Alliance. These organizations are active in the green building sectors and most involved with state initiatives in the green building community. In addition to the green associations listed above, Melissa is a member of the Home Builders & Remodelers Association of New Hampshire, Seacoast Home Builders Association, Manchester Home Builders Association, Dover Chamber of Commerce, and The Greater Barrington Chamber of Commerce.
Community service projects and volunteering locally is an opportunity for Melissa to give back to the surrounding areas. She works closely with organizations such as the Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains, St. Charles Children’s Home, March of Dimes, United Way, Barrington and Dover food pantries, UNH student programs, and Dover Middle School programs.
Outreach to the community is also done through free education series that Melissa performs through Ultra Geothermal. She works closely with the UNH Energy Club to arrange for student and community education. This past fall and winter Melissa put on an Educational Energy Series; workshops that presented options of renewable energy sources. She also hosts Geothermal Sessions in her office for contractors, homeowners, and students looking to learn more about the technology.
Ultra Geothermal, Inc. has made a dedication to helping the community move forward with green technology while also helping give back to the community as much as possible.
Builders’ Roundtable
Thursday, 12:00 noon – 1:00pm
Meet four builders at the top of their game. All are leaders in their field and come from companies that are building green, energy-efficient sustainable houses. At this roundtable you will learn the challenges and pitfalls of a successful building business, and you will see what makes these individuals passionate about their work.
Speakers: Shane Carter, Liam Cargill, Michael Bruss, Sarah Brown
Shane Carter
Shane has been in the real estate and construction industry for over 15 years and has personal hands-on experience as well as management in all phases of construction and development. The unique history that brought Shane to this field started with a passion for woodworking, furniture building, and building musical instruments. This passion translates well to the fine homebuilding industry.
A degree in forestry and wildlife biology from UMASS/ Amherst gives Shane a qualified eye for ecological and environmental awareness as a home builder. This background is a benefit to Ridgeview clients at the crucial land selection and development phase of construction.
Committed to continuing education in building science and sustainable construction techniques, Shane has attained the Certified Green Professional (CGP) designation from the NAHB. He also recently completed the coursework to become a Certified Passive House Consultant and is looking to build his first net-zero home very soon.
Betsy Abeles Kravitz
Betsy Abeles Kravitz has enjoyed a long gratifying career in sales and marketing focusing on delivering clients a rich, authentic, problem solving-based relationship.
Betsy spent many years with the regional alternative news weekly The Worcester Magazine where she began as a sales novice and eventually became associate publisher.
Along the way she sold at the famous San Francisco Bay Guardian newspaper and became publisher of the Hartford Advocate.
In 2004, Dan Kaplan, founder of New England Home and Betsy’s mentor and first boss, tapped her once again to help launch the magazine. With a keen sense of timing and opportunity, the team grew the magazine and enjoyed one of the nation’s most successful magazine launches. Today, NE Home also publishes NE Home’s Connecticut, serving Fairfield County CT, NE Home’s Cape & Islands, and several digital products like the NE Home Online Design Center, and innovative Design Sherpa social networking turnkey services.
Betsy is a graduate of Ithaca College with a BFA in theater arts, passionately participates in community service, and has two incredible daughters and one very understanding husband.
NH State Building Code (International Energy Conservation Code)
CLASS SOLD OUT Tuesday, 9:00am-3pm
With the IECC 2009 Energy Code having gone into effect April 1, 2010, it’s vitally important that all builders and contractors be aware of what will be required of them by the new energy code, as well as understand the performance and cost-saving benefits to exceeding code. This residential workshop will focus on high-performance building science, as well as building materials that facilitate meeting code.
This workshop is being offered free of charge and lunch will be provided to all attendees. Continuing education credits will be offered at all workshops, and live hands-on demonstrations will also be presenting during coffee breaks. Workshops are being sponsored through the NH Office of Energy and Planning (via American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 funds) as well as via the NH Electric Utilities and the NH Public Utilities Commission.
Speaker : Jonathan Osgood & Bruce Bennett
Credits: AIA, PDH of NH Board of Engineers
Brian Kearney
Brian Kearney is the manager of Residential Energy Efficiency programs for National Grid NH. Brian began working at KeySpan in 2005 in residential gas conversion services for both new and existing homes. Most recently Brian managed the Energy Star Homes across National Grids service territory.
Mike Demers
Mike Demers is the Energy Star Homes’ program administrator for Public Service of New Hampshire. New Hampshire’s Energy Star Homes program provides assistance to builders and homeowners in building homes that meet or exceed the EPA’s guidelines for energy efficiency in a home. Mike has successfully completed the HERs (Home Energy Ratings) rater training offered by the Northeast HERs alliance and is looking forward to applying this knowledge to improve the quality, durability, and efficiency of New Hampshire’s housing stock.
Steve Condon
Steve Condon is the regional accounts manager at Waterline Alternative Energies. He specializes in providing active solar energy solutions to commercial and residential clients in New England beginning with a site evaluation through the installation. With a background in construction and participation in several passive solar designs, he spent the last three years working to develop photovoltaic and solar hot water systems tailored to the needs of his clients.
Jeff Haydock
Jeff Haydock is the sales and business development director for Waterline Alternative Energies, LLC. An expert in wind, solar, and hydropower installations of all sizes, Jeff works to make a renewable energy investment financially feasible for the owner and end user. As sales director, Jeff aims to develop professional relationships and works alongside each customer from initial site visit through installation. He also arranges for financing and development of power purchase agreements for commercial and municipal clients. His enthusiasm for renewable energy has led him to work with representatives from the state of New Hampshire on developing a production incentive for solar power in New Hampshire. To further his knowledge and promote alternative energy, Jeff belongs to the Green Alliance and various chambers of commerce.
Gretchen M Tillson
Grethchen Tillson is a residential energy consultant with GDS Associates and is based in the firm’s northeast regional office located in Manchester, NH. She earned a Bachelors of Science Degree in Architectural Engineering from Keene State College in Keene, NH. While at Keene State, Gretchen worked for award-winning Mechanical Engineers Kohler and Lewis, performing drafting, design, pipe sizing, and heat load calculations for many school buildings and other projects in the New England region.
After graduating in 2002, Gretchen worked in various aspects of the building engineering and design fields, from log and timber frame homes design and construction, teaching architectural design for autoCAD, to bridge and highway demolition, coming back to building energy as a passion discovered in school and now realized at GDS Associates.
She has since been providing GDS with technical support for consulting projects across New England. Gretchen has performed walkthrough energy audits at various commercial and industrial facilities in New Hampshire. She implements the PSNH Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Program, performs site inspections for the Energy Star Homes program, and provides assistance on various other residential projects in the New Hampshire Office. She is currently Building Performance Institute Building Analyst and Proctor certified, NAHB Green Building Verifier, and she is a RESnet certified Home Energy Rater. Gretchen recently began teaching BPI Train the trainer and Building Analyst courses at Keene State College.
Rene Pelletier
Rene and DES staff will discuss the subsurface systems, wetlands, alteration of terrain, and shoreland permitting programs and how best to submit and present information on the applications. He will also touch briefly on the DES Lean approach to the permitting and application receipt process with the Land Resource Management Programs with the DES Water Division. There will also be a brief description on the DES Innovative Permitting Process currently under way at DES.
Residential Structural Design, the Easy Way
Thursday, 2:00pm – 3:00pm
In the annual battle that pits snow, wind, and ice against beams, columns, and panels, only the well-designed survive. This session will discuss how to ensure your projects win the battle against the weather. Real structural situations will be reviewed in plain English, and the obscure world of engineering will be revealed.
In the end, the safety and durability of our buildings has as much to do with the builders understanding when they need an engineer and when they don’t. To this end, we’ll discuss how to most easily work with your favorite professional engineers so you can get the information you need.
Speaker: Paul Malko
Paul Malko
Paul Malko is chief engineer at Foard Panel and has been involved in engineering residential and commercial SIP projects at Foard Panel Inc. for seven years. He specializes in thermal and structural performance, moisture control, and code compliance. He is also the quality assurance manager and oversees the in-house testing for production and R&D at Foard.
He is an active member of several Structural Insulated Panel Association Committees, a board member of the Timber Frame Business Council, and a member of the Timber Framers Guild’s Engineering Council.
Paul can most easily be reached at paul@foardpanel.com
Alternative Energies 101: The Basics of Wind and Solar
Thursday, 9:30-10:30am
“Alternative Energies 101: The Basics of Wind and Solar” will cover the types of renewable solutions available for both residential and commercial buildings, and our team of experts will explain briefly how each technology works. We will provide you with an overview of the process we take from initial site evaluation to final installation, including areas such as grant and rebate applications, permitting, and normal project timelines.
As builders, remodelers, construction professionals, contractors, and designers, your clients will soon be asking how they can incorporate alternative energy into their homes and/or places of work. After attending this class, you will be able to provide high-level answers and have a trusted professional to call on for questions, answers, and partnership opportunities.
Speakers: Jeff Haydock, Scott Hopps, & Steve Condon
NAHB National Green Building Standard
Thursday, 11:15am-12:30pm
In 2007, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and the International Code Council (ICC) partnered to establish a much-needed and nationally recognizable standard definition of what is meant by “Green Building.” The resulting ANSI approved ICC-700-2008 National Green Building Standard defines green building for single and multi-family homes, residential remodeling projects and site development projects while still allowing for the flexibility required for regionally appropriate best green practices.
To receive certification, a builder, remodeler, or developer must incorporate a minimum number of features in the following areas: energy, water, and resource efficiency, lot and site development, indoor environmental quality, and home owner education. The more points accrued, the higher the score. Attend this session and learn how through certifying your project through the NAHB National Green Building Standard you can differentiate your projects in the market.
Speaker: Gretchen M Tillson & Carleen Goguen
Introduction to LEED for Homes
Thursday, 10:30am – 3:30pm
This training will introduce you to the basics of the US Green Building Council’s LEED for Homes program (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). You’ll learn the process and steps involved in getting a home certified and gain a clearer understanding of the importance of integrated design and durability planning. The course will give a brief overview of how and why credits are awarded for each scoring category. A LEED project Case Review will be presented and discussed. The training will be given by Hilary Harris, AIA, LEED AP, the LEED for Homes Program Manager at the Jordan Institute and Paul Leveille, Assoc. AIA, CBCP, LEED AP, a LEED for Homes Green Rater. Performance Specialists at The Jordan Institute.
Speaker: Hilary Harris & Paul Leveille
Credits:4 AIA HSW/SD CEUs; Certificate of Completion for self-reporting to other professional organizations.
There is an additional cost of $150 for this course. Click below to register using paypal, it’s fast, secure, and easy – no paypal registration required!
Regreening of Our Homes, ELEMENTS from the US Green Building Council
Registration Closed. Thursday, 9:00am – 10:00am
The course focuses on what Regreening is and how it can be used to advantage with existing homes. In this course participants will learn the intent of the REGREEN program and what the process includes. We will look at what the model is for third-party verification and why it exists. We will review what kind of information is required to meet the REGREEN criteria, as well as what elements and costs are involved and what can be done to minimize costs to you the builder and to your customer.
Speaker: Wes Tator
Wes Tator
Wes Tator is principal partner at 2BGreenProfitably, providing real estate brokerage and development assistance for the transformation of the built environment to be prosperous, socially responsible, and environmentally friendly.
Wes provides assistance in development of new properties and increasing the performance of existing buildings. His unique perspective is shaped by his stint of 10 years as a practicing commercial realtor and three years as an LEED Accredited Professional.
Wes is the founder and chair of the US Green Building Council, New Hampshire Chapter. He is also a member of the New Hampshire Commercial Investment Board of Realtors and affiliated with Keller Williams Commercial.
Wes’ education includes an undergraduate degree from Lafayette College and an MBA from the University of Chicago. In addition, he has many hours of education focusing on commercial real estate, organizational development, and green building.
Paul Leveille
Paul Leveille manages the High-Performance Buildings program for the Jordan Institute ( www.jordaninstitute.org ). There he works with interested parties to integrate ecological design, energy-efficiency, pollution prevention, indoor environmental quality, and community character in site and building design, construction, and operation and maintenance. He provides consulting services on LEED, CHPS, and other high-performance projects and is a frequent speaker on the subject.
Paul has two degrees in engineering and lives in a passive-solar, super-insulated home he built from site-sawn lumber and urban salvage.
Hillary Harris
Hilary Harris oversees the Residential Program at Jordan Institute, which includes running the LEED for Homes Program in NH as well as doing assessments and retrofits of existing homes and multi-family buildings. A BPI-certified architect and LEED AP, Hilary has extensive experience in green design. She has been involved with LEED from its inception, gaining early experience in Boulder, CO, during the initial pilot phase of LEED, and was the LEED consultant for the first LEED certified building in New England. She also co-authored the Vermont Builds Greener program and served on the board for Builders for Social Responsibility.
Grants and Incentives for a More Sustainable New Hampshire
Wednesday, 2:00pm – 3:15pm
More than ever before, energy efficiency and on-site energy generation in the residential sector have captured the attention of home buyers, investors, lenders, home inspectors, code officials, and builders. The information can be overwhelming, and the available grants, incentives, tax credits, and loan products confusing to both builders and buyers. This session will help you understand why energy considerations are high priority, and how to access the support you need to build right and buy right. There will be ample time for questions and answers.
Speaker: Mary Downes
Mary Downes
Mary Downes is the energy-efficiency specialist at the NH Office of Energy and Planning. She provides support to the state energy manager as well as state agencies as they work to achieve the Governor’s 2005 Executive Order to reduce energy use in state-owned buildings and fleets.
Mary also manages over $12 million in Recovery Act funds from the Department of Energy for projects related to business energy efficiency, alternatives to petroleum-based transportation, and public building retrofits. Mary recently earned a masters degree from UNH in Resource Administration and Management, and is a member of the NH Sustainable Energy Association’s board of directors.
Dealing with Radon
Thursday, 9:00am – 10:00am
Radon is odorless, colorless, and tasteless, and you certainly can’t hear radon gas…
This session will provide a bit of history on radon gas in homes, go over what builders and re-modelers (and weatherization folks) have to and should do about radon levels, and review radon detection and mitigation strategies.
Speaker: Peter Yost
Houses That Work
Tuesday, 9:00am – 5:00pm
In this session participants learn how the many complex changes in home design, building materials, mechanical systems, appliances, consumer lifestyles, and expectations over the last 30 years make every builder’s, supplier’s, and trade contractor’s job more complex and demanding. The segment outlines the basic building science physics of air, heat, and moisture flow that every builder should know so he or she can understand why some buildings work and others don’t.
Based on years of field research from the US Department of Energy’s Building American Program, Houses That Work delivers education based on that experience for improved building performance and increased profitability. The climate-specific content includes measurement tools, design concepts, application demonstrations, and case studies.
Presented in conjunction with BuildGreenNH, The Energy & Environmental Building Alliance, and the Home Builders and Remodelers Association of NH.
Speaker: Justin Wilson
There is an additional registration cost for this course. Register Now!
Department of Environmental Services Land Use Permitting Process
Wednesday, 3:30 to 5:00pm
Rene and DES staff will discuss the subsurface systems, wetlands, alteration of terrain and shoreland permitting programs and how best to submit and present information on the applications. He will also touch briefly on the DES Lean approach to the permitting and application receipt process with the Land Resource Management Programs with the DES Water Division. There will also be a brief description on the DES Innovative Permitting Process currently under way at DES.
Speaker: Rene Pelletier
Save Water America
Wednesday, 12:00pm – 1:30pm
Why Save Water?
You can make a difference.
Less than 3% of the world’s water is freshwater, and much of that is inaccessible. At least 36 states anticipate water shortages by 2013. In this session learn how to save water and make a difference in our local environments.
Register Now
Speaker: The Granite Group & Kohler
House as a System
Thursday, 2:00pm – 3:00pm
“House as a System” is the systematic “Whole House” approach to improving comfort, health, safety, energy efficiency and durability of a home.
This session hopes to challenge energy professionals to think outside the box for ways to do cost-effective energy-saving measures.
Speakers: Keith Freischlag & Peggy Curran
Peggy Curran
Peggy Curran is the NH senior residential energy efficiency program manager for National Grid with industry experience in energy consulting, proposal development, program design, implementation marketing, and management of Energy Efficiency Programs. Established through NH Community Colleges, Building Performance Institute Building Analyst and Building Envelope training for Energy Professionals.
Keith Freischlag
Keith Freischlag is the energy program coordinator at Unitil.
High-Performance Heating Systems HVAC
Thursday, 11:00am – 12:00pm
This is a review of high-performance heating systems. What are your choices, educational programs, and incentives? In this session we will take a look at the incremental costs, the regional benefits, and how these systems ultimately benefit your customer.
Speaker: nhsaves
Energy Star Homes
Thursday, 12:30pm – 1:30pm
In this course participants will review the upcoming changes in Energy Star Program version 3.0. There are new rules and a new checklist that you will need to reach the higher thresholds and specific changes to the program. Register now and discover just how those changes will impact the program.
Speakers: Mike Demers & Keith Freischlag
Weatherizing Buildings, Foundations & Basements for New Construction and Retrofit
Thursday 9:30am – 10:30am
Most homeowners would like a dry basement, and many would like to include the basement in the living space, but simply adding insulation to the walls and putting down carpet in an existing home may do more harm than good. Getting the details right in new construction is not as simple as it may seem either. In this session we will look at material selection and strategies to construct or retrofit a building shell the right way. Upfront know-how will reduce callbacks and water damage.
Speaker: Mike Shofield
Partnering for Success
Wednesday, 2:00pm-3:30pm
This workshop focuses on the benefits of the architect and the interior designer successfully working together as a team. The program will explore and discuss how to define individual roles and how to maintain open lines of communication.
It is the belief that an effective team ensures that the client’s experience is satisfying, the result is successful both financially and aesthetically, and that the overall experience increases the likelihood that the architect and designer will work together in the future.
Speaker: Sue Adams, Lynda Onthank. Bill Soupcoff, Douglas Ruther
Douglas Ruther
Lynda Onthank
Lynda Onthank, ASID, is the owner and principal of Onthank Design Ltd., a full-service interior design firm with over 20 years of experience designing both residential and commercial properties throughout New England.
As a well- respected interior designer in the Greater Boston area, Lynda currently serves as
president of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASIDNE) New England Chapter. She leads this organization with the same guiding principles as Onthank Designs: integrity and a strong commitment to quality for the client.
Lynda has more than 20 years of national commercial interior design consulting experience with a well-established architectural firm in Boston, MA. She has provided her insights and creative passion to the firms’ clients all over the nation, ranging from small to large scale commercial hotels and hospitality projects.
Lynda has served as Juror and Master Juror on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ), chaired the STEP Workshop, and currently serves as Board Member of Wildflower Camp Foundation, a local non-profit organization.
10 Rock-Solid Marketing Strategies for Today’s Building Professional
Thursday, 10:30-11:30am
You have heard all the buzz. There is new media and social networking, not to mention online marketing tools and traditional media outlets. Learn how to cut through the noise and build your brand. In this session media pros will walk you through the most important tools of the trade today.
Speaker: Betsy Abeles Kravitz
Green Certification Roundtable
Wednesday, 8:30am-9:15am
You’ve heard the acronyms: HERS ratings, USGBC LEED for Homes, and NAHB NGBS. Now learn from a panel of experts what they mean, why they matter, and what it takes to get your buildings certified. Q & A will follow the presentations.
Speakers: Hilary Harris, Elizabeth Fischer, & Bruce Bennett
NAHB-Certified Green Professional
This is a 2-day course: Tuesday 9-5 and Wednesday 8-4:30
Implementing cost-effective green building into your construction practices begins with up-front planning that examines the whole house and the building science behind it. In these two days, you will learn how to apply the ANSI-approved National Green Building Standard in the construction of a new home, remodel, site development or multi-family project. With a focus on flexibility and a sound knowledge base, the course provides the tools for a successful green project.
As a graduate of this course, you will learn:
• How to integrate sound building science principles into design decisions and the materials selection process;
• How to incorporate the ANSI-approved National Green Building Standard;
• Examine specific best green building practices in each chapter of the National Green Building Standard; and
• How to evaluate and sell in the growing green marketplace.
Speaker : Rich Morin
Credits: CAPS, CGA, CGB, CGR, GMB, CSP, Master CSP, CMP, MIRM
There is an additional registration cost for this course. Click Here to Register!
Lisa Teague
Lisa Teague is a designer and specialty finish artisan with over 20 years’ experience in applying decorative finishes. Along with her own low VOC paints and finishes, Lisa is a premier trainer, dealer, and applicator of American Clay Earth Plaster. Lisa’s classes are highly regarded, training homeowners and professionals from all over the US and Canada. Her finishes are on display in her studio and are also enjoyed in private homes all over the US and Europe. Lisa is known for her subtle hand and exquisite use of color.
How to Sell Energy Efficiency – What Your Customer Needs to Hear
Thursday, 1:30pm – 2:30pm
What customers want and need to hear is that the project makes financial sense, that the project is beneficial to the environment, it reduces our dependence on fossil fuels, is aesthetically appealing, and it’s something they can afford to do for themselves, their family, and the environment. Building energy-efficient sustainable housing is the right thing to do.
Speaker: John Haithcock
John Haithcock
John Haithcock is the director of operations and CFO of Adros Energy in Amherst, NH. He has a BS in Business Administration and Management and is a retired US Air Force Officer. In 1997, he founded a general contracting company that has built more than 60 homes and completed thousands of other projects.
John has performed hundreds of energy audits, installed over 70,000 watts of photovoltaic energy, and 432,000 BTUs of geothermal. In addition, he has obtained numerous certifications and licenses in the building and energy fields.
How to Get Better HERS Rating
Wednesday, 10:00am – 11:00am
There are no gimmicks and you can’t buy your way to a lower HERS score with sexy equipment. What is necessary is the consistent application of basic building science principles and the proper use of readily available materials. Chet Pasho will explore insulation, air sealing, moisture management, ventilation, and mechanical systems and equipment. Details that are specific to modular homes will also be considered.
Speaker: Chet Pasho
NH Housing Finance Authority: What Happened to the Mortgage Market?
Wednesday, 12:30 – 1:45pm
Significant changes in the mortgage market have dramatically impacted home buyers’ and owners’ (your potential customers) ability to purchase or refinance a home. With the lowest interest rates in decades, why aren’t more people buying? Why aren’t more new homes being built? What’s the impact of govt.-backed lending on the market? This session will provide information about the elements of the mortgage market in the current economy that affect the home buyer/refinance market.
Speaker: Elizabeth A. Lamoureux
EPA Lead Paint Certification
Wednesday, 8am-4pm
The Renovate, Repair and Paint rule took effect on April 22, 2010. This rule requires anyone who is disturbing paint in a house, or child-occupied facility, built before 1978 to have one-day training, pass a test, and obtain certification. It’s the law.
Renovation creates dust. In an old house, that dust is made up of lead paint. When we leave that toxic dust behind, kids (and pets and adults) get sick. We are required to obtain EPA/HUD certification to learn how to avoid this problem. The RRP rule applies to anyone who is working in pre-1978 buildings for compensation. This includes landlords, property management companies, contractors, painters, electricians, and plumbers. If you drill, scrape, sand or in any way disturb paint, this training is for you.
Speaker: Kate Kirkwood
Credits: EPA RRP Certified Lead Renovator
There is an additional registration cost for this course. Register Now!
Sustainable Millwork & Cabinetry in Green Building Design
Thursday, 3:00pm – 4:00pm
Learn why wood is a superior, carbon-negative building material and how to incorporate it into LEED and NAHB Green projects. Learn the characteristics that make up sustainable cabinetry and better understand how to plan your project using wood as an alternative to other, less-green materials.
Speaker: Charles Griffiths
Solar Hot Water Demystified
Wednesday, 4:00pm-5:00pm
Using solar hot water for heating has always been a goal in northern New England. We’ll review the problems to date and the latest solutions being employed on real residential and commercial projects. Solar hot water air conditioning will also be discussed.
Speaker Jack Bingham
Design/Build Solutions for Aging & Accessibility (CAPS II)
Wednesday, 9:00am-5:00pm
Design solutions and building issues that are different for the Aging in Place market are investigated with actual redesign work done in class. Codes, standards, HIPAA issues, contractual and job site implementation issues are covered. Health Care Professionals are teamed with builders and designers to develop strategies and solutions to common problems in existing housing and thoughtful design of new spaces.
Speaker: Alan Hanbury
Credits: CAPS, CGA, MCSP
There is an additional registration cost for this course. Register Now!
Marketing & Communications Strategies for Aging & Accessibility (CAPS I)
Tuesday starting at 9am. This is a Full-Day Course.
Marketing and communicating skills have to be adapted to our aging population. This class gives us some sensitivity training, marketing hints, demographic research sources, partnering organizations, and other ways to make the best possible use of your marketing budget. Actual sales tips and techniques for reaching Aging in Place clients are played out in the class. Partnering with health care professionals is stressed, and how to work together is discussed.
Speaker Alan Hanbury
Credits: CAPS, CGA, MCSP
There is an additional registration cost for this course. Register Now!
NAHB Business Management for Building Pros
Thursday, 9:00am-5:00pm
Business Management for Building Professionals is a required course for both CAPS and Green Building designations and it is a thorough overview of the tools and skills needed to run successful endeavors. It is written by building practitioners and touches on the core skills for success. This course is even good for business trained individuals as we give real life examples and dashboard targets for many benchmarks. Non-owners can use the skills to help in personal finance or to better understand upper management’s terminology and thought patterns.
Speaker Alan Hanbury
Credits: CAPS, CGA, CGB, CGR, MCSP, CGP
There is an additional registration cost for this course. Register Now!
Green Renovation Technology
Wednesday, 8:00am-11:00am
Existing homes work, sometimes not well perhaps, but they do. Green remodeling has to be about improving, not screwing up, the performance of the home. Come learn how to get the building science of remodeling right and then market that to your remodeling clients. We will be covering everything from green kitchen additions to gut rehabs and touch on new programs, such as REGREEN.
Speaker Peter Yost
There is an additional registration cost for this course. Register Now!
Elizabeth A. Lamoureux
Elizabeth Lamoureux joined the Authority in July 1999. She is a Certified Public Accountant and Certified Mortgage Professional and holds a Master of Business Administration Degree from Plymouth State College and a Bachelor Degree in Management from the University of New Hampshire, College for Lifelong Learning. Prior to joining the Authority, Ms. Lamoureux was VP of NH Business Development Corporation and state director of the NH Small Business Development Center.
She is an active board member and treasurer for the Mortgage Bankers and Brokers Association of New Hampshire and serves on the Audit Committee for NeighborWorks Greater Manchester. Formerly she served on the boards of the New Hampshire Society of CPAs and the NH Rural Development Council.
Charles Griffiths
Charles Griffiths is the president of Vigilant Woodworks & Green Cabinetworks. He has been working with wood for over 40 years and is devoted to producing sustainable millwork, cabinetry, and wood products to the building industry.
Kate Kirkwood
Kate Kirkwood, of K. Kirkwood Consulting LLC, is the founder of Lead-Edu, an EPA and HUD certified training firm offering RRP Lead Safety certification and related services. Kate has a Master’s Degree in Business and over 20 years of experience in adult education. She is an award-winning adjunct professor of business and has taught classes and workshops at several local colleges. She enjoyed a career in corporate training for over 10 years, and has served as a consultant for a number of small and mid-sized businesses around New England.
Kate is the founder and manager of K.Kirkwood Consulting, LLC, the firm that manages the Lead Hazard Control and Rehabilitation programs for the City of Manchester, NH, and consults for similar programs in surrounding communities. In this capacity she interacts with property owners; property management and maintenance companies; lead abatement, renovation, painting, and home improvement companies; tenants; not-for-profit organizations; landlord groups; heath advocate collaboratives; and the City of Manchester and State of New Hampshire Departments of Healthy Homes and Lead Poisoning Prevention Programs. Links www.lead-edu.info, www.kkirkwood.com
Jack Bingham
Jack Bingham of Seacoast Energy Alternatives Inc. has been a commercial and advertising photographer for the last 30 years and has a lifelong interest in alternative energy solutions. His interest became his passion when he linked up with USA Solar Stores and opened his own cooperative in Dover, NH in 2007. In three years, he has designed and installed over 100 hot water and electric systems for both residential and commercial environments.
Justin Wilson
Justin Wilson is president of Building Performance Solutions Inc., a Colorado-based building science consulting firm. Justin specializes in advanced energy efficient building practices, high-performance process integration and implementation, building durability analysis, mechanical systems design and integration, and job-site inspections and trainings.
Using his expertise and experience in environmental building materials and technologies, and building science principles, Justin develops educational curriculum and presents to developers, builders and industry professionals; these diverse audiences have included the US Green Building Council, Energy and Environmental Building Association’s (EEBA), Built Green Colorado, NAHB, Big Builder, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp., Enterprise Community Partners, and many others. Justin is currently one of the developers of the EEBA Houses That Work curriculum and national presenter of the intensive one-day EEBA educational sessions.
In addition to being involved with curriculum development and training, Justin is working with all levels of builders on the implementation of overall energy efficiency, advanced building science systems, and integrating green building practices into their production or custom home building operations. He is also consulted on the construction of numerous pilot homes for various local and national programs; he has also recently completed two near-zero energy production home projects with advanced mechanical systems, passive solar orientation and on-site power generation systems and a myriad of green features, while situated in urban settings. Both homes are anticipated to consume at least 80+% less energy to a comparable home built to the current 2006 IECC energy code.
With a broad background in the building industry, Justin began his building systems work over a decade ago, working in the production home building industry for McStain Neighborhoods located in Louisville, CO. His many achievements include developing numerous initiatives in building durability, indoor air quality, energy and thermal efficiency, water efficiency, advanced mechanical systems and environmental material considerations, along with creating and delivering an educational campaign to teach building science companywide, and externally to industry professionals and consumers.
In addition to developing and managing a quality control process and the structural warranty service for the company, he was also responsible for several R & D initiatives, including all environmental research, which included participating in the design and construction of a Building America project house, and The Discovery House, a national award-winning research project home.
Chet Pasho
After building custom homes for 35 years in Vermont and winning multiple awards for energy efficiency, Chet Pasho retired in 2005 to spend time with his five grandsons. After a year off (and getting kicked out of the kitchen) he joined LaValley Building Supply to help build Preferred Building Systems. In four years, it has become the leader in producing energy-efficient high-performance homes for builders.
William Soupcoff
William Soupcoff, AIA, co-founded TMS Architects in 1984 and under his design supervision, TMS has been recognized over the past several decades for their many award-winning and innovative projects throughout the New England area. Bill remains actively involved in all phases of his projects, from their inception through construction administration.
One of his greatest talents as a designer is to capture the clients’ desires and translate them into built reality. Along with his residential design, he works closely with the banking industry as well as club house designs for clients such as the prestigious Golf Club of New England and the historic Salem Country Club, which will be hosting the 2016 U.S. Senior Open.
He received his M. Arch from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and his B. Arch from the University of Cincinnati. He is a member of the American Institute of Architects and is a registered architect in Massachusetts and New Hampshire and NCARB-certified.
Sue Adams
Sue Adams has been designing New England since 1990. As the owner of Sue Adams Interiors, she has distinguished herself as an expert in her field. Her work has been part of many area show houses, including Carcassone in Marblehead, the Andrew Safford and Joseph Storey Houses in Salem, and the Newsmith House in Lowell.
As an author and contributor to HGTV (Home and Garden Television), her experience and knowledge has been featured on several segments in the areas of kitchen and bath. Some of Sue’s favorite commercial projects include the Student Center at the Governor’s Academy, the City Campus and Federal Buildings at Middlesex Community College and the model loft at Lawrence’s eco-friendly Monarch on the Merrimack.
Her advice is particularly sought after in the areas of restoration and re-design of antique homes, in paint color consultation, and the art of downsizing to a smaller home. Sue graduated from Colby College with a degree in Art History. She did her graduate work at Boston University and Harvard’s School of Design. Before she opened Sue Adams Interiors, Sue owned a home accents boutique, worked at one of Boston’s premier office furniture designers, OUI, for six years, and was a staff designer at Domain Home Furnishings.
Sue is an Allied Member of ASID and is currently serving as the president of the New England Chapter of the International Furnishings and Design Association.
Sarah Brown
Green Alliance Project Director Sarah Brown has been an environmental advocate in her community for the last 10 years. She has served on Kittery’s Town Council and the Zoning Board of Appeals. Sarah created Kittery Progressive Action, a community action coalition that responds to and organizes around progressive issues in Kittery, southern Maine, and Portsmouth.
She also formed St. John’s Stewardship of the Earth Committee in Portsmouth–a group which educates the Seacoast community on environmental issues. Brown spear-headed Cool Kittery, which convinced the Town Council to sign the Mayors Agreement on Climate Change and then regrouped to become Kittery’s current Energy Efficiency Committee–a town-sanctioned board that is now working to reduce Kittery’s energy use and promote conservation in the schools and the community.
Before moving to the Seacoast, Brown worked as a journalist for five years in Moscow, Russia, for CNN, BBC, NBC, and the Associated Press. Pre-Russia she worked at CNN’s New York bureau. Brown has a degree in Russian Studies from Columbia University. She lives in Kittery with her husband and three young daughters.
Dr. Elliot Eisenberg
Dr. Elliot Eisenberg, a senior economist with the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), Washington, DC, will be the featured presenter at the annual meeting and installation of officers at the Home Builders & Remodelers Association of New Hampshire on November 3.
Dr. Eisenberg holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics with First Class Honors from McGill University as well as a Master of Public Administration degree and a Ph.D. in Public Administration from Syracuse University.
Dr. Eisenberg is a frequent public speaker on numerous housing and housing related topics, including the economic impact of homebuilding, the impact and unintended consequences of government regulations on house prices, residential fire safety, and how to reduce risk and boost profits using housing futures and options on futures. He is the creator of the multi-family stock index and is the author of more than 45 homebuilding industry articles.
Rich Morin
Rich Morin has been building green homes for nearly 20 years. He is the district sales manager for Epoch Homes of New Hampshire as well as Legacy Custom Homes based in Rhode Island. His hands-on experience gives a unique perspective as to what really works, and what is still make believe in the world of green. Rich teaches nationwide for the Homebuilders Institute and is consistently ranked as one the best instructors in the nation for teaching green building.
Alan Hanbury
Alan is co-owner of House of Hanbury Builders Inc., a full-service remodeling firm founded in 1976 in Newington, CT, where he lives with his wife Debbie. The company does residential remodeling, additions, and some light commercial work. His firm completes around 80 jobs per year, including repair work.
Alan has written for two national trade magazines; teaches over 15 of NAHB’s designation courses; has presented at 18 of the 20 Remodeling Shows, more JLCLive conferences, and dozens of local builder/remodeler organizations on business topics such as job costing, controlling overhead, estimating, budgeting and business planning as well as green building, aging in place, and profitability improvement.
He is active in NAHB’s Remodelers Council, Education Committee, and Business Management and IT committee activities. He is a life director at his local and NAHB. He was inducted into the Remodeling Hall of Fame in 2008.
Peter Yost
Peter Yost is the director of residential services for BuildingGreen LLC in Brattleboro, VT. He has been building, researching, teaching, writing, and consulting on high-performance homes for more than 20 years. His expertise ranges from construction waste management and advanced framing to energy efficiency and building durability. Peter is currently technical director for GreenBuildingAdvisor.com, an instructor for the Boston Architectural College’s Sustainable Design Certificate program, and an adjunct faculty member of the University of Massachusetts Department of Building Materials and Wood Technology program in Amherst.
William Asdal
Bill Asdal began building in 1973. Actively working for the industry, he is a past president of the Community Builders Association of New Jersey.
Bill holds a BA in Industrial Education and a Masters in Administration and Supervision. A former teacher and a licensed secondary school principal, Bill is a frequent speaker on building and remodeling issues. He has dedicated much of his time to industry research and the creation of better builder relationships, which enhance supply chain successes.
Bill is a past chairman of the NAHB Remodelors Council and was recently inducted into the NAHB Remodeling Hall of Fame. In 2009, he constructed Black River Commons, which received a National Green Building Award.
Bruce Bennett
Bruce Bennett is a project manager with GDS Associates and specializes in the energy efficiency of residential buildings. He is a RESNET-accredited and certified home energy rating provider (HERS) under the Mortgage Industry National Home Energy Rating Standards. Bruce has conducted hundreds of home-energy ratings for candidate-homes for the EPA’s Energy Star Homes’ labeling program, the tax credits through Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT 2005) and for energy-efficient mortgages.
As a project manager, Bruce oversees a staff of seven residential energy-efficiency specialists and home-energy raters. Bruce’s team currently supports the implementation of various utility-sponsored residential energy-efficiency programs. Such sponsors include Public Service of New Hampshire, Unitil Corporation, NH Electric Cooperative, National Grid, NSTAR, Northeast Utilities, and the Cape Light Compact.
His familiarity with the use of the REM/Rate software is based upon seven years of experience. Prior to the development of the implementation of Energy Star Homes’ Program and the EPACT 2005, Bruce has used the REM/Rate software to model homes for energy consumption and to estimate component-specific energy savings using the software’s energy improvement analysis capabilities. Bruce joined GDS Associates in December 2000 and is based in the firm’s New Hampshire office.
Prior to joining GDS, Bruce served as a development officer with New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority where he provided finance underwriting, loan disbursements, and construction oversight for the completion of multi-family housing development projects.
He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Design and a Master of Regional Planning, both from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
Jonathan Osgood
Jon is currently the energy conservation coordinator at the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission. Jon worked in energy and building related fields his entire professional career, beginning with UNH Extension, where he conducted more than 300 home and 100 business energy audits in the North Country before moving south to accept a series of appointments with the Governor’s Energy Office under Governors Gregg and Sununu.
Osgood was appointed director of that office by Governor Gregg, who later asked Osgood to form the Governor’s Office of Energy and Community Services, which he directed until 1997. He subsequently joined the Public Utilities Commission staff to run the energy code program and upgrade the code. He held positions in the Consumer Affairs, Finance, Telecommunications, and Safety Divisions within the PUC before resuming responsibility for the energy code in 2007.
Jon is a Portsmouth native who was educated in West German, Maine, and New Hampshire public schools. He earned an economics degree from the University of New Hampshire. During and after high school and college he worked in the building trades as a carpenter/plumber/electrician. He has also been a volunteer fire fighter and part-time police officer.
Land Acquisition and Development Finance
Thursday, 9:00am – 5:00pm
The goal of this course is to help the real estate developer gain a greater understanding of the process from land acquisition to a deposit slip. Novices will find the content practical and logical. Experienced developers will enjoy the information exchanged and case studies of value.
Speaker William Asdal
Credits: GMB core program, continuing education credits for: CAPS, CGA, CGB, CGR, GMB, CSP, MASTERCSP, CMP and MIRM.
There is an additional registration cost for this course. Register Now!