WHO WE ARE


Donald Fournier
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Donald Fournier is the Chair and a Senior Researcher at the School of Architecture’s Building Research Council.  He is also the program manager 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 years of experience in the energy and environmental areas.  He is currently a doctoral candidate at the University of Illinois in Urban and Regional Planning (Sustainable Development).  

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 is 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 is a Board Member of the Central Illinois Chapter of the USGBC, 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.

More Don Fournier Information

Ben Sliwinski, LEED® AP
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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.

Robert Nemeth
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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.

Eileen Westervelt, PE, CEM, LEED® AP
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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.

Kristine Chalifoux, AIA, LEED® AP
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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.

Jean Ascoli, LEED® AP, NCARB Certified Architect
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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, incorporated most of the green roof strategies she'll be discussing. The project is expected to achieve LEED Gold certification. 

Adrian Gurga
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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, LEED® AP
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Andy Robinson is a LEED-accredited energy engineer with experience in 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.

Pat Brown
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Na (Nora) Wang, Ph.D., LEED® AP
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Na (Nora) Wang received her Ph.D. degree in architecture from the University of Illinois, Master’s degree from the National University of Singapore, and Bachelor of Architecture from Tianjin University, China. She has been devoted to sustainable architecture since her undergraduate study, winning several design competitions. She has participated in a dozen of design projects in China, Singapore, and Malaysia. Nora was the chief architect and student leader of the Illinois team entry for the 2007 Solar Decathlon competition and led the team to win two contests in Washington, D.C.

Nora specializes in daylighting design and behavioral study. She has focused on building energy analysis since she joined SEDAC in 2008. She is also a visiting lecturer in the School of Architecture of the University of Illinois.

Wael El-Sharif, 360 ENERGY GROUP
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Wael El-Sharif is chief executive of the 360 ENERGY GROUP. He plays a major role in the development and oversight of the Smart Energy Program.

Wael attended George Washington University to earn his Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Engineering and his Master of Engineering Management degree in Marketing of Technology with a minor in Information Systems. He has also completed coursework for a Doctor of Science degree in Marketing of Technology with a minor in Management of Science, Technology and Innovation. He has attained Accredited Installer and Certified Geoexchange Designer accreditation.

Wael was formerly Executive Director of the GHPC and had been with the Consortium since its inception and maintains trusting relationships throughout the industry, on the professional and political spheres. Through his tenure with the Consortium, Wael has been responsible for managing a $23 million US Department of Energy market mobilization program, has helped the government of Canada to mobilize their market and create a Canadian Geoexchange Coalition, secured and managed a ~$1.3 million program to promote geoexchange to Southern California Edison customers, and has managed multiple market transformation and mobilization programs throughout the US with costs exceeding $44 million.

Jessica Commins, Smart Energy Design Assistance Program Manager for 360 ENERGY GROUP
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Jessica, an Illinois native, attended Rollins College, where she graduated at the top of her class with a Bachelors Degree in Organizational Communications. She brings to 360 ENERGY GROUP nearly a decade’s worth of media experience and her writing has been published internationally, ranging from technical research journals to local newspapers. Her management background includes an equally varied array of examples, from the successful delivery of State grant programs to nationally promoted charity events.

As Smart Energy Design Assistance Project Manager, Jessica has been involved in every aspect of the program since its earliest phases. She was directly responsible for the administration of GHPC’s efforts in the program, in partnership with UIUC and DCEO and continues in that role with the 360 ENERGY GROUP. Jessica also manages communications with Service Providers and Design Assistance Experts, and the RFQ review process therein. She coordinates media and industry outreach activities with SEDAC.

Michael J. Stanch, 360 Energy Group, Energy Solutions Manager for Smart Energy Design Assistance Center
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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 17 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.