Part bionic, part genius, and all pure innovation. Aerobe and Robust are forged from the very parts that compose Bio-Microbics’ technology. They embody the superior pollutant-fighting characteristics inherent in advanced wastewater and stormwater treatment systems. Teaming up to solve the most daunting water and wastewater dilemmas, they are SUPER social, LOVE to travel, and, most importantly, RESPECT the environment.
Farah Naz Ahmad was born in New York City and holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree from the City College of New York. Her career goal is to become a licensed architect. Her past roles as President of American Institute of Architecture Students and as a team leader for the US Department of Energy Solar Decathlon have increased her passion for design and sustainability. Farah promotes such concepts as clean energy to educate the future generation. Farah is a LEED Green Associate.
Erik Anderson, CGA, CGP is the national sales manager – residential construction for Lutron Electronics Co. Inc. He’s a member of the NAHB, NCHI and IEC, working with the NAHB’s 20 Club Program and is on the marketing and communications workgroup of the Home Technology Alliance (HTA) and is on the custom home builders committee. He chairs his local HBA’s Education Committee and is on their board of directors and executive committee. At the IEC he sits on the education committee.
These columns are the work of our guest bloggers who want to share their expert green opinions on a range of topics.
Joe Bowling is president and founder of Energy Wise Solutions, a renewable energy/energy efficiency company based in Charlotte, N.C. The company provides services for homeowners and businesses including home energy audits, solar consulting, solar equipment sales, NABCEP certified installations, solar repairs and solar thermal, and green building verification for LEED, Energy Star and NAHB Green Building.
Erik Braunitzer is a member of the creative writing and web strategy department for Douglas Elliman. With a background in philosophy and environmental literature, he's touched on topics varying from sustainability to green infrastructure.
Paul Brazelton, owner of the MinnePHit House, is a father and hobby chef with a passion for the planet. The MinnePHit House is an existing home in Minneapolis being retrofitted to EnerPHit standards, which is a new certification for older homes to make them far more energy efficient, closer to Passive House standards.
Jerry Brown is the owner of Brown Heating and Air Conditioning, which he established in 1995 to serve the south central Wisconsin area. Jerry is a GeoComfort Geothermal System dealer for Enertech Global LLC.
Sean is a California Registered Architect and LEED Accredited Professional. He owns 10|70architecture and specializes in process-based modern and contemporary architecture. He has a bachelor’s degree in Architecture from the New Jersey Institute of Technology and a Certificate in Project Management from San Diego State University. He has multiple certifications from the Building Performance Institute and was named the 2011 chair of the USGBC Emerging Professionals Committee.
Lee Clark-Sellers is the innovation officer for Ply Gem. She leads the effort to take innovation from a concept or catch phrase to a resourceful approach to how Ply Gem does business overall and transitions to a culture that’s rooted in innovation. Lee is founder and chair of “Innovation in RTP,” and also serves on the Industrial Board of Directors at Duke’s Pratt School of Engineering. She is also an Industrial Fellow at NC State's Center of Innovation Management Studies.
Ted L. Clifton is a designer-builder from Coupeville, Wa., with over 45 years of hands-on experience in the construction industry. His two companies, Zero-Energy Plans LLC, and CVH Inc. have won five Energy Value Housing Awards, and two National Green Building Awards for Concept and Research. Ted has been closely involved with the development of both his local Built Green program and Built Green Washington.
Chris Conway (aka The Green Gobbler) has gained a reputation for his frank, no-holds-barred advice on home energy efficiency and green building construction.
As the president of Conway Construction and the exclusive Earthcraft House technical adviser for Northern Virginia, Chris has conducted hundreds of home energy audits, energy efficiency and green building certifications across the state. Genevieve Concannon, the EcoBroker, assists Chris with his blog.
Chad Cornette began his education with hands-on construction while attaining bachelors and masters degrees in architecture from UW Milwaukee and the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture. Chad opened the Cantilever Studio in DePere, Wis. in 2003. A cabinet maker, glass cutter, welder, framer, world traveler and architectural intellect, Chad offers a unique and creative perspective on timeless building and interior design.
Duo Dickinson has been an architect for over 30 years and received over 30 awards. His work has been published in over 70 national publications. Mr. Dickinson’s latest book is Staying Put. He is the architecture critic for the New Haven Register, and writes for Design Bureau, A.B., New Haven Magazine, and his own blog, Saved By Design. He has taught at Yale, Roger Williams and Harvard GSD Summer Program.
Kelly Emerine is the marketing director for Magnolia Farms in Elizabethtown, Ky. Magnolia Farms will be the first eco-friendly development of it's kind in Kentucky. With nine years of experience working in new construction and real estate, she is excited to combine her passion for homes with her interest in non-toxic, eco-friendly living. Kelly graduated from the University of Kentucky and is a proud mother of twin girls, wife, business owner and entrepreneur.
Representing the fourth generation of the Ferrier Companies, Heather Ferrier Laminack functions as the marketing manager for Texas-based green home builder Ferrier Custom Homes, utilizing her passion for sustainable building practices and her first-hand experience of green building techniques.
Steve Fowler is a lifelong heating and air-conditioning expert, starting to work for his dad’s company in southern Illinois at age 16. He installed his first geothermal system in 1984. His parents are now retired, but have happily watched as Steve has turned the family business into a thriving Enertech geothermal installation company. He heats and cools his own home and office with geothermal and he’s a strong proponent of the technology.
Eric Corey Freed, LEED AP, Hon. FIGP, is founding principal of organicARCHITECT, a nationally known award-winning architecture and consulting firm in California, with nearly 20 years of experience in green building and sustainable planning. Eric is a renowned speaker and author of four books on sustainable design.
Mike Gersmeyer is the product manager for the Standby Power division at Briggs & Stratton. He has more than 17 years of product development experience in outdoor power equipment, consumer products, paper machinery, and automotive. Gersmeyer’s previous roles at Briggs & Stratton have included program management and engineering management.
He holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School.
Teena Hammond has published more than 2,000 articles in People and W magazines, Women's Wear Daily, and in dozens of newspapers and books. She also wrote a home improvement, remodeling and decor column that ran in Gannett newspapers nationwide. She's interested in all things green and would love to hear from you with your story ideas.
Trey Hoffman, global product manager at Rinnai America Corporation, helps deliver new products and components that enhance people’s quality of life. Hoffman, who coordinates global initiatives among Rinnai’s subsidiaries, has more than a decade of experience in product management and business strategy development and speaks fluent Japanese.
Tauseef Hussain, through his job at QS Supplies, is a creative writer and an interior design consultant, who currently lives in United Kingdom, Leicester. Tauseef along with QS Supplies has handled many interior design projects all over UK. He has written blogs and articles on several home improvement topics and has offered several creative and valuable ideas through his articles. His main goal is to help people spend less and live more.
Luis Imery, through his business the Imery Group, is a full service construction, home energy performance, green certification and real estate group specializing in infusing sustainability in every facet of the real estate cycle. Its construction division has become pioneers in the Athens, GA area in green building of speculative, custom and design-built construction. Just in 2011 they have over 110 units slated for green certification under the EarthCraft program.
Robert Johnson is the co-owner of from Brogard Plumbing, Heating & Excavating in Henning, Minn. He's worked in plumbing and heating for over 20 years and has been installing geothermal systems for 11 years. He has deep expertise in geothermal and plumbing, having had his journeyman's plumbing license for the past 19 years.
During his sales and marketing career in the insurance business, Gary was fascinated with the construction business and spent untold off hours visiting jobsites. It was obvious how much filth was remaining on the typical jobsite.
When he retired from insurance he developed and launched recyclable and reusable protective products specifically aimed at subfloors. He is now a passionate advocate for the importance and benefits of cleanliness for homeowners, builders and contractors.
Chris Laumer-Giddens is an Atlanta-based architect, EarthCraft House Technical Advisor, HVAC designer, building science pro, LEED AP and HERS rater. He is an expert in creating homes that function as an integrated system, blending his extensive knowledge of home design with the newest in green building science and new technologies. Chris is the lead designer of The Proud Green Home at Serenbe.
Lindsay Locke is the director of business development for TightLines Designs in Raleigh, N.C. She has ten years of experience in business development and senior leadership in the fields of architectural services and community development. Lindsay frequently lectures on sustainable building topics including alternative building techniques and energy-efficient initiatives and is a LEED Accredited Professional and real estate broker.
Tamarah Long is a Registered Architect (WA state) who graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a BA in Design of the Environment. She received her Master’s of Architecture from the University of Florida and was a building design professional for more than ten years. Tamarah was also an Assistant Director at NCARB before joining the Architecture and Planning faculty at the University of Colorado from 2006-2012. Ms. Long currently is researching sustainable design strategies.
Linda Mayer is president and CEO of SCHOTT North America. She has a bachelor’s degree in history from Stanford University, an MBA from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania, and an MA from The Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. Prior to joining SCHOTT, Ms. Mayer served in a variety of roles including director of financial analysis, corporate planning, development and marketing for the Kohler Company and vice president of marketing at John Deere.
Ken Nelson is the Northwest Regional Sales Manager for the Panasonic Eco Products Division, specializing in ventilation solutions for residential and multi-family living environments. Over the past four years, Ken has spoken throughout the Northwest, teaching and training builders, building science advocates and professionals on the physics of moisture and air movement in homes of all sizes, types and age.
Gary Parsons joined Dow Chemical Company in 1982 and has spent 29 years in various Dow divisions including manufacturing and research and development. He is a Fellow in Dow Building Solutions Research and Development. Since 2006 he has been the technical leader of the development team specializing in building enclosure energy management products and systems. He has a B.S. degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Cincinnati. He is also a LEED Accredited Professional.
Carmen Pastore is a consumer products brand manager at GE Lighting, educating consumers about energy-efficient lighting options for their home. For the past 10 years, Carmen has also trained retailers and industry professionals on how to choose the right lighting for household applications. Since founder Thomas Edison developed the world’s first light bulb more than 100 years ago, GE Lighting continues to invent efficient solutions that change the way we light our world.
Jake Rabe grew up around the family business, Rabe Hardware Inc., where he began learning about home mechanical services at an early age. He joined the Marine Corp and served as an F-18 fighter jet mechanic during the Gulf War. In 1994, Jake and his wife became owners of Rabe Hardware and have since developed the business into Iowa’s leader in the geothermal industry. Jake has more than 17 years experience and has done more than 1,500 geothermal installations.
Mike Roberts is a geothermal expert and has been installing geothermal systems since the 1990’s when his company started installing geothermal heating and cooling systems. Time and experience have proven the geothermal technology is not only viable, but that it is often the best option for most new and replacement climate control systems in Ohio, where he’s based. In 2008, he founded First Geothermal Energy and he's an Enertech dealer.
Shelley Ross is Director of Marketing for Boral Bricks, the largest clay brick and paver manufacturer in the U.S. Boral Bricks operates the country’s largest brick manufacturing and LEED-certified facility in Terre Haute, IN. Boral Bricks offers more than 150 different colors and textures of brick and pavers, ensuring the curb appeal of homes of many architectural styles.
Mark Sanders has always been concerned about the environment. He is a licensed CPA, but has always sought ways to help people and companies work smarter. He developed the idea for the AQUS at age nine, then patented it 30-plus years later. AQUS is now available through a partnership with Sloan Valve Co., which has a full line of water-efficient bathroom products.
Melissa provides sustainability consulting services for businesses in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. Melissa is also the founder of Green Intention LLC, where she writes and blogs about her experience in getting her own home LEED Gold certified--and then trying to live more sustainably in the home. She chairs her congregation’s Task Force for Sustainability, has her MBA, Master's in Public Policy, and is a LEED AP for Homes.
Doug Schuster started helping his father when he was in high school. In 1984, he helped install his first residential geothermal system. In 1996, Doug took over as owner of his dad's company. Since then he has been responsible for the design and installation of hundreds of geothermal systems. In 2001, Doug won a Project of the Year award from Enertech Global for an 80,000 sq.ft. retirement home. Doug has served on the board of the Iowa Geothermal Association and was president in 2009.
Russ Scott has worked for more than 16 years at Scott-Lee Heating Co., and is now the general manager of the business his father co-founded. He received business and creative writing degrees from St. Louis University, is on the S.M.A.C.N.A. - St. Louis Board of Directors, is a Contractor Rep on the Local 36 Apprentice Committee and is involved with the local H.B.A. and A.C.C.A. chapters. Russ enjoys sharing his knowledge of all high-efficient HVAC systems, especially geothermal heat pumps.
Tom Smith is the former director of operations and marketing at Anua. Tom is driving demand for wastewater treatment, water reuse, rainwater harvesting and odor/VOC control solutions. He has a B.A. from Duke University and an MBA from the Fuqua School of Business.
Caryn Tomer is a marketing specialist at Enertech Global, a leading manufacturer and visionary in the geothermal heating and cooling industry. She has her masters in mass communication from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, and specializes in writing effective communications for the web and social media. With a passion for research, Caryn is focused on sharing her findings of green products to help consumers make an informed decision and lead more comfortable, earth friendly lives.
Lois is the Chief Sustainability Officer at Wight & Co., an integrated architecture, engineering and construction firm in Chicago. Lois will blog about her green experiences in the corporate world, as well as her personal accounts of living in a green home.
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Save Our Septic® (S.O.S.) Wastewater Adventure Series
Common Sense: Sustainable Construction and Home Energy