Meet Our Trainers

Stephen Aiguier | Green Hammer Design Build

Founder & President

Stephen founded Green Hammer in 2002, evolving the business into a full service design-build firm committed to advancing the highest standards for green building. An SHP, Certified Passive House Consultant (CPHC), and building science expert, he has been a pioneer of Oregon/s green building movement and has been involved with many of the nation's highest scoring LEED Platinum Homes and first residential and commercial Passive House buildings in the Pacific NW. Stephen has been invited to speak at every major green building conference across the country and he has taught the SHP course annually since 2010.

Allison A. Bailes III | Energy Vanguard

Founder

Allison Bailes is the author of a bestselling book on residential building science (A House Needs to Breathe...Or Does It?) and the founder of Energy Vanguard, a building science firm and BPI Test Center located in Decatur, Georgia. The company's focus is on residential HVAC design, consulting, and training. Dr. Bailes has a PhD in physics from the University of Florida and has been involved with the field of building science since 2001, when he built a high-performance home out of structural insulated panels.

Alexander Boetzel | Earth Advantage

Head of Residential Innovations

Alex is Head of Residential Innovations at Earth Advantage and applies his 30 years of experience in sustainable design and construction to research and training, helping to make the benefits of high-performance building available to everyone. Alex has deep knowledge of building science and its real-world applications and is an expert in low-carbon building assemblies and systems. Since 2006 Alex has worked and consulted on some of the first LEED for Home, Passive House, and Zero Energy projects in the Pacific Northwest, including the first commercial Living Building in Oregon and the largest ZE multifamily projects in the PNW.

Florentine Christian | SideKick Homes

Founder & CEO

Florentine is a licensed ADU Instructor helping Los Angeles area Realtors and professionals become Certified ADU Specialists. She serves as a member of the Casita Coalition (www.casitacoalition.org/) and is active on several working groups: Registry of ADU Pros, Local Government, and Codes & Construction. Florentine has been invited to speak at many local and national ADU events and panels, including a recent session hosted by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA). Florentine holds an MA in Organizational Systems with certificate in Building a Sustainable World from Saybrook University.

Marc Cregeur | Earth Advantage

Senior Certifications Manager

Marc Cregeur is a Green Building Consultant and Passive House Rater at Earth Advantage, working with their Single-Family Home Certification Green Building Program. He has been implementing energy efficiency programs for over 10 years, and developing real-world building science experience. This hands-on experience allows Marc to work with builders from the design phase, throughout construction, and into the final build and testing phase. This versatility has allowed Marc to work with small and large builders: from those looking to simply be above code, to more high performance projects like Passive, and ZE Homes.

Greg Davenport | ARXCIS

Business Development Manager

Greg is the Performance Construction Manager for Mitsubishi Electric in the Pacific Northwest. He joined the Performance Construction Team in 2016 and helps promote energy efficient mini-split systems to the high performance residential construction market around the country. Greg now works with high performance builders and the HVAC industry in the Pacific Northwest. Before Mitsubishi, he worked from 2007-2013 for Applied Proactive Technologies in the Northwest Washington region on a Joint Utility ENERGY STAR Lighting program that targeted the single and multi-family residential markets. In early 2014, he joined CLEAResult and worked on a NEEA High Performance Home Specification pilot program, a program designed to help builders embrace zero energy ready building practices.

Jason Elton | Earth Advantage

Senior Consultant, Quality Assurance

Jason is a senior consultant and quality assurance provider for various energy scoring programs. He is coordinating the onboarding and quality assurance of assessors in the Oregon Home Energy Score program. Jason is qualified as a US Department of Energy Home Energy Score Mentor and QA Provider. His experience includes retrofitting, training, mentoring, quality assurance, and technical support. He holds BPI Building Analyst and Envelope Professional certifications.

Mike Frey | Noyes Development Co.

Vice President

Mike drives the vision for home construction and oversees the general operations for Noyes Development, a high-end Portland area spec builder known for high performance construction methods and Zero Energy/Zero Energy Ready homes. Mike is an advocate for better building practices and ensures Noyes homes are healthy, comfortable, durable, efficient, and sustainable. He has served as the Vice Chair and Chair of the Home Performance Council at the Home Builders Association of Metropolitan Portland, participated in the Willamette West Habitat for Humanity Construction Committee, and is a part of the EEBA Builder Benchmark Group where he collaborates with builders from across North America.

Rebecca Heilig | Earth Advantage

Director of Carbon-Free Construction

Originally from New Hampshire, she went on to earn her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology / Anthropology from Lewis & Clark College. Throughout her career, Rebecca has held various leadership positions, including President of Energy Inspectors and Chief Revenue Officer of Quality Built.

Rebecca's passion for sustainability and energy efficiency has been a driving force throughout her career. Her expertise and leadership have resulted in numerous successful residential production housing projects throughout the southwest that have reduced carbon emissions and lowered energy costs.

Currently, as Director of Carbon-Free Construction at Earth Advantage, Rebecca is dedicated to finding industry solutions to the challenges presented by transitioning to carbon-free construction. Her approach involves using green building certifications as a framework for financial incentives to encourage the industry to adopt more sustainable building practices. In her free time, Rebecca enjoys skiing, surfing, camping, and spending time with her family.

Katy Hollbacher | Beyond Efficiency

P.E., Principal & Founder

Katy is a licensed Civil Engineer and former Certified Passive House Consultant, LEED Homes Rater, Certified GreenPoint Rater, and Certified Energy Analyst with over 25 years experience. Katy holds a Master of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Michigan. She is a nationally sought-after expert in the high-performance building community for consulting, training, and speaking engagements. Katy believes that adequate planning and collaboration facilitate efficient, common-sense solutions while minimizing change orders, budget overruns, resource and energy waste.

Greg Lasher | TRC

Technical Advisor

Greg provides energy design assistance, program management, and technical building science guidance to builders, raters, and weatherization professionals. Prior to working for TRC, Greg worked directly for contractors; performing energy audits and ratings, weatherization repairs, HVAC design assistance, and consulting and analysis for private clients.

Bruce Manclark | Earth Advantage

Senior Technical Consultant

Bruce is a nationally recognized leader in residential consulting on energy efficiency, energy efficiency technical training, implementation of conservation programs, and quality control testing. Bruce brings his comprehensive understanding of proper HVAC system installation through more than 40 years of practical experience to help clients such as the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA), Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), and Energy Trust of Oregon to develop HVAC, new homes and existing homes program strategies. In April 2016, he was inducted in the Building Performance Industry Hall of Fame recognized for his significant and lasting contributions to the building performance industry over the course of his career.

James Metoyer | EnerCity Collaborative

Executive Director

James guides ECC's to ensure the financial, environmental, and health benefits of a clean energy economy are fully realized in BIPOC, underserved, and frontline communities. He brings over 11 years of experience working in energy efficiency and has earned several industry-recognized credentials including BPI, PTCS, SHP, Home Energy Score, HERS Rater, and LEED Green Rater. Metoyer helped develop and deliver the Green Building Trainee Accreditation at Earth Advantage to youth training/pre-apprenticeship programs across Oregon, that serve historically underserved and under-represented populations in the construction industry. His passions are teaching students about energy efficiency, bridging the gap between the medical industry and the built environment to create healthy outcomes, and working to ensure that historically underserved populations have equitable access to healthy, safe, durable, sustainable and energy efficient housing. James is a son of the Cane River Creole community of Isle of Brevelle.

Sheri Newbold | Live-Work-Play

Architect & Owner

Sheri brings over 20 years experience into designing homes, ADUs, additions and renovations, and anything between, that her clients dream of. Sheri has been teaching Seattle-ites about creating detached ADUs for many years, is fluent in sustainable and energy-efficient design, and worked among a committed group of volunteers successfully advocating for the passage of the new ADU changes to the land use code in Seattle in 2019. 

Ian Nimmo | 475 High Performance Building Supply

Product Consultant

Ian has been with 475 since 2018 and loves supporting his clients with all things high performance! Most recently, Ian became a PHI certified Passive House Tradesperson in addition to his HERS Rater and BPI Building Analyst certifications. Ian's father was a General Contractor in California for 35 years, so he has always had an interest in homebuilding. Ian has experience in canvassing, energy auditing, on site data gathering, data analysis, energy modeling, and whole home diagnostic testing.

Kol Peterson | Accessory Dwelling Strategies LLC

Owner

Kol is the owner of Accessory Dwelling Strategies LLC, a company dedicated to ADU related education, advocacy and consulting. Kol edits and manages and AccessoryDwellings.org and BuildinganADU.com, websites that address ADU policy issues, best practices, and feature an array of ADU projects. He also teaches ADU classes through Earth Advantage wherein brokers can earn an ADU Specialist Designation. Kol also runs Portland's city-wide ADU tour, and does ADU related teaching, speaking and consulting for a variety of audiences.

Nate Russell | Beyond Efficiency

Senior Energy Engineer

Nate holds a Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering, both from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Throughout his life he has been involved in many construction projects from simple remodels to full-gut rehabs and new construction. Two highlights include designing and executing a full rehab of a 1910 home that included a deep energy retrofit that yielded about 70% energy savings and designing and building modest size, high-performance home that achieved a HERS score of 39. He draws upon that firsthand construction experience and technical background to facilitate the adoption of high-performance buildings and practices.

Matt Ryan | Petra Heating & Air Conditioning Inc.

COO & Co-Owner

Matt is the COO and Co-Owner of Petra Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc. Matt grew up with close ties to the HVAC industry and joined the trade himself at the age of 19. In 2006 he and his wife, Sarah, started their company from their home garage in Portland with a drive to partner with high performance builders. Petra has worked with Energy Trust and Earth Advantage for well over a decade, also gaining solid partnership and respect from many leading green builders in the area over the last nearly 18 years. Today, Petra operates with 25 employees from a 6000 square foot warehouse and office in Clackamas and is committed to continuing education and development for leading HVAC energy efficiency in Oregon and SW Washington.

Josh Salinger | Birdsmouth Design-Build

Founder & Principal

Joshua Salinger is founder and principle of Birdsmouth Design-Build in Portland, OR. Birdsmouth is a residential Design-Build firm focused on addressing climate change through the built environment through zero energy new homes and deep energy retrofits. He is an instructor for both Earth Advantage’s Sustainable Homes Professional program and PHIUS’ Certified Passive House Builder training program. He sits on the board of Passive House Northwest and also sits on the technical committee of Zero Energy Ready Oregon. Additionally, he is an EEBA Zero Energy Home Professional, an ‘Expert Member’ on Green Building Advisor and contributes content to Fine Homebuilding magazine. Please learn more about Birdsmouth Design Build and see examples of their work at www.birdsmouthpdx.com.

Ryan Shanahan | Birdsmouth Design-Build

Zero Energy Retrofits Manager

Ryan is the Zero Energy Retrofits Manager for Birdsmouth Design-Build and the host of the The Retrofit Podcast powered by Green Building Advisor. He is a passionate advocate for energy efficiency, electrification, renewable energy, and low carbon lifestyles. He worked in the new construction field for 13 years as a Green Building Consultant for Earth Advantage. He is a Certified Passive House Consultant, and was the PHIUS+ Rater for many Passive House firsts in Oregon. Ryan holds a Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Design from Boston Architectural College.

Derek Sherrell | That ADU Guy

Owner

Derek Sherrell is a real estate investor, ADU builder, and endurance athlete with over 25 years experience in the building/development trade. His first ADU build was a high school project in 1996. That led to a carpenter apprenticeship and a career as one of the youngest licensed building contractors in Oregon. Today, Derek consults with homeowners and investors on how to plan, design, finance, build and hold ADUs. This year, Derek founded ThatADUGuy.com and began an open-source video series designed to guide homeowners through the process of building or converting their own ADUs. He is a guest speaker for events large and small and has been featured on BiggerPockets, One Rentall At A Time, The Intelligent Investor and many other top REI platforms. As a pioneering ADU developer, builder, and investor, Derek brings one of the most comprehensive skill sets to any ADU discussion or instruction. He spends his days running, skiing, talking about ADUs with homeowners, policy makers, builders, and anyone else who will listen.

Carrie Shores Diller | Inspired ADUs

Principal

Carrie is dedicated to timeless architectural and design excellence rooted in a sense of place and purpose. She is a licensed architect and LEED AP, who received her master's degree in architecture from UC Berkeley, where she met her business partner Josh Larson. Carrie's fierce commitment to ADUs and aging in community began when she, herself, faced serious spinal problems. She realized, firsthand, that her home was fighting rather than supporting her. The wisdom gained from her 10-year battle for wellness and personal independence opened her eyes to the environmental needs of the disabled and elderly, and informs every Inspired ADU.

John Spillman | Earth Advantage

Senior Multifamily Energy Modeling Lead

John is a trainer and technical consultant with Earth Advantage. He teaches classes to energy auditors, builders, architects/designers, real estate professionals and building code officials. John has been promoting sustainable building and energy efficiency in both new and existing residential construction with Earth Advantage since 2009. John's construction background is in residential remodeling. He is a LEED for Homes Quality Assurance Designee and Green Rater. John earned a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from University of California, Davis.

Bruce Sullivan | Base Zero LLC

Bruce operates Base Zero LLC to promote greater sustainability in residential construction through training, consulting and contractor services. He has been involved in energy efficient construction since 1983 and has been a primary training developer/instructor for Earth Advantage, Energy Trust of Oregon, BetterBuiltNW and EEBA. Bruce first taught the SHP program in 2008, and has since delivered it over a dozen times across Oregon. In 2006, Bruce built his personal home that earned the NAHB EnergyValue Housing and Green Building Awards. In 2015, Bruce completed construction on a new zero energy home.

Taylor Watkins

Taylor has been a certified residential appraiser in the Portland and Southwest Washington region for over 20 years. He owns one of Portland's first net-zero homes, the "Rose House." Taylor frequently serves as a consultant and expert around the country on green home valuation issues, including a study he conducted for Energy Trust of Oregon on the impact of photovoltaic  panels on a home's appraised value. He created and instructs the Appraising Green Homes courses that comprise EA's Accredited Green Appraiser designation, as well as teaches the Earth Advantage Broker (formerly S.T.A.R. - Sustainability Training for Accredited Real Estate Professionals) course in Oregon, Washington, Alabama, and Virginia.

Waylon White | Earth Advantage

Senior Manager, Green Building Technical Services

Waylon is the Senior Manager of Green Building Technical Services at Earth Advantage and has over 20 years of construction experience with a wide variety of building types and a sharp focus on high performance design and construction. At EA, Waylon has been instrumental in refining and delivering Earth Advantage's New Home, Multifamily, and LEED certification programs since 2013. Before joining the Earth Advantage team, Waylon was a residential energy auditor and weatherization contractor in and around the Portland metro area for several years.

MacKenzie Winchel | Earth Advantage

Senior Manager, Programs

MacKenzie is a project manager and quality assurance provider for energy scoring programs throughout the US. She is managing the onboarding and quality assurance of assessors in the Portland Home Energy Score program. MacKenzie is certified as a US Department of Energy Home Energy Score Mentor and QA Provider. Her experience includes project management on Home Energy Score program implementation, energy label development, Simulation Training and Test, quality assurance and data analysis for multiple energy scoring programs.

Theddi Wright Chappell | Sustainable Values Inc.

CEO

Theddi Wright Chappell, CRE, FRICS, MAI, AAPI, LEED AP, is CEO of Sustainable Values, Inc., a woman-owned business specializing in valuation consulting, due diligence, impact investing and optimizing real estate returns for her clients. The firm's emphasis is on identifying value in unique investment scenarios; including, but not limited to, assessing the costs and benefits, asset and portfolio value implications and upside potential related to energy efficiency and other sustainable strategies in the built environment.

Ms. Chappell is a national and international speaker and educator on the implications of green strategies on asset value. She co-authored the first seminar on valuing green commercial buildings for the Appraisal Institute and subsequently developed their two-day commercial course entitled, Case Studies in Valuing Green Commercial Buildings, which she teaches throughout the US.  She also teaches the Appraisal Institute's course on Residential and Commercial Valuation of Solar. Her publication "High Performance Green Building “What's It Worth?" was created for, and widely disseminated by, the Cascadia Chapter of the US Green Building Council and the International Living Future Institute.  She has developed and participated in numerous classes, presentations, webinars and training programs for a variety of clients including ULI, DOE, USGBC (Greenbuild), CREW, EPA, NAR, the Real Estate Roundtable, NYU Shack Institute of Real Estate, Bank of America and others.