The EnergyLogic Team

Jason Acosta, Existing Homes Division Lead
with EnergyLogic since August 2007

Born in New York City, Jason was raised in Tampa, Florida. Jason became interested in home performance while attending the University of Michigan, where he received a bachelor's degree in Energy and the Environment from the School of Natural Resources.

A few months in India showed Jason that there was far more demand for energy than was being supplied to most of the world. After that, he took an internship at Southface Energy Institute where he became an energy rater and met his girlfriend, Shannon. They both moved to Boulder, Colorado and Jason started with Energy Logic in August of 2007. He is very excited to be working with existing homes and to be a part of EnergyLogic's great group of people. In his free time, Jason enjoys camping, skiing, and biking and taking it easy. He is also a full time energy geek.

Byron Burns, Energy Rater
with EnergyLogic since July 2006

"I was born and raised in the Roaring Fork Valley (Carbondale) where I worked as a ranch hand and cowboy until I joined the Army in 1996. I served eight years in the U.S. Army 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment SOAR(A) working as an avionics/electrical technician and technical inspector, while stationed at Fort Campbell, KY. I am currently a sophomore attending CSU, majoring in Civil Engineering. My hobbies are studying, working, and sleeping by necessity more than choice. The best thing about EnergyLogic is that I am able to work, go to school, and still be a part of my family: wife Dara, and son Jackson."

Linda Bilsens, Training and Special Events Coordinator
with EnergyLogic since December 2008

Bio coming soon.

Dara Burns, Accounting
with EnergyLogic since September 2007

Born in Carbondale Colorado; moved to Clarksville TN in 1997 where husband Byron was stationed in the US army for 6 years. There she attended Austin Peay State University majoring in Biology.

In 2003, she returned to Fort Collins, CO where she finally received her BAS at Colorado State University and currently lives in Loveland, CO with husband Byron and son Jackson.

Dara's interests include all things introverted and nerdy, such as reading, gardening, hiking, wildlife rescue and conservation, etc. Dara confesses to an obsession with the TV show Dancing with the Stars and when her whereabouts are in question, can usually be found at the Denver Zoo, where she has been known to disappear for weeks at a time.

Doug Bursnall, BSc IT, LEED AP, Energy Rater, Division Lead Colorado Springs
with EnergyLogic since June 2007

"Born and raised in Wales to an outdoor family. I learned to rock climb shortly after standing and have continued to enjoy the outdoors throughout my life. My first climb at the sharp end was aged 12 when my dad decided he was too tired to go first. I also enjoy mountain biking, running, sailing, surfing, skiing, snowboarding and mountaineering through which I have summited the highest peak in the Americas (Aconcagua) and in 2005 reached the summit Pik Lenin in Kyrgyzstan at 23,406ft. I have been lucky to enjoy all these activities whilst controlling my diabetes, for which I was diagnosed with Type 1 in 1996.

I gained a Bachelors of Science in I.T. from DeMontfort University in Leicester and shortly after moved to Colorado where I worked first as a software developer, then teacher and now having become a LEED AP and Certified Energy Rater enjoy working as one of the crew at Energy Logic, where I particularly enjoy the open minded and inclusive company culture.

When I'm not working with builders I'm most often found enjoying home time with my wife and young daughter, or diving into the next home renovation project on our 1906 home."

Steve Byers, Principal
with EnergyLogic since the beginning

Steve was raised in a military family, so: Colorado, Georgia, Virginia, Germany to name a few spots. After graduating from the Air Force Academy, he flew C-130's for five years. Not knowing exactly what he wanted to do, he got out of the Air Force, married Wynne Maggi and moved to Atlanta where she was completing her PhD in Anthropology. This meant that Steve went to Pakistan with Wynne and performed important tasks like chopping wood and what not. After that, he got his start in energy at Southface Energy Institute, starting as an intern and working his way up to running field operations.

Returning to Colorado, Steve and Wynne started EnergySmiths which later merged with BuiltWright to form EnergyLogic. Steve and Wynne have two lovely daughters and live in Berthoud, Wynne's hometown and a great place to live. Having never truly had a hometown, Steve is dedicated to building sustainable community in his adoptive hometown. He and Wynne run the summer outdoor film festival in Berthoud as a small part of that commitment.

Steve has his Bachelor's degree in Asian history from the Air Force Academy and an MPA from Georgia State University. He is a RESNET certified Trainer and Quality Assurance Designee. Hiking, gardening, movies, reading and great beer are a few of his favorite things.

Where to start with what's great about working at EnergyLogic? Probably the greatest everyday thing is our tremendous staff of dedicated, frightfully curious people. I am perpetually honored by their efforts. On a larger scale, I am eternally thankful that I spend my days serving a larger mission. We're doing everything we can to work toward creating a more sustainable and just world. Even the odd bad day is made worthwhile by our deeper mission.

Scott Doyle, Director, Rater Services
with EnergyLogic since January 2006

Scott was born in North Platte, NE and has lived in Colorado for the past 30+ years. He received his BA in Earth Science from the University of Northern Colorado. Scott's hobbies are Hiking, Backpacking, Card Games/Board Games, Watching/Playing Sports, Reading/Writing Fiction. He has also held a volunteer position as President of the Greeley Air Quality and Natural Resources Commission.

"I am a dangerous ice skater, roller-blader, snowboarder, skier, and skateboarder. I have learned the hard way that I should put nothing but shoes on these feet! I once played the trumpet (well) and currently play bass guitar (poorly). The best thing about EnergyLogic is working with a diverse collection of people dedicated to a common goal. And sometimes there's beer in the fridge."

Marnie Doyle, Communications Coordinator
with EnergyLogic since August 2008

I was born in Florida and was brought up in a military family- spending most of my childhood in Michigan and Arizona. I visited Colorado when I was in High School and loved it so much that I moved out here almost immediately after graduating. I met my husband at King Soopers where we both worked trying to put ourselves through college. We now have three beautiful children- Andrew, Kayla and Emi. In the (very little) spare time that I get I enjoy playing softball, hiking or just being in the mountains, taking our two dogs for walks, and having coffee with friends.

I feel very fortunate to work with a company that is concerned with our environment and is doing what we can to help.

Phil Drotar, Field Rater
with EnergyLogic since June 2009

I have had a few different paths that have led me to where I now find myself. I grew up here in Colorado, in several towns along the front range, ending up in Colorado Springs. I attended a number of schools before graduating from Metropolitan State College at Denver with a BA, emphasis in fine art and painting. I try to keep producing and showing my art work as much as is possible for a father with a young child and a never-ending list of things to do. I have also been involved in various areas of construction, from remodeling and refurbishing houses and apartments to building, superintending, and performing warranty work for several different builders. My wife Cindy is an LCSW with a growing private and clinical practice. We have a young daughter, Gaia, who keeps us running. I am also an avid gardener, hiker, backpacker, snowboarder and any other excuse to get me outdoors.

As a Colorado native with family going back several generations, we are fortunate to still have and maintain my great-grandparents' original homestead, which is just west of Limon, Colorado. I have spent time out in the country with a wide variety of people who have lived connected to the land, through many different challenges. This has given me a perspective of self-reliance and conservation which was taught to me from a young age. At one time what we now know as "alternative energy" was not that at all, but the only energy, as on our farm before any power lines were run. A lot of small farms relied on small wind turbines to power their homes. This made conservation not only practical, but essential. Water and soil conservation were also of the utmost concern, and, both then and now, are very important to life on a farm. Growing up surrounded by people who remembered and practiced these time-honored ideas has led me to believe in the necessity for us, individually and collectively, to become as energy-independent and responsible as we can be. This is why I am very grateful to be involved with an organization of like-minded people who also feel passionately about these important issues.

Sean Enright, Energy Rater
with EnergyLogic since November 2006

Sean attended his first year of college at Western State after graduating high school in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Wanting to do something "environmental," he became interested in buildings and reducing their energy use in an energy use. After transferring to the University of Minnesota, he enrolled in their Residential Building Science and Technology program. From Minneapolis, he moved to Atlanta, GA to join Southface as an EarthCraft House fellow. There he worked developing a green renovation program as well as performing technical services for homeowners. While in Atlanta, Sean started raft guiding on weekends on the Ocoee River. Sean ended up in Winter Park, CO rafting in the summers and working at a snowboard shop in the winter. Joining EnergyLogic, Inc. in the fall of 2006, Sean continued his career in energy efficiency. He enjoys the Denver office's afternoon basketball games at the park near the office.

Paul Gelatt, Energy Rater
with EnergyLogic since August 2008

Bio coming soon.

Kathleen Henning, Scheduler
with EnergyLogic since April 2006

Bio coming soon.

Dianna Heustis, Human Resources
with EnergyLogic since December 2008

Growing up in Rockford, IL, I learned at an early age that the most important part of life is finding a reliable ride to the city for a Cubs game. Thanks Dad! I spent much of my childhood trying to convince my older sister to play "office" instead of anything else. Thanks Sis!

After graduating from Northern Illinois University with a communications degree, I took a two week ski trip to Winter Park, CO. I never went home, not even to do laundry. Colorado has been my home for twenty years. I've been blessed with an incredibly giving and funny husband (Jason) and two beautiful daughters who are equally as funny (Anne and Elizabeth). My career has taken few roads, always on the administrative side. I spent 17 years with one company in the IT industry until recent cut-backs, delivering a long record of dedication and determination that I'm quite proud of.

Happy to remain the dreamer, I enthusiastically "play office" for EnergyLogic - but on much grander scale. The automated staplers are way cooler than the old steel models of the 1970's, and my co-workers are much nicer than my sister was.

Oh yeah - When I grow up I want to be a rock star.

Janet Howard, Controller
with EnergyLogic since February 2010

Bio coming soon.

Kam Jaspal, Director of Weatherization Operations
with EnergyLogic since April 2009

Bio coming soon.

Tracy Larson, Scheduler
with EnergyLogic since November 2008

Having been raised in an "out in the wild" type family, Tracy is a true native of Colorado. Growing up exposed to fishing, hiking, horseback riding, camping, and hunting has instilled in her an appreciation for the outdoors. She loves everything warm including hot coffee, good food, roasted marshmallows over a campfire and the beach. Tracy is especially passionate about her husband, Ken and children, Justin, Jade, Kyle, Collin and Blake. Add to that some gardening and reading hobbies and her time is rich and full.

"Working at EnergyLogic is inspiring. Everyone has enthusiasm and a mission. They are true believers of a better way."

Will Lorey, Chief Operations Officer
with EnergyLogic since February 2010

Bio coming soon.

Wynne Maggi, CFO
with EnergyLogic since January 2006

"To prepare myself for my role as CFO of EnergyLogic, I spent two years living in Northern Pakistan with the Kalasha, a people who still practice their indigenous religion and speak an unwritten Indo-Aryan language. Like the people who work at EnergyLogic, they are warm and intelligent and resourceful. And they know how to celebrate. I will say that they seem to be better dancers than we are."

"I have a Ph.D. in anthropology from Emory University. I wrote a book, Our Women are Free: Gender and Ethnicity in the Hindukush. Steve Byers and I have two wonderful daughters, Ariel and Emma. We have perfect pets as well. I like to cook. I like to write. I like to read about gardening."

"I count my blessings everyday that we have such an authentic and vibrant and committed staff at EnergyLogic. They are far and away the best part of it all. But also, my job has allowed me to learn so many new things about money and energy, culture and power. I've learned how to give good people the space they need to do their work well. And I've learned how to put together a lovely chart of accounts. It’s all good."

Susan Mathes, Existing Home Scheduler
with EnergyLogic since March 2007

I was born and raised in Ohio. At a young age, I acquired a strong appreciation for nature, animals and the outdoors during the numerous camping trips I took with my family along the east coast.

I studied photography at the Ohio Institute of Photography. After graduation, I began working as a photographer for a commercial studio in Cincinnati, where I stayed for more than 12 years. One summer hiatus, I packed my camera gear and headed to Maine to teach photography at a boy's camp. My extended education includes incredible photo studies at both the Santa Fe Photographic Workshops and the Ansel Adams' gallery in Yosemite National Park.

In 1994, I headed west landing in the foothills of the Colorado Rocky Mountains. Since arriving here, I have operated my own photography business. Among other trades explored, was fabric covering of experimental aircraft and I have collaborated in the creation of large mosaic tile murals.

Currently my leisure time is spent in the mountains hiking and camping with my dogs. At home, it's gardening, reading and house projects.

A wonderful part of my experience at Energy Logic is working with interesting people who care about the world we live in and are eager to help make it better.

Meredeth Neitenbach, Editor
with EnergyLogic since September 2008

Born at the New Jersey shore and raised in a military family, Meredeth appreciates Colorado and any water. She graduated from the University of Northern Colorado, and then taught in the Deaf Department of the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind and at a small school in the hills of Kentucky for a number of years. Returning to the Boulder area of Colorado, she spent time working in a bookstore and at a botanic garden/greenhouse/garden center before marrying Mark, her fellow volunteer firefighter sweetheart. They are blessed to have twin daughters Jamie and Cate.

Meredeth is happy to work for a company that searches for and finds new ways to make our homes and our planet safer.

Peter Oberhammer, Plan Specialist/Energy Rater
with Energy Logic since May 2007

"I grew up in Connecticut and was fortunate enough to make my way West to go to college. After graduating from Colorado State University with a degree in History, I decided to make Colorado my home. Now that home has grown to include my wife Kristy and our two children Macie (4) and Alec (2). In my very limited spare time I enjoy fly fishing, boating, and reading."

"I became interested in home performance while working with a HVAC company in Fort Collins for five years. I started with installing the HVAC systems and grew into a position where I designed the HVAC systems, did estimating and manual J reports as well as working with builders on how to improve their homes performance. All the while hearing about this company called EnergyLogic. After coming aboard as a plan review specialist I have found that building science is an ever evolving science and that the team which makes up EnergyLogic is an incredibly curious bunch. It makes for a great and inspiring workplace."

Carissa Sawyer, Program Specialist/Energy Rater
with Energy Logic since July 2006

Carissa has a Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering and a Master's of Mechanical Engineering with an emphasis in the Environment and Sustainable Design from Colorado State University and she holds a LEED© AP designation. Carissa completed her Masters in Business Administration from the University of Colorado at Denver in July 2008. She is a Colorado native and loves to ski, read, watch movies and hang out with family and friends. She has four pet birds (three cockatiels and a bronze-winged pionus) and could tell you just about everything you would need to know about owning and caring for a pet bird. Carissa loves working for EnergyLogic because of the friendly atmosphere, great clients, and its diverse employees.

Carissa's beautiful daughter Aanica is a valuable staff member, able to crawl through even the smallest ducts. Also well versed in moisture management!

Mike Rodriguez, Energy Retrofit Specialist
with Energy Logic since February 2008

Bio coming soon.

Robby Schwarz, Principal
with Energy Logic since January 2006

"What a long and strange trip it's been" Grateful Dead"

When I graduated from high school I chose a lofty and philosophical quote to go with my year book picture that I don't remember, and which really had no bearing except that I know it had an environmental theme; so I thought I would try a better one now. Looking back, I wish I had chosen "Should I stay or should I go now" from the Clash. I went to a K-12 school which I started in 2nd grade and the school was my family and home. During those school days I was exposed to so much and had wonderful experiences, which began to shape my adventurous curiosity and love of learning.

That being said, it is no surprise that I attended Colorado College a liberal arts school. I graduated with a degree in history and political philosophy and a minor in maritime studies. Diversification is the rule is it not? Really what I graduated with was an ability to think critically, research, and communicate although my wife may argue that point. Speaking of my wife, I met her in high school and she truly has been my greatest teacher and friend and a wonderful mother for our two children. Anyway, looking back, since high school two themes became apparent. 1st an environmental ethic which back in the 80's was not as clearly defined as it is today; 2nd, a love of learning and being flexible enough to embrace change.

When I was a boy I remember waking up one morning with a magpie in my room. The next morning I woke up with a bumble bee on my nose. I liked the magpie better because the bee actually stung me. I had these experiences because my bedroom was open to the outdoors and because my family lived in a house while it was going through a major gut rehab and addition. My first introduction to construction; I learned how to swing a hammer and fall through a floor system that was being framed. So from then on construction was always my fall back job in high school, college and afterward. I just did not know at that time that it would be my career as well.

My adventurous side took over and luckily for me, my girl friend now wife had one too. We worked in Alaska's fishing industry (I later when back and worked on a fishing boat for five seasons) in the mountains of Colorado, Wyoming, and Utah in oil exploration, and overseas teaching. When we made it back to Colorado the only thing I knew was I wanted to marry my girlfriend and I wanted to work in an environmental arena. So I found my way back to construction, however this time in the office of a progressive production builder who was trying to figure out which new green building materials could be brought into a production building environment. You could say I went full circle.

Adventure, curiosity, a love of learning, environmental ethic, dedication and flexibility are what define Energylogic to me. I had my own company (for 13 years?) which offered much adventure. In 2006, I merged my company with Steve and Wynne's to create EnergyLogic, which continues the adventure but adds the new wonderful dynamic of dedication to others. One of the best things about our company and profession is that we literally learn something new every day and we have the opportunity to share that knowledge and love of learning with our clients and colleagues. Flexibility also means the ability to adapt and be open to change. The world, the economic climate, and our small company test our ability to live this way every day. Lastly, that ill defined environmental ethic of yesterday has become clear today . We see it defined in our role of helping the people we work with build a sustainable built environment that can blend seamlessly with our modern lifestyles and meet our expectations of comfort, durability, safety, efficiency, and environmental soundness for the homes that we live and invest in.

Peter Stelling, Energy Rater
with Energy Logic since October 2008

I was born and raised in Nashville, TN in the heart of music country, but I didn't get my first guitar until I was 16. I quickly made up for lost time and spent every spare minute in high school and college playing and writing music. But it was obvious that the music business isn't a very stable career path, so I completed my BS in Mechanical Engineering and followed my heart to Colorado upon graduation in '96.

Once settled in Denver, I worked with a startup environmental consulting company developing air quality compliance plans for natural gas processing plants. When that company folded after a year, I convinced a good friend, who is a master craftsman with over 35 years experience in all aspects of residential construction, to take me on as his apprentice. I spent two years as his shadow, soaking up everything I possibly could, and then struck out on my own and ran a successful repair/remodel business for the next eight years.

In 2007, I realized that energy efficiency was an incredibly important, but possibly the least talked-about, energy source out there. Before we go to great lengths to find new energy supplies, we should first make sure that we are using energy as efficiently as possible - no matter the source. Residential energy efficiency struck me as the ideal synthesis of my engineering and building backgrounds.

I decided to devote myself to learning building science and becoming a HERS Rater. I got certified and was lucky enough to be offered a position with Energy Logic in October of '08. The team at Energy Logic is a great bunch of people with a wide variety of talents and has proven to be an immense resource of knowledge and experience to both myself and the building community at large.

I moved from Denver to Boulder in 2005 to be with my wife Annabel, a talented and widely-recognized music festival producer who grew up in New York City. We delight in taking full advantage of Colorado's amazing music and outdoor scenes. Colorado is now our adopted home and we can't imagine being any other place!

Charlie Stevens, Division Lead
with Energy Logic since January 2006

After growing up on the South Georgia coast, I attended Georgia Tech in Atlanta, GA where I received a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering. After college I worked for the Environmental Protection Agency in Atlanta, first in the group that was charged with putting hazardous waste sites on the National Priority List (NPL) for Federal cleanup, and then as an On-Scene Coordinator (OSC) in the Emergency Response group which had the responsibility of responding to oil and hazardous waste spills and instituting and coordinating cleanups of the spills.

After five years at EPA I decided along with a friend of mine to go traveling and see as much of the country and the world as I could. We drove to Alaska with our kayaks, bikes, tents and other outdoor gear and saw as much of the western US, Canada, and Alaska as we could. From there we returned to Georgia where I continued on my journey visiting Europe and Central America. I then joined the Peace Corps and spent almost two years in Kenya as a Water and Sanitation advisor.

After returning to the US, I decided to move to Colorado and took a class at E-Star Colorado to become a residential energy rater. After working at the tail end of American industry, I thought it best to focus on the front side and prevent the pollution that seemed inherent in the production of large quantities of products that are produced for the US market. Energy seemed the best fit for me to focus on and for the last 5 years I've been rating homes and teaching builders how to build more efficient, comfortable and safe homes.