Your Bright Green Team:

Sharon Block, CEO of Bright Green Strategies

Sharon Block has been working in the field of building energy efficiency for over twenty years. In 1982, after graduating from UC Santa Cruz with a degree in Environmental Studies and Biology, Sharon got her start working for a budding solar company, the Solar Station, in Oakland. Her commitment for the emerging field was solidified as she worked to educate homeowners about saving energy and helped to weatherize homes and install solar water heating systems. After the early solar market collapsed many energy efficiency businesses (due to the misuse of the solar tax credit), Sharon went on to work for an energy consulting and software company, then a mechanical engineering firm, before she eventually launched her own company, Block Energy Design in 1992.

As the CEO and senior green building consultant of Block Energy Design, Sharon has gained 18 years experience working with diverse multi-party teams that often include architects, engineers, builders, and developers. She knows how to manage, coordinate, and lead teams toward meeting their sustainability goals. Leadership and educating others about codes and standards, building science, new products, as well as rebate incentive programs has always been a strength, and Sharon has spent many hours training building departments, designers and other consultants. In 1995, Sharon managed a project for the California Energy Commission to evaluate the California Building Industry’s Association (CBIA) energy efficiency training program for production builders. In 1996, she was a trainer to building departments through the California Building Officials (CALBO).

As one of the pioneering women in green building, Sharon has done extensive training with residential energy efficiency and green building programs. These programs include LEED for Homes, Build It Green’s GreenPoint rated for New and Existing Homes, Energy Star New Homes, California Multi-family New Homes (CMFNH) and the New Solar Homes Partnership (NSHP) programs. She has also completed advanced residential training with the California Building Performance Contractor’s Association (CBPCA) and Build It Green, specifically in home performance testing. She holds the following certifications: LEED AP + Homes, LEED for Homes Green Rater, GreenPoint Rater, HERS II Rater and Certified Energy Plans Examiner for both residential and Non-residential buildings. In the last couple of years, Sharon has consulted on over 100 green building projects that are striving to meet these new certification guidelines. Sharon is currently helping with the pilot to evaluate the new GreenPoint Rated Multi-family Existing Homes program. In 2010, she renamed the company Bright Green Strategies to reflect her commitment to pushing the leading edge of green building strategy and design. Sharon lives in Santa Cruz, CA, and works throughout the San Francisco and Monterey Bay Areas.

Peter Kennedy, LEED AP & GreenPoint Rater

Pete Kennedy finished Architecture School at UC Berkeley and realized that he knew very little about how to actually build something.  His education in building began working at a high end European window and door company, where he gained familiarity with the realities of the industry, managing complex fenestration projects from top to bottom.  In 2001, he returned to his hometown of Santa Cruz, and after a brief sojourn swinging a hammer, worked for four years with Myles F. Corcoran Construction Consulting. This was challenging work, involving projects entangled in legal disputes.  Pete learned the fine art of negotiation, was trained as a mediator and successfully resolved disputes to the satisfaction of all the parties involved.

On site, Pete investigated the cause of building assembly failures, performed complicated testing of assemblies in preparation for trial, and designed and implemented repairs to the highest standards in the industry.  Having learned what not to do as a builder, Pete worked with Mark Primack, Architect, for one year, drafting residential projects and studying the fine points of modern design, as well as completing LEED neighborhood certification for the 23rd green neighborhood plan in the world. In 2008, Pete was involved as Owner’s Representative in the design development and planning of a 20,000 sf multi-story mixed use green development in Santa Cruz for two local non-profits.

He is currently serving on the City of Santa Cruz’ Public Works/Transportation Commission, learning how government works from the inside, and how the entitlement end of development can contribute to cutting edge green projects. He brings broad yet focused skills in the building industry to Bright Green Strategies, joining Sharon’s team in May 2010.  Green building is a unique, unprecedented,  and rapidly evolving field, requiring a synthesis of technical knowledge, leadership, and an understanding of how buildings are made across various disciplines.  As an Intern Architect, Contractor, Building Official, City Commissioner, and experienced LEED AP, Pete understands the perspectives, motivations, and roles of the various participants in creating environmentally responsible projects, bringing people together with the ultimate goal of a brighter, greener future for us all…

Andrew Williams, CEPE and HERS Rater

Andy began working for Bright Green Strategies eight years ago.  He originally was hired for his abilities as a draftsman, having advanced skills in AutoCAD, both in 2D design and in 3D modeling.

Andy quickly began training in building energy efficiency and became a California Energy Plans Examiner (CEPE) in 2007.  He has completed hundreds of Title 24 energy compliance calculations for homes, business and schools.  In 2010, Andy became a certified HERS rater, and has been performing duct testing and other home performance tests for a number of our builder clients as well as on existing homes.

Andrew continues to train in the building energy efficiency field, and is currently working on his B.S. in Engineering at San Jose State University.  He lives in Felton, and is a volunteer director of multiple child and community outreach programs in the Santa Cruz County area.
 
 

Andre Duurvoort, Energy Analyst and HERS Rater

Andre comes from a background at UC Santa Cruz in the Environmental Studies and Political Science departments, where he studied ecology and conservation biology, as well as learning the principles of sustainability and environmental policy. After school, he found work in restaurants, IT, retail, construction, landscaping, and land management. It wasn’t until he became the office manager at an energy engineering firm, that he found a niche in the world of energy efficiency. Before long, he was being trained to survey energy use in large office and biotech facilities across the United States. Andre was lucky enough to find several mentors who guided him in the practical business of finding “nega-watts”. He has performed ASHRAE-standard energy audits with a focus on operations & management, existing-building commissioning, and controls engineering – he was continually challenged by complex systems and the people who operated them.

Andre now brings a thoughtful approach to projects in the residential and multi-family sectors. By making sense of the complex mix of rules and regulations surrounding energy in California, he has helped builders and architects to design and retrofit with an eye for energy performance and sustainability. He is skilled in creating energy performance models for both residential and commercial buildings, and can recommend energy upgrades that make economic and environmental sense. Andre also knows how to find you the best rebates for your project – whether it is money for solar PV or new products. Andre is a native of Santa Cruz County, and when he is not studying building science he can be found combing the beaches with his dog.