Kerry Meade, Executive Director
Kerry is the Executive Director of Building Potential (formerly the Northwest Energy Efficiency Council), a non-profit business association representing businesses that are working to decarbonize building energy use through energy efficiency, distributed resources, smart buildings, and other approaches. In this role, she is also responsible for directing the activities of the Smart Buildings Center, a 501c3 organization with a mission to accelerate the adoption and commercialization of smart buildings practices and technologies through education and demonstration. Kerry has over fifteen years of experience in energy policy, energy efficiency, and strategic consulting to electric and gas utilities and combines that with a broader background in urban and regional planning and policy. She is passionate about the essential role of buildings in the transition to a clean energy economy. Kerry joined Building Potential in fall of 2017. Prior to this she worked in strategic consulting and energy efficiency program evaluation at EMI Consulting (now part of TRC) and was the Senior Manager in charge of planning and evaluation for CLEAResult, a national leader in energy efficiency program implementation. Kerry completed her master’s degree at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY and her bachelor’s degree at Seattle University.
Melanie Danuser, Chief Program Officer
Melanie has spent her career in the power and energy efficiency industries and worked with utilities throughout the United States. She holds a Master of Public Administration degree from West Virginia University with a focus on Organization Development, as well as a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. Her work entails serving Building Potential and the Smart Buildings Center as Director of Education and Training, managing the Building Operator Certification program, and leading strategy for technical webinars, new curriculum and programs for stakeholders of Building Potential and SBC, and contributing to conversations on the evolving workforce in the built environment. The BOC program is a training and credentialing program offering three certificates and one certification to building operators and technicians to increase their knowledge and skills in energy efficient facilities systems.
Melissa Sokolowsky, Senior Project Manager
As a Senior Project Manager at Building Potential, Melissa serves as the Training and Curriculum Manager for the Building Operator Certification (BOC) program. At Building Potential’s Smart Buildings Center (SBC), she also manages the Tool Lending Library, develops educational events and resources, and provides technical consulting for the region’s commercial and institutional buildings industry. She has logged many years in various trades, such as construction, renovation, and equipment installation/repair and has extensive experience in commercial/industrial facility operation and management. She holds degrees in Sustainable Building Science Technology, Energy Management, and Graphic Design. She has completed the BOC training and holds a LEED Green Associate certification, as well as certificates in Residential Auditing, Commercial Lighting, Project Management, and Electronics Troubleshooting.
Rebecca Sheppard, Senior Project Manager
As a Senior Project Manager at Building Potential, Rebecca supports the organization’s footprint with Grid-interactive Efficient Building operations and acts as a strategic lead and technical advisor on smart buildings technologies, overall building electrification and policies that support the role of higher performing buildings in the clean energy economy. Rebecca previously worked as a Resource Conservation Manager and has experience in the energy management of buildings, data analysis, building controls, energy efficiency projects, project management and facility operations. Her educational background includes a Business Management degree, an MBA degree, a Construction Management Certification from the University of Washington, as well as BOC training. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, horseback riding and camping.
Martin Goldstein, Staff Accountant
As Staff Accountant, Martin is directly responsible for the fiscal operations and daily management of the finances of Building Potential and the Smart Buildings Center Education Program. In this capacity, he manages Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, vendor and customer relations relevant to the budget, and Payroll. He oversees Human Resources and the Benefits Program. Martin’s background as a Paralegal has proven valuable for the organizations in the areas of contracts management and governmental relations. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Kent State University in the areas of Economics and Political Science, and an Advanced Paralegal Certificate from Edmonds Community College. Outside of work Martin is passionate about drumming, and has been the percussionist for many Pacific Northwest jazz, rock, and funk bands.
Julie Brown, Senior Project Manager
Working as a Senior Project Manager for Building Potential since 2003, Julie has worked on numerous projects. In recent years her primary role has been supporting multiple aspects of the Building Operator Certification (BOC) program. Her tasks range from training and supporting new BOC Partners from around the U.S., to coordinating all aspects of course scheduling and delivery. She also provides support to BOC instructors, and training and orientation to BOC Course Managers. She works closely with the Training Manager to update curriculum materials for instructors and students. She also oversees the production and distribution of the printed BOC materials and the website used by partners and course managers to order materials. Julie holds a BA in Communication from WSU.
Shino Severson, Senior Project Manager
Shino has been in the field of green building and sustainability since 2008. Prior to working for Building Potential, Shino worked as a Project Assistant for a leading green building consulting firm in Seattle assisting with LEED, ENERGY STAR and Built Green projects. Currently, Shino is the Lead Technical Support for City of Seattle’s Energy Benchmarking Program. Through her expertise in energy benchmarking and ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager, Shino assists Seattle building owners and property managers comply with City of Seattle’s Energy Benchmarking Ordinance. In addition to managing the Benchmarking Help Desk, Shino also reviews all incoming Building Operator Certification (BOC) Instructor Applications and handles the application process for prospective BOC instructors nationwide. Shino holds a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Rhode Island in Coastal and Marine Policy and is also a Certified Sustainable Building Advisor. Outside of work, Shino enjoys traveling, going to concerts and comedy shows and checking out different local bubble tea shops and restaurants with her family and friends.
Britton Rife, Senior Project Manager
In her role at Building Potential and the Smart Buildings Center, Britton works to advocate for energy efficiency policies and programs, organize industry educational events, and support the national Building Operator Certification program. Before joining the team at Building Potential, she served in various roles with a sustainable energy consulting firm, distributed wind energy trade association, small wind turbine manufacturer, and wind energy research project where she worked with diverse groups of stakeholders to promote the use of distributed energy resources through outreach, policy, and market analysis endeavors. In her free time, Britton enjoys exploring the beautiful Pacific Northwest, hiking, skiing, and going to see live music.
Jessica Cherry, Assistant Project Manager
Jessica is the Events Coordinator at the Smart Buildings Center as well as an assistant in other various areas of administrative support. She has always had a passion for humanitarian efforts with the most focus currently on energy efficiency. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Sociology. During her time in college, she enjoyed volunteering with her Rotaract Club to support the local community. Additionally, she was a member of the Sparrow Singers Chorus which hosted benefits for local children who were living with life-threatening illnesses. She is currently a member of the Seattle Peace Chorus, who use music to bring peace and awareness to social justice issues. Since graduating, Jessica has worked for a wellness clinic and for a few years in the insurance industry. The change in career path has been extremely fulfilling and her new dedication to the betterment of the Earth has given her new purpose.
Madeline Morgan, Administrative Support Specialist
Madeline is the Administrative Support Specialist for Building Potential and Smart Buildings Center. She handles office administration, project management support, as well as SBC and BOC scheduling and training/ event support. Madeline spent 4 years working in residential and commercial Real Estate and saw a major need for energy efficiency efforts in the industry. With her passion for conservation and energy efficiency, she made a career change and now finds fulfillment and passion in being a part of earth-saving efforts. Madeline was born and raised in Seattle and in her free time loves traveling, film photography, homesteading, and volunteering in the upkeep of community gardens.
Jacob Hubbell, Assistant Project Manager
Jacob is an Assistant Project Manager for Building Potential and the Smart Building Center. They are responsible for our blogs, communications and many aspects of our websites as well as providing some administrative support and assistance with the City of Seattle’s Benchmarking Program. Jacob has a varied background in everything from hospitality to videography and even holds a certificate in locomotive conducting. As a jack-of-all-trades Jacob has enjoyed a varied career but felt a calling to project management work and especially to his role at Building Potential where they seek to help educate, create, and lead building operators and their stake holders toward a greener and more sustainable tomorrow.