New Task Forces: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at BPA

Earlier this year, the Building Performance Association (BPA) introduced four new task forces to its efforts. They are:

1. Workforce Development,
2. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion,
3. Healthy Buildings, and
4. Market Development. 

While the mission of each task force is different, they all work toward the overarching goal of healthy, comfortable homes for everybody. On the issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion, task force chair Darnell Johnson says, “This is an important matter not only for BPA, but across many societal landscapes. As we witness increased diverse participation in the home performance industry, it is critical to ensure that our policies are reflective of the industry.” 

And on the issue of healthy homes, task force co-chair Carrie Smith says, “This is an exciting time for our industry. The benefits of home performance go beyond energy efficiency. A healthy home can be key to improved health.” Task force co-chair Paul Francisco adds, “We know that the home can impact resident health. Our industry is uniquely positioned to apply practical building science to improve resident health. We are excited about the opportunity to help drive this effort.” 

Following is an overview of each task force.

Workforce Development

Mission: To upgrade the capacity of the home performance industry to serve our customers.

Why it was created: To position BPA to be ready to help its members respond to federal legislation.

Co-chairs:  

Jonathan Ballew, National Association for State Community Services Programs

Dave Hepinstall, Association for Energy Affordability

Members:  

Amy Beley, Pearl Certification

Elena Chrimat, Ideal Energy

Leticia Colon, Energy Efficiencies Solutions

Suzanne Harmelink, Slipstream

Caroline Hazard, CHH Consultants/BPA

Darnell Johnson, Urban Efficiency Group

Larry Zarker, Building Performance Institute

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Mission: The Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) task force was established to address internal DEI misalignments as well as missed opportunities to be more equitable, diverse, and inclusive. Additionally, through the work of this group, the hope is to be the example that influences the broader industry to look at internal DEI practices and adjust where needed. The goal is to be the DEI change agent for the home performance industry.

Why it was created: This task force was created to align BPA with DEI best practices and to ensure that we are not merely being transactional about DEI, but rather transformative.

Chair:

Darnell Johnson, Urban Efficiency Group

Members:

Jonathan Ballew, NASCSP

Emily Levin, VEIC

Sydney Roberts, Apogee Interactive

Mark Tajima, Energia, LLC

Leticia Colon de Mejias, Energy Efficiencies Solutions

Larry Zarker, Building Performance Institute

Staff Support:

Steve Skodak, Building Performance Association

Nate Natale, Building Performance Association

Healthy Buildings

Mission: To identify critical paths to promote adoption and integration of healthy homes in the home performance industry and to develop mutually beneficial partnerships among health, housing, and energy stakeholders.

Why it was created: The change in administration carries with it the potential for new opportunities for the home performance industry. Focusing on how our homes affect occupant health has the potential to broaden home performance to include comfort, health, safety, durability, and energy efficiency.  The task force was created with an aim to be proactive at developing these opportunities.

Co-chairs:

Carrie Smith, Foundation for Senior Living

Paul Francisco, University of Illinois 

Members:

Amanda Hatherly, Santa Fe Community College

David Hepinstall, Association for Energy Affordability

Ellen Tohn, Tohn Environmental

Rob Minnick, Minnick’s

Larry Zarker, Building Performance Institute

Staff Support:

Steve Skodak, Building Performance Association

Market Development

Mission: To lead the efforts, in programs and the market, to implement the policies and new technologies that are being created to accelerate improvements in the energy efficiency, health, and environmental performance of the residential built environment while growing the home performance industry.

Why it was created: To position the BPA as a leader in the movement to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and improve the health and safety of the indoor environment of America’s buildings.

Chair:
Dick Kornbluth, DickKornbluth, LLC

Members:

Steve Cowell, E4TheFuture

Andrew Fisk, CleaResult

Darnell Johnson, Urban Efficiency Group

Brandon Renaud, Columbia Water and Light

Sydney Roberts, Apogee Interactive

Peter Troast, Energy Circle

Larry Zarker, Building Performance Institute

Staff Support:

Steve Skodak, Building Performance Association

Keith Aldridge, Building Performance Association