Home Sweet Home Competition: Our Team

Meet our Team

The Home Sweet Home Competition has benefitted greatly from the invaluable experience, ideas, and constructive feedback of the following people, including green builders, designers and raters, academic leaders, product suppliers, and environmental experts. Thanks team!

Home Sweet Home Chair

Derek Satnik, P. Eng, LEED AP, Mindscape Innovations, info@mi-group.ca

Derek Satnik was named Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber of Commerce’s 2008 “Entrepreneur of the Year” and manages the “green team” at Mindscape Innovations Group. Mindscape provides core enabling services to both the green building sector and the renewable energy sector: from feasibility studies to renewable energy system solutions to processing grants and incentives to certifying ENERGY STAR or LEED buildings. Derek is versed in green building and renewable energy policy from his many board and committee seats at the Ontario Sustainable Energy Association, Green Energy Act Alliance, Canada Green Building Council, Net-Zero Energy Home Coalition, and the more local Community Renewable Energy Waterloo, Local Initiative for Future Energy Co-op, and more. Derek continues to play a key role in defining green housing programs such as ENERGY STAR, LEED, Solar Ready, and Net-Zero, and is a recognized expert in green buildings and renewable energy policy.

Competition Jury Panel

Ted J. Kesik, B.A.Sc., M.A.Sc., PhD. Civil Engineering

University of Toronto, John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design
Ted Kesik is a professor of building science in the John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design at the University of Toronto. He entered the construction industry in 1974 and has since gained extensive experience in the various aspects of building envelope design, energy modeling, systems integration, quality assurance and performance verification. Professor Kesik’s research interests include high performance buildings, durability, life cycle assessment, systems integration and sustainability. He is also affiliated with urban sustainability research projects being conducted through the University of Toronto’s Cities Centre and continues to practice as a consulting engineer to leading architectural offices, forward thinking enterprises and progressive government agencies.

James McNeil, RPA, LEED AP

Cushman and Wakefield Ottawa, Ottawa Green Real Estate Practice Lead
With 25 years experience in commercial real estate James McNeil is recognized internationally as a leading expert in green buildings and sustainable workplaces. He is the Past-President of the Canada Green Building Council’s Ottawa Region Chapter, co-founder of the Better Buildings Breakfast Series (Ottawa), and has served on the CaGBC Marketing and Development committee, Ottawa Chamber of Commerce Environment Committee, and several Cushman and Wakefield sustainability committees. James specializes in the marketing and leasing of LEED certified buildings and is regularly consulted by local and national media on green building issues. He was given the Leadership in Business Award from Earth Day Ottawa.

Dave LeBlanc, Journalist

Globe and Mail’s “The Architourist”
Dave LeBlanc has written weekly as “The Architourist” for Globe Real Estate since 2003. He has also served as a juror for the Ontario Association of Architects and Heritage Toronto. At age 8, Dave LeBlanc remembers jumping for joy when both the CN Tower opened and Toronto finally snatched Montreal’s crown to become the biggest city in Canada; he’s been an architecture lover and Toronto advocate ever since.

Attending Ryerson for Radio-Television Arts and York University for English, Dave’s journalism career has
included radio stints at CJEZ, CJAD in Montreal and CFRB in Toronto, and newspaper writing with the
Montreal Gazette and the Globe & Mail.

Julie Scarcella, B.E.S.

Managing Director BRE Canada at Building Research Establishment (BRE), Founder of Ecospex and OSCAR
As a qualified sustainability consultant, Julie has founded a number of green building initiatives including: EcoSpex, Canada’s first national database of verified green building products launching spring 2012; and OSCAR, the not-for-profit Ontario Sustainable Construction & Resource Centre which will help drive market demand for green building products while providing a meeting ground to learn about sustainable building.

With BRE Canada, Julie is combining her intrinsic knowledge of the Canadian built environment, developed through 16 years at the helm of Blue Wilderness Group, with BRE’s 90 years of research, innovation and consultancy in sustainable development to deliver practical, affordable evidence based sustainability solutions to clients.

Student Challenge Jury Panel

Christopher A Higgins, LEED® AP Homes

LEED Canada for Homes Program Leader
Chris Higgins works with the Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC) as the LEED Canada for Homes Program Leader. Chris works with the LEED Canada for Homes Technical Advisory Sub Committee and Providers across Canada to deliver the LEED Canada for Homes program. The LEED Canada for Homes program has over 2000 homes registered and hundreds certified (www.cagbc.or/homes) . Prior to working with the CaGBC Chris was the New Store Planning and Project Manager for Mountain Equipment Coop (MEC). At MEC he managed and assisted in the construction, operation, maintenance, and renovation of MEC’s building stock for a number of years. Chris has an undergraduate degree in business and hails from Canada’s friendliest province, Newfoundland.

Tim J. Moerman, MCIP/MICU, RPP/PPC

Planning and Growth Management Department, City of Ottawa
Tim Moerman is an urban planner and energy nerd with the City of Ottawa, and perennial visiting lecturer at Mount Allison University. After obtaining his Master of Urban Planning degree from McGill University in 2003, Tim worked for six years as principal urban planner for the city of Moncton, New Brunswick. He has presented at literally several conferences across Canada, haranguing professional and lay audiences alike about peak oil and the need for more energy-efficient urban planning. More recently, he developed the City of Ottawa’s Green Building Promotion Program, including a Green Lane designed to encourage and facilitate green building projects.

Cathy Rust

Founder, Publisher at BEC Green website (becgreen.ca), Consultant at Butterfly Effect Consulting
Combining her love of architectural design and the environment, Cathy founded BEC Green in 2010 with a mission to help consumers find their way through the murky world of green building materials. Specifically the blog sets out to define what are (or are not) green building materials, their costs and most importantly, where to find them in the Toronto-Ottawa-Montreal triangle. BEC Green has become a well-respected blog within the local green building industry. Cathy also consults with companies and environmental professionals on their marketing and communications goals, bringing her unique expertise to help companies communicate their message to their target market both on and off-line.

Graham Whiting, BES, B. Arch, LEED AP, Whiting Design

Graham is the principal of Whiting Design, an architectural firm specializing in sustainable design in the residential and light commercial sectors. He teaches courses in Building Science and Green Building at Conestoga College, Waterloo, has made many public presentations and written articles on sustainability, green building, and local resilience. He is a member of the Canada Green Building Council and Ontario Building Envelope Council. A father to two, Graham divides his weekend time between building backyard play structures from salvaged materials, and putting the finishing touches on his strawbale sauna.

Competition Steering Committee

Carrie Aloussis, Ontario Power Authority

(Away on Leave – Congratulations on your new baby Carrie!)

Cheryl Evans, BES, REEP Green Solutions

Cheryl Evans was first hooked on green building at age 10 when she began touring R2000, geodesic dome and subterranean homes with her dad, an electrical engineer, on weekend outings. Solar panel and wind turbine sales centres also became a favourite haunt. Her father challenged her to blend logic, ingenuity and fun in order to make the world a better place. Perhaps the most important thing that he impressed upon her was that there are no stupid questions! Cheryl is now the Water Education and Event Coordinator for REEP Green Solutions. Her passion for inquiry and hands-on learning is now being used to create educational programming that will empower the public to wisely manage their energy and water resources. Cheryl completed her Bachelor of Environmental Studies at the University of Waterloo in 1996. Over the past 15 years, she has managed her own eco-friendly landscape design/build business, developed and managed Eco-Arts Discovery Camp at the Waterloo Community Arts Centre and has volunteered with the Laurel Creek Citizens Committee and Community Renewable Energy Waterloo.

Christopher Higgins, LEED AP Homes, Canada Green Building Council

Chris Higgins works with the Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC) as the LEED Canada for Homes Program Leader. Chris works with the LEED Canada for Homes Technical Advisory Sub Committee and Providers across Canada to deliver the LEED Canada for Homes program. The LEED Canada for Homes program has over 2000 homes registered and hundreds certified (www.cagbc.or/homes). Prior to working with the CaGBC Chris was the New Store Planning and Project Manager for Mountain Equipment Coop (MEC). At MEC he managed and assisted in the construction, operation, maintenance, and renovation of MEC’s building stock for a number of years. Chris has an undergraduate degree in business and hails from Canada’s friendliest province, Newfoundland.

Loreto Persichetti, Eaton Corp.

Loreto Persichetti is a product manager at Eaton, where he is responsible for driving the success of Eaton’s Cutler-Hammer brand of residential and light commercial products in Canada. Loreto is actively involved in finding new and innovative solutions using many of Eaton’s vast array of energy efficient products. He has a keen focus on doing what is right for his customers and community and is actively involved in the pursuit of next generation technology and energy efficiency in the home. Loreto holds a diploma in Electrical Engineering Technology from Humber College.

Mark Salerno, M.Arch, B.Tech, MRAIC, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)

Mark is CMHC’s District Manager in the Greater Toronto Area and a member of CMHC’s National Management Team. He works to foster public, private partnerships and coalitions in support of the creation of sustainable, affordable and universally accessible housing and communities. He recently took on the role of managing a National Sales Team within CMHC to promote the $2 Billion Municipal Infrastructure Lending Program: a key offering of CMHC under Canada’s Economic Action Plan. Through his former CMHC position (‘98-’02), Senior Research Consultant, BC/Yukon, he was instrumental in leading a multi-party consortium of housing stakeholders focused on addressing the highly contentious “Leaky Condo” issue. Prior to joining CMHC he was a building science professor as well as a designer, consultant and project manager on sustainable building design projects. Mark has a Master of Architecture Degree and a Bachelor of Technology Degree and is a Member of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada. Mark shares his expertise through numerous committees and boards he participates on including the CaGBC Greater Toronto Chapter.

Sonja Winkelmann, Net Zero Energy Home Coalition

Sonja Winkelmann, Executive Director of the Net Zero Energy Home (NZEH) Coalition, is working to identify and promote areas where government and private sector stakeholders can help accelerate community scale NZEH deployment. Previously an employee of EnerVision, she delivered on several key initiatives including a Green Mortgage Feasibility Report, and a Sustainable Communities initiative for Developers and Municipalities. An independent consultant since the Spring of 2009, Sonja also provides services for Climate Change Central, primarily for their activities in new home programs and initiatives. And as Co-Founder, and Chief Research & Technical Officer of the recently established not-for-profit company E5 Projects, Sonja encourages the adoption of innovation in energy efficiency and affordability in residential development through the creation and sharing of models, concepts, processes, tools and demonstration projects. Sonja is a specialist with comprehensive multi-level insight and experience focused on the efforts of builders, developers and municipalities in the “green” residential construction industry; primarily in energy, and secondarily in waste, water and materials/products. She has a formal education in Business Administration and Environmental Management and is based in Calgary, Alberta.

Student Challenge Advisory Board

Richard Briginshaw, B. Arch, OAA, MRAIC, LEED AP, Algonquin College

Richard (Rick) Briginshaw is an Architect and full time professor at Algonquin College, where he teaches in the Green Architecture and Architectural Technology programs. His focus is on sustainable design projects, strategies, methods and materials. Rick’s students recently did extremely well at a CaGBC sponsored design competition for a new Museum of Science and Technology, collaborating with others from various colleges and universities. Rick is also principal of Richard Briginshaw Architect, which specializes in consulting to Federal Government departments on a variety of short and long term projects. In the early 1990’s, he was lead architectural designer for a sustainable renovation pilot project at the headquarters of Natural Resources Canada. He has recently completed several projects with the National Research Council. Rick is into sports and is an avid traveler who is always interested in exploring new places.

Jamie Doran, Ontario Centres of Excellence

Jamie is a Business Development Manager at the Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE) where he manages a portfolio of awesome green building projects happening here in Ontario. He’s an advisor to the Ontario QUEST Caucus, a member of the Canadian Green Building Council, and Green-Tech advisor for the City of Guelph’s Community Energy Plan. He’s also a member of the OCE Talent team – dedicated to serving Ontario’s best and brightest students. He once taught high school design technology and senior science, but left teaching to do his graduate research – on how to grow onions in space!

Dr. Robert Fleisig, PhD, McMaster University

Dr Robert Fleisig graduated from the University of Waterloo with an undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering and subsequently completed Master’s and Doctoral degrees at McMaster University in Mechanical Engineering specializing in computer aided design and manufacturing. Dr. Fleisig is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at McMaster University, an Associate Member of the Walter G. Booth School of Engineering Practice, a member of the Master’s of Engineering Design Advisory Panel, and the Lead Integrator for the Partners for the Advancement of Collaborative Engineering Education (PACE) program at McMaster University. His research and teaching are both focused on educating and preparing engineering graduates for a workplace in which they must take a leadership role in their communities to help them prosper while addressing key societal issues.

Andrew Furman, M.Arch, Ryerson University

Andrew teaches design studio at Ryerson University at the School of Interior Design. He’s hosted the first international student design competition at Ryerson for the redesign of Gould Street, and he is currently working with an elite team of students to design street furniture for Mount Pleasant Cemetery for a student competition. His students’ projects have been winning design awards from local, national and international competitions. Andrew’s design work and research focuses on developing active-transportation solutions at the city and regional level.

Mary Harinck, Enbridge Gas Distribution
Program Marketing Manager – New Construction

After more than 25 years in the residential gas industry (she jokes that she started when she was 12!), Mary is proud to work with Enbridge — an active supporter of energy efficiency with a long-standing relationship with the Builder Community. Enbridge believes that the builder community is the foundation of our economy, and supports both the builder community and Ontarians by providing the cleanest burning fuel to new homes.

Mary is currently involved in a number of volunteer agencies, including Big Sisters and the Kidney Foundation. She has also served on the steering committee for the Niagara Women’s Build for Habitat for Humanity, and the Board of Directors for Niagara Home Builders
Association.

Robert Hellier, BID, LEAD Fellow, Centennial College

Robert Hellier is a developer of sustainable energy education programs and has just been appointed as Manager of Centennial College’s Energy Institute, within its School of Engineering, Technology & Applied Sciences. Previously, he worked for Humber College where he was the principal developer and Coordinator of its Sustainable Energy & Building Technology program. Robert’s career included a 13 year sojourn in Europe where he became a Fellow for the European Leadership in Environment & Development (LEAD) program. Robert is currently completing his certification as an NRCan Residential Energy Advisor and is also completing a MSc. in Renewable Energy & Sustainable Building Design at De Montfort University in the UK. Since 2008, Robert has been a member of the Board of Directors at the Ontario Sustainable Energy Association, and is also an unabashed DIYer with a passion for vintage building restoration and alternative building construction.

Chris Magwood, Fleming College

Chris Magwood is obsessed with making the best, most energy efficient, beautiful and inspiring buildings without wrecking the whole darn planet in the attempt. He co-founded “Camel’s Back Construction”, and over eight years helped to design and/or build around 40 homes and a few commercial buildings, mostly with straw bales and often with renewable energy systems. During this time, he co-authored three books on straw bale construction: Straw Bale Building, More Straw Bale Building and Straw Bale Details. He was also the editor of The Last Straw Journal, an international quarterly of straw bale and natural building. He has contributed articles to numerous publications on topics related to sustainable building.

In 2005, he started the Sustainable Building Design and Construction program at Fleming College. This exciting, 5-month course gives 26 students the task of creating and completing a large, public building using the most sustainable designs, materials and mechanical systems available. Chris is an active speaker and workshop instructor in Canada and internationally.

Terry Petkau, Habitat for Humanity

Terry Petkau moved to Waterloo, ON following 14 years in Technical Resources with Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp (CMHC) in Winnipeg, MB. This move was to join Habitat for Humanity Canada (HFHC) in 1999 to spearhead Habitat’s national blitz build initiative and to provide building and project management expertise to HFHC affiliate homebuilders. Currently the National Director of Building Services,
Terry develops and manages a number of programs including the “HFHC Sustainable Community Building Program” as a means to strengthen
building capacity and serve more low income families within their service area. Terry also has a passion for cycling and the outdoors.

Ben Polley, Evolve Builders Group Inc.

Ben’s professional pursuits have always had an environmental purpose. As General Manager of DML Control Inc, he won Natural Resources Canada’s prestigious National Energy Efficiency award (1999) for best energy savings results in the entire commercial/industrial sector. A personal interest in natural building later lead Ben to found strawbale wall contractor Harvest Homes in 2000. Evolve Builders Group Inc, spun off as a sister company in 2006, provides a breadth of green building, eco-renovation, efficiency retrofit and heritage restoration services across southern Ontario. Always keen to share experiences, Ben is a popular university guest lecturer and Editorial Advisory Board member for Canadian Contractor Magazine.

Jenn Taggart, Interior Designers of Canada

Interior Designers of Canada (IDC) is a national association of provincial interior design associations. It works with its seven provincial association members and industry partners to advance the interior design profession and to promote high quality in education and practice from coast to coast. IDC is a Non-Profit Partner in the Home Sweet Home Student Challenge.

Michael Tiffe, CET, LEED AP, QCxP TAB Mechanical, CaCBG Education Committee, St. Lawrence College

Michael has been engaged in the renewable energy sector for 30+ years. In addition to graduating from Humber College’s Energy Management Technologist program, Michael has associate’s degrees in Construction Supervision and Industrial Training. As a HVAC/R journeyperson, Michael brings his knowledge and experiences to the Canada Green Building Council’s Education committee and Operations Taskforce (LEED-Existing Buildings) and also serves as a course reviewer for the United States Green Building Council’s Education Provider Program. Michael has been a part-time instructor at St. Lawrence and Humber Colleges, where he instructed in green building principles. He has also taught in Ann Arbor to the United Association of Pipefitters and Plumbers for whom he is presently creating additional green building courses. Michael is currently the president of TAB Mechanical Inc., a company providing services for sustainable building design and product supply and installation.

Graham Whiting, BES, B. Arch, LEED AP, Whiting Design

Staff

Staff support for the Home Sweet Home Competition is provided by OntarioGreenSpec.ca through the following sponsors: Mindscape Innovations Group; Ontario Power Authority Conservation Fund; and Environmental Careers Organization (ECO).

Derek Satnik, P. Eng, LEED AP, Mindscape Innovations, info@mi-group.ca

Jill Thompson, BA, BES, jill@ontariogreenspec.ca

Jill comes to green building with zero expertise and lots of optimism! While she has twenty years of experience working in various roles within the environmental non-profit sector, including educator, field researcher, legal researcher, writer, campaign leader, grassroots organizer, skills trainer, and program manager, Jill considers herself lucky that the birdhouse she once built remains intact today. Green building attracts her because it is one of the precious few industries where you get to witness more action than talk, and rapid progress towards a better future with each passing year. Jill is Project Manager for OntarioGreenSpec.ca and the Home Sweet Home Competition.

Kristin Bullied, BES, LEED AP, kristin@ontariogreenspec.ca

Kristin is a recent graduate of the University of Waterloo’s Environment and Business program. Being part of this co-op program has given her the opportunity to gain experience in various fields such as educating, through jobs as a teacher and a teaching assistant, urban planning, and ISO policy development and compliance in water/wastewater. During the course of her studies and work placements, Kristin had found that her interests were primarily in green building, which led her to her current employment with Mindscape Innovations, a consulting firm specializing in green building and renewable energy services. Kristin is the Student Challenge Coordinator, and is helping to develop OntarioGreenSpec.ca.

Philip Drader, BASc, LEED AP Homes, pdrader@mi-group.ca

Philip has been researching homebuilding methods and sustainable principles for 10 years and has been working with Mindscape Innovations for the last 2, where he is an instructor for certified energy advisors and builders. He teaches about the EnerGuide Rating System, ENERGY STAR for New Homes, and LEED for Homes to various-sized groups. Currently renovating his 103 year old home, he tries to apply all that he’s learned, and keep on top of new products and best-practice methods. Philip will be providing technical support to the Home Sweet Home Competition.

Kyle Anders, MASc, LEED AP Homes, kanders@mi-group.ca

Kyle is a green building consultant with Mindscape Innovations, and closely aligns his passion for green building with his commitment to environmental, social, and economic justice. Kyle works closely with builders who want to green up their building practices, and helps facilitate building certification through a number of programs including LEED, ENERGY STAR and Built Green. Other activities include green building product assessments which help product manufacturers understand their role in the various green building programs, serving as a member of the Canadian Green Building Council’s Technical Advisory Committee, and helping builders navigate through the recent SB-12 building code changes. The foundation of Kyle’s technical background and interest in green building come from his 3+ years of experience with Mindscape in a technical consultant role, where he has learned the in’s and out’s of sustainable building practices, plus his academic experience in Mechanical Engineering as an undergraduate at Queen’s University followed by a graduate degree at the University of Waterloo where he studied materials science.