- The keynote address will be from Dr. Jennifer Languell, Founder and President of Trifecta Construction Solutions. Dr. Languell has been a champion for green building and sustainable design for nearly two decades. Dr. Languell is now one of the country’s leading sustainability consultants and is currently on the National Governors Association Policy Academy on Advanced Energy Solutions. Dr. Languell is based in Ft. Meyers Florida, and certainly knows the challenges of energy efficiency in a hot, humid climate. Confirmed panelists include: Dr. Randall Cantrell, University of Florida Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist in Housing and Community Development. Dr. Cantrell has recently completed a 7-year stint at the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Research Center where he served as Manager of Innovation Research. His appointment at UF is 60 percent extension education and 40 percent research. His main area of focus is on educating homeowners about how to increase the performance of their home. John Ferrari, LEED AP, BD+C, Vice President of Business Development at EcoAsset Solutions, a subsidiary of Lykes Bros. With over 20 years of global business development experience, John most recently served as a co-founder and CEO of DwellGreen, a leading franchisor in the building performance management sector. John is also a LEED Accredited Professional and a Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker. John currently serves on the boards of DwellGreen, the US Green Building Council’s Gulf Coast Chapter, Myakka River Branch, and the Florida House Institute. Gary Cook, Account Executive for Progress Energy-Florida. Gary oversees Progress Energy’s “Home Advantage” program in the Pinellas County area. The “Home Advantage” program is an incentive program designed to encourage builders to build up to the ENERGYSTAR level. After serving twenty-one years in the United States Marine Corps, Gary began his career with Progress Energy in 1997. He worked in the Energy Management department until 2002. Gary transferred into the “Energy Efficiency” department where he works today with several builders in the Tampa Bay area.
Jeremiah Rohr, Lead Instructor, Solar Source Institute, Largo. Jeremiah took his background in industrial technology and construction management and married that with his interest in solar technology and today provides education in solar thermal and photo-voltaic principles at the Solar Source Institute. Jeremiah’s interest in solar dates back to the energy crisis in the ‘70s. Jeremiah’s vast knowledge of manufacturing, engineering, construction and project management makes him a valuable “one-stop-shop” for questions about solar devices for saving energy. Richard Duncan, Pinellas homeowner, recent Sustainable Floridian Graduate and alternative energy practitioner. Richard has installed both solar water heating and solar photovoltaic energy production systems at his home. Richard will be able to address the ins-and-outs of pursuing and obtaining alternative energy upgrades to the home. Would he do it all over again? Ask him on the 24th! Other panelists will cover financing for energy efficiency upgrades. Registration for this free symposium is available online www.pinellascountyextension.org. Space is limited, so sign-up today. Participants that register online will receive a free LED replacement light bulb. This lighting-for-the-future today replaces a traditional 60 watt incandescent light bulb, but uses 80% less energy and lasts 50 times longer. These LEDs were made in Florida, and are being provided by a grant from the US Department of Energy. Refreshments will be provided by Solar Source Institute. What: Pinellas Home Energy Symposium When: Saturday, September 24, 9:00 am – noon Where: UF/IFAS Pinellas County Extension, 12520 Ulmerton Road, Largo, 33774 How register: visit pinellascountyextension.org and select the Extension Service under the Registration tab on the main page. Follow the easy instructions and you are in! See you on the 24th.