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Since its inception in 1996, SOLARC’s mission to increase the sustainability of the built environment continues to strengthen and grow through the leadership of its Principals.     Galen Ohmart, AIA, LEED AP Principal Architect (Portland & Eugene Offices) Galen Ohmart has experience in the design of an exceptional range of projects. As a professional architect trained and strongly dedicated to the team design environment, and as a design leader accredited by the US Green Building Council Leadership in Environmental and Efficiency Design (LEED), Galen combines his strong leadership skills with both design sensibility and outstanding management capabilities. The list of his design and consulting projects includes retail and office buildings, medical clinics, higher education buildings, hospitality complexes, mixed use developments, single-family and multi-family residences, non-profit service centers, libraries, and light industrial buildings. The AIA national 2001 Architecture + Energy Sustainable Design Award was awarded to Galen for his design of the Food for Lane County Distribution Center, which makes exceptional use of daylighting and natural ventilation, and is a testament to his valuable capabilities.     Gene Johnson, P.E. Principal Engineer Gene Johnson is a mechanical engineer with an unusually broad range of experience as a project manager, construction manager, multi-disciplinary designer, and "hands-on" builder. Gene's academic background includes degrees in civil and mechanical engineering, which together with his extensive experience and a broad interest in environmental and social sustainability form the foundation from which his engineering projects arise. He possesses special expertise in design of biogas-fueled power systems, biogas handling and utilization, ground-coupled heat pump systems, co-generation, radiant heating and cooling systems, and control systems design. He is an engineer whose unusual blend of technical expertise, innovative thinking and creative flair brings an exciting level of engineering opportunities to his projects, with exceptionally high-performing outcomes.     Michael Hatten, P.E. Principal Engineer Michael Hatten is an internationally known professional, recognized for his expertise in building energy efficiency. He combines a design, analysis, and training background in his roles as project manager, educator and project engineer. Michael’s academic and professional pursuits are sought after worldwide, taking him to far-flung destinations throughout the Continental US as well as Hawaii, Jordan, Cyprus, Scandinavia and Lebanon. Michael’s reputation as a leader in energy efficient design has grown from an extensive body of unusual, challenging and exciting energy efficiency projects. He has conducted analysis efforts on well over 20 million square feet of residential, commercial, and industrial space. In recognition of his accomplishments in the field, Michael was named 1998 National Energy Manager of the Year.       SOLARC attracts and maintains a staff of capable, inquisitive and bright individuals committed to the principles of sustainable design.   Jack Yousey, P.E. Senior Mechanical Engineer Jack Yousey possesses over 24 years of design experience, the last 10 spent as senior mechanical engineer at SOLARC. His project experience includes extensive work in hospitals and clinics, office buildings, K-12 school facilities, higher education facilities, retail buildings, and high technology facilities. Jack’s academic background includes a degree in mechanical engineering from Cal Poly. Jack provides project design team leadership and mentoring of younger engineers as well as functioning as a primary designer.     Lyle Jensen, P.E. Senior Electrical Engineer Lyle Jensen has a background combining professional engineer, journeyman electrician, and state inspector over a 24 year career. Lyle’s knowledge as designer, installer and inspector brings a unique approach to project design. His special qualifications include code compliance, coordination and fault studies, arc flash evaluation, radio system grounding, power factor correction, lighting, controls, emergency power, lightning protection, troubleshooting, fire and security alarms, cathodic protection, and computer modeling applications.     Phil Roach, CPD, LEED AP Senior Plumbing Designer (Portland Office) Phil has more than 20 years of engineering experience designing mechanical systems ranging from applications of heating, ventilating and air conditioning to plumbing and drainage systems. He has specialized in plumbing designs for healthcare, university, laboratory, museum and commercial facilities for the last ten years.     Peter Reppe, Dipl. Ing., LEED AP Mechanical Engineer/Sustainability Specialist Peter Reppe has over 14 years of professional engineering experience including initiating/guiding comprehensive institutional green building efforts, energy efficiency analysis, and mechanical and energy engineering design. Peter has taught courses on institutional sustainability at the University of Oregon and developed green building workshops at Lost Valley Educational Center. Several years of work as a research engineer in Industrial Ecology has provided him with a mastery of carbon accounting and the broader life cycle assessment tools, as well as an excellent understanding of the environmental impacts of the built environment and its use.     John Alberte Commissioning Agent John Alberte blends "hands-on" expertise in digital control systems with an overall understanding of HVAC system operations and maintenance gained from years in the field. As lead commissioning agent for SOLARC, this experience is essential in developing system commissioning approaches that are on target and cost effective.     Boz Van Houten Energy Analyst Boz Van Houten has an AS degree in Energy Management and has been working with Solarc primarily as an energy analyst since 2000. Boz often works within the Integrated Energy Design process, informing owners, architects and engineers of the energy implications of their building designs, and helping them develop more efficient design solutions. Experience includes a variety of medical, educational, food market and office buildings. Boz also contributes to the design and programming of customized PLC controls for ground coupled heat pump systems.      Rick Crawford Lighting Designer / Energy Analyst Rick Crawford graduated from the Energy Management Program at Lane Community College in 2005. As an Energy Analyst and Lighting Designer, he works closely with colleagues and clients to create high performance energy efficient buildings. Rick’s experience includes building modeling, lighting design, and calculating/documenting savings for LEED certification and daylighting analysis.     Josh Hilton, AIA Project Architect Josh Hilton brings 10+ years of professional architectural experience to the SOLARC team. Josh is excited by SOLARC's focus on sustainability as a means to achieve a project's goals, and as a way to serve the client and community. His professional work incorporates experience in a wide range of project types and scopes, including residential and commercial development, public and institutional projects, as well as industrial facility development. Having just relocated to Eugene from the New Mexico desert, he is excited to experience some rain, and to further the cause of sustainability.     Kelsy Laughnan, AIA Project Architect (Portland & Eugene Offices) Kelsy Laughnan graduated from the University of Oregon Architecture School with a bachelors in Architecture in 2004.  Kelsy has a variety of experience that ranges from designing and building her own home to large scale commercial and institutional designs. We are excited to say, though it is not a surprise to anyone who works with her, that she recently passed the architectural licensing exam. Congratulations Kelsy!     Peter Stevens, P.E. Mechanical Engineer (Portland Office) Peter Stevens has a long held interest in sustainable design and energy efficiency and over 5 years experience researching energy technologies with the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. He has over 2 years direct experience in HVAC design, including work on hospitals, schools, and high technology facilities. Peter has also taught engineering technology at Portland Community College.     Brian Grosklos Project Designer (Portland Office) With seven years of experience in design and related fields, Brian Grosklos is well versed in CAD and has strong rendering skills in a variety of media. His project experience includes work on commercial, high-tech, institutional, religious, single and multi-family housing, including residential design work.     Derek Wilfong Project Manager (Portland Office) For the past two years, Derek Wilfong has been working in construction administration for commercial, retail and office development. With a degree in architectural history, he brings a unique perspective and understanding to the tradition of architectural development and how it relates to our culture. Derek has more than five years experience in the architectural field and is interested in using building science and technology to help clients develop energy efficient designs.     Alexandra Rempel Building Scientist / Designer Alexandra brings a background in microbial energy systems, biofuels, and field ecology to the study of green building performance and design. Because every building is a significant experiment, and because each one can inform the design of its successors, one of her primary goals is to bring building performance information to the green design community in vivid, relevant, and accessible forms. This pursuit has led to investigations of daylighting, passive cooling, and passive heating in educational, office, commercial, and residential buildings, as well as publications in the Journal of Green Building and Ecostructure. In the design realm, as a research fellow in the Energy Studies in Buildings Laboratory at the University of Oregon, Alex assisted regional architects in the configuration of natural ventilation and daylighting systems. While there, she also contributed to development of climate-responsive design tools, integrated design workshops, and thermal comfort assessment techniques. Alex’s current work combines building performance assessment, energy analysis, and design assistance.     Tracy Bacon Structural EIT / Designer Tracy Bacon has a unique skill set with degrees in both structural engineering and architecture. She received her undergraduate degree in structural engineering from the University of Wyoming in 2000. After graduation she gained experience in the structural engineering of both commercial and residential buildings including custom-built homes, remodels, and additions. Her experience includes work on wood framed, insulated concrete construction, log homes, and timber framed structures. In 2009 Tracy received her graduate degree in architecture from the University of Oregon.     Kai Cunningham Energy Analyst / Engineering Tech Kai Cunningham joined Solarc Architecture and Engineering Inc. as an intern in 2006 with a willingness to work hard and a determination to never stop learning. Rewarded for this mentality with a full-time position, Kai continues to motivate others with his work ethic and his phenomenal skills in both Energy Analyst support and Mechanical Engineer Design Support. He also balances this heavy workload with schooling, attending his final year in the Energy Management Program at Lane Community College.   Jordon Gross Energy Analyst Jordon Gross is a recent graduate of the energy management program at Lane Community College. As an intern with SOLARC he is gaining practical experience in his chosen field. He joined our firm in June 2009 specifically because of our firm's reputation for high quality energy analysis and integrated design, as well as his motivation to make a positive contribution. . Working at SOLARC offers Jordon an opportunity to apply his knowledge, and broaden his perspective on energy analysis.       Michael McClendon Energy Analyst / Engineering Tech Michael McClendon is a recent graduate of the Energy Management Program at Lane Community College. Michael started working at SOLARC as an intern and we immediately appreciated his potential. While earning B.A. degrees in Anthropology and Spanish at the University of Texas at San Marcos in 2004, he became aware of the need for global energy conservation and management. His career goals include promoting energy efficiency with an emphasis on sustainability and renewable energy.     Nathan Howard Energy Analyst Nathan Howard graduated from the Energy Management Program at Lane Community College in June 2009. To compliment his education, Nathan interned to broaden his knowledge base. He brings experience in analysis, management and solar thermal applications, as well as a strong work ethic. He joined SOLARC because of his deep commitment to reducing energy usage, and his respect for SOLARC as a leader in energy efficiency and integrated design. He plans to continue to learn and grow through his work as an Energy Analyst at SOLARC.     Jack Treloar, EIT Electrical EIT / Designer Jack has a BS degree in Electrical Engineering and 15 years experience with public and private sector engineering projects. He has developed products, processes, and facilities for leading manufacturers throughout North America. Here at SOLARC, he contributes his skills to assignments with illumination, electrical power, and solar applications.     Erika Willis Intern Energy Analyst A recent graduate of LCC’s Energy Management Program, Erika joined SOLARC in June 2010 as an intern energy analyst. She received a liberal arts degree in religion/philosophy from the College of Wooster in Ohio and has traveled overseas extensively, living in both Europe and the Middle East. Through her experiences overseas, she became more committed to reduction of waste, primarily energy, and looks forward to learning more about sustainable green building designs and energy efficiency in buildings through her work at SOLARC.     Jodi Sommers Marketing & Communications Director Jodi Sommers brings over 20 years of professional marketing experience to SOLARC.  She joined SOLARC, because she believes in our core mission – of designing sustainable, energy efficient buildings. Jodi is an active member of the American Marketing Association, and led the local chapter to an award winning year as Chapter President from July 2003 to June 2004.  She looks forward to becoming involved in the Society for Marketing Professional Services.     Catherine Fulbright Business Manager Catherine Fulbright joined SOLARC in June of 2006 to perform all bookkeeping responsibilities including payroll, assist in financial project management and resource allocations, and provide financial forecasts.     Tanesha Hyde Office Manager A staff member since 1998, Tanesha Hyde is responsible for Human Relations, Insurance, Project Contract Administration, office support staff, computer and network functionality, and the daily administrative needs of SOLARC.      Robyn Gratch Kelley Personal Executive Assistant Robyn is SOLARC's first "boomerang" employee, making her first appearance from 2002 to 2005 and most recently returning as Mike Hatten's Executive Personal Assistant in August 2008. A graduate of Texas State, who majored in Geography and Environmental Resource Studies, Robyn brings her broad knowledge base and top notch organizational skills to our Energy group.     Bethany Soelberg Personal Executive Assistant With an extensive background in administration, Bethany joined SOLARC in November 2009 as Gene Johnson’s Personal Executive Assistant.  A graduate of Brigham Young University’s Anthropology Department and the University of Oregon’s School of Architecture and Allied Arts, Bethany enjoys exploring the relationship between building users and systems as she provides administrative support to the Mechanical Engineering group.     Colita Office Cat Colita joined SOLARC’s Eugene staff in the spring of 2006. For Colita, working at SOLARC is not just a job, it’s a lifestyle. She is an indispensable member of our team, despite the fact that she frequently sleeps on the job.