List of Instructors

BOC Instructors are industry experts with employment experience in their area of instruction and an average of 10 years teaching experience. Below is a sample of the Midwest BOC Instructors. If you are interested in joining this respected group, click here to download an application and read more information.

(Click on name for more information)

Illinois

Burns, William

William Burns is a senior engineer with ComEd. He has over 20 years of experience in the design, operation and maintenance of HVAC systems. Mr. Burns has spent the last seven years evaluating, developing and installing energy efficiency projects in the Chicago area with an increasing focus on system operations. Current activities include the commissioning of several dozen HVAC digital control systems and membership on a taskforce that developed mechanical standards and details for the largest school district in Illinois. Mr. Burns received a B.S. in Economics from St. Johns University and a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Illinois at Chicago. He is a registered Professional Engineer in Illinois, an accredited LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) professional and a member of American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) and the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE). He also served on the State of Illinois’s Healthy, High Performing Schools Task Force that developed the “Illinois Resource Guide for Healthy, High Performing School Buildings.” Mr. Burns teaches BOC 103 and 203 in Illinois and Missouri.

Cali, Salvatore

Salvatore Cali is an instructor and senior research specialist and project coordinator for industrial hygiene (IH) projects at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). Mr. Cali’s IH practice and research has focused on occupational and environmental exposure evaluation and indoor air quality (IAQ) investigations. He has managed projects and authored reports on investigations of police department firing ranges, infectious disease outbreaks, research on Aspergillus exposure in transplant units of a large hospital, occupational tuberculosis evaluations, occupational lead exposure, and an assessment of multi-family inspection and risk assessment report data for a large housing authority. Mr. Cali also managed a mold and moisture pilot research project for UIC in conjunction with the Illinois Department of Public Health for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Healthy Homes Initiative. Mr. Cali has been an instructor in environmental health and safety short courses since 1993 and is currently the instructor of a graduate-level industrial hygiene course. He has served as a primary instructor in Lead-based Paint Inspection and Risk Assessment remediation courses, and Respiratory Protection, IAQ, Hearing Protection, and Confined Spaces courses. He also served as a primary author on a Lockout/Tagout interactive training CD-ROM for a large oil refinery and assisted with web-based training for air pollution data statistics courses.

Coates, Jim

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Kuk, Michael

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Pearson, Dave

Dave A. Pearson is a mechanical engineer with IEFM Consulting Engineers, a company he founded in 1992. He has extensive work experience providing mechanical, electrical, and energy conservation services for educational, commercial, and institutional projects for over 25 years. Mr. Pearson received his B.A. and M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Illinois. He is an active member of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE), the Association of Professional Energy Consultants (APEC), and the Iowa Association for Energy Efficiency (IAEE). Mr. Pearson has been a seminar presenter for a number of energy-related topics as well as a guest lecturer at the University of Illinois School of Architecture. He teaches BOC 101, 102, 103, and 201 in Illinois and Missouri.

Philbrick, Chris

Chris Philbrick is a senior engineer at ComEd and has 15 years of experience in the design operation and maintenance of HVAC systems. His expertise includes the commissioning of HVAC control systems and building energy analysis. He has spent the last seven years providing commissioning in the Chicago area. Activities include the commissioning on several LEED projects including: the Pharmacia “Q” Building, The Chicago Marine Safety Station, Exelon Headquarters, ShoreBank Branch Office, and the Chicago Public School’s Tarkington Elementary School and Albany Park Middle School. He also plays an advisory role on the task force that develops the Direct Digital Control Standards for the Chicago Public Schools. Mr. Philbrick received both a B.S. and M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University Illinois at Chicago. He is a registered Professional Engineer in Illinois, a City of Chicago Registered Energy Professional, a LEED Accredited Professional and is the past Chapter Chairman of the Chicago Chapter of the USGBC as well as an active member. Mr. Philbrick teaches BOC 102 “Energy Conservation Techniques”, 204, “HVAC Controls and Optimization” and 214, “ Introduction to Building Commissioning” in Illinois.

Iowa

Pecen Ph.D., Reg

Dr. Pecen holds a B.S.E.E. and an M.S. in Controls and Computer Engineering from the Istanbul Technical University, an M.S.E.E. from the University of Colorado at Boulder, and a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Wyoming (UW, 1997). He has served as graduate assistant and faculty at the UW, and South Dakota State University. He is currently an associate professor and program coordinator of Electrical Engineering Technology program at the University of Northern Iowa. He serves on UNI Energy and Environment Council, CNS Diversity Committee, University Diversity Advisory Board, and Graduate College Diversity Task Force Committees. His research interests, grants, and publications are in the areas of AC/DC Power System Interactions, distributed energy systems, power quality, and grid-connected renewable energy applications including solar and wind power systems. He is a member of ASEE, IEEE, Tau Beta Pi National Engineering Honor Society, and ATMAE. Dr. Pecen was recognized as an Honored Teacher/Researcher in “Who’s Who among America’s Teachers” in 2004-2009. He was also nominated for 2004 UNI Book and Supply Outstanding Teaching Award, March 2004, and nominated for 2006, and 2007 Russ Nielson Service Awards, UNI. Dr. Pecen is an Engineering Technology Editor of American Journal of Undergraduate Research (AJUR). He has been serving as a reviewer on the IEEE Transactions on Electronics Packaging Manufacturing since 2001. Dr. Pecen has served on ASEE Engineering Technology Division (ETD) in Annual ASEE Conferences as a paper reviewer, session moderator, and co-moderator since 2002. He is serving on American Society of Engineering Education ASEE Energy Conversion and Conservation Division, advisory boards of International Sustainable World Project Olympiad (isweep.org) and International Hydrogen Energy Congress. Dr. Pecen is representing UNI at Wind Energy Alliance, IWEA, and IAwind.org. Dr. Pecen has been teaching BOC 107, BOC 104, BOC 202, and BOC 211 classes.

Perkins, Brad

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Kansas

Anderson, Brian

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Hader, Micheal

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Kopfman, Von

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Michigan

Allen, Mark

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Quilitzsch, John

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Minnesota

Ellis, Rebecca

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Huffer, Bruce

Bruce Huffer is a facilities consultant with The Institute for Environmental Assessment (IEA) where he provides facility solutions in the areas of systems, construction, management, and environmental initiatives. Bruce has a background in facilities management, water treatment, construction issues and schools. Bruce has B.S. degree in Biology and Chemistry from St. Cloud State University, is a LEED AP and has been certified in several other environmental areas. He teaches BOC 106 in Minnesota, Illinois and Iowa. He is slated to teach our new BOC 105 operation & maintenance practices for sustainable buildings. Mr. Huffer also conducts a 30 hour class on steam engineering at a southern MN technical college

Laube, Dean

Dean Laube has been an instructor and energy advisor for Wisconsin's Focus On Energy program since 2001. He has extensive work experience in the energy efficiency arena, having worked for a major utility, a major manufacturer, and a private consulting firm over the past 15 years. Mr. Laube is a member of the Association of Energy Engineers and Association of Facility Engineers. He teaches BOC 102 and 104 in Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.

Norden, Michael

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Norr, Scott

Scott Norr has been an adjunct instructor at University of Minnesota-Duluth since 1999. Scott received his BSEE from North Dakota State University in 1986. He has 12 years of engineering experience in the electric utility industry. His interests include dynamic stability of power systems, voltage collapse, and power electronics. He is a registered professional engineer in the State of Minnesota. Scott teaches BOC 107 in Minnesota.

Missouri

Albrecht, Richard

Richard Albrecht is currently the Facility Manager for Progress West Health Care Center in O’Fallon, Missouri. He is also president of Facility Condition Management, a company founded in 1997 to offer computerized Preventive Maintenance services to specialty organizations. He has worked in facility services in private banking, health care, communications and the manufacturing industries. Prior to Facility Services, he worked in the electronics field in consumer electronics, laboratory equipment manufacturing, automotive testing products and Biomedical Engineering. He holds a B.S. degree and is a Certified Plant Engineer. His teaching background has included electronics, computer principles and computer programming. He is certified to teach BOC-103, BOC-104, BOC-105, BOC-107, BOC-204 and BOC-214 in Missouri, Illinois and Kansas.

Holmes, Richard

Richard has over 30 years of experience in the electric and gas utility industry specifically in utility marketing and energy efficiency consulting and management. He has twice received the Environmental Protection Agency’s “ENERGY STAR” award for exemplary utility energy efficiency programs. He also has several years of operations experience at a large electric power generating station in Pennsylvania. Before joining Associated, Richard worked for an international consulting firm specializing in services relating to energy, the environment, national defense, and economic development. Richard has a bachelor’s degree in industrial management and business administration from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in Indiana, Pa., and a master’s degree in public administration from Gannon University in Erie, Pa.

King, Chris

Christopher C. King serves as the director of the Center for Environmental Education and Training and the Midwest OSHA Education Centers at the Saint Louis University School of Public Health. During his 25 years in environmental health and safety training, he has worked in a variety of areas, including water and wastewater operations, water quality research, hazardous materials and occupational safety and health. He is a Certified Hazardous Materials Manager and holds B.S. and M.S. degrees in Biology from Missouri State University and the University of Louisville, respectively. Mr. King teaches BOC 105 in Illinois and Missouri.

Murphy, John

Mr. Murphy is a Research Associate with Washington University in St. Louis. He has over 20 years experience in energy and environmental project development, management and execution. He was worked with a variety of commercial and industrial clients on energy efficiency and environmental compliance. Prior to working at Washington University, he was an energy engineer with a St. Louis-area mechanical contractor managing energy efficiency projects. In addition, he spent nearly 10 years working for the Electric Power Research Institute where he assisted electric utility staff in addressing the energy and process needs of their industrial customers. Mr. Murphy received a BS in Chemical Engineering and an MS in Civil Engineering from the University of Missouri-Columbia. He is a professional engineering in Missouri and a Certified Energy Manager. He teaches BOC 101, 102, 105, and 211 in Missouri and Kansas.

Steimel, Dave

Dave Steimel has a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Missouri-Rolla and is a Certified Energy Manager (CEM). He has served as a power plant performance engineer, key account executive, and energy efficiency expert for Ameren, a large Midwest utility. He was responsible for educating their customers and business community on energy issues and electric rates, and methods to recognize and initiate projects to conserve energy, reduce pollution, and lower their bottom-line cost. He has served as an energy consultant and on the Board of Directors for the Association of Energy Consultants (APEC) and the Regional Commerce and Growth Association (RCGA) to assist in developing effective energy strategies. Dave teaches BOC 101, 102, and 104 Missouri and Illinois.

Ohio

Fetters, John

John Fetters is an electrical engineer with a special expertise in energy-effective lighting and president of Effective Lighting Solutions, Inc. in Columbus, Ohio, which provides lighting consulting, design, and training services. John is a member of the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America and serves on the IESNA Industrial Lighting Committee. He is a senior member of the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) and currently chairs the Certified Lighting Efficiency Professional board. John was distinguished with the AEE Energy Professional Development award in 1993 and was inducted into the AEE Hall of Fame in 1998.amentals of Energy Audits" EPD course and is a qualified instructor in the BOC Program, teaching BOC 104 and 107 in Ohio.

Mr. Fetters has published over 135 technical articles and books, most recently Energy & Power Management (formerly Energy User News) and Maintenance Solutions. John is an accomplished speaker, presenting seminars and technical sessions at major conferences. He has developed and taught all the AEE lighting seminars since 1989. He is a regular guest lecturer for the University of Wisconsin, teaching the lighting section of “Fundamentals of Energy Audits" EPD course and is a qualified instructor in the BOC Program, teaching BOC 104 and 107 in Ohio.

Hand, Thomas

Thomas Hand is a certified facility manager and a University of Dayton graduate, earning his B.A. in Communications. He spent most of his career with the City of Dayton in facility, retiring in 2001. He was with the Dayton Fire Department (DFD) as the civilian manager for fire facilities. In 1988, he was selected by the City and the University of Dayton as an Urban Fellow to study facility management in 24 U.S. cities. In 1991, he was selected for the City Managers Leadership program. In 1996, he was selected to manage Support Services for the DFD. In 1999, he was selected to chair the City Quality Service Team. In 2001, he joined CJ High School to create the Department of Facility and Fleet. In 2003, he left CJ to focus on consulting and research and lecture on Leadership, Succession Planning and Professional Development. He wrote “Managing Facilities” for the Dayton Business Journal from 2001 to 2003. In 2003, he won the International Facility Management Association Award of Excellence for his article, “Inside the Den of the Smoke Eaters”.

Howell, Ted

Ted Howell is the president of Energy Instruction Group, LLC. Ted holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering & Supervisory Management from Purdue University. He is a Certified Energy Manager, Certified Building Commissioning Professional, Certified Lighting Efficiency Professional and a Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design Accredited Professional. Ted Howell is an engineer and educator who spent years working with schools, colleges, and state and local governments. Sustainable Energy Environmental Conservation or SEE Conservation, that focuses on “the people side conservation” has become the backbone of Energy Instruction Group today. EIG helps institutions make significant reduction in operating costs through a variety of energy conservation programs with little or no capital expenditures.

Kasper, Craig

Craig Kasper creates alternative and renewable energy opportunities in the public and private sectors; identifies, designs and implements energy efficiency improvements for commercial and industrial customers; and works with electric utilities on various infrastructure upgrades. Craig founded K&H Energy Services (K&H) in May 1999 to help industrial customers maintain a competitive position in their market place by identifying and acting upon energy efficiency opportunities. K&H has operated as a division of Hull since 2005 and became a fully-integrated brand of Hull in 2009, continuing to offer the same quality electrical engineering, control systems automation and electrical safety services, as well as development of alternative and renewable energy projects. Craig spent over 38 years with Cleveland Electric Illuminating Co., Centerior Energy Co. and FirstEnergy Co. in both supervisory and executive management positions in field operations and corporate engineering. (FirstEnergy is an investor-owned electric utility holding company serving 4.0 million electric customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania and New Jersey.) Before he retired from FirstEnergy, he was responsible for construction, operation and maintenance of large power substations, both company-owned and customer-owned. He also served as Director of Transmission, Distribution and Fossil Plant Engineering for Centerior Energy Service Company. Craig holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Cleveland State University and a Master of Business Administration from Kent State University.

Lafever, Doug

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Smith, Gregory

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Wirtz, Richard

Richard Wirtz (Professor Emeritus) has been a department coordinator/lead instructor for Heating, Ventilating Air Conditioning (HVAC) Technology in the Construction Sciences Department at Columbus State Community College (CSCC) since 1985. He retired from CSCC to take the position of Associate Director of Education for Heating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI) in Columbus, Ohio. He has extensive work experience in the HVAC industry and holds certification from the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA), National Balancing Institute (NBI), North American Technicians Excellence and HVAC Excellence. Richard is a member of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) and holds CMS status from the Refrigeration Service Engineers Society (RSES). He teaches BOC 101, 102, 103, and 107 in Ohio.

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