Emile Lauzzana, AIA, LEED AP - Project Director, is a licensed architect and builder in the State of Michigan and has worked in the design and construction industry for over 20 years. A consistent focus of this work has been to develop capacities for implementing energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies. He has taught courses at the University of Michigan and Eastern Michigan University in building science and sustainable design, and continues outreach and advocacy activities in RE/EE through professional organizations. He earned a Masters of Architecture from the University of Michigan College of Architecture and Urban Planning and a BS from the University of Michigan Department of History.
Jason Bing, LEED AP - Project Manager, has several years of experience working in a sustainable architectural firm. He is a certified HERS (Home Energy Rating System) rater and has conducted and supervised residential energy audits, commercial investment grade energy audits, and was recently trained to perform solar feasibility analyses by staff at Sandia National Laboratory. As a member of the Ann Arbor Energy Commission, Jason has helped develop multiple programs, working with city staff and other commissioners to create an Energy Awards Program to recognize significant projects in the city. Jason is a frequent lecturer and educator, and is consistently involved in researching energy issues and technologies on a local, regional, and national scale. He earned a Masters of Architecture, BS and BAS from Kent State University.
Kelly Weger, LEED AP - Project Associate, is an Architect Intern currently undergoing licensure, specializing in sustainable design. She has worked in the design industry for 10 years on design, development and administration of construction documents for commercial and residential projects. Her work has focused on environmental sustainability with integrated design strategies for resource use reduction. This approach is incorporated into the role of buildings in the public/societal realm, with particular attention paid to the balance of the triple bottom line: Ecology, Economy and Equity. She earned a Masters of Architecture with sustainable emphasis from the University of Texas at Austin and a BS from the University of Michigan College of Architecture and Urban Planning.
Kendal Kuneman, LEED AP - Project Assistant, is a recent graduate having experience in architecture, construction and design build, with a long commitment to sustainability. As a student, design build projects involved hands-on design and construction services for the underserved community. Team decision-making with students of multiple disciplines resulted in creativity and innovation to manage design, construction, schedule, budget and quality. Kendal also worked as a drafter at the University of Michigan Architecture, Engineering & Construction (AEC). She earned a MS in Design Build with a Minor in Community Planning from Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama, and has a BS in Architecture from the University of Michigan College of Architecture and Urban Planning.
Natalie Young - Project Assistant, has a few years experience working as a project assistant, office manager, and marketing coordinator. Natalie is a recent graduate from Eastern Michigan University, where she obtained a Bachelors of Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing. While a student at EMU, Natalie was a coordinator for the student organization known as GREEN (Gathering Resources to Educate about our Environment and Nature), a student organization that valued promoting environmental education to students as well as community members. Throughout her involvement with the organization she found that she had a passion for educating and being educated on how we can all live sustainable lifestyles to help protect the environment. Natalie is very excited to be a part of the Energy Works Team!
Laura Holladay - Ecology Center - Education Director, has presented hands-on environmental workshops to over 10,000 students throughout southeastern Michigan. She holds a master's degree in Ecology from the University of Michigan, and she has extensive experience developing educational programs on sustainability issues. She has worked as a faculty member in Schoolcraft College's Biology Department, as an outreach education specialist for the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum, as an outdoor education specialist for Ann Arbor Public Schools Dept. of Recreation & Education, and as education program coordinator for the Leslie Science & Nature Center. She has designed lessons on topics such as recycling, pollution prevention, and composting, and she is excited to be working with Energy Works Michigan to bring lesson plans about renewable energy and energy efficiency to schools across the state.
Courtney Peterson - Education Associate, has taught science in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and New York, and has a Michigan K-8 teacher certification. She has worked as a curriculum consultant for a range of organizations including NYC Audubon, Cobble Hill Tree Fund, and Michigan State University and developed curriculum on topics including ecology, sustainability, and composting. She has a Master's degree in Environmental Education from New York University (NYU) and is currently also a part-time PhD student in Science Education at Michigan State University.
Summer 2010 Interns
MacKenzie Burger- Intern, is a senior undergraduate student at Albion College. She is majoring in biology with a Neuroscience concentration and a minor in journalism. MacKenzie is a member of the scientific research society Sigma Xi and has served on Albion’s student news publication, The Pleiad for three years in roles including editor-in-chief, managing editor and staff writer. Her scientific writing assignments have led her to reporting in an emergency room, publication in a college textbook, and most recently as a communications intern for Energy Works Michigan. Following graduation, she plans on attending graduate school with the intention of becoming a marine biologist and scientific writer.
Jennifer Chronis – Intern, is a junior at the University of Michigan concentrating in Neuroscience with a minor in Global Change. At U of M she developed a concern for the environment and sustainability, which she pursued last summer during a four week internship in Accra, Ghana where her team designed and implemented plastics recycling programs. This internship sparked her interest in global environmental health and she is currently a student associate for the Center for Global Health at U of M. Jennifer wants to work in healthcare because she is passionate about human health and hopes to earn both an MD and MPH in the future. In her free time, Jennifer enjoys being on the U of M women’s club ice hockey team and in the Delta Gamma sorority. She is looking forward to a fun and engaging summer as part the Energy Works team!
Caitlin Goodwin - Intern, received her Bachelor’s of Architecture from Ball State University. She recently completed an intensive sustainable design program at the ECOSA Instiute in Arizona. Caitlin became inspired to focus her studies on sustainable architecture when she worked on building an off-grid strawbale learning center at Ball State. She is interested in learning about energy monitoring programs in buildings. She plans to attend graduate school and study electrical engineering alongside achieving her M. Arch. Caitlin will be working on developing an online interactive resource for students and teachers all over Michigan.
Amy Langhorst - Intern, is a sophomore in the College of Engineering at the University of Michigan and is concentrating in Mechanical Engineering. Amy is very passionate about teaching energy efficient habits and implementing renewable power sources into the grid. Her interest in sustainable energy began in high school when she wrote her extended essay (4000 words) for the International Baccalaureate Diploma program about alternative energy options for automobiles. In her spare time, she is a member of the club volleyball team at Michigan and participates in K-Grams, a pen pal program with elementary school students. She is interested in advancing renewable energy technology in the future and is very excited to be working at Energy Works to bring sustainability to Michigan schools.
Paula Seville - Intern, is a junior undergraduate student at the University of Michigan with a concentration in business and a minor in Program in the Environment. Paula furthered her interest in green building by leading tours of SNRE’s LEED-certified Dana Building and taking a summer internship at Southface Energy Institute, a nonprofit in Atlanta. She is interested in pursuing a career in Sustainable Development, combining her business and environmental backgrounds. Paula is a member of the women’s club ultimate Frisbee team at Michigan and Net Impact Undergrad.
Courtney Williams - Intern, is a senior undergraduate student in the College of Literature Science and the Arts at the University of Michigan. She is concentrating in Brain Behavior and Cognitive Science. She has worked extensively with K-8 students through the ReachOut Mentoring Program, and Alternative Spring Break. Courtney has enjoyed working as a research assistant for several faculty members at the University of Michigan, including work in the Neuropsychology Department of the Veteran’s Hospital as well as in the Dental School. Courtney is looking forward to being a part of the Educational Resources program at Energy Works and is excited to pursue her interests in global sustainability. She is planning on pursuing law as a career.
2009-2010 Interns
Evan Boyd - Intern, is remotely pursuing his master’s degree in Environmental Science & Policy from Clark University (Worcester, MA) where he also received a BA in Global Environmental Studies. He has focused his studies on the technological diffusion of emerging natural building methods, particularly straw bale, and is inspired by the potential for energy learning in human-building interactions. An Ann Arbor native, Evan is passionate about environmental health and education in Michigan and believes they are both imperative in improving the economy of our state. He is also currently an intern with the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE).
Jinhyung Hwang - Intern, is a sophomore student at the University of Michigan currently concentrating in Civil and Environmental Engineering with minors in Applied Mathematics and Multidisciplinary Design. Jin first found his love for renewable energy and energy efficiency through an introductory course in sustainable waste management. Jin is currently involved with the BLUElab Biogas team and a Multidisciplinary Design team with whom he designs, builds and test anaerobic digesters for implementation in developing communities as well as in Michigan. Jin is very excited to be working at Energy Works Michigan to bring sustainable energy to Michigan K-12 schools.
Wajiha Ibrahim - Intern, is a sophomore in the Industrial and Operational Engineering program at the University of Michigan. She is also minoring in Environmental Science through the Program in the Environment at the University. Wajiha launched the student division of the Green Team Coalition in 2008 hoping to increase environmental awareness and encourage a sustainable lifestyle among youth. Through her experiences studying and traveling to developing nations abroad, she further recognized the importance of providing youth with environmental education. She hopes that by pursuing a career in Architecture and Urban Planning she can apply sustainable design techniques in developing nations to promote the sustainable lifestyles.
Duncan Muil - Intern, is a sophomore undergraduate student in the College of Literature Science and the Arts at the University of Michigan. He is double-concentrating in Physics and Economics. Duncan has a passion for energy efficiency and greener homes. Duncan has a great interest in energy issues, because of the effects that energy use is having on our planet and the technology that is helping us to curb the impact. He is working on Michigan Renewable Schools Program, compiling information on the various methods of achieving energy efficiency in schools. He hopes once these measures are implemented that Michigan Schools will have greatly improved efficiency.
Theresa Munaco - Intern, is a sophomore in the University of Michigan's College of Language, Science, and Arts. She is concentrating in the Program in the Environment. Theresa is a member of Kappa Alpha Pi Pre-Law Fraternity and is a Hall Head for K-Grams, a PenPal program between college undergraduates and elementary school students. She plans to pursue a career in environmental law or education. Theresa is interested in learning more about the processes of environmental education and is excited to be a part of Energy Works.
Summer 2009 Interns
Eric Milanowski - Intern, is a senior in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at the University of Michigan, and his area of concentration is Construction Management. During his coursework at the University Eric has developed a passion for studying renewable energy systems (highlighted by a Life Cycle Analysis of photovoltaic systems) and how they will help society make the transition to a more sustainable future. Eric hopes his environmental studies will assist Recycle Ann Arbor and Energy Works Michigan in implementing renewable energy and energy efficiency programs in Michigan schools.
Nick Ranke - Intern, is a senior undergraduate student in the College of Literature Science and the Arts at the University of Michigan. He is double-concentrating in the Program in the Environmental and Organizational Studies. Nick has some past experience with energy and environmentally friendly building when he volunteered briefly for the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality to work on LEED certification projects. Nick has been interested in energy issues for awhile because of their importance to our security, economy, and our environment. He is looking forward working on energy efficiency in schools as a part of the Michigan Renewable Schools Program, and hopes that these efforts will contribute to improving education and contributing to a more sustainable future in Michigan.