Presenter Biographies. |
Paul Scanlon. Director of Sustainability for Slippery Rock University
Paul Scanlon is an architectural engineer and sustainability consultant who has focused on energy efficient building design, resource conservation, facilities condition assessments and strategic renewal planning for over thirty-five years.
Mr. Scanlon received his degree in Bachelor of Architectural Engineering, Environmental Systems Option, from The Pennsylvania State University in 1974 and became a registered professional engineer in 1980. He became certified as an Energy Engineer by the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) in 1980, as an AEE-certified Green Building Engineer in 2006, and as a U.S. Green Building Council LEED Accredited Professional in 2009.
He currently serves as Director of Sustainability at Slippery Rock University, where he is responsible for promoting and documenting all sustainability initiatives on campus (including the promotion of curricular and co-curricular sustainability programs, recycling and waste minimization efforts, organic gardening and permaculture skills, energy and resource conservation, and environmental preservation efforts). He is also responsible for conducting SRU’s annual greenhouse gas inventories and the AASHE STARS Report, a comprehensive sustainability report that has resulted in SRU’s recognition in the Sierra Club’s “Cools Schools” list, the Princeton Review’s Guide to Green Colleges, the University of Indonesia’s GreenMetric World Ranking Universities list, and the EPA/DOE Green Ribbon Schools program.
His professional achievements include leading design teams to win two national and five regional ASHRAE awards for energy efficient design of both new and existing buildings, an A.I.A. national award for his role as contributing researcher and editor of the "Small Office Building Handbook: Design for Reducing First Costs and Utility Costs," 1985; Van Nostrand Reinhold; ISBN 0-442-21126-0. Among more than forty other published articles and speaking engagements, he authored the HVAC systems chapter of the McGraw-Hill Timesaver Standards for Architects, an industry standard handbook. He was also named an honorary adjunct professor at Carnegie Mellon University for his role in developing and presenting a multi-day professional development workshop entitled “Selecting HVAC and Electrical Systems for Buildings”, which was also offered at the University of Wisconsin/Madison and the Pennsylvania State University.
Mr. Scanlon resides in West Sunbury, PA in an earth-sheltered house that he designed and constructed for his family in 1984-1985, which became the subject of a Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood episode teaching young children about energy conservation. He is currently developing a permaculture-inspired site plan for developing the 50 acres surrounding his house, which will include a 16.8 kw solar photovoltaic system, a rainwater harvesting system, multiple organic gardens, and other features aimed at demonstrating the benefits of habitat diversification, local food programs, and resilient systems for adapting to the impacts of climate change.
Mr. Scanlon received his degree in Bachelor of Architectural Engineering, Environmental Systems Option, from The Pennsylvania State University in 1974 and became a registered professional engineer in 1980. He became certified as an Energy Engineer by the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) in 1980, as an AEE-certified Green Building Engineer in 2006, and as a U.S. Green Building Council LEED Accredited Professional in 2009.
He currently serves as Director of Sustainability at Slippery Rock University, where he is responsible for promoting and documenting all sustainability initiatives on campus (including the promotion of curricular and co-curricular sustainability programs, recycling and waste minimization efforts, organic gardening and permaculture skills, energy and resource conservation, and environmental preservation efforts). He is also responsible for conducting SRU’s annual greenhouse gas inventories and the AASHE STARS Report, a comprehensive sustainability report that has resulted in SRU’s recognition in the Sierra Club’s “Cools Schools” list, the Princeton Review’s Guide to Green Colleges, the University of Indonesia’s GreenMetric World Ranking Universities list, and the EPA/DOE Green Ribbon Schools program.
His professional achievements include leading design teams to win two national and five regional ASHRAE awards for energy efficient design of both new and existing buildings, an A.I.A. national award for his role as contributing researcher and editor of the "Small Office Building Handbook: Design for Reducing First Costs and Utility Costs," 1985; Van Nostrand Reinhold; ISBN 0-442-21126-0. Among more than forty other published articles and speaking engagements, he authored the HVAC systems chapter of the McGraw-Hill Timesaver Standards for Architects, an industry standard handbook. He was also named an honorary adjunct professor at Carnegie Mellon University for his role in developing and presenting a multi-day professional development workshop entitled “Selecting HVAC and Electrical Systems for Buildings”, which was also offered at the University of Wisconsin/Madison and the Pennsylvania State University.
Mr. Scanlon resides in West Sunbury, PA in an earth-sheltered house that he designed and constructed for his family in 1984-1985, which became the subject of a Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood episode teaching young children about energy conservation. He is currently developing a permaculture-inspired site plan for developing the 50 acres surrounding his house, which will include a 16.8 kw solar photovoltaic system, a rainwater harvesting system, multiple organic gardens, and other features aimed at demonstrating the benefits of habitat diversification, local food programs, and resilient systems for adapting to the impacts of climate change.
Mark Szybist. Natural Resources Defense Council
Mark Szybist is a Senior Attorney in the Climate and Clean Energy Program of the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). He advocates for equitable clean energy policies in Pennsylvania, representing NRDC before the state Department of Environmental Protection and Public Utility Commission, lobbying for clean energy legislation in the General Assembly, and working with consumer and low-income advocates to integrate environmental progress with economic justice. Prior to joining NRDC, Szybist served as a staff attorney for Citizens for Pennsylvania’s Future (PennFuture), where he focused on shale gas drilling litigation and policy. He has also worked as a consumer bankruptcy attorney and a technical writer. A native of Williamsport, Pennsylvania, Szybist holds a bachelor’s degree in comparative literature from Princeton University and a law degree from the Temple University Beasley School of Law. He is based in NRDC’s Washington, D.C. office.
Hal Saville. Commercial Energy Project Consultant for EIS Solar
Hal Saville has been involved in the Western PA solar scene for almost 30 years. He received his degree in Architectural Engineering with emphasis in solar and energy conservation from Penn State in the mid-eighties, before the solar industry really existed. He has served in the energy conservation manufacturing and home building industries for over 10 years as well as many years in healthcare informatics. A few years ago Hal decided to follow his earlier passion to help solve the energy crisis in the renewables industry and literally helped launch the solar industry in Western PA, creating a new career for himself in the process. He is currently an Energy Project Consultant for EIS Solar, Western PA’s premier solar solutions provider where he has sold and designed both residential and commercial solar power systems for over 6 years. Hal has also been active in the local green workforce development movement in the region, participating on the Green Jobs and the CCAC Solar Program advisory boards as well as writing a successful grant Conservation Consultants Inc. with the Community Foundation of the Alleghenies to operate certification classes for solar installers. He was also a founding member of SUNWPA the Solar Unified Network of Western PA. This organization, originally founded by solar professionals and other affiliates has expanded to include solar power system owners and other enthusiasts interested in growing the local industry. It has undertaken lobbying at the state level to improve the financial viability of solar investment as well as working with local municipalities at developing a consistent ordinance and permitting process for solar through the DOE SunShot Initiative.” Hal lives in Mars, PA with his wife Cindy.
Dustin Drew. Park Manager Moraine State and McConnells Mill State Park
Dustin Drew is the park manager for Moraine and McConnells Mill State Parks. He is a native of Hastings, Pennsylvania in Cambria County and has been working for Pennsylvania State Parks since 1998. He has helped manage several state parks throughout the state in the past 15 years including Fort Washington, Hickory Run, Lehigh Gorge, and Lackawanna State Parks prior to coming to Moraine and McConnells Mill in 2013. Dustin holds a bachelor of science degree in biology from the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown.
Ed Grieser. CEO & Founder of HydroBlox Technologies, Inc.
Ed Grieser was born in the City of Pittsburgh. He graduated from North Hills High School and Pennsylvania State University with degrees in
Economics & Finance. He worked for federated Investors developing software for investment research. He also did market development for a startup ground water control company. He had the responsibility of product introduction and market development for a international company (Saint Gobain - Certainteed in the USA) of a ductile iron casting designed to reduce the amount of groundwater to sanitary sewer systems.
He founded HydroBlox 12 years ago and developed the manufacturing equipment/process to work with virtually any plastic to make a construction and drainage product that is superior to the traditional items and methods HydroBlox replaces. Our purpose built equipment from which we export to locations around the world is located in Crawford county. Our second facility will be located near the intersection of interstates 80 and 79.
Economics & Finance. He worked for federated Investors developing software for investment research. He also did market development for a startup ground water control company. He had the responsibility of product introduction and market development for a international company (Saint Gobain - Certainteed in the USA) of a ductile iron casting designed to reduce the amount of groundwater to sanitary sewer systems.
He founded HydroBlox 12 years ago and developed the manufacturing equipment/process to work with virtually any plastic to make a construction and drainage product that is superior to the traditional items and methods HydroBlox replaces. Our purpose built equipment from which we export to locations around the world is located in Crawford county. Our second facility will be located near the intersection of interstates 80 and 79.
T.Lyle Ferderber. Founder and Owner of Frankferd Farms
T.Lyle and Betty Ferderber, parents and farmers at 20, have been involved in organic agriculture since the late 70’s. Our farm began producing organic grains which we turned into flours at our first company, Frankferd Farms Milling, and 33 years ago, began to be distributed by our second company, Frankferd Farms Foods, our organic food distribution company. Serving five (5) states with 4,000 items and 20-30 employees, we have supported organic and regional food growers and processors by selling to families and businesses. Our interests in homesteading, gardening, grandchildren, farming, running and cycling have kept us busy for decades. The mills hum and the trucks deliver good food all over the region while we watch with pride as our family grows and helps us in our efforts.