WASHINGTON — The AABC Commissioning Group (ACG) released the “ACG Building Systems Commissioning Guideline.” The digital publication, organized by specific types of building systems, offers insight and strategies from experienced commissioning providers on a variety of topics and is designed to help providers execute the ASHRAE Standard 202 commissioning process effectively and efficiently while overcoming common challenges encountered in both design and field settings.

“The ‘ACG Building Systems Commissioning Guideline’ is a major leap forward, not only in its depth and breadth of information but also in offering providers actionable guidance on implementation,” said Jim Magee, CxA, EMP, ACG guideline chair. “The new edition tackles the what; when; who; and, most importantly, the how.”

The ACG Commissioning Guideline was first published by AABC in 2002 and then updated and republished three years later as the ACG Commissioning Guideline by the newly independent AABC Commissioning Group. The ACG Commissioning Guideline of 2005 has been widely recognized as a valuable resource that explains the commissioning process properly and concisely. The building systems commissioning industry has evolved and expanded in the 17 years since ACG released its guideline.

“The move to a more systems- and best practices-oriented approach — and a digital, easily updated delivery format for the all-new guideline — reflects the evolution of our dynamic discipline of building commissioning,” said Troy Byers, P.E., CxA, president, ACG. “The release of the new guideline is both the capstone of a three-year effort by dedicated volunteers and the beginning of an ongoing process to keep the content fresh for years to come.”

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) announced Lisa Revitte has joined as chief operating officer, supporting both USGBC and Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI). In this newly created role, she will support business leaders in a variety of areas, including facilities, finance, human resources, legal, and technology.

“Lisa is an outstanding complement to our global leadership team,” said Peter Templeton, president & CEO, USGBC and GBCI. “I am confident in her ability to help strengthen the capabilities and performance of our organizations as we work to address urgent challenges facing our communities worldwide. It is an important time for USGBC and GBCI, and having an experienced COO is vital as we continue to pursue our mission at even greater speed and scale. Lisa’s expertise will be fundamental as we seek to transform USGBC’s strong legacy of leadership into the platform of partnership, collaboration, and innovation we need to advance a prosperous and equitable future.”

Revitte has 20 years of operations experience and served as the COO for the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence and, most recently, held the same position at FOX Architects LLC. Prior to that, Lisa served USGBC and GBCI from 2006-2014 in various capacities, including director of operations for GBCI and director of enterprise performance for USGBC and GBCI. Lisa brings a wealth of knowledge in managing finance, human resources, technology, compliance, and project management. Lisa holds an MBA from George Washington University and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan.

USGBC and GBCI are currently conducting a strategic review to act on opportunities for improvement across our programs and operations. The new COO role is an important element in the success of these efforts. The review will ensure the organizations are well positioned to scale our work to support unprecedented public and private sector commitments to advancing health, decarbonization, equity, and other ESG goals through green building.

SANTA ANA, Calif. — Florida-based Nelson Engineering has joined Salas O’Brien, strengthening the firm’s expertise with federal clients and creating a combined firm of more than 50 offices, 1,500 team members, and 360 registered professionals.

The Nelson team’s capabilities and portfolio complement Salas O’Brien’s existing work in the science and technology and federal government markets. The merger increases the firm’s ability to provide comprehensive, integrated, multidisciplinary engineering services.

As the next step in Salas O’Brien’s strategy to be local everywhere, with international resources, the Nelson team will continue to be managed by its current leaders and will adopt the Salas O’Brien name after a transition period.
The merger closed on April 15, and news was shared recently with both the Nelson and Salas O’Brien teams.
“Nelson Engineering brings an impressive project portfolio and impeccable client reputation,” said Srini Neralla, managing principal and leader of Salas O’Brien’s federal services. “We are excited to see this talented team of professionals grow within Salas O’Brien, and we look forward to all we will accomplish together.”

Salas O’Brien continues to grow as part of an ambitious plan to create one of the most respected engineering firms in the world, as measured by our clients and team members. Nelson represents the third merger in 2022 for Salas O’Brien.

“Salas O’Brien, like Nelson, is focused on creating a rewarding professional environment with no limits on career growth and success,” said Shad Wilson, senior managing director for Nelson Engineering. “We are excited to build upon our legacy of success in the federal sector and continue our precedent of an engaged workforce that emphasizes client value first and foremost.”

SEATTLE — Coffman Engineers Inc. announced a new board director and six new shareholders at the annual shareholder meeting held on March 17.

Scott Twele, P.E., was elected as a board director, and reelected directors Arvind Nerurkar and Brion Wise will serve another term. Twele is the California regional manager, the San Diego office managing principal, and a fire protection engineer.

"Scott is a respected engineer with a deep commitment to our business and culture,” said Dave Ruff, P.E., CEO and chair, Coffman Engineers Inc. “He is a welcome asset to the board, and I look forward to his energy and ideas. I also want to thank Dave Gardner for serving as a director for more than 10 years. We owe him huge thanks for his significant contribution to our success."

Coffman's new shareholders include James Chen, P.E.; Christopher Haight, P.E., SE; Renato Molina, P.E.; Nicholai Smith, P.E.; Brian Walkenhauer, P.E., SE; and Rob Wasserman, P.E., SE.

"Congratulations to Coffman's new shareholders,” said Ruff. “It is critically important to strengthen and grow our leadership team companywide with fresh energy and perspectives. We are fortunate to have their continued commitment to the success of our clients and company.”

James Chen, P.E., is an electrical engineering discipline manager and the Raleigh office operations manager. In addition to consulting, he has helped grow Coffman's business throughout the Tar Heel State.

Christopher Haight, P.E., SE, is a structural engineer and the Orange County office operations manager. He combines his knowledge in local building design and experience working abroad to lead and manage the growing office.

Renato Molina, P.E., is a fire protection engineer and the D.C. Metro office operations manager. His office leadership and experience in the fire protection industry have been instrumental in establishing Coffman's presence throughout the region.

Nicholai Smith, P.E., is an electrical engineer in Coffman's Anchorage office and leads commercial and industrial design projects. He is the electrical department lead for key oil and gas clients.

Brian Walkenhauer, P.E., SE, is a structural engineer and the Burlington office operations manager. His design background includes commercial, industrial, military, and complex seismic retrofit projects.

Rob Wasserman, P.E., SE, is a project management professional and civil and structural engineer in Coffman's Anchorage office. He specializes in industrial projects, including petroleum, liquefied natural gas, refineries, and terminals.

IRVINE, Calif. — Ron Zawadzki has been named the national practice leader for building technology systems (BTS) at WSP USA.

In his expanded role at WSP, Zawadzki will foster growth within the firm’s BTS team by augmenting the firm’s specialty services and mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) business lines.

Zawadzki arrived at WSP in 2021 when tk1sc — a 240-employee MEP “plus” engineering firm based in Irvine — was acquired by WSP. He started with Konsortium1 in 1999. By 2001, he was a partner, and in 2013, he and his two partners merged with another firm to create tk1sc. There, he was instrumental in developing an in-house technology team that designed structured cabling, security, and audio-visual systems. His team handled a full spectrum of electrical and technology designs, from medium-voltage campus electrical distribution to overhead paging and sound masking.

“Ron’s new role at WSP solidifies the alignment between WSP and tk1sc and further develops our ability to not only provide more skills and resources to clients but create growth opportunities for people within our firm,” said Rick Rome, WSP national business line leader, property and buildings. “The BTS field is undergoing rapid changes driven both by building occupant needs and the drive to connect building systems to a converged IP network. Our clients will appreciate having an all-inclusive partner in Ron and his BTS team that is capable of delivering projects – large and small.”

Recently, Zawadzki has been managing the WSP technology systems design strategy and facilitated the technology system integration for the greenfield construction of an all-electrical hospital project at the University of California at Irvine's Campus Medical Center, designed to be one of the first facilities of its kind with the goal to achieve carbon neutrality.

“We have just about every technology system represented on this project and we're working with the client to integrate the building’s MEP systems, building technology systems, and health care technology systems using an integration engine that fully leverages these systems to achieve those use-case goals,” Zawadzki said. “This effort has been a real eye-opener on improving patient experiences and how we, as designers, can help reduce the workload on medical professionals and hospital support staff.”

AKRON, Ohio — Babcock & Wilcox (B&W) announced Jeffrey J. Veness has been named the 41^st recipient of the 2022 B&W Engineering Honors Award. During his more than 48 years of service, Veness has exemplified a commitment to engineering, integrity, mentorship, and professional excellence that has been a hallmark of B&W’s reputation since its founding.

“Jeffrey’s contributions to B&W’s success over the years have been numerous and substantial,” said Brandy Johnson, chief technology and engineering officer, B&W. “He is respected by coworkers and customers as an exceptional engineer, a mentor, and an invaluable source of knowledge.

“Jeffrey exemplifies everything the B&W Engineering Honors Award stands for, and I’m tremendously proud to recognize him for his contributions and achievements,” Johnson continued.

Veness graduated from Ohio State University with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering in 1973. He began his career at B&W as a design engineer in the company’s nuclear equipment division and construction operations. From 1977-1989, he served as a construction technology and site engineer on high-profile thermal and environmental projects. He transferred to field engineering in 1989, where he served as a resident service engineer from 1989 until 1992 and then continued in field service. During his career with B&W, Veness has performed various assignments in support of construction sites and developed strong, practical knowledge of the structural and mechanical aspects of boiler design.

As a respected mentor to coworkers and customers alike, Veness also has led various in-person and online technical training sessions with a focus on boiler and equipment inspections. He also is recognized for his erection and structural expertise and extensive knowledge of electrostatic precipitators, air heaters, scrubbers, and other thermal and environmental technologies. Veness is a licensed professional engineer in Ohio and Indiana and was the 2005 recipient of B&W’s Guy Funkhouser Award, which recognizes the company’s most outstanding field service employees.

The B&W Engineering Honors Award was conceived in 1983 to recognize individuals whose extraordinary long-term contributions, commitment, hard work, and efforts have left an enduring mark of excellence on their colleagues, the company, and its customers.