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Achieving Carbon Reduction in the Built Environment

Building Energy Performance Standards (BEPS), set to be implemented in 2025 require certain commercial property owners to proactively reduce energy consumption by measurable amounts to meet state and local decarbonization targets, or pay a non-compliance penalty. It’s time to talk about implementation. This panel will go beyond technical requirements to discuss best practices, resources, and considerations for how BEPS will impact how people live, work, and play in Maryland’s built environment. The panel will explore strategies and tools available for building owners and operators.

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MODERATOR

Theresa Backhus

Theresa Backhus

Director, Building Innovation Hub
Institute for Market Transformation

Director, Building Innovation Hub,

Institute for Market Transformation

Theresa (she/her) brings her experience improving the performance of buildings and landscapes to her role as Director of the Building Innovation Hub, ensuring its mission and strategic vision are executed. Prior to joining IMT, she was a green building consultant, supporting the DMV building industry in navigating policy, code, and certifications. At the U.S. Green Building Council, she was integral to the development of the LEED v4 rating system program. Her past work also includes planning, design, and construction observation in both the public and private sectors. Theresa holds a BLA from Virginia Tech, and an MEM from the Duke Environmental Leadership Program. She is a Registered Landscape Architect, LEED AP, and SITES AP.

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SPEAKERS

Craft_Jesse

Jesse Craft

Head, US Energy Portfolio
Siemens

Head, US Energy Portfolio

Siemens

Jesse leads Siemens Energy and Performance Services portfolio team for North America. The team is responsible for the successful deployment and execution of an energy portfolio that includes building energy efficiency and optimization, on-site generation, and IOT solutions. He has over 15 years of experience in energy engineering covering a wide array of building system solutions including building HVAC, large district chilled water plants, combined heat and power, data-driven diagnostics, peak demand control, and advanced optimization solutions leveraging machine learning. Jesse holds a master's degree in mechanical engineering and is a licensed Professional Engineer in the state of Maryland.

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Tony Hans

Tony Hans

Vice President
CMTA
Ryan Schwabenbauer

Ryan Schwabenbauer

AVP, Sustainability
St. John Properties

AVP, Sustainability,

St. John Properties, Inc.

Ryan Schwabenbauer, LEED AP BS in Finance from Penn State University MBA from University of Baltimore LEED Accredited Professional Ryan leads St. John Properties mission to implement sustainable business initiatives that positively impact 50+ new buildings in the pipeline and 23 million square feet of existing commercial real estate under management. He oversees strategies resulting in energy cost reductions and assures all future projects are LEED Certified. Advocating for the health and wellness of our 2,500 clients, St. John Properties is the regional leader with over 100 LEED certified buildings.

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Mark Stewart

Mark Stewart

Climate Change Program Manager
Maryland Department of the Environment

Climate Change Program Manager,

Maryland Department of the Environment

Mark leads the Climate Change Program at the Maryland Department of the Environment where he and his team are responsible for developing and implementing policies to achieve the most ambitious greenhouse gas reduction goals of any state in the nation. He is currently overseeing the development of Maryland’s next GHG Reduction Plan and regulations for Building Energy Performance Standards, which will guide large buildings statewide to achieve net zero emissions by 2040. Mark’s team is also responsible for conducting Maryland’s official greenhouse gas emissions inventory, staffing the Maryland Commission on Climate Change, and running other stakeholder processes. Prior to joining MDE, he worked for 14 years on sustainability and climate change issues at the University of Maryland. He was honored to be nominated by the Obama Administration for the White House Champions of Change Award. Mark lives in Silver Spring, Maryland, conveniently located near breweries that he wishes he had more time to visit.

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