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Presenter Biography

Cathy Higgins is the NBI Research Director and has over 25 years in energy efficiency strategic planning, research, policy and large-scale project management. At NBI she manages work involving Zero Energy Buildings, measured performance, emerging technologies, market assessment and supports business development. She frequently shares findings on buildings and market trends nationally through conferences, webinars and meetings with practioners, program staff and policy makers.  Cathy is currently leading a $5 million field demonstration in LA on the retrofit potential and energy savings for shading and lighting technologies. Other recent projects include support on the New York Getting to Zero study, a gap analysis of California zero energy emerging technologies, and the energy performance of radiant cooling and heating systems energy use with UC Berkeley. 

Prior to joining NBI in 2000, she served as Director of the Oregon Municipal Energy and Conservation Agency and was a Commercial Conservation Manager with Bonneville Power Administration. Cathy is a LEED Accredited Professional and has been received Oregon and National Awards for her work in energy efficiency.

Mark Perepelitza

 Sustainability Director, SERA Architects

Mark has a passion for creating high-performing buildings. He is the Director of SERA’s Sustainability Resources Group, which provides expertise to project teams across the office.  He partners with clients and team members to pursue aggressive energy goals, while enhancing occupant comfort and well-being through multiple strategies, including climate-responsive building enclosures. He brings over 25 years of architectural experience and has played a significant role in the creation of quality public and private-sector buildings in Oregon, Washington, California, Colorado, Minnesota, and Ohio. While the buildings vary in scale and construction type, they show consistent attention to natural light, structural expression, regional materials, building performance, and sustainable design. He is particularly interested in the potential of performance analysis and research to support decision-making in the design process, and extending the feedback cycle through the use of post-occupancy evaluation methods. He is also actively involved with building performance research and education, and has presented at regional and national conferences on related topics.