Articles

Technical Sessions - March 2019

MORNING SESSION @ 11:00 AM

Topic: Performace Measurement as Applied to Sustainability

Speakers: Dr. Valerie Shoup, Danny Helm, and Erik Gonzalez

Dr. Valerie Shoup

Dr. Valerie A. Shoup is President of Heritage Institute of Sustainability headquartered in Dallas, Texas. Dr. Shoup earned her bachelors of science in mechanical engineering at Oklahoma State University, her masters of business administration at the University of Texas at Dallas, and her doctor of business administration at Walden University. She holds a Professional Engineering License in the State of Texas, is Investor Confidence Project Certified for both Project Development and Quality Assurance, is a Certified Water Harvesting Practitioner, and is a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives. She has received multiple awards and honorariums for her work including D Magazine Excellence in Healthcare Innovation Finalist, STARS award for Excellence in Materials Management, Working for Clean Air award for Best Business Operations, and TCEQ Innovative Operations Finalist. She has presented multiple papers both nationally and internationally on topics including engineering, sustainability, and healthcare. Her passion is creating a sustainable environment for current and future generations.

Danny Helm

Mr. Danny Helm has been the Energy Manager at Arlington Independent School District (AISD) since 2014, he worked in the energy management controls field with AISD programming and maintaining the energy management system. He is an Accredited Texas Energy Manager, TASBO Certified Texas School Business Official, holds a state Class A combination HVAC license and is an instructor of HVAC at Tarrant County College. 

Erik Gonzalez

Mr. Erik Gonzalez is a senior engineer who is responsible for the MEP design development in the Dallas office of Terracon, providing professional services in the areas of design, energy audits, energy modeling, MEP forensics, commissioning, and retro-commissioning. Mr. Gonzalez has over 15 years of experience providing energy consulting and design services for public schools, municipalities, universities, hospitals, commercial and industrial clients.  He has provided numerous MEP, energy related design services as a result of

investment grade energy audits.  Mr. Gonzalez has extensive experience as a contractor providing project management for the installation of building automation systems, HVAC systems, lighting systems, and system integrations related to energy management. Mr. Gonzalez has been involved in hundreds of energy audits and design projects involving existing facilities of all types. He has lead teams that have identified significant no-cost and low-cost energy efficiency opportunities as well as ASHRAE Level III energy efficiency opportunities for , resulting in significant energy cost savings for clients. Early in his career, Mr. Gonzalez was an integral part of the Cox Enterprises, Inc. Cox Conserves initiative that launched in 2007.  Mr. Gonzalez was responsible for identifying and implementing energy efficiency projects across the company’s portfolio of locations and benchmarking the success of those projects.  The Cox Conserves goals are to send zero waste to landfill by 2024 and to be carbon and water neutral by 2044.

AFTERNOON SESSION @ 1:10PM

Topic: Climate Change and its Impacts to Texas

Speakers:Susan G. Alvarez, PE, CFM

Ms. Alvarez is serving as the Assistant Director of the City of Dallas Office of Environmental Quality & Sustainability.  She has a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, with a minor in geology from Rice University, and postgraduate work in water resources.   She is a Registered Professional Engineer in Texas and 5 other western states, and is also certified as a Certified Floodplain Manager, and Master Naturalist in Texas.

Ms. Alvarez brings over 38 years’ experience in broad practical experience in civil and environmental planning, engineering and management for municipal, tribal, state and federal governments. She is currently focused on the Comprehensive Environmental & Climate Action Plan, and the City’s environmental outreach efforts.