Demystifying the District’s Solar Market

A 101 for those interested in installing solar facilities on their properties in DC

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  Vicki Davis

  Vicki Davis is responsible for managing the acquisition, planning, design, and implementation of all Urban Atlantic projects, and asset management of properties that the company owns and its Mid-City Community CDE investment portfolio. With over 28 years of experience in real estate development, she formerly served as Deputy Director of the Maryland Housing Fund and Maryland DHCD -Division of Credit Assurance. Her experience also includes portfolio management for MNC Financial-South Charles Realty and multifamily development for Trammell Crow Residential. As President of Urban Atlantic Development, Ms. Davis has managed development of over $2 billion in real estate projects and asset managed over $4 billion in real estate investments. She has developed over 6,000 multifamily residential units and 600,000 commercial square feet for Urban Atlantic, including eight HOPE VI mixed-finance public housing redevelopment projects, as well as transit-oriented mixed-use projects.  Ms. Davis holds a MBA in Finance from American University, an MS in Engineering & Construction Management from University of Texas, and a BS in Civil Engineering from the University of Maryland. She taught for 12 years in the Johns Hopkins Real Estate MBA program and is a LEED AP.

  Urban Atlantic

  President

  Vicki Davis

  President

  Urban Atlantic

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  Mike Healy

  As the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of New Columbia Solar, Mike Healy has garnered a laudable reputation as a visionary entrepreneur and leader in the clean energy industry. Mike has been instrumental in developing business growth strategies from start-up level to maturity and has leveraged his position as a business leader and effective coalition builder to grow and improve the solar industry.

  New Columbia Solar

  Co-Founder and CEO

  Mike Healy

  Co-Founder and CEO

  New Columbia Solar

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  David Schupmann

  David Schupmann, Chief Operating Officer of FORTIS, is a 25-year roofing industry veteran who has implemented strategic operational and growth initiatives, allowing FORTIS to double in size since Schupmann was hired in 2018. Today, FORTIS has grown to include more than 350 strategic contractor partners, with over 140 million square feet and 4,800 locations under protection, including many Fortune 500 companies and other national organizations with large building portfolios. Schupmann recently led a rebranding initiative for FORTIS and has been active in industry associations and organizations such as NRCA, ICSC, BOMA, USGBC, GRESB, and NAREIT. Additionally, Schupmann is School Board Chairman for a private Pre-K to 8 school in Aurora, IL, and Chairman of the Board for baseball/softball player development company, Top Pick Athletics. He holds a Bachelor’s degree from Aurora University.

  Fortis Warranty

  COO

  David Schupmann

  COO

  Fortis Warranty

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  Felipe Ernst

  Felipe Ernst founded Ernst Equities in 2015 with a 3-unit acquisition in the heart of Shaw, Washington DC. He's since grown to over 500 units throughout the Washington DC metropolitan region. Mr. Ernst specializes in value-add, opportunistic multifamily acquisitions, development and management with a concentration in workforce and affordable housing (Class B & C). Mr. Ernst has been recognized by DCA as a 2020 Rising Star of Commercial Real Estate as well as a two time awardee of the Mid-Atlantic Real Estate Journal's 30 under 30. Previously, Mr. Ernst was an associate management consultant at KPMG in the technology enablement group. His largest client was Fannie Mae, where he helped build the Loan Accounting System platform. Mr. Ernst is a member of Urban Land Institute (ULI) and is a licensed real estate salesperson and property manager. Mr. Ernst received his BSBA from Georgetown's McDonough School of Business with a concentration in Finance, International Business and a certificate in Entrepreneurship. In addition, he received his Masters from Georgetown's School of Continuing Studies with a concentration in Real Estate Development & Finance. Mr. Ernst is also an adjunct professor at Georgetown teaching a class on value-add Multifamily investments.

  Ernst Equities

  Founder

  Felipe Ernst

  Founder

  Ernst Equities

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  Stephanie Johnson

  Stephanie has an extensive policy and advocacy background. She worked for the Association of Corporate Counsel as a Manager of Advocacy and Public Policy for several years, where she oversaw international, federal, and state advocacy initiatives and developed policy strategies related to corporate compliance issues. In addition, she most recently served as the Director of Advocacy and Public Policy for TESOL International Association, leading the association’s federal policy and communications departments. In both roles, she worked across diverse coalition groups and with internal stakeholders to advance complex policy initiatives.

  CHESSA

  Executive Director

  Moderator

  Stephanie Johnson

  Executive Director

  CHESSA

The Non-Market Value of Sustainability in DC

An exploration of economic influences and incentives for going solar

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  Nicole Rentz

  As New Columbia Solar's Director of Market Development and Policy, Nicole Rentz spearheads company initiatives to engage policymakers, shape solar energy policy in the District, and inform strategic development for new market entry. Prior to joining New Columbia Solar, Nicole was the Legislative Director for the Department of Energy and Environment. Before that, she served as Councilmember Mary Cheh’s Legislative and Committee Director, where she drafted and was instrumental in the passage of legislation creating the District’s Solar for All Program and Building Energy Performance Standards Program.

  New Columbia Solar

  Director of Market Development and Policy

  Nicole Rentz

  Director of Market Development and Policy

  New Columbia Solar

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  Cassandra McFadden

  Global Head of Sustainability

  Cortland

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  Christian Clifford

  Christian Clifford, Vice President of Sustainability and Head of Special Projects, is responsible for overseeing all new sustainability integration across Carr Properties’ portfolio. Christian has over 30 years of real estate experience. Prior to joining Carr Capital Corporation as Managing Director of Asset Management in 1998, Christian worked with PaineWebber Properties’ Asset Management group. Christian received his Bachelor of Arts from Colorado State University and his Master of Business Administration from Boston College.

  Carr Properties

  VP, Sustainability

  Christian Clifford

  VP, Sustainability

  Carr Properties

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  Lindsey Falasca

  Lindsey Falasca is the Director of the Building Innovation Hub. She oversees the strategic vision and execution of the Hub’s mission. Previously, Falasca spent over a decade working as a commercial architect in and around the District of Columbia, working on a variety of building typologies. She understands the balance that is required to meet the often competing requirements of building owners, site restraints, codes, local regulations, and the District’s sustainability goals. Falasca holds a bachelor’s of science degree in architecture from the University of Maryland and master’s degrees in both architecture and sustainable design from the Catholic University of America. She is a Registered Architect, LEED BD+C Accredited, and a Fitwel Ambassador. Read her full LinkedIn profile or contact Lindsey at Lindsey [at] buildinginnovationhub.org.

  Building Innovation Hub

  Director

  Lindsey Falasca

  Director

  Building Innovation Hub

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  Julie Wolfington

  Julie Wolfington currently serves as the Energy & Sustainability Leader for Boland, and leads the Applied Building Insights (ABI) team responsible for using data and analytics to provide insights for continuous improvement and constant visibility into buildings. Julie is responsible for developing Boland’s digital services offering and positioning Boland as an Energy, Sustainability, & Smart Buildings leader, promoting HVAC best practices & innovative design, educating the local market, and moving the industry forward in reducing CO2e emissions in buildings. Prior to her current role, Julie served as Business Transformation Leader. Julie led the development, design and implementation of new sales & fulfillment processes, and conducted cross functional brainstorming sessions & innovation exercises across the company to inspire creative thinking and collaborative ideas around Boland’s new vision. Before serving as Business Transformation Leader, Julie was an Energy Solutions Specialist and Account Executive for Boland. She was responsible for business and project development of large energy solutions projects, working with clients such as the US Department of State, International Monetary Fund, Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority, FDIC, agencies within the Intelligence Community, as well as commercial real estate, schools, healthcare and other markets. Julie holds a BS degree in Industrial Engineering and minor in Business Administration from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Prior to joining Boland in 2005, Julie worked as a Sales Engineer with Johnson Controls in Nashville, TN. During this time, Julie co-founded the Middle TN USGBC (US Green Building Council) Chapter and served as Chairperson for two years.

  BOLAND

  Energy & Sustainability Leader

  Moderator

  Julie Wolfington

  Energy & Sustainability Leader

  BOLAND