The BPI staff brings several decades of combined experience in administration, contracting, and building science applications to BPI, providing the core resources for program implementation and production.
Larry Zarker
Chief Executive Officer
Larry Zarker joined BPI in 2005 and now holds the position of Chief Executive Officer. Larry previously had his own firm, MarketEdge Consulting. He focused his practice on helping building industry clients accelerate acceptance of innovative building products and systems. Larry worked for nearly twenty years with the NAHB Research Center and served as Vice President of Marketing for over a decade.
Jeff Hiscox
Chief Operating Officer
Jeff joined BPI in February 2009, and holds the position of Chief Operating Officer. With more than three decades of executive management experience within the IBM Corporation, Jeff's primary role at BPI is the deployment of technology solutions that will ensure BPI's infrastructure supports the increased demand for delivery of BPI's credentialing and quality assurance programs. He is also responsible for the overall operations at the Malta, NY location.
Sally Larmon
Director of Administration
Sally joined BPI in 2003. She is responsible for managing our accounting and administrative activities. Sally has extensive management experience in the banking industry. She worked for both Chase Bank and Key Bank during her career. Sally held positions in branch management, consumer lending and loan servicing.
Vikki Murphy
Director of Affiliate Development
Vikki joined BPI in 2001, with extensive field and administrative experience in the energy conservation field, including the New York State Weatherization Assistance Program. Formerly, she served as past president of the New York State Weatherization Director's Association. As the Director of Affiliate Development, Vikki oversees a growing network of more than 150 affiliates offering BPI certification training.
Mathew Anderson
Manager of Certifications
Matt joined BPI in 2001. Matt is responsible for the development and delivery of our national certification program. He is also the co-chair of the BPI Technical Committee, whose objective is to ensure material is vetted by subject matter experts and ensure BPI testing is psychometrically valid. He has a background in residential, commercial, and industrial construction and most recently was a safety specialist with a regional industrial construction company.
Tony Peters
Manager of Field Operations
Tony joined BPI as a field representative in 2004. In his current position as Manager of Field Operations, Tony manages BPI field staff who perform QA and certification activities. Tony's background includes technical education: refrigeration, air conditioning, electrical construction and maintenance. He has nearly 20 years of combined experience with HVAC service and weatherization agencies. Tony holds the following BPI certified professional designations: Building Analyst, Envelope, Heating, A/C Heat Pump and Multi-Family. Tony is universally certified with North American Technician Excellence (NATE) in both service and installation designations and also holds EPA 608 Universal certification.
Carol Ann Ohnsman
Manager of Quality Assurance
Carol Ann joined BPI in July, 2006. As Manager of Quality Assurance, Carol Ann is responsible for all Quality Assurance Internal Operations, including the tracking and reporting of quality assurance issue Quality Assurance documentation, and scheduling of Quality Assurance visits in New York State. Carol Ann has a business background in retail management and mortgage operations.
Steve Carroll
Senior Field Representative
Steve joined BPI as a field representative in 2006. He is responsible for proctoring written and field tests for certification candidates. Steve previously worked in the housing industry in Syracuse, NY for five years. He was the Housing Development Coordinator for the Northeast Development Association, Inc. and most recently Construction and Rehab Specialist for Home Headquarters, Inc. Steve has all five BPI certifications for Small Homes. He is certified by the EPA as a lead paint risk assessor, lead paint inspector and lead paint supervisor.
Melissa Halstead
Senior Accreditation Assistant
Melissa joined BPI in 2005. She processes new accreditation applications and has other accreditation responsibilities. She has a background in marketing and held various administrative positions. Melissa previously worked at Waddell & Reed, Mohonk Mountain House and New York Medical Imaging, PLLC.
Dolores Mabb
Finance Assistant and Logistical Coordinator
Dolores joined BPI in February, 2006. She is responsible for conference and meeting logistics as well as assists the Finance Manager with daily accounting functions. She has an extensive background in business and held various administrative positions. Dolores previously worked for the Ballston Spa Central School District, Skidmore College, Oasis, Inc. and Hospice of Saratoga/Amsterdam.
Geri Valentine
Finance Manager
Geri joined BPI in 2005. She is responsible for all financial operations and acts as liaison to our accounting firm. She has an extensive accounting background and held various positions in that field. Geri worked for Food Industry Alliance of NYS, The Michaels Group and the Galesi Group.
Kirsten Richnavsky
Senior Certifications Assistant
Kirsten joined BPI in August, 2008. Kirsten is responsible for overseeing the daily certification process and assisting the Manager of Certifications with reports and technology issues. Kirsten previously worked for Bentleys Restaurant, North East Fire Protection Systems, Inc. in Burnt Hills, NY and Glens Falls Hospital.
Nancy Kaplan
Senior Affiliate Administrator
Nancy joined BPI in March, 2009. She is responsible for overseeing daily operations for new and existing affiliates. Nancy has a background in child and family services, as well as accounting work. She previously worked for Wildwood School and St. Anne’s Institute, as well as the Saratoga School of Ballet.
Ellen Panetto
Field Representative
Ellen joined BPI in March, 2009. She is responsible for proctoring BPI certification exams and conducting Quality Assurance field visits. Ellen previously worked as a certified professional for an accredited contractor in NYS and as a BPI test proctor. Ellen currently holds BPI Certifications for Building Analyst Professional, Envelope Professional and Heating Professional.
Jon Siemen
Field Representative
Jon joined Building Performance Institute in April, 2009. Jon has an extensive background in Weatherization work and started his career with the Bennington Rutland Opportunity Council in Vermont. Before joining the Building Performance Institute, Jon was the Weatherization Director for Warren/Hamilton Counties ACEO, Inc. for eight years. Jon is responsible for performing Quality Assurance office and field visits and proctoring certification exams. Jon holds BPI certifications for Building Analyst Professional, Envelope Professional and Heating Professional.
Sandra Sanduski
Communications Manager
Sandra joined BPI in June, 2009, as a Communications Manager and is responsible for preparing press releases, policies/procedures, editing website content and managing internal and external documentation. Sandra has a background in environmental science and technical writing and over 20 years of experience as a consultant with local government agencies and companies, such as General Electric, Keane and the Research Foundation of SUNY.
Travis Taylor
Quality Assurance Field Representative
Travis joined BPI in June, 2009, as a Quality Assurance Field representative. He is responsible for making annual QA office visits to BPI accredited contractors. Prior to joining BPI, Travis had four years of experience performing mechanical work with small engines and drilling equipment. Travis recently received his BPI Building Analyst Professional certification.
Jeremy O'Brien
Technical Training Supervisor
Jeremy joined BPI in June, 2009. Jeremy is responsible for training BPI field staff members in New York as well as independent QA providers across the country. Jeremy came to BPI after nine years of previous employment as an Energy Auditor and HVAC technician for weatherization programs and home performance contractors in the Buffalo area. Jeremy is currently certified as a Building Analyst Professional, Envelope Professional, Heating Professional and A/C Professional.
Emily Saunders
Assistant Manager of Accreditation
Emily joined BPI in June, 2009. Emily is the Assistant Manager of Accreditation and is responsible for renewing contractors’ accreditation and performing related administration duties. Emily came to BPI after working as an Executive Administrative Assistant with Witt Construction for the past eight years.
Neil Anders
Quality Assurance Field Representative
Neil joined BPI in June, 2009, as a Quality Assurance Field representative. He is responsible for making annual Quality Assurance visits to BPI accredited contractors. Prior to joining BPI, Neil was employed by Angelica Textile Services. He has an extensive background in sales and customer service.
Ralph Justus
Manager of Standards
Ralph joined BPI in August, 2009, as Manager of Standards, responsible for maintaining BPI’s technical standards programs and ANSI accreditations. Ralph has an extensive background in engineering, technology assessments and standards program management, working with companies including the Electronic Industries Association, USTelecom Association, and Consumer Electronics Association.
Michelle Watrous
Certifications Assistant
Michelle joined BPI in 2009. She is responsible for processing new certifications and candidate customer service. Michelle has a background in financial work and customer service. She previously worked for Ballston Spa National Bank and Curtis Lumber.
Michelle Nochisaki
Affiliate Assistant
Michelle joined BPI in 2009. She is responsible for daily affiliate activities. Michelle is a recent graduate of the University at Buffalo and majored in Business Administration and Marketing.
Erin Ritchie
Quality Assurance Coordinator
Erin joined BPI in 2009. She is responsible for scheduling QA office and field visits. She also assists in new accreditation application processing. Erin previously owned her own business and worked in customer service.
John Jones
National Technical Director
John joined BPI in 2010 and holds the position of National Technical Director. Previously, John was the Program Manager of the Home Performance Programs for the Residential Efficiency and Affordability Program at NYSERDA. Since joining NYSERDA in 2005, as a project manager, John has provided technical support as well as assisted in the daily operations of the Home Performance with ENERGY STAR® and New York ENERGY STAR Homes programs. He was the Quality Assurance manager for the NYSERDA programs and has overseen many product demonstration projects. Prior to joining NYSERDA, John owned and operated a residential and light commercial HVAC business serving central New York. He assisted in the development of the NYSERDA building science curricula and served as an instructor for the New York Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Program. He has written articles for various building science and HVAC trade journals and continues to be involved with many trade organizations. John holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Technical and Trades Education.
Tiger Adolf
Western Regional Director
Tiger joined BPI in 2010 and holds the position of Western Regional Director. She brings more than 20 years experience working with federal and state agencies, as well as investor-owned, cooperative association and municipal utilities. Prior to joining the BPI team, Tiger was the Executive Director of the Wyoming Energy Council, Inc. (WEC), a non-profit corporation focused on nonrenewable energy resource conservation. She was responsible for administering the Weatherization Assistance Program in southeastern Wyoming and also for launching a Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Program in the state. Tiger was instrumental in making WEC the first BPI affiliate in Wyoming.
