Bios
The DMI Team
Co-Op Engineers
Alec Stevens, PE, Principal Engineer
(he/him)
Alec has been a member of the DMI team since 1999, when he discovered that his career interests lay in the energy consulting field. In 2004, he became president of the company and has continued to lead and inspire people in the field of energy efficiency both at DMI and in the larger community. Alec serves as a mentor in the office and sets a daily example by fostering a welcoming and supportive atmosphere in the workplace. As the primary reviewer of DMI's work, he remains involved in day-to-day project work with DMI's engineering staff.
Alec has followed a path of energy efficiency since his undergraduate studies. While at Cornell University, he was a team leader of a group that designed, built, and raced hybrid electric vehicles in the early 1990s. After graduation, he moved to Michigan to work at one of the big three, where he gained his first experience in industrial energy conservation. He then moved to Boston to work for an electric vehicle R&D company and eventually found his career passion at DMI.
Outside of DMI, Alec has taken on the long-term task of restoring a 17th century mill property where he lives with his family.
Professional Credentials
Professional Engineer
BS, Mechanical Engineering, Cornell University
LEED Accredited Professional
Member, ASHRAE
Senior Member, AEE
BS, Mechanical Engineering, Cornell University
LEED Accredited Professional
Member, ASHRAE
Senior Member, AEE
Specialties
Project Management
Walk-through energy audits and efficiency opportunity identification
Advanced control strategies for building automation systems
Industrial processes
Commissioning
Impact evaluation
Walk-through energy audits and efficiency opportunity identification
Advanced control strategies for building automation systems
Industrial processes
Commissioning
Impact evaluation
Key Projects
- Analyzed the cost effectiveness of retrofitting variable speed drives on chiller compressors and cooling tower fans for a 1,500-ton chilled water plant. Made extensive use of historical interval demand data to develop accurate load profiles, including operating hours and ton-hours for each of the three chillers. Determined that the retrofit was cost effective for two of the three chillers and cooling towers, but that the third chiller did not generate enough savings to be considered cost-effective.
- Provided design phase document review and commissioning support for several LEED-targeted new construction projects. Such projects include a new office building for a leading pharmaceutical manufacturer and several large mixed use facilities throughout New England.
Rob Bialobrzeski, PE, Associate Principal
(he/him)
Rob earned his BS in Engineering from Trinity College (CT) and his MS in Mechanical Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology. Having a particular interest in renewable energy and sustainability, his graduate research focused on modeling and optimizing the performance of solar thermal collector fields for large scale energy generation.
Since joining DMI in 2007, Rob has developed expertise in whole-building energy modeling, energy codes and standards for new buildings, and energy efficient building design.
Since joining DMI in 2007, Rob has developed expertise in whole-building energy modeling, energy codes and standards for new buildings, and energy efficient building design.
As an Associate Principal, Rob's responsibilities include managing all aspects of projects for DMI clients, including proposal and scope development, technical analysis, quality control, and client meetings.
While away from DMI, he enjoys traveling and staying active with team sports.
Professional Credentials
Professional Engineer
MS, Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology
BS, Engineering, Trinity College (CT)
LEED Accredited Professional
MS, Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology
BS, Engineering, Trinity College (CT)
LEED Accredited Professional
Specialties
Whole-building energy simulation
New construction energy optimization
Energy codes and standards
Custom savings calculation tool development
New construction energy optimization
Energy codes and standards
Custom savings calculation tool development
Key Projects
- Provided design assistance and eQUEST whole building energy modeling for one of New England’s first zero net energy buildings.
- Managed the energy analysis of heat pump electrification and other carbon reduction strategies for several new high-rise laboratory and life sciences buildings.
- Developed a comprehensive spreadsheet-based multi-measure energy savings and incentive analysis tool for use with statewide New Construction energy efficiency incentive programs.
- Led the development of a statewide New Construction baseline document in cooperation with state program sponsors.
Mickey Bush, PE, Associate Principal
(he/him)
Mickey came to DMI from the Syracuse University Industrial Assessment Center. He serves DMI as an Associate Principal. Mickey's role as Associate Principal at DMI includes project management responsibility, business planning, and coordination of our efforts for key clients.
While away from DMI, he is an avid baseball fan and runner.
Professional Credentials
Professional Engineer
MS, Mechanical Engineering, Syracuse University
BS, Mechanical Engineering, Syracuse University
LEED Accredited Professional
MS, Mechanical Engineering, Syracuse University
BS, Mechanical Engineering, Syracuse University
LEED Accredited Professional
Specialties
Project management
Energy efficiency opportunity identification
Commissioning
Impact evaluations
Energy efficiency opportunity identification
Commissioning
Impact evaluations
Key Projects
- Provided coordination and leadership for the construction-phase LEED commissioning activities for a new high-rise green residential building in Boston.
- Modeled energy consumption and savings for the major systems renovation at a leading pharmaceutical manufacturing facility. This included automation of a water-side free-cooling system, variable speed drives on air handlers allowing for HEPA constraints, upgrade of chilled water system including chillers and pumps, and occupancy control of lab space ventilation.
- Wrote site evaluation plans, visited facilities to collect information and metering data, completed analysis, and authored evaluation site reports for HVAC and process impact evaluation studies. Coordinated and managed study completion for several evaluation sites.
Maddy May, PE, Associate Principal
(she/her)
Maddy graduated from Cornell University with both a MEng and a BS in Environmental Engineering. Her courses focused on sustainability and, for her master's project, she developed an energy model of the first academic building proposed for Cornell's NYC Tech Campus. Prior to joining DMI, Maddy completed internships at an environmental consulting firm and a utility company.
Since joining DMI, Maddy’s work has focused on whole-building energy modeling, code compliance modeling, design reviews, technical analysis of various energy conservation measures, and evaluation of energy efficiency projects.
Outside work, Maddy enjoys hiking, baking, and reading fantasy novels.
Professional Credentials
Professional Engineer
BS, Environmental Engineering, Cornell University
MEng, Environmental Engineering, Cornell University
LEED Accredited Professional
BS, Environmental Engineering, Cornell University
MEng, Environmental Engineering, Cornell University
LEED Accredited Professional
Specialties
Whole-building hourly energy simulations (eQuest)
Code compliance modeling
New Construction
Code compliance modeling
New Construction
Kevin McGaffigan, PE, Associate Principal
(he/him)
Kevin graduated from UMass Amherst where he studied mechanical engineering. While at UMass he worked with a team of engineers to design and build a laser power and beam drift detector for CNC laser calibration. Before joining DMI, Kevin was an intern at an HVAC design firm.
Outside of work, Kevin enjoys riding his bike, hiking, and doing home renovation projects.
Professional Credentials
Professional Engineer
BS Mechanical Engineering, UMass Amherst
BS Mechanical Engineering, UMass Amherst
Specialties
Existing-building decarbonization
Indoor horticulture grow facility energy modeling
Energy project measurement and verification
Indoor horticulture grow facility energy modeling
Energy project measurement and verification
Commissioning
Key Projects
- Provided energy modeling for multiple cannabis grow facilities to support inclusion of high efficiency HVAC, energy recovery, and LED grow lights.
- Provided decarbonization scoping reports to multiple K-12 schools, universities, office and municipal buildings.
- Conducted evaluation of new technology (primarily refrigeration-related) using pre-retrofit and post- retrofit metering data.
Jay Robbins, PE, Associate Principal
Jay graduated from UMass Amherst and has been working with DMI since 2005. In that time Jay has been involved with a wide range of energy efficiency projects, including scoping studies, highly detailed technical analysis, and post-installation measurement and verification. He serves DMI as an Associate Principal and has managed many of DMI's impact evaluation teams. Jay leads DMI hiring activities and trains new staff to perform energy efficiency services.
Jay's role as Associate Principal includes the supervision of junior engineers, the management of projects from start to completion, and interaction with clients and customers on a number of fronts.
While away from the office, Jay is an avid cyclist and skier.
Professional Credentials
Professional Engineer
BS, Mechanical Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Amherst
LEED Accredited Professional
BS, Mechanical Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Amherst
LEED Accredited Professional
Specialties
Retail and commercial refrigeration analysis
Energy audits
Advanced bin-model HVAC system analysis
Industrial water and air systems
Impact Evaluation
Energy audits
Advanced bin-model HVAC system analysis
Industrial water and air systems
Impact Evaluation
Key Projects
- Managed DMI's Commercial and Industrial Custom Impact Evaluation team as well as specialty evaluations including Small Business and Prescriptive programs. This work involves a wide variety of project types, from relatively simple weatherization and HVAC improvements to industrial refrigeration and other unique industrial measures.
- Frequently provides peer review feedback for complex analyses of custom energy efficiency assessments, often in the large industrial and advanced HVAC control areas.
Bennett Rose, PE, Senior Engineer
(he/him)
Bennett is a graduate of Northeastern University where he earned his BS in Mechanical Engineering. Prior to working as a full-time employee, he worked as an Engineering Co-op at DMI during his time at Northeastern. As a senior engineer, Bennett is responsible for: conducting energy savings analyses and detailed modeling of energy efficiency measures; preparing technical reports in support of utility incentive applications; general design assistance projects; and, impact evaluation projects.
Professional Credentials
Professional Engineer
BS Mechanical Engineering, Northeastern University
Specialties
Electrification/decarbonization feasibility analysis
M&V analysis in support of energy efficiency implementation and impact evaluation
Whole-Building hourly energy simulation
Commissioning
Key Projects
- Completed whole building energy model analyses investigating the carbon emission reduction potential of electrifying multiple office/lab buildings on a biomedical campus.
- Identified and analyzed energy efficiency opportunities for multiple municipal waste water facilities in support of utility incentives. Deliverable timeline was strategized to algin utility incentive offers with federal grant application deadlines to prioritize energy efficiency.
- Completed impact evaluation studies for multiple sites. Responsible for site recruitment, metering, energy analysis, and results reporting. Impact evaluation projects include industrial processes, HVAC controls, compressed air, waste water plant equipment, refrigeration, and transformer replacement.
Luke Sendelbach, PE, Senior Engineer
(he/him)
Luke graduated from Cornell University with both a BS and and an MEng in Biological Engineering. His course and project work focused on creating computational models of biological, environmental, and energy systems. His master's project focused on predicting the summer days with the highest electrical demand in the ERCOT grid to prepare demand response requests.
Outside work, Luke is an avid endurance athlete, competing in rowing, cycling, and nordic skiing.
Professional Credentials
Professional Engineer
B.S., Biological Engineering, Cornell UniversityM.Eng., Biological Engineering, Cornell University
Specialties
Impact evaluation
Statistical modeling
Calculator tools for user analysis
Key Projects
- Determined the overall decarbonization effect of a residential heat pump incentive program by analyzing the billing data of an 1,100 customer sample. A statistical model was used to identify which customer accounts effectively offset natural gas with heat pumps. For these customers, the seasonal average performance of the heat pump was estimated using billing and historic weather data.
- Created a spreadsheet tool to quickly analyze potential energy opportunities for the storefronts of a national retail customer. A variety of measure types can be analyzed, from lighting and plug loads to HVAC and refrigeration. This tool also streamlines the incentive process by automatically generating application documents specific to the details of the particular retail location considered.
Patrick Terrio, PE, Senior Engineer
(he/him)
Patrick is a graduate of UMass Amherst where he earned his BS and MS in Mechanical Engineering. While at UMass, Patrick held a research assistantship with the UMass Wind Energy Center. Prior to joining DMI, Patrick performed product compliance audits for the Canadian Standards Association.
In his free time, Patrick enjoys skiing, gardening, and baking.
Professional Credentials
Professional Engineer
BS Mechanical Engineering, UMass Amherst
MS Mechanical Engineering, UMass Amherst
BS Mechanical Engineering, UMass Amherst
MS Mechanical Engineering, UMass Amherst
Specialties
Electrification Studies
Commercial & Industrial Refrigeration Systems
Walkthrough Energy Audits
Key Projects
- Electrification study for major biotech company. Performed walkthrough of factory. Compiled trend data to generate 8,760 model of process cooling and process heating loads.
- Impact evaluations of installed energy efficiency projects for the state of Massachusetts. Evaluation process typically includes: performing a review of the energy study documentation; a facility walkthrough; equipment power metering; and, updating the energy study per meter data results.
- Energy efficiency scoping studies at municipal, commercial and industrial facilities. Scoping studies typically include: a bill review; walkthrough of facility; and, recommendations for energy efficiency measures with savings estimates in a summary report.
Zac Cragan, Project Engineer
(he/him)
Zac graduated from Clemson University with a BS in Mechanical Engineering. For his senior design project, his team designed an inclusive work station for a manufacturing facility to help optimize their line production. Before working at DMI, Zac interned with the engineering and controls team at a major dairy processing and distributing plant.
Outside of work Zac is an enthusiastic Boston sports fan and enjoys spending time outdoors.
Professional Credentials
BS, Mechanical Engineering, Clemson University
Specialties
Indoor cultivation facilities
Whole building energy simulation
HVAC bin-model analysis
Key Projects
- Identified and quantified energy savings measures associated with electrification options at multiple municipality buildings.
- Modeled whole-building energy use, identified savings measures, and assisted with design decisions for a new affordable housing complex.
- Completed hourly energy savings analyses for cultivation facilities with measures including LED lighting and high-performance all-in-one HVAC equipment.
Brian Paonessa, Project Engineer
(he/him)
Brian graduated from Northeastern University, where he received his BS in Mechanical Engineering and a minor in Sustainable Energy Systems. His time at Northeastern included taking classes abroad in Brazil and three co-ops: one at a major utility company; another at an energy management and consulting firm; and, the third at DMI. After graduation he joined DMI as a full-time employee.
Outside of work Brian plays soccer and enjoys traveling and hiking. He grew up on Long Island
and is a die-hard Mets fan.
Outside of work Brian plays soccer and enjoys traveling and hiking. He grew up on Long Island
and is a die-hard Mets fan.
Professional Credentials
B.S., Mechanical Engineering, Northeastern University
Specialties
Horticulture lighting and HVAC systems
Retrocommissioning projects
Retrocommissioning projects
Key Projects
- Completed energy models for outfitting numerous grow facilities with LED lights and high-performance HVAC systems, including all-in-one DX units and chilled water systems.
- Identified and quantified savings impacts for retrocomissioning measures at various schools throughout Rhode Island and Massachusetts using trend and metered data.
- Analyzed compliance of a new school under the updated 2022 Massachusetts Stretch Energy Code and provided recommendations for compliance.
Kathy Synnott, Office Manager
(she/her)
Kathy is DMI’s office manager who provides intellectual balance and enjoys bringing a liberal arts mindset to bear on the STEM focus of the company’s engineering professionals. Her administrative portfolio encompasses oversight of accounts payable/receivable; project management system updates; employee onboarding and timekeeping; reporting to clients as contractually required; and proofreading reports and proposals prior to transmittal.
Kathy’s professional experience prior to joining DMI included administrative positions in public relations, transportation consulting, and office management for the creative trades. She was a contributing author of a life skills coaching manual. She earned a BA at Manhattanville College and an MBA at Northeastern University.
Co-Op Engineers
Camille Arnold-Mages, Co-Op Engineer
(she/her)
Camille is a current fourth-year student from Northeastern University. She is joining us this Fall as part of Northeastern’s Co-Op Program. At Northeastern, Camille is majoring in Mechanical Engineering and is a coxswain on the Women’s Varsity Rowing Team.
Outside of school and work Camille enjoys spending time outside hiking.
Marion Robbins, Co-Op Engineer
(she/her)
Marion is a third-year student at Northeastern University working as a Co-op Engineer at DMI. She is working toward a BS in Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Environmental Studies. For her cornerstone project, her team designed an educational videogame for elementary age children.
At Northeastern, Marion is a part of the Outdoor Club, and loves spending time skiing, surfing, and in nature.
Founder
Peter Barrer, PE, Founder/Consultant
After completing his undergraduate and graduate work at Cornell and Harvard, Peter worked briefly in the petroleum industry. He quickly moved into the field of energy conservation by founding his first company, which specialized in residential energy audits and insulation retrofits. He subsequently ran the HVAC department at a major Boston engineering firm, and also served as a vice president for an outfit that specialized in energy conservation in the healthcare environment.
Peter started DMI in 1989, initially working out of his attic. He quickly expanded operations, developing DMI into one of the most respected energy engineering firms in New England. After running the company for 15 years, he turned the reins over to Alec Stevens in January, 2005. Peter continues to serve DMI as a part time consultant, and is a valuable mentor to junior engineers.
In his time away from DMI, Peter has a strong interest in making the world a better place for all. He serves on the board of directors of local non-profits that range from interfaith outreach programs to organic gardening co-ops. Peter also enjoys backpacking and canoeing, and has spent portions of the past several summers hiking in the Pacific northwest and relaxing in Northern Maine.