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Our experts possess an unparalleled depth of knowledge and experience

Our team is what sets us apart. They work tirelessly to administer and continuously improve the NGBS Green certification program.
The Green Team
Michelle Foster, Vice President, Sustainability
Michelle is the leader of Home Innovation's NGBS Green certification program. She had a significant role in the development of the program as well as gaining wide market and legislative acceptance for NGBS Green and continues to champion sustainability in the industry. Prior to joining Home Innovation Research Labs, Michelle cultivated decades of housing experience in planning, environmental, land use, and financing issues.
Cindy Wasser, MBA, Senior Manager, Green Building Programs
Cindy leads technical oversight, advocacy, and manufacturer engagement for the NGBS Green certification program. Prior to Home Innovation, Cindy was a consultant with ICF where she supported the implementation of EPA's residential labeling programs, including ENERGY STAR, Indoor airPLUS, and WaterSense. Previously, she provided sustainability technical assistance at the National Association of Counties and engaged communities for long-range planning within the City Planning Department of Montpelier, VT. Cindy holds an MBA in Sustainability from Bard College and a B.S. in U.S. Environmental Policy from Rutgers University.
Pranav Phatak, Sustainable Building Scientist
Pranav is a mechanical engineer supporting the NGBS Green team. He is an EIT and LEED - Green Associate with specific skills in MEP, building commissioning, CAD, and manufacturing, and extensive knowledge of HVAC and thermal systems, renewable/non-conventional energy, and power plant equipment operations.
Elina Thapa, NGBS Green Building Engineer
Elina has expertise in various building codes and standards, disaster resilience policies, and retrofit techniques. After graduating with a Civil Engineering degree in 2016, Elina worked in the reconstruction project where she mostly inspected the construction of houses in a rural village in Nepal. Having worked closely with builders, homeowners, and engineers, she understands the need of sustainability in construction and is a valuable part of our NGBS Green reviewer team.
Katie Dorn, Program Associate
Katie is Program Associate for the NGBS Green program, assisting with day-to-day program management, including certification reviews, verifier support, advocacy efforts and ESG development. She has prior experience in the green building industry, previously interning for one of our verifiers. Katie holds a BS in Environmental Science and Policy from the University of Maryland.
Owen Hotaling, NGBS Green Program Associate
Owen assists in the administration of the NGBS Green certification program. He recently graduated from Hobart and William Smith Colleges with a double major in Physics and Environmental Studies, and a minor in Economics.
Shreya Thapa, Energy & Sustainability Analyst
Shreya has experience in energy projections for residential properties, energy modeling, sustainable development, and disaster resilience. She worked on the client side of the NGBS Green certification program prior to joining Home Innovation in 2024 and is currently pursuing her Master's in Environmental Management from the University of Maryland.
Joanne McAlpin, Program Associate
Joanne works with the NGBS Green certification program assisting in day-to-day certification administration as well as acting as lead for Home Innovation's training programs, including the Verifier accreditations, NGBS Green PRO, and the AIA and ICC continuing education opportunities. She also assists the Green Certified Products program and our advocacy and research efforts.
Lynda Mosteller, Program Administrator
Lynda is the Certifications Administrator for Home Innovation’s NGBS Green certification program, which means she manages our extensive program database and all the daily interactions with NGBS Green Verifiers as well as other program partners. She has been working at Home Innovation for decades and has been involved with NGBS Green since its inception.
Green Advisory Group
The NGBS Green Advisory Group provides support and guidance on the NGBS Green Certification program with the goal of opening new markets and recruiting new clients. The Advisory Group members bring diverse expertise, experiences, and connections from the building, appraisal, policy, and media realms.
Bill Greene, Chairman
Bill Greene is a licensed Architect in the State of Texas and LEED-accredited professional with 20 years of multifamily design and construction experience. He is currently Vice President of Design Management for JPI's Central Region. Experienced with the development of over 30,000 multifamily market rate/class A rental and high-end/for-sale units in low-rise, mid-rise, and high-rise product types throughout his career, Bill oversees the design process from site selection through the permitting design phases, as well as quality control during construction for all of JPI-developed, -built, and -managed projects in their Central Region. Bill holds a Bachelor of Architecture Degree from LSU in Baton Rouge, LA, and has an Associate's Degree in Applied Construction Science. Bill is a member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA).
Kyle Abney
Kyle Abney, Principal of Abney + Abney Green Solutions, is an accredited NGBS Green Verifier, LEED® Accredited Professional (AP), and state-licensed General Contractor. Kyle has first-hand experience with all green building certifications for both commercial and residential construction in Florida. Prior to founding his own firm, Kyle worked for a large commercial contractor and later for his family's construction business. He is a recognized speaker on the topic of sustainable development and has been cited in various publications, including the Palm Beach Post, Miami Herald, Orlando Sentinel and was featured on National Public Radio (NPR). Kyle is active in the Florida Green Building Coalition and US Green Building Council South Florida Chapter where he served as the organization's president from 2008 to 2010.
Sandra Adomatis
Sandra Adomatis, Principal at Adomatis Appraisal Service, is a real estate appraiser, instructor, author, and appraisal course developer. She authored "Residential Green Valuation Tools," which was published by the Appraisal Institute in April 2014. Sandra spearheaded the development of the Appraisal Institute Residential and Commercial Green and Energy Efficient Addendums. Her valuation and green building knowledge is prized by many for consulting in the area of valuing energy efficiency and green building technology. Her consulting clients include builders, governmental agencies, utility companies, and energy organizations, and members of the national media often quote Sandra on high performance topics of valuation. She is a national speaker at events such as GreenBuild, IBS, EEBA, ACI, The White House Conference Center, and Appraisal Institute Conferences.
Jodi Bakst
Jodi Bakst is a Realtor and Broker Owner of Real Estate Experts ( REE), a residential real estate and property management company that has been serving Chapel Hill, Durham, and the greater Triangle area for over 25 years. In addition to providing seamless customer service to her buyer and seller clients, Jodi has expertise in listing and positioning green, high-performance homes for sale. Jodi is currently developing North Carolina's first 100% net zero energy neighborhood in Orange County. Before moving into Real Estate, Jodi worked in the environmental management field in both Washington, D.C., and Raleigh, N.C.
Laurie Colwander
As a HERS Rater, NGBS Green Verifier, LEED Green Rater, Green Globes Professional and EarthCraft Technical Advisor, Laurie Colwander has 16+ years in the sustainability and green building certification industry. She is currently Director of Multifamily Services for Southern Energy Management, a Certified BCorp, where the multifamily team provides experience with both commercial and residential projects of all construction types in multiple regions and climate zones throughout the United States and internationally. With a focus on engaging builders and developers through strong partnerships, the SEM team seeks solutions to identify cost saving, healthy, market focused strategies to improve the durability and energy performance of their homes and communities.
Troy Johns, Past Chairman
As Founder of Urban Northwest Homes, the largest home builder in the Pacific Northwest, Troy Johns has been actively involved in the development, construction, and renovation of sustainable, healthy, highly energy-efficient homes in Clark County, Wash. for the last 20 years. Troy's company has established significant efficiencies among subcontractors in the region, allowing him to implement highly sustainable features for his homebuyers, while maintaining affordability. Believing that "green building" is just another way of saying smart and responsible building, Troy's mission is to cut energy consumption in the homes he builds by 50% above Energy Star standards. He holds leadership positions with the BIA of Clark County, the BIA's Green Building Council, and the BIA of Washington State. Troy also serves on Home Innovation's Board of Directors.
Tony Marnella
Tony Marnella, Owner, Marnella Homes, has a background in real estate that spans over 30 years and includes sales, restoration of historic homes, construction, and development. He has always tried to bring the same sense of pride and excitement to his customers that he felt as a first-time homebuyer himself. As a single-family home builder, he is passionate about creating high-performing, healthy homes with great style, energy efficiency, and unparalleled value; and creating a home buying experience that is fun and easy.
Jon Showalter
In Jon's role as Chief Operating Officer, he is instrumental in fostering a productive, dynamic, and harmonious work environment that empowers the production team members at Homes By Dickerson to deliver homes of exceptional quality to their valued clients. With an impressive tenure of almost 30 years with the company, Jon has acquired comprehensive expertise in all facets of residential construction. His journey began in the field, where he honed his skills as a Project Manager, and later transitioned to the role of comptroller, and then to his current role as COO and company Vice President.
As a Master Certified Green Professional, Jon has played a pivotal role in spearheading Homes By Dickerson's award-winning green building initiatives. His commitment to sustainable practices has not only resulted in remarkable energy-efficient homes but has also generated significant operational cost savings for Homes by Dickerson homeowners. Jon's dedication to environmentally conscious construction has been recognized through his past chairmanship of the Green Home Builders of the Triangle, showcasing his influence and leadership in advancing sustainable building practices.
Lisa M. Stephens
Lisa Stephens is President of Saigebrook Development, LLC, a certified WBE and Texas HUB real estate development firm. Lisa is a LEED Green Associate, a founding member and President of the Texas Coalition of Affordable Developers, and a current member of the NGBS Green Advisory Group.
During her tenure in the real estate industry, Ms. Stephens has worked throughout the southeast developing new communities, conducting extensive rehabilitations and replacing functionally obsolete housing. As an affordable housing developer, the job requirement is to transform funding applications, complicated program requirements and governmental red tape efficiently and effectively into the "sticks and bricks" that become someone's home. Most recently Ms. Stephens was recognized as a 2016 Home Innovation NGBS Green Partner of Excellence for her work in NGBS certified apartment communities.
Green Verifier Advisory Panel
Purpose
To provide recommendations to Home Innovation on technical and verification issues related to NGBS Green certification.
Responsibilities
Home Innovation serves as certification body for the ICC 700 National Green Building Standard® (NGBS) and administers a national program based that certifies communities, homes, and multifamily buildings in compliance with the NGBS. As necessary, the VAP provides Home Innovation with expertise on technical and administrative issues on matters related to the NGBS. Home Innovation values the opinions and recommendations from the VAP; however, the final resolution of any matter discussed with the VAP rests solely with Home Innovation.
The VAP does not have any formal governance authority, fiscal oversight, or policy making authority. While the VAP will be asked for informed input on interpretations, policies, or procedures, the final decision on program management, policies, and procedures is the sole responsibility of Home Innovation management.
Commitment
Verifiers that accept the invitation to serve on the VAP are expected to participate in VAP discussions. Discussions will be conducted via email, conference call, and when possible, in-person. VAP members are not expected to participate in every discussion; however, Home Innovation will consider a Verifier’s participation and contributions for reappointment to the VAP. Verifiers may at any time withdraw as a member.
Members