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Our Team

David Riley, Executive Director, is a faculty member in the Department of Architectural Engineering and has research interests in sustainable building methods, production engineering, and construction management. Dr. Riley was the lead advisor to the 2007 Penn State Solar Decathlon Team, spearheading the design and construction phases, fundraising as well as coordinating the Penn State effort on the National Mall in Washington DC. His engineering students experience hands-on service learning projects that explore leadership development and sustainable technologies. Dr. Riley is also the Director of the Partnership for Achieving Construction Excellence and the American Indian Housing Initiative programs at Penn State. Riley was awarded the 2005 President’s Award for Engagement with Students, and in 2006 was awarded an NSF grant to study engineering education through public scholarship. In the Summer of 2008, Dr. Riley helped to form a consortium of universities to pursue a solar and energy efficiency initiative in a partnership with the National Electrical Contracting Association (NECA).

Andy Lau, Associate Director (Education) is a faculty member in the School of Engineering Design, Technology, and Professional Programs also is the Coordinator of First Year Seminars for the College of Engineering and advisor to Engineers for a Sustainable World . Andy has served as the lead mechanical systems and energy modeling advisor to the Penn State Solar Decathlon teams. Andy’s engineering interests include solar energy applications in buildings, sustainable design, energy modeling, green buildings, ethics, and energy efficiency. Andy is an active member of the American Solar Energy Society, Green Building Association of Central Pennsylvania, and is a partner in the 7group green building consulting firm. Andy has developed a new course in Sustainable Design. Whether directing the solar car race for middle school students, consulting on green buildings, exploring the ethics of energy, or publishing papers on engineering education, Andy brings creativity, innovation, “renewable energy” and a smile to the Center’s administration.

Lisa Brown, Associate Director (Program Development) joined the Center in June of 2008. Dr. Brown is the former director of the NASA Space Grant Consortium at Penn State where she led education and outreach initiatives. She now supports the growth and development of the CfS through the coordination fo the advidory board and affiliate faculty board. She also helps coordinate and teach AE 497G Sustainability Leadership Projects. Dr. Brown earned her undergraduate degree from the Unviersity of Colorado, and her M.S. and Ph.D. from the Department of Geosciences at Penn State.

Jude Simpson, Program Coordinator of the American Indian Housing Initiative, is a Penn State graduate who also studied fisheries science and biology at the University of Alaska in Juneau. She has spent her life as a volunteer working on issues related to the environment, human rights, health and well being. She has been an active community member, serving on a number of non-profit boards and committees since moving to State College in 2000. She is an avid cyclist whose vision includes a safe, convenient connected system of trails and bike paths in order to promote physical activity, reduce dependence on motorized transportation and improve the health and quality of life for all people. Jude is the new coordinator for the American Indian Housing Initiative, and publishes the Center's newsletter.

Greg Olsen, Director of Design and Construction, is a graduate of the Penn State Department of Landscape Architecture and holds a joint appointment between the CfS, the Smart Spaces Center, and the Hamer Center for Community Design assistance. Greg helps coordinate hands-on student service activities and construction on the CfS site, and is also helping to develop and implement a masterplan for the 9 acre CfS site.

Karen Thal, Staff Assistant, provides adminstrative support for the Center, including meeting planning, budget administration, and contract administration.

Stephanie Bennis, Events Coordinator, helps coordinate activities in the MorningStart Solar Home and on the CfS site.

Rashaan Reid, Webmaster and Database Administrator, maintains web and database resources for the CfS.

Emily Sobolsky, Webmaster and Database Manager, maintains web and database resources for the CfS.

We would like to thank Laura Piraino for her hard work and dedication to Outreach programming for the Center. If you would like to contact Laura please email her at LauraPiraino@yahoo.com.