The Building Energy Team

SCOTT GARDNER – FOUNDER – RETIRED 2024

THE BUILDING ENERGY LEADERSHIP TEAM

ANDREW CHARBONNEAU – PRESIDENT

Andrew Charbonneau joined Building Energy in 2001 as a Project Manager after earning a Construction Management degree from Vermont Tech.  Andrew oversees the day-to-day business operations with a focus on positive employee engagement and customer satisfaction. He schedules and manages all weatherization, ventilation, and small construction projects while overseeing our insulation crew and construction teams, as well as the warehouse. 

NICHOLAS PONZIO – VICE PRESIDENT 

Nik Ponzio helped to co-found Building Energy in 2007 as a Senior Project Engineer for the solar division. He now oversees the Heat Pump and Solar Divisions. Nik has a background in electrical engineering and has been designing and installing solar PV, solar thermal, back-up battery, and off-grid power systems since 2001. Nik led the push for the use of air-source heat pumps for super-efficient heating and cooling. With a highly detailed-oriented approach to design and an engineer’s insight into problem solving, Nik brings disciplined creativity to challenges in new and existing systems. 

BRENT MELLEN – DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

Brent Mellen joined Building Energy in 2009 as a Building Performance Institute (BPI) Certified Professional and has conducted hundreds of Home Performance Energy Audits. He operates Building Energy’s White River Junction office where he performs residential and commercial energy audits and manages heat pump, solar and weatherization projects in the White River Junction area. Brent earned a bachelor’s degree in ecology and spent several years in the research field before focusing on reducing energy use in buildings.  By conducting a thorough assessment of a building’s current energy use and implementing targeted approaches, Brent’s goal is to make buildings more efficient and comfortable while lowering the operating costs and reducing carbon emissions. 

ELIZABETH AUSTIN – DIRECTOR OF FINANCE

Elizabeth Austin joined Building Energy in 2015 as the Marketing Manager with a focus on excellent customer service and expanding business development opportunities. In 2018 Elizabeth expanded her role as the Office Manager overseeing the day-to-day business operations with a focus on managing the accounting department and all things financial. Elizabeth’s main role is to monitor and analyze accounting data, conduct financial reporting and manage department budgets to strengthen the business. 

THE BUILDING ENERGY STAFF

BRYAN BERGERON 

Bryan Bergeron joined Building Energy in 1998 as an on-site supervisor and lead carpenter. Byran has over 30 years of experience in the building industry as both a site supervisor and energy consultant specializing in deep energy retrofits. Currently, Bryan is a Senior Energy Consultant and Lead Project Manager in our Construction Division. He specializes in building and remodeling energy-efficient homes. He is extremely knowledgeable about all services offered by Building Energy from new construction and remodeling to insulation and weatherization as well as heat pumps and solar. 

RUSS FLANIGAN 

Russ Flanigan joined Building Energy in 2014 as a Senior Energy Specialist and Project Manager. Russ has been involved in the building trades since the early 1980s and has focused on energy efficiency since 2005. He has been a Building Performance Institute (BPI) Certified Professional since 2008 and has performed hundreds of energy audits and efficiency projects from insulation to solar to carbon accounting and reduction both in Vermont and Southern California. He has a long-standing relationship with Efficiency Vermont. Currently, he is the Lead Project Manager for our heat pump and solar division, managing the field staff, the calendar, and all product procurement for solar and heat pump projects. 

JOEL JACKSON 

Joel Jackson joined Building Energy in 2016 as our Lead Technical Sales Representative, specializing in Heat Pump and Solar PV sales. Along with the rest of the Building Energy team, he is focused on delivering quality products and excellent customer service while helping our clients reduce their reliance on fossil fuels and improve the year-round comfort of their homes. Customer Satisfaction is his number one goal. 

JACOB SMERIGLIO 

Jacon Smeriglio joined Building Energy in 2020 as a Weatherization Technician, working in the field with our insulation crew. In June 2021, Jacob began a new role as a Building Professional Institute (BPI) Certified Energy Auditor and is now one of our Senior Energy Consultants. With a passion for the environment and experience in construction, communications, and sales, he quickly became a valuable asset to the company’s mission. Originally from Connecticut, Jacob holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from the University of Hartford. He uses his excellent problem-solving and hands-on skills to help his customers reduce their carbon footprint. 

MATT SARGENT 

Matt Sargent joined Building Energy in 2023 as a Senior Energy Consultant, originally focused on working with our heat pump and solar sales team. Currently, he has expanded his role in consulting on all things building and energy-related in our construction division. Matt has over 30 years of experience reducing the energy loads in buildings of all types. He has worked as a carpenter, building contractor, and energy consultant. He came to Building Energy from Efficiency Vermont, where he consulted with builders, designers, and building owners to make buildings more durable, comfortable, healthy, low carbon, and energy efficient. He is passionate about helping customers sort through the myriad of opportunities available to them for reducing the energy use and environmental impact of their homes and businesses. 

LUKE ROBBINS 

Luke Robbins joined Building Energy in 2025 as a Building Performance Institute (BPI) Certified Auditor. Luke recently moved to Vermont from Pennsylvania, where he began his auditing career providing superior customer service and professional expertise to audit customers. He joins us in our Mission to reduce the carbon footprint of homes and businesses in Vermont and looks forward to continuing to grow his knowledge as an energy consultant with Building Energy.

LAURA LURIE

Laura Lurie joined Building Energy in 2020 after retiring from a career in dental hygiene and office management. As our Accounting Assistant, Laura is responsible for tracking invoices, accounts payable, and data management. She performs various office administration duties.  Her meticulous organizational and customer service skills are a valuable asset to the team. 

KRISTEN BROMLEY 

Kristen Bromley joined Building Energy in 2023 as the Marketing and Customer Service Manager. Born and raised in New York State, Kristen studied Graphic Design and received her B.F.A. from The Sage Colleges in Albany, NY. She is a marketing-savvy graphic design artist with a passion for building relationships and helping others in a creative and meaningful way. She manages all our marketing efforts, including branding, print ads, social media outlets, and our online presence.  She is the main point of contact for all who contact Building Energy via the website, in person, or by phone.