Current Board Members

Learn more about the Northwest EcoBuilding Guild's current Board members

Board Officers

President

Howard Thurston
Portland, OR

Howard Thurston practices civil and structural engineering in Portland, Oregon. His firm, New Paradigm Engineering, seeks to collaborate with designers and builders who share the vision that radical systemic change is necessary in the design and construction of dwellings and other buildings. In this vision, buildings will be created in order to support the economic and social health of people and their communities and the ecological health of the entire ecosystem. Read more... (Email)

Vice-President

Elly Bunzendahl
Seattle, WA

After nearly a decade in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, Elly headed to Seattle to pursue opportunities in the field of energy conservation and sustainability consulting within the built environment. Elly worked at Ecotope on a 2-year study of commercial buildings in the Pacific Northwest, and is now with O'Brien & Company working in all of their program areas. Read more... (Email)

Secretary

Joanne Olsen
Seattle, WA

Joanne STD
Joanne Olsen is owner of Habitecture, a Seattle-based architectural office specializing in sustainable residential design, including remodels, additions and new homes with a focus on green, sustainable and healthy design. After completing her B.S. in Engineering at UMass, Amherst, Joanne received a Master's in Architecture at the University of Washington. (Email)

Treasurer

Tom Balderston
Seattle, WA

Tom is a Building Performance Consultant at Conservation Services Group, and works as an independent verifier for a number of local and national green building programs. With over 20 years of experience as a builder, designer, contractor, HVAC designer and installer, Tom has in-depth knowledge of residential energy analysis and solar thermal design. Tom is committed to finding practical and innovative solutions to home design and construction that bring low energy and low emission homes to a wider market share. Read more... (Email)

Board Members

Matthew McCune
Portland, OR

Matt was born in Eugene, Oregon (1963), and grew up in Berkley Ca, and Vancouver, British Columbia. Studied Physics at Simon Frasier University in the early 80’s, and worked as a carpenter summers to pay for school, but decided to switch to Architecture in his 4th year. Did initial Architectural studies at the Oregon School of Design and graduated from the Boston Architectural Center in 1991. Read more... (Email)

Hayden Robinson
Seattle, WA

Hayden has been involved in the construction industry for more than 30 years and in architecture for over twenty. He founded Hayden Robinson Architect in 1998. His practice focuses on design and technical excellence, client service, and environmental responsibility. He is a Certified Passive House Consultant and has participated in the training of Passive House Consultants. Read more...

Jason Lear
Seattle, WA

As he watched the third dump truck full of sheetrock and lumber drive away, Jason Lear realized how much waste he had created with the flick of his pencil. It was 1998, and Jason was watching the construction of his first major home remodel design. He realized then how much responsibility came with designing and building a single house. When Jason founded his own design/build firm years later, he committed himself to creating a company that would always pay attention and would foster a smarter, ever-improving approach to building. Read more...(Email)

Brenda Nunes
Issaquah, WA

Brenda has provided marketing, communications, training and education for the building industry for the past 20 years. She has facilitated the development of multidisciplinary consulting teams for numerous residential and commercial land development and building projects. As a licensed real estate professional, she works with builders and developers on developing messaging that promotes the value of sustainable developments. In 2006, cofounded the Sustainability Foundation. Read more... (Email)

Geoff Gamsby
Seattle, WA

Geoff has focused his career on learning and understanding the integration of sustainable design, education, and the real world. Over the past 10 years, Geoff has gained experience in design, construction, and teaching by working for a variety of local and international organizations, including Living Shelter Design, SIREwall, ITT Tech and several general contractors. Read more... (Email)

Dan Wildenhaus
Seattle, WA

As the Sr. Building Science Specialist for Fluid Market Strategies, Dan has completely immersed himself in the discussion of what is required to create High Performance Buildings. Dan is currently the lead Technical Coordinator for Seattle’s Community Power Works for Home and Small Business programs, sits on the Board for Home Performance Washington and is an instructor at South Seattle Community College where he trains tomorrow's Home Performance Workforce. Read more... (Email)

Louann Rizor
Seattle, WA

Louann's background in non-profit business management provides experience to the Guild in managing process and operational growing pains, as well as making sure the business essentials are taken care of. In 2011 Louann accepted a position as Grants Administrator in Diabetes Research. In her 4th year as a Guild member and consultant, she remains as the regional bookkeeper, dedicated to improving process, fundraising and program support. Read more... (Email)

Peter Colburn
Seattle, WA

Peter is the technical product manager for OSMO North America, a Seattle importer and distributor of plant-based wood and floor finishes. He has been responsible in areas of FSC Chain of Custody management, coatings VOC compliance, technical writing and editing, product training and troubleshooting, and many operational aspects of materials supply businesses. This experience has contributed to an excellent understanding of the economic and practical challenges facing design and building professionals. Read more... (Email)

Sandra Sonksen Jones
Vancouver, WA

Sandy has been a member of the Western Oregon Chapter of the Guild since 1996, and served on the Guild's Board of Directors for six years in 90's. Sandy opened Greensleeves, Inc in 1993, which focuses on kitchens, baths and additions in OR and WA. After attending a 30 Day Ecovillage Training Program at the Findhorn Foundation in Forres, Scotland, she was inspired to become an 'Agent of Change' and practice Earth Stewardship with a larger picture. Read more... (Email)

Brian Smith
Olympia, WA

Brian has been involved in the construction industry his entire life - custom home building, the manufacture & distribution of building materials and the insulated concrete form industry. In 2006 Brian joined Insulated Concrete Walls, Inc. (ICW) as the National Training Director. His role at ICW has evolved and his focus is now business development. Read more... (Email)

Lauren Hadley
Seattle, WA

Lauren has 14 years experience in the non-profit and public sectors. She has worked with South Seattle Community College since 2009 coordinating workforce trainings in manufacturing, weatherization, safety and building science. Prior to joining SSCC, Lauren worked in K-12 education and fundraising, and holds a certificate in fundraising management. Read more... (Email)

Also see Board Committees for more information.

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