Professional Posts and Accomplishments

Consultant to construction industry, architectural firms, governmental agencies, non-profit associations, and consumers on applied building environmental science focused on: cost effective energy efficiency, environmental building methods, indoor air-quality, solar energy systems design analysis, and applications research in the context of "mainstreaming" more sustainable buildings.

Develops state-of-the-art research plans and projects for building industry firms, and computer assisted energy and "green" building efficiency studies. Furnishes training programs on energy efficiency, renewable energy, and indoor environment at national and regional workshops and conferences.

Provides technical and logistical support to energy efficient industry trade groups such as the ACEEE, Enviro-Center's Green Building Institute, Energy and Environmental Building Assn. (former member EEBA Board of Directors), Insulation Manufactures, and the US Green Building Council's LEED Program Development technical advisory group "TAG" on Energy & Atmosphere.

(Refer to: selected projects listing)

Assisted in the successful start-up development of EPA EnergySTAR Homes^TM program. Provided technical support to roll-out the voluntary energy efficient residential new construction program -- committed to working directly with the housing industry to boost new home energy efficiency, environmental performance and value. Pioneer development assistance on companion windows and insulation programs.

Continually exceeded program objectives including: the application of energy efficient, profitable, affordable, and environmentally beneficial designs, technologies, quality assurance procedures, and operational strategies, made widely available to home builders nationwide.

Promoted early adoption of EnergyStar New Homes by the building industry. Managed cooperative agreement funding of projects at the Florida Solar Energy Center, and segments of work performed by ICF Kaiser, Inc. support contractor.

Developed, obtained funding and managed technical research and policy projects enhancing energy codes, standards and guidelines; promoting energy rating programs linked to mortgage finance; created a comprehensive strategy for cost-effective retrofits of existing commercial buildings; and developed environmental performance assessment for Residential Green Building standard guidelines as chair of ASTM task group.

Directed a successful campaign to strengthen the CABO Model Energy Code 1989-1994. Served on ASHRAE Standards Committee 90.2 which resulted in complete overhaul of residential energy standard, and production of a model-code book. Founding member of the US Green Building Council.

Obtained $1.5 million in funding to launch the Building Codes Assistance Project (BCAP), now operated by the Alliance, ACEEE, and NRDC. These programs were funded by grants from US DOE, building industry corporations and trade groups, and several prominent private foundations including The Energy Foundation.

Senior Energy Analyst at the NAHB Research Center, and the Energy Program Manager for NAHB (HQ), where he worked to transfer information to home builders on advanced energy technology, indoor environmental quality. He analyzed, tracked and proposed resolutions to energy codes-related technical problems.

Howard also obtained over one-million dollars in research and development funding for NAHB programs, and served as principal staff member for the NAHB Standing Committee on Energy.

Assisted in the promulgation of voluntary "Thermal Performance Guidelines" (TPG's) to utilities and home builder associations. Worked with the mortgage finance industry on initial development of energy efficiency finance packages for new home construction.

Reviewed and reported on the efficacy, accuracy of claims, potential energy savings, market potential and other key factors, considering over 20 different energy efficient inventions submitted for review to the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST), Gaithersburg, Maryland.

Conducted numerous building computer simulations, heat transfer calculations, life-cycle assessments, and literature reviews in support of program. Currently assisting NREL and its contractors with SBIR evaluations, and peer-review of Public Opportunity Notice (PON) proposals.

Other Professional Experience

National Concrete Masonry Association(NCMA) 1982 - 1986: Energy Services Engineer providing technical support for research and development of thermally efficient concrete block products.

Developed data base on thermal mass and insulation properties of block for building codes.

Created a design assistance program for architects to promote the energy efficient use of concrete masonry.

DOE National Solar Data Program(NSDP) 1979 - 1982: Solar Systems Engineering Analyst for the Vitro Corporation, Silver Spring, Maryland.

Conducted performance evaluation of solar energy and efficient building technologies for a prime contractor in the DOE demonstration program. Analyzed, simulated, instrumented and monitored 25 buildings and solar systems.

Prepared numerous reports on whole building thermal assessments, and solar energy system performance.

Professional Societies and Affiliations

Active member of U. S. Green Building Council, ASHRAE, ASES (Life Member), and the Energy & Environmental Building Association (EEBA).

He serves as Senior Technical Advisor to the Green Building Institute (Maryland).

Howard currently serves on the LEED Energy and Atmospheres Technical Advisory Group (TAG) of the US Green Building Council .

Voting member on the Standing Technical Committee of the National Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET). He previously served as a voting member of the Technical Committee of the National Home Energy Rating Systems (HERS) Council (defunct), with funding from the Energy Foundation.

While on staff of the Alliance to Save Energy Howard also served on the HUD Section 946 Task Force on Energy Efficient Mortgages as a technical resource to HUD and DOE.

In ASHRAE he served as a voting member of the Standard 90.2-1993 residential energy special project committee and helped draft the building code version of Standard 90.2; the Presidential ad-hoc Task Force on Energy Policy; and several technical committees including Thermal Envelopes, Insulation and Moisture Retarders, and Solar Energy Utilization.

In ASTM, he served on the E-50.03 "Green Buildings" sub-committee (1993-1998), and as the co-chair of residential building standard-guides task-group. Other ASTM activities include developing a guide for radon resistant construction, and work on solar building performance estimation practices.

Education, Honors, Appointments, Certifications

He holds two degrees in Environmental Science and Engineering (MS / U. Wisconsin & BA / U. Redlands-Johnston); mechanical engineering course-work at Wisconsin and MIT.

He has published over 100 articles and papers on building energy and environmental issues, and is a frequent invited speaker to technical conferences.

Top of Page