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Mr. Kurdi has been serving the electrical industry for over 30 years as an engineer, electrician and trainer. Mr. Kurdi has engineered (designed, specified and analyzed) government buildings (police stations, sheriff’s offices, fire stations, city halls, court houses, libraries, and jails), housing buildings (affordable, senior, assistant, memory care, adaptable use and student), hospitals, data centers, sport arenas, commercial office buildings, water/wastewater treatment plants and electric utility distribution and substations. Mr. Kurdi’s experience as an electrician includes estimating, laying out, wiring, installing and maintaining electrical systems for residential and commercial buildings. He has served as an engineer on construction projects in numerous locations in Texas, including San Antonio, Arlington, Bryan and Manor. He has developed and taught thousands of seminar hours over the years at Dunwoody College of Technology, Minnesota Electrical Association, IEEE and others. The seminars include NEC Code, electrician’s exam, MV system, electrical wiring, apprenticeship, estimation, electrical design, Revit MEP, and project management. Mr. Kurdi holds a BS degree in Electrical Engineering and a master’s degree in Adult Education. He is a registered electrical engineer (PE) in 37 states, including Minnesota and Texas. He holds a Class A master electrician license from the State of Minnesota. Currently, Mr. Kurdi is a senior electrical engineer and department head at BKV Group (A&E Firm with offices in Chicago, Dallas, DC & Minneapolis). Mr. Kurdi served as NCEL Board Member (Jan 2021 – present), IAEI MN Chapter president (Jan 2018 – Jan 2023), chair of IEEE Twin Cities PES/IAS (Aug 2019 – Jan 2023), Minnesota State Board of Electricity member (Jan 2018 – Jan 2020).

Mr. Kurdi has been serving the electrical industry for over 30 years as an engineer, electrician and trainer. Mr. Kurdi has engineered (designed, specified and analyzed) government buildings (police stations, sheriff’s offices, fire stations, city halls, court houses, libraries, and jails), housing buildings (affordable, senior, assistant, memory care, adaptable use and student), hospitals, data centers, sport arenas, commercial office buildings, water/wastewater treatment plants and electric utility distribution and substations. Mr. Kurdi’s experience as an electrician includes estimating, laying out, wiring, installing and maintaining electrical systems for residential and commercial buildings. He has served as an engineer on construction projects in numerous locations in Texas, including San Antonio, Arlington, Bryan and Manor. He has developed and taught thousands of seminar hours over the years at Dunwoody College of Technology, Minnesota Electrical Association, IEEE and others. The seminars include NEC Code, electrician’s exam, MV system, electrical wiring, apprenticeship, estimation, electrical design, Revit MEP, and project management. Mr. Kurdi holds a BS degree in Electrical Engineering and a master’s degree in Adult Education. He is a registered electrical engineer (PE) in 37 states, including Minnesota and Texas. He holds a Class A master electrician license from the State of Minnesota. Currently, Mr. Kurdi is a senior electrical engineer and department head at BKV Group (A&E Firm with offices in Chicago, Dallas, DC & Minneapolis). Mr. Kurdi served as NCEL Board Member (Jan 2021 – present), IAEI MN Chapter president (Jan 2018 – Jan 2023), chair of IEEE Twin Cities PES/IAS (Aug 2019 – Jan 2023), Minnesota State Board of Electricity member (Jan 2018 – Jan 2020).

Mr. Kurdi has been serving the electrical industry for over 30 years as an engineer, electrician and trainer. Mr. Kurdi has engineered (designed, specified and analyzed) government buildings (police stations, sheriff’s offices, fire stations, city halls, court houses, libraries, and jails), housing buildings (affordable, senior, assistant, memory care, adaptable use and student), hospitals, data centers, sport arenas, commercial office buildings, water/wastewater treatment plants and electric utility distribution and substations. Mr. Kurdi’s experience as an electrician includes estimating, laying out, wiring, installing and maintaining electrical systems for residential and commercial buildings. He has served as an engineer on construction projects in numerous locations in Texas, including San Antonio, Arlington, Bryan and Manor. He has developed and taught thousands of seminar hours over the years at Dunwoody College of Technology, Minnesota Electrical Association, IEEE and others. The seminars include NEC Code, electrician’s exam, MV system, electrical wiring, apprenticeship, estimation, electrical design, Revit MEP, and project management. Mr. Kurdi holds a BS degree in Electrical Engineering and a master’s degree in Adult Education. He is a registered electrical engineer (PE) in 37 states, including Minnesota and Texas. He holds a Class A master electrician license from the State of Minnesota. Currently, Mr. Kurdi is a senior electrical engineer and department head at BKV Group (A&E Firm with offices in Chicago, Dallas, DC & Minneapolis). Mr. Kurdi served as NCEL Board Member (Jan 2021 – present), IAEI MN Chapter president (Jan 2018 – Jan 2023), chair of IEEE Twin Cities PES/IAS (Aug 2019 – Jan 2023), Minnesota State Board of Electricity member (Jan 2018 – Jan 2020).

With over 20 years of industry experience, Mr. Pakatar specializes in home performance, energy efficiency, and construction-related training and consulting. Mr. Pakatar holds professional certifications from the International Code Council (ICC), the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE), the Building Performance Institute (BPI), the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), PHIUS and RESNET. He is a certified Code Enforcement Officer in New York State and holds ICC credentials as an Energy Code Inspector and Plans Examiner. Throughout his career, Mr. Pakatar has played an active role in the development and implementation of building codes, contributing to the creation of policies and protocols that support energy efficiency and code compliance. Over the past two decades, he has designed and delivered training programs for code officials, design professionals, and construction industry stakeholders across the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and nationwide. Recognized as a subject matter expert, Mr. Pakatar continues to support the evolution of codes and standards through education, technical assistance, and policy engagement.

Ms. Berthelot is an Assistant Professor in Residence and Associate Director of Undergraduate Studies for Human Development and Family Sciences (HDFS) at the University of Connecticut. She is also the Editor and Chief for NAELA (National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys) News. Her research and advocacy is primarily about access to healthcare for people who are over sixty-five and for people with disabilities. She earned her Master’s degree in social work from Syracuse University, after which she designed, implemented, and then coordinated a Joint Commission Accredited hospice program in the Mississippi delta. Finding herself fascinated by the legal and ethical questions surrounding death and dying, Ms. Berthelot pursued her law degree at the University of Mississippi. After graduating, cum laude. She joined the Center for Medicare Advocacy, a national not-for-profit law firm. As a senior attorney, Ms. Berthelot oversaw the Center’s advocacy efforts. She also provided legal advice and representation to Medicare beneficiaries unfairly denied Medicare coverage or access to healthcare, wrote articles for national publications, produced educational materials, engaged in educational outreach activities with a particular focus on the Medicare hospice benefit, was a contributing author to the Medicare Handbook, and served as co-counsel for federal class action lawsuits challenging improper Medicare policies. Also while with the Center, Ms. Berthelot was the lead Medicare trainer for Connecticut’s State Health Insurance Assistance Program and for Connecticut’s Medicare Senior Patrol. She is a former chair of the steering committee for the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys’ Health Care Section and she is the former Connecticut liaison for National Healthcare Decisions Day. Ms. Berthelot is currently a member of the Mansfield Town Council.

Mr. Bickford is a graduate of Harvard College and the University of Connecticut School of Law. From 1974 through 1981 he was employed by Neighborhood Legal Services, Inc. During his last three years there he was director of the Senior Citizens Law Project covering North Central Connecticut. From January 1982 through October 1992 Mr. Bickford was a partner in the firm of Weed & Bickford (formerly Weed, Kerrigan & Bickford), engaged in the general practice of law. On November 1, 1992 he opened the Law Offices of George B. Bickford as a sole practitioner in East Granby, Connecticut and, as of July 1, 2009, the firm is known as the Law Offices of George B. Bickford, LLC. The office consists of two attorneys and a highly trained paralegal staff concentrating in elder law issues. For many years he has been a guest speaker before bar, medical, social service and public groups on the topics of Social Security, Medicaid and estate planning for the elderly with long-term medical needs, the area in which he currently limits his practice. Mr. Bickford was a member of the Board of Directors of the Alzheimers Association Connecticut Chapter for many years, and he continues to provide them counsel and assistance. He is also a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and the Executive Committee of the Elder Law Section of the Connecticut Bar Association.

Ms. Berthelot is an Assistant Professor in Residence and Associate Director of Undergraduate Studies for Human Development and Family Sciences (HDFS) at the University of Connecticut. She is also the Editor and Chief for NAELA (National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys) News. Her research and advocacy is primarily about access to healthcare for people who are over sixty-five and for people with disabilities. She earned her Master’s degree in social work from Syracuse University, after which she designed, implemented, and then coordinated a Joint Commission Accredited hospice program in the Mississippi delta. Finding herself fascinated by the legal and ethical questions surrounding death and dying, Ms. Berthelot pursued her law degree at the University of Mississippi. After graduating, cum laude. She joined the Center for Medicare Advocacy, a national not-for-profit law firm. As a senior attorney, Ms. Berthelot oversaw the Center’s advocacy efforts. She also provided legal advice and representation to Medicare beneficiaries unfairly denied Medicare coverage or access to healthcare, wrote articles for national publications, produced educational materials, engaged in educational outreach activities with a particular focus on the Medicare hospice benefit, was a contributing author to the Medicare Handbook, and served as co-counsel for federal class action lawsuits challenging improper Medicare policies. Also while with the Center, Ms. Berthelot was the lead Medicare trainer for Connecticut’s State Health Insurance Assistance Program and for Connecticut’s Medicare Senior Patrol. She is a former chair of the steering committee for the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys’ Health Care Section and she is the former Connecticut liaison for National Healthcare Decisions Day. Ms. Berthelot is currently a member of the Mansfield Town Council.

Mr. Bickford is a graduate of Harvard College and the University of Connecticut School of Law. From 1974 through 1981 he was employed by Neighborhood Legal Services, Inc. During his last three years there he was director of the Senior Citizens Law Project covering North Central Connecticut. From January 1982 through October 1992 Mr. Bickford was a partner in the firm of Weed & Bickford (formerly Weed, Kerrigan & Bickford), engaged in the general practice of law. On November 1, 1992 he opened the Law Offices of George B. Bickford as a sole practitioner in East Granby, Connecticut and, as of July 1, 2009, the firm is known as the Law Offices of George B. Bickford, LLC. The office consists of two attorneys and a highly trained paralegal staff concentrating in elder law issues. For many years he has been a guest speaker before bar, medical, social service and public groups on the topics of Social Security, Medicaid and estate planning for the elderly with long-term medical needs, the area in which he currently limits his practice. Mr. Bickford was a member of the Board of Directors of the Alzheimers Association Connecticut Chapter for many years, and he continues to provide them counsel and assistance. He is also a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and the Executive Committee of the Elder Law Section of the Connecticut Bar Association.

Mr. Hann focuses his practice on environmental law and municipal law, and chairs the firm’s Environmental Law Department. He represents a diverse client base, which includes municipal authorities, municipalities, business entities, builders and developers. Steve personally handles all facets of a sophisticated environmental law practice, such as environmental litigation with federal and state government agencies and private parties, advising/representing clients on regulatory, permitting and compliance matters, and guiding clients on environmental issues arising in business and real estate transactions. He provides clients with experienced counseling on federal and state legislative and regulatory developments.  Mr. Hann has developed an extensive practice in the area of municipal law, with a specific emphasis on municipal authorities. Steve is the East Region Solicitor (responsible for the eastern half of Pennsylvania) for the Pennsylvania Municipal Authorities Association (“PMAA”), an organization representing the interests of over 700 municipal authorities in Pennsylvania.  He provides guidance to PMAA member authorities and firm clients on a variety of municipal authority-related matters, including general water, wastewater and environmental issues; stormwater management; permitting; regulatory compliance; sewage facilities planning; waste load management; board member issues; tapping fees and rates; water and sewer regulations; and, compliance with state law bidding and procurement requirements. Steve provides experienced counseling on various statutes, such as the Municipality Authorities Act, Sunshine Act, Right-to-Know Law and Ethics Act. He has been appointed as both solicitor and special counsel for municipal entities, and has been retained as both an expert and mediator in matters involving municipal authorities. He is a frequent author and speaker on both environmental law and municipal law-related issues.  

After 20 years in photography creating art, and selling and installing professional photography equipment, Mr. Williams decided to change careers and make the world a better place by becoming a LEED accredited professional through the US Green Building Council in 2006. LEED introduced him to water issues. Then there was drought. With a love of rivers and appreciation of water, he decided to focus on rainwater harvesting and water efficiency as Georgia entered its worst drought in its history from 2006 – 2009. In 2007, Mr. Williams started designing and installing rain harvesting systems. In 2008, he became an American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association accredited professional, ARCSA AP, and is currently a regional representative. In 2012, Mr. Williams began auditing commercial, institutional and multifamily buildings’ water use and providing solutions to reduce water use primarily through fixture upgrades. He spent the next several years auditing commercial, institutional and multifamily buildings as part of his job in sales and account management working for several different companies. In 2013, he landed the contract for fixture upgrades for the Bank of America Plaza’s LEED Silver Certification, reducing water by 57 percent, receiving all seven points and saving 2,669,360 gallons per year. The project won the USGBC’s Ebie award for water efficiency, the Atlanta Metro Chamber’s E3 award for water, the USGBC – GA Chrysalis award as well as the Atlanta Better Building Challenge award. In 2019, Mr. Williams started representing Sustainable Water’s WaterHub water recycling system that uses eco-engineering processes to clean wastewater for non-potable needs. Sustainable Water brought the WaterHub to Emory University, recycling more than 400,000 gallons daily. Currently, he is designing and installing rainwater systems in Georgia and helping others use water more efficiently through water audits, billing assessments and fixture recommendations. Mr. Williams is chair of the Ocmulgee Basin Advisory Committee of the Metro North Georgia Water Planning District and has been active since 2007. He still creates art though his photography.

After 20 years in photography creating art, and selling and installing professional photography equipment, Mr. Williams decided to change careers and make the world a better place by becoming a LEED accredited professional through the US Green Building Council in 2006. LEED introduced him to water issues. Then there was drought. With a love of rivers and appreciation of water, he decided to focus on rainwater harvesting and water efficiency as Georgia entered its worst drought in its history from 2006 – 2009. In 2007, Mr. Williams started designing and installing rain harvesting systems. In 2008, he became an American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association accredited professional, ARCSA AP, and is currently a regional representative. In 2012, Mr. Williams began auditing commercial, institutional and multifamily buildings’ water use and providing solutions to reduce water use primarily through fixture upgrades. He spent the next several years auditing commercial, institutional and multifamily buildings as part of his job in sales and account management working for several different companies. In 2013, he landed the contract for fixture upgrades for the Bank of America Plaza’s LEED Silver Certification, reducing water by 57 percent, receiving all seven points and saving 2,669,360 gallons per year. The project won the USGBC’s Ebie award for water efficiency, the Atlanta Metro Chamber’s E3 award for water, the USGBC – GA Chrysalis award as well as the Atlanta Better Building Challenge award. In 2019, Mr. Williams started representing Sustainable Water’s WaterHub water recycling system that uses eco-engineering processes to clean wastewater for non-potable needs. Sustainable Water brought the WaterHub to Emory University, recycling more than 400,000 gallons daily. Currently, he is designing and installing rainwater systems in Georgia and helping others use water more efficiently through water audits, billing assessments and fixture recommendations. Mr. Williams is chair of the Ocmulgee Basin Advisory Committee of the Metro North Georgia Water Planning District and has been active since 2007. He still creates art though his photography.

Mr. Hanrahan has more than 47 years of industry experience. In addition to presentations in Canada, Taiwan and the Dominican Republic, he has also presented at the national level for many organizations, including the International Erosion Control Association, the Land Improvement Contractors of America, the Geotechnical Fabrics Institute, the National Working Waterfront Network, and the American Water Works Association. Mr. Hanrahan’s articles have been published in many magazines, including Erosion Control, Land & Water, Geosynthetics, and Landscape Architect & Specifier News. He has produced webinars for the International Erosion Control Association, the International Association of Hydroseeding Professionals, the New York State Society of Professional Engineers, and Forester University. Mr. Hanrahan has also served as a guest lecturer at the University of Mississippi, Ohio Northern University, University of New England, and Vermont Technical College. He has also been active in industry organizations. He was national president of the International Management Council in 1991-92 and served four terms as president of the Northeast Chapter of the International Erosion Control Association. Mr. Hanrahan is also a member of the Senior Advisory Committee of Envirocert. He has developed and delivered training events throughout his career. From 2008 to the present, he has organized coastal erosion control training events up and down the New England Coast, with multiple seminars in Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. Event co-sponsors for these events have included the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, Maine Sea Grant, the Rhode Island Coastal Management Council, the University of Rhode Island Coastal Resources Center, Connecticut College, and Connecticut Sea Grant. Mr. Hanrahan has also assisted with the development of erosion control standards with the Illinois Tollway Authority, and the State Departments of Transportation in New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, Oklahoma, Missouri, Arkansas, and Illinois.

Mr. Hanrahan has more than 47 years of industry experience. In addition to presentations in Canada, Taiwan and the Dominican Republic, he has also presented at the national level for many organizations, including the International Erosion Control Association, the Land Improvement Contractors of America, the Geotechnical Fabrics Institute, the National Working Waterfront Network, and the American Water Works Association. Mr. Hanrahan’s articles have been published in many magazines, including Erosion Control, Land & Water, Geosynthetics, and Landscape Architect & Specifier News. He has produced webinars for the International Erosion Control Association, the International Association of Hydroseeding Professionals, the New York State Society of Professional Engineers, and Forester University. Mr. Hanrahan has also served as a guest lecturer at the University of Mississippi, Ohio Northern University, University of New England, and Vermont Technical College. He has also been active in industry organizations. He was national president of the International Management Council in 1991-92 and served four terms as president of the Northeast Chapter of the International Erosion Control Association. Mr. Hanrahan is also a member of the Senior Advisory Committee of Envirocert. He has developed and delivered training events throughout his career. From 2008 to the present, he has organized coastal erosion control training events up and down the New England Coast, with multiple seminars in Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. Event co-sponsors for these events have included the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, Maine Sea Grant, the Rhode Island Coastal Management Council, the University of Rhode Island Coastal Resources Center, Connecticut College, and Connecticut Sea Grant. Mr. Hanrahan has also assisted with the development of erosion control standards with the Illinois Tollway Authority, and the State Departments of Transportation in New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, Oklahoma, Missouri, Arkansas, and Illinois.

Mr. Hanrahan has more than 47 years of industry experience. In addition to presentations in Canada, Taiwan and the Dominican Republic, he has also presented at the national level for many organizations, including the International Erosion Control Association, the Land Improvement Contractors of America, the Geotechnical Fabrics Institute, the National Working Waterfront Network, and the American Water Works Association. Mr. Hanrahan’s articles have been published in many magazines, including Erosion Control, Land & Water, Geosynthetics, and Landscape Architect & Specifier News. He has produced webinars for the International Erosion Control Association, the International Association of Hydroseeding Professionals, the New York State Society of Professional Engineers, and Forester University. Mr. Hanrahan has also served as a guest lecturer at the University of Mississippi, Ohio Northern University, University of New England, and Vermont Technical College. He has also been active in industry organizations. He was national president of the International Management Council in 1991-92 and served four terms as president of the Northeast Chapter of the International Erosion Control Association. Mr. Hanrahan is also a member of the Senior Advisory Committee of Envirocert. He has developed and delivered training events throughout his career. From 2008 to the present, he has organized coastal erosion control training events up and down the New England Coast, with multiple seminars in Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. Event co-sponsors for these events have included the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, Maine Sea Grant, the Rhode Island Coastal Management Council, the University of Rhode Island Coastal Resources Center, Connecticut College, and Connecticut Sea Grant. Mr. Hanrahan has also assisted with the development of erosion control standards with the Illinois Tollway Authority, and the State Departments of Transportation in New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, Oklahoma, Missouri, Arkansas, and Illinois.

Ms. Uhlmann is an environmental horticulturist, accredited green roof professional, certified permaculture practitioner and certified sustainable landscape professional. Her firm, Urban Horticulture Consulting, provides green infrastructure planning, training, and asset management. Over the past 19 years, she has been a passionate advocate for green infrastructure education and policy making. Based in Marietta, Georgia, her projects include green roof design, assessments and remediation, maintenance protocol development, FLL compliance testing and the development of public outreach programs. Recent speaking engagements include The Little Rock Sustainability Conference, P80 Global Summit, and The Green Infrastructure Foundation Seattle Design Charette.

Mr. Jackowski is chair of the Commercial Litigation North practice at Offit Kurman. Voytek focuses on commercial and corporate dispute resolution, emphasizing rational or cost-effective business solutions. His diverse practice includes international facets of litigation and dispute resolution, and criminal and civil facets of various international income reporting obligations. He has represented entities and individuals in cases involving trade and contract disputes, property loss claims, bankruptcy proceedings, construction issues, commodities and derivatives matters, white-collar crime, personal injury, and claims raising questions under federal labor law. Before joining Offit Kurman, Mr. Jackowski was a partner in the New York law firm of Menaker & Herrmann LLP. Voytek began his career as a prosecutor and later became a Senior Assistant District Attorney with the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office. He was part of the Money Laundering and Revenue Crimes Bureau and the Rackets Division, investigating and prosecuting business and securities fraud, money laundering, corporate and individual income, and sales tax evasion. Mr. Jackowski frequently lectures and publishes articles on
construction law and litigation topics. He is active in numerous bar and industry associations, including the Construction Law Committee of the New York Building Congress, Building Owners Management Association (BOMA) Professional Development Committee, the International Section of the American Bar Association’s Forum on Construction Law, Law Firm Sustainability Network, A/E ProNet, and the European American Bar Association. He is a member of the Construction Law Committee at the New York City Bar Association.

Mr. Jackowski is chair of the Commercial Litigation North practice at Offit Kurman. Voytek focuses on commercial and corporate dispute resolution, emphasizing rational or cost-effective business solutions. His diverse practice includes international facets of litigation and dispute resolution, and criminal and civil facets of various international income reporting obligations. He has represented entities and individuals in cases involving trade and contract disputes, property loss claims, bankruptcy proceedings, construction issues, commodities and derivatives matters, white-collar crime, personal injury, and claims raising questions under federal labor law. Before joining Offit Kurman, Mr. Jackowski was a partner in the New York law firm of Menaker & Herrmann LLP. Voytek began his career as a prosecutor and later became a Senior Assistant District Attorney with the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office. He was part of the Money Laundering and Revenue Crimes Bureau and the Rackets Division, investigating and prosecuting business and securities fraud, money laundering, corporate and individual income, and sales tax evasion. Mr. Jackowski frequently lectures and publishes articles on
construction law and litigation topics. He is active in numerous bar and industry associations, including the Construction Law Committee of the New York Building Congress, Building Owners Management Association (BOMA) Professional Development Committee, the International Section of the American Bar Association’s Forum on Construction Law, Law Firm Sustainability Network, A/E ProNet, and the European American Bar Association. He is a member of the Construction Law Committee at the New York City Bar Association.

Mr. Stanfield earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Technical Education from the University of Georgia. He spent over forty years in HVACR education, including serving as Program Director of the Air Conditioning Technology Department at Athens Technical College in Athens, Georgia. His industry credentials include an RSES CMS and a State of Georgia Unrestricted Conditioned Air Contracting License. Mr. Stanfield belongs to several professional organizations including RSES, ASHRAE and ACCA.