2024 Nominees - Board of Directors
Jayati Chhabra
Building Energy Research Engineer at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL)
Having served as the first Student Director and later as a Director for IBPSA-USA, my active engagement in various committees over the past three years reflects my commitment to the organization’s success. The increasing depth of my involvement has not only honed my understanding of IBPSA-USA’s potential impact but has also provided insights into the workflows and resource needs crucial for advancing the building simulation industry. In my role as the chair of the EPSI committee, I’ve dedicated myself to creating a vibrant community for emerging professionals and students, fostering collaborative learning, and establishing connections with experienced professionals and firms through IBPSA-USA. My proven dedication to advancing the field and fostering collaboration positions me as a strong candidate for the IBPSA-USA board. I am genuinely excited about the opportunity to continue contributing to the organization’s triumphs and catalyze positive change within the building simulation industry.
The transformative power of Building Performance Simulation in revolutionizing building design and construction excites me immensely. While some embrace this innovation, there is a significant need to broaden awareness and understanding of its potential impact. In the face of climate change, the industry must swiftly address pending challenges through collaboration, fresh ideas, and innovative solutions. As a member of the IBPSA-USA board, I envision leveraging this platform to accelerate industry-wide progress. I am passionate about fostering collaboration, and I see the board as a catalyst for bringing together diverse talents, identifying challenges, and driving collective efforts toward impactful solutions. My goal is to enhance awareness, facilitate collaboration, and propel the building simulation industry forward by ensuring IBPSA-USA remains a dynamic hub (and becomes bigger) for shared knowledge, innovation, and effective problem-solving.
- Successfully served a 2-year term as a Board of Directors member from 2021 to 2023, actively contributing to strategic decision-making.
- Held the position of Student Director at IBPSA-USA, demonstrating leadership during a 1-year term (2020).
- Co-founded and chaired the Emerging Professionals and Students of IBPSA-USA (EPSI) Committee, orchestrating impactful initiatives such as Career Advancement Webinars, discussion groups, and events like the Virtual Career Fair. Dedicated to empowering and providing resources to emerging professionals in the building performance industry.
- Contributed to the coordination and execution of various IBPSA-USA events and conferences including semi-annual events, as the vice-chair of the Conference Committee. Currently a Steering Committee member for SimBuild 2024.
- Advocated for the concerns of students and emerging professionals within the building performance industry during monthly board meetings. Orchestrated outreach efforts to enhance student participation and engagement within the organization.
Matthew Duffy
Vice President at IESVE North America East
Matthew Duffy is currently the chair of the IBPSA-USA Chapters Committee, a member of the DEI Committee, and a vendor representative on the Building Data Exchange Committee. Matthew has served on the IBPSA-USA Board of Directors since 2020.
Using building performance and simulation as tools to achieve better buildings and thriving communities bring the most excitement to volunteering on the board of directories. The opportunities to bridge the language barrier between architecture and engineering while intersecting that with decarbonization is such an important and multi-generational necessity that continues to evolve. My vision is to have building performance and simulation be inclusive, scientific, and communicative.
- IBPSA-USA Wisconsin Chapter Committee and Founding Member
- IBPSA-USA Chapters Chair
- IBPSA-USA DEI Board Liaison
- IBPSA-USA Building Data Exchange Vendor Member
- IBPSA-USA SimBuild 2012 Moderator
David Goldwasser
I have been a software engineer and researcher at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) for more than 12 years; working on development of the OpenStudio platform, developing an initial library of OpenStudio measures through analysis projects, creating videos to demonstrate functionality, and supporting modelers and developers. I became the primary investigator for OpenStudio in 2023. In addition to OpenStudio I’m also involved in Industrial Construction Innovation research at NREL. Prior to joining NREL I had 10 years’ experience in architectural and construction management practices, and another 5 years consulting for the AEC industry in advanced interactive media. While my personal perspective of IBPSA-USA is as a software develop, an energy modeler, and an architect, as a board member, I would serve the membership at large taking guidance from members on prioritization and direction of IBPSA-USA efforts to advance and promote performance simulation for an ever-changing industry and world.
What excites me about Building Performance Simulation is the positive impact we can have on the built environment, building occupants, operators, and owners, as well as the AEC professionals who directly design and build and renovate buildings. I know that building and design is a team effort involving many professional organizations including but not limited to ASHRAE, AIA, and IBPSA. I approach the IBPSA-USA board, first supporting IBPSA-USA members, but always considering how the decisions we make ultimately tie into efforts and decisions by other organizations to impact how new buildings are built and how existing buildings are renovated and maintained.
- In addition to currently serving on the IBPA-USA Board of Directors, I am active in the research committee (specifically the IBPSA-Mixa working group) and the Building Data Exchange committee (specifically the BIM to BEM subcommittee).
- Additionally, I’m leading an IBPSA-USA effort to connect university students patriating in DOE’s Solar Decathlon Design Challenge with IBPSA-USA performance modeling advisors.
- I attended SimBuild in Chicago in 2022, and I will attend in Denver in 2024.
Nathaniel Jones
Senior Consultant at Arup
I have served on the IBPSA-USA Board of Directors since 2020 and as its secretary since 2022. I have nearly a decade of leadership experience in IBPSA-USA since joining the Research Committee in 2014, and in this time I have launched numerous projects aimed at bridging the gap between practitioners and researchers in our field, including the Research Committee webinar series, the IBPSA-USA newsletter’s ‘Ask a Modeler’ column, and the HackSimBuild performance simulation buildathon. I chair the Research Committee and serve on the Communications and Conferences committees. I have also been on the SimBuild Scientific Committee since 2021 and now serve as its chair for SimBuild 2024. Professionally, I am a senior consultant in daylighting, microclimate, and comfort simulation at Arup, and I teach energy and lighting simulation at Parsons School of Design and Wentworth Institute of Technology. I am the creator of tools such as comfort.arup.com and Accelerad, and I have authored over twenty peer-reviewed papers on occupant health, comfort, and building energy use.
IBPSA brings together a diverse body of architects, engineers, developers, researchers, teachers, and students with a common goal: To create better building performance through simulation. Our community includes energy modelers, daylight designers, acousticians, air quality specialists, urban planners, utilities, and many other fields. As a young industry that constantly innovates in response to new tools, new regulations, and new demands from building system to global scales, we struggle to maintain a connection between research and practice. I believe that IBPSA is the best organization to bridge between researchers and practitioners, and my goal for my continuing service on the board is to make IBPSA the most effective it can be at producing, promoting, and sharing innovations in all areas of building performance simulation. I hope to accomplish this through events, programs, and online content that foster a global community of simulationists, with an emphasis on outreach to students and young professionals.
- Executive Committee, Secretary
- Board of Directors
- Research Committee, Chair
- Communications Committee
- Conferences Committee
- 2024 SimBuild Scientific Committee, Chair
- 2022 HackSimBuild, Chair
- 2022 Building Performance Simulation Analysis Conference and SimBuild Scientific Committee
- 2017 Building Simulation Conference Program Committee
- Research Committee Webinar Series, Past Host
- Ask a Modeler, Past Editor
I am an associate with a focus on building performance modeling with Atelier Ten. I have been working in the industry for 7 years and am very involved in the high performance building design. It would be great for me to contribute to our community.
I am excited to meet and work with peers in the same field and spark and exchange great ideas.
- IBPSA international and USA conferences.
- Recently attended the IBPSA international conference in Shanghai, China.
During my time on the board, IBPSA-USA has begun a transformation in management with more work accomplished by committees and less controlled by the board. This transformation now needs to continue with an eye to sustainability of volunteer effort and finances.
IBPSA-USA has the opportunity to be a real leader in the building performance simulation arena, but often spreads the volunteer effort over too many tasks at the same time. It needs to hone in on the efforts that are of most importance to the members of the organization in order to make the most impact on the industry.
- Member of board – 2005-2013 and 2019-present and currently Vice President.
- Member of Finance and Development, Certification, Building Data Exchange, Conferences, and Awards committees.
Joel Neymark
Principal at J. Neymark and Associates
ResumeSince 1991, Joel’s career has focused on testing and validation of building performance simulation (BPS) software. As an independent consultant in collaboration with National Renewable Energy Laboratory and Argonne National Laboratory, he is lead-author or co-author for most of the BPS software test suites included in ASHRAE Standard 140, Method of Test for Evaluating Building Performance Simulation Software. Joel’s related professional activities include: Recent past Chair (2014 – 2023) of the Standard-140 project committee (SSPC 140) and three cycles as voting member and current Standards Subcommittee Chair for ASHRAE Technical Committee 4.7 (Energy Calculations). For IBPSA, since 1997 Joel has presented papers and chaired sessions at IBPSA-World conferences, at the IBPSA-US SimBuild conference, and is active on the Denver-IBPSA organizing committee. Joel’s 30-plus years of experience developing BPS software testing standards, collaborating with software developers and users, and leading major research projects qualifies him to serve on the IBPSA-USA board.
I first began modeling in 1986 as a graduate student at Colorado State University. That was a mind expanding “gateway” that led to modeling consulting work with a variety of clients applying a variety of BPS tools, and ultimately to the research and standards development path described in “Statement” above. I was then, and still am, excited about the potential for energy modeling to facilitate energy efficient designs, and about the societal benefits that stem from that. My vision for participating in the IBPSA-USA board (and life generally) is teaming to drive incremental progress. My areas of specialization are 30+ years of research and standards promulgation with emphasis on supporting BPS software development, quality assurance, and user confidence. I hope to bring my related experience, knowledge, and relationships with software developers and users to help further serve the industry and advance the cause of BPS software.
Also including IBPSA-World and a few ASHRAE items related to BPS industry:
Conferences
- IBPSA-US
2022 SimBuild/BPAC: presentation author (had to miss for covid exposure) - 2020 SimBuild/BPAC (virtual): attended
- 2018 SimBuild (Chicago): attended
- 2012 SimBuild (Madison): session chair
- IBPSA-World: Presented papers, reviewed papers, and chaired sessions at:
- Shanghai hybrid (2023): Chaired 2 sessions
- Bruges (2021): Presenter, session chair
- Rome (2019): Presenter, session chair
- San Francisco (2017): Presenter, session chair
- Chambery (2013): 2 papers presented, session chair
- Sydney (2011): 2 papers presented
- Glasgow (2009): 1 paper presented, 1 paper co-authored
- Montreal (2005): 1 paper presented
- Rio (2001): 1 paper presented
- Prague (1997): 1 paper presented
- Madison (1995): attended
Chapter
- Denver chapter organizing committee (2017 – current):
- Organize student nights
- Contribute to other event planning
Other
- IBPSA Music Competition Award (Building Simulation 2021 conference, Bruges, Belgium).
- IBPSA Journal reviewer
- Regular participant in ASHRAE annual and winter meetings and ASHRAE BPAC conferences (e.g., presenter, panelist, and session chair at BPAC 2023 Austin [3 total sessions])
- Contributor to multiple editions of the ASHRAE Handbook of Fundamentals (Chapter 19, Energy Estimating and Modeling Methods)
With over 24 years of experience, I have delivered high-performance sustainable design on over 300 building projects across the US and globally. My passion is to apply building performance modeling in design stages to enhance building performance. I work across organizations to promote building performance and improve adoption of building performance in each design stage. Additionally, I and other education members in the Education Committee have initiated a webinar series that is useful not only for energy modelers but also for non-energy modelers. Some current activities related to building performance include serving as the chair of the AIA National Building Performance Knowledge Community, as a board director (2020-2023) of the International Building Performance Simulation Association (IBPSA) US, and as a voting member of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) SPC 209-2018R committee. I previously served on the USGBC Energy & Atmosphere Technical Advisory Group, specifically related to guidelines within version 4.1 of the LEED rating system. I was also awarded the LEED fellow this year.
Building performance is a crucial aspect of driving and achieving high-performance buildings. While it has been adopted in certain processes such as LEED, I envision building performance tools becoming a standard tool in any building design to drive the design and achieve high-performance goals such as net-zero buildings. With the current decarbonization movement, building performance is not only important but also critical in achieving the goal. Implementing building performance is expanding not only in new buildings but also in planning for bigger decarbonization strategies. Education and promotion will be critical roles to increase wider adoption of building performance in not only building designers but also owner side.
- Board of Directors: 2020-2023
- Education Committee: 2012- Present
