Mission
Beyond Efficiency brings out the best in buildings by applying whole-systems insight and expertise to engineer sensible solutions that are optimized for people and performance.
Strategy
The foundation of our work in building consulting and research provides us hands-on experience and unique insights to allow us to understand the real hurdles faced by stakeholders in creating great buildings. This foundational work informs and strengthens our work in program development, policy support, education and knowledge transfer, allowing us to scale solutions and accelerate impact.
Philosophy
Super-efficient buildings are critical to ensuring we hand off a planet ready to embrace and sustain future generations. When focusing on efficiency, it's important not to get blinded by isolated components and neglect the ultimate goal of optimizing the entire system—from the building to the site, community and beyond. After all, elements of a building are only as efficient as the larger systems they comprise.
Yet a truly successful building—one that's loved and stands the test of time—transcends efficiency. It is healthy, comfortable and filled with natural light; it feels good, improves people’s well-being and allows them to thrive. It has thoughtfully designed spaces that are smart and functional. It considers and connects to nature and the community.
Efficiency is vital, but without these intangible and "beyond the lot line" human elements a building will not endure (so much for efficiency!). Buildings are for people, and they must be loved to endure. This is the premise of our philosophy and approach.
- Katy Hollbacher, Founder and Principal of Beyond Efficiency
Team
Katy Hollbacher, P.E., Principal + Founder
Katy is a licensed civil engineer and founded Beyond Efficiency in 2009 to provide technical consulting services for high-performance building projects. She has more than twenty-five years experience in the A/E/C and green building industries and is passionate about educating clients and team members on building science and best practices.
Prior to founding Beyond Efficiency, Katy spent five years managing Build It Green's suite of technical information programs, including the Ask an Expert green building hotline and Best Builders technical assistance program. She was also an engineer at Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, a national consulting firm specializing in the forensic investigation and repair of modern and historic structures. At home in the field as well as the office, Katy has pounded nails, hung drywall, and pulled wires on various construction projects.
She has presented for a broad range of clients including AIA, PG&E, ACI, West Coast Green, Structural Engineers Association of Northern California (SEAONC), and NARI as well as various public agencies, USGBC and Passive House chapters. Katy was a founding board member of the non-profit Passive House California and holds a Master of Science in Civil/Structural Engineering from the University of Michigan.
Annette Hartsfield, Accounts + Operations Manager
Annette holds a Master of Anthropology from San Francisco State University and has worked in office management and development most of her professional life. She spent seven years at Build It Green in various roles, starting as the office administrator and ending as senior project manager in the marketing and communications department, writing and editing much of the organization’s newsletter and web copy.
Annette left the green building industry in 2013 to be a full-time parent and household manager. In 2018 she joined Beyond Efficiency to bring her capacity for order and meticulous detail to the finance and operations team by managing insurance, contracts, monthly invoicing and other accounting tasks.
Pete Kennedy, Senior Sustainability Consultant
Pete holds a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of California at Berkeley. After working as a draftsman, Pete certified a LEED for Neighborhood Development master plan and then transitioned to sustainability consulting. He has more than fifteen years' experience as a HERS Rater, GreenPoint Rater and LEED for Homes Green Rater (as well as prior experience in building enclosure commissioning). He has certified over 50 projects and helps clients understand and meet California’s strict and constantly changing code requirements.
Pete has a deep passion for buildings, what they mean, how they are made, and how they operate in the world. Pete is committed to increasing housing supply and serves as a Planning Commissioner at the City of Santa Cruz. He is also a soccer coach and budding "biketivisit" and a former Board Member at Habitat for Humanity Monterey Bay.
Theo, Zen Master (2001-2014)
In Memoriam
Theo was with Beyond Efficiency since before its beginning. After spending a year in the Animal Shelter of the Wood River Valley in Hailey, Idaho, Katy brought him home to Wyoming in 2003, where he spent many months hanging out at a jobsite--the perfect place for a dog learning to be house trained. There, and later at Build It Green, and then at Beyond Efficiency, Theo's primary responsibility was office morale booster.
Theo believed that sun feels good and reminded us of the importance of bringing the outside in. And of getting outside to breathe fresh air, explore interesting scents, and run free through the woods and waves. In a nutshell, to enjoy every moment. Humans could learn a lot from wise old dogs.
Theo had a pure and gentle soul and made me a better person. I will miss you dearly, my sweet Theo.
Laken Rush Allen, Sustainability Consultant + Project Manager
Laken holds a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and brings a diverse background in event planning, customer relations, project management and interior design to the Beyond Efficiency team.
She enjoys streamlining processes and supporting the staff in creating enduring, human-centered buildings. In her role, she oversees day to day operations and administration to allow the technical staff to focus on the big picture. She coordinates recurring and special events and facilitates marketing efforts. She also manages the hiring process, on boarding and continued staff education.
Prior to Beyond Efficiency, Laken worked in interior design where she realized her affinity for problem solving and detail oriented project management could also serve her passion for sustainability. She is thankful for the opportunity to work with teammates equally as excited to create a better planet.
Ken Davis, Senior Operations Strategist
Ken holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Technology from Northeastern University. He first worked as a computer programmer before transitioning to the Consumer Electronics industry. For over twenty years Ken was involved with diverse aspects of the industry, from installation and support to sales and business development to operations and project management. He owned his own business and worked for several nationally recognized companies.
From his early days programming to recent work with architects designing whole-home automation systems, Ken believes technology is best when it provides tangible value to help solve complex problems. At Beyond Efficiency, Ken aims to make workflows and processes organized, streamlined, and efficient. His role includes creating alignment between departments, ensuring individual efforts further a collective vision, and nurturing a performance and knowledge-based culture.
Ken values nature, loves the outdoors, and is grateful to work alongside talented teammates who care about the environment and are dedicated to sustainability.
Zach Vaughn, P.E., Energy + Mechanical Engineer
Zach holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Creativity Studies from Texas A&M University. As a licensed engineer, he is experienced with a diversity of system designs including packaged DX, chilled water, geothermal, VRF and DOAS. He is also skilled with energy modeling and data analytics and is excited to bring his experience on commercial and educational buildings to the residential space.
Zach's dedication to integrated design, sustainable solutions, and a collaborative approach with architects and contractors has consistently delivered innovative and harmonious building solutions. He excels in resolving technical issues and optimizing project timelines and budgets and is motivated by finding creative solutions to complex coordination challenges.
Collaborator: Kyle Janofsky, P.E., Senior Mechanical Engineer
Since 2022, Kyle has worked with Beyond Efficiency as a natural extension of the team. He provides full service mechanical design from schematic through construction documents and is licensed in California, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming and Arizona.
Kyle has extensive experience designing HVAC and plumbing systems including heat pumps, VRF, hydronic, and geothermal (ground source) in climate zones ranging from coastal California to inland deserts and cold mountain regions. With a broad range of experience from single-family to large commercial and municipal projects, Kyle thrives on thinking outside the box and applying both creativity and common sense to solve engineering challenges.
Nate Russell, Senior Energy Engineer
Nate holds a Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering, both from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Throughout his life he has been involved in many construction projects from simple remodels to full-gut rehabs and new construction. Two highlights include designing and executing a full rehab of a 1910 home that included a deep energy retrofit that yielded about 70% energy savings and designing and building a modest size, high-performance home that achieved a HERS score of 39. He looks to draw upon that firsthand construction experience and technical background to facilitate the adoption of high-performance buildings and practices.
Prior to joining Beyond Efficiency, Nate was a project manager at the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) in the Buildings R&D group focusing on HVAC technologies with a heavy emphasis on solid biomass combustion systems.
Kaitlin Burton, Associate Product Manager
Kaitlin holds a Masters Certificate in Geospatial Intelligence Analytics from Penn State University, and a Bachelor of Science in Geography from Plymouth State University. Prior to joining Beyond Efficiency, Kaitlin worked as an Account Manager for a property management company in Jackson, WY, and before that spent 5 years in the strategic venture investment space, working as a Program Manager for tech development programs.
Kaitlin delivers value to customers through thoughtful, user-driven product development, extracting actionable system requirements from direct user feedback, and establishing key requirements that address those user needs. Her background in managing complex technology development programs and fostering end user collaboration will help her launch and grow Beyond Efficiency’s new community platform, BuildingGenius.
Collaborator: Lisa Marshall, Architect, Senior Sustainability Consultant
Since 2021, Lisa has worked with Beyond Efficiency as a natural extension of the team. She provides full service sustainability consulting services and is a LEED AP, Certified GreenPoint Rater, and licensed architect in California and Colorado.
Lisa has over twenty-five years experience in the field including architectural design, project management, and sustainability consulting on a wide variety of larger scale residential and commercial building projects. Much of her current work includes review of plans, specifications and submittals; day-to-day management of a large number of projects and milestones; and insightful guidance brought by her decades of experience. Her passion is to be on the cutting edge of sustainability and drive change in the market to create the most efficient, intelligent, beautiful projects that co-exist with our natural surroundings.
