Service Region: Central

Executive Vice President of National Sales

Bob Bennett

Bob develops the company’s plans and programs to ensure sustainable growth through the core values of providing the highest quality solutions, satisfying and delighting customers, and caring about communities and the environment. With Veregy Vice President of the Midwest Region Scott Ririe, he co-founded CTS he spent his 32-year career working with public school districts, higher education, and state and local government clients throughout the Midwest. And as a managing partner of CTS, he gives his customers a direct line of communication with a company owner to reinforce CTS’ commitment to meeting their building objectives. He holds a Bachelor of General Studies from the University of Kansas.

Vice President of Regional Operations

Al Willis

Al is the Vice President of our Veregy Central region. He manages all operations, engineering and P&L for this region, ensuring our projects meet our clients goals, optimized energy and long-term customer value. After graduating with a bachelor’s from Pittsburgh State University, Al has served as a well-respected and accomplished leader in various management roles within the industry.

Vice President of Business Development

Kurt Schneider

Kurt is a co-founder of Johnson Melloh Solutions, the Indianapolis Veregy location. His primary role at Veregy is to develop relationships with clients to better understand the solutions that fit the client’s operational and financial needs.  Kurt has helped numerous municipal, K-12, commercial, and aviation clients find the perfect solution for energy efficiency. Kurt is directly involved with all projects, big or small, and uses his vast experience to develop the best solution for each customer and their needs. Kurt holds a Bachelor of Science in Recreational Management from Indiana State University. 

Director of Operations

Josh Hannoy

Josh serves the Director of Operations for Veregy’s Central Region. His responsibilities include construction management, field coordination, and negotiating contracts with subcontractors. Josh brings vast experience in project management and electrical expertise to Veregy. Josh’s experience in the industry combined with his understanding of construction ensures Veregy projects are always on time and within budget. Josh holds a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management from Ball State University. 

Project Development Engineering Manager - Energy/Solar

Sumit Ray, PE, CEM, LEED, MS, MBA

Sumit Ray is the Principal Engineer and the Center of Excellence lead at CTS. Sumit focuses on developing and managing energy infrastructure projects for K-12 schools, municipalities, large commercial, industrial and educational clients. Also, as a decarbonization practice lead, provides consulting services for utility & energy infrastructure master planning, district energy, combined heat & power, renewable energy and GHG reduction strategies.

As a Center of Excellence lead, Sumit is responsible for developing standardized processes, tools and templates for efficient project development. This is a cloud-based platform for remote access by all engineers.

Sumit has more than 28 years of industry experience. He has PE license for multiple states. He earned a Master of Science in industrial and systems engineering from the University of Florida and an executive MBA from Michigan State University.

Director of Development and Engineering - Energy

Tim McCarthy, PE, CEM, LEED AP

Tim uses his background in engineering and energy to lead development of comprehensive smart building technology systems that are unique to each project. He designs solutions to collect and analyze building and system performance to improve comfort, energy-efficiency, and operational performance to reduce cost for customers. His extensive engineering, sales, and managerial experience in the building automation and HVAC industries provide the insight and skills to lead the design and implementation of smart building technology. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Management from the University of Missouri-Rolla.

Director of Sales

Bob Smith

Bob manages the Central Region sales team and is responsible for setting its market strategy. He also supports key Higher Education, Major Metropolitan Counties and Cities accounts. Bob enjoys working with clients to develop innovative solutions for energy efficiency and infrastructure renewal of existing facilities. And he was instrumental in the growth and acceptance of Energy Saving Performance Contracting ESPC working with state legislators to adopt enabling procurement statutes. He has 35 years of industry experience and holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Indiana University. 

Manager of Strategic Development

Jim Blumfelder, ASHRAE

Jim leads business development efforts coordinating with sales and engineering to assess opportunities, prequalification, and needs analysis of potential projects. His extensive background in working with customers on project development and his knowledge of mechanical and building systems allows him to assist in the preliminary assessment of projects and the identification of customer goals, potential costs, and the process required foe a successful project. Jim also handles quality control and monitors project progress to assure customer goals are met. He holds an Associate of Science in Industrial Electronics Engineering from St. Louis Community College.

Director of Marketing and Communication

Gina Bicknese

Gina brings more than 30 years of experience in office administration, marketing and promotion. She began her career as a city clerk for the City of Ames, Iowa. She has been instrumental in helping school districts and counties pass bond issues, Prop C waivers, and sales-tax initiatives. Her responsibilities include administrative support, marketing and customer relations, and bond-election support services for clients in the development of their community information campaigns.  

Sales Manager

John Shaw

John manages Veregy’s account representatives in Missouri. He and his team work closely with the Saint Louis office engineers and project managers to develop innovative solutions for K12 and Local Government infrastructure and facility improvement needs. His 20 years of prior work in government, including as a City Manager, gives him a unique perspective on projects and allows him to better serve communities with capital improvement needs and restrictive budgets. He understands key organizational objectives, challenges, and risks, and helps Veregy formulate an energy and resource management strategy that promotes the lowest lifecycle costs and provides guaranteed healthier environments for occupants. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from St. Vincent College and Master of Public Administration from University of Missouri.

Strategic Marketing and Communications Manager

Becky Werra

Becky works closely with the Vice President of Marketing and Regional Sales Directors as Strategic Marketing and Communications Manager to develop marketing campaigns to build sustainable, resilient, and safe communities. With a diverse portfolio in environmental and energy solutions and information systems, she works with internal and external stakeholders to understand the issues and concerns facing school districts, local, state, and federal governments to help them achieve energy reduction and decarbonization initiatives through Veregy’s environmental solutions. Becky brings 25 years of experience in information systems sales, marketing, and energy performance contracting in various markets and states. Becky is a LEED accredited professional, FEMA certified, and earned a certification in information systems project management from the DePaul College of Telecommunications and Information Systems. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Lakeland College.

Manager of Marketing and Communications

Lindsay Yazel, CDMP, PCM-DM

Lindsay is responsible for all aspects of communication and advertisement for local central team and contributes to the nationwide Veregy marketing team. She brings several years of graphic design experience and creative background and works to develop effective, eye-catching marketing collateral and personalized project proposals. Lindsay holds a Bachelor of Science in Communications from Indiana University.

Controls Division Manager

Mike Tennenbaum

Mike’s primary focus is to lead the controls team in the design, engineering and implementation of building automation systems for Veregy projects. Other duties include startup, verification and commissioning of these systems to achieve lower energy and operational costs while improving comfort for occupants. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Missouri.

Director of Vehicle Electrification

Scott Wisner

As a former transit professional and innovator with several years experience working for Valley Metro RPTA, Scott joined the Veregy team in 2021 to head up our vehicle electrification division. Scott is responsible for working directly with municipalities, schools and transit customers to deliver EV fleet and infrastructure plans and solutions that support your organizations needs.

Project Development Engineering Manager - Energy/Solar

Amy Nemeth, LEED AP

Amy has been an energy services leader for 29 years, honing her focus on quality and performance. She manages teams of engineers and project management staff to develop and deliver turnkey facility improvements on time and on budget. Amy leverages her extensive knowledge of mechanical and control systems for the design of new systems that maximize efficiency, comfort, and investment for the client. Her responsibilities include design, energy analysis, estimating and coordination to bring projects to contract while ensuring client needs are met throughout the process. Amy has a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Kansas State University. 

Manager of Regional Operations - Construction

Jason Becker

Jason is a 25-year veteran of the construction and management industry whose areas of expertise include construction management, construction practices, services and products. His knowledge and background allow him to fully manage construction projects, including scheduling, estimating, contract negotiations, as well as the coordination of design, engineering, contractors and design-build companies. He leads the process of managing performance contracting projects for regional teams to ensure accurate estimates, high-quality installation, problem solving, customer satisfaction, and on-time completion. Jason also provides attention to the energy conservation measures’ proper implementation to facilitate the success of the energy cost avoidance guarantee. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Construction Engineering from the University of Nebraska.

Manager of Regional Operations - ESCO

John Mihulka, PE, CEM, LEED AP

John has devoted his more than 25 years to engineering and management in the heating and cooling industries. He has managed the mechanical installation for projects in hospital, industrial, and educational facilities. His responsibilities include design, energy analysis, estimating, and coordination to bring a project to contract. He ensures his customers’ needs are met throughout the entire process. John holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Washington University.

Manager of Regional Operations - ESCO

Eli Hannoy

As Regional Operations Manager for the Central Region of Veregy, Eli oversees all aspects of his assigned projects and is responsible for assuring the project is done to the highest quality and meets all necessary timelines and budgets in addition to exceeding the customers’ expectations.  Eli demonstrates strong leadership and communication skills that allow him to identify and resolve potential construction issues in order to avoid additional costs or delays to the project. Eli is a graduate of Indiana University, with over 10 years of construction experience.

Human Resources Manager

Jennelyn Giovando, SHRM-SCP

Director of Environmental Health & Safety

Paul Benson, Sr.

Paul Benson has been in the construction industry for over 25 years. Most recently, he has been the Regional Safety Director of the largest steel erector/fabricator in the US. He utilizes his knowledge, skills, and hands-on experience to develop practical and compliant programs and policies. His responsibilities, in part, will be to maintain a safe and healthy job site, work with local subcontractors to ensure they follow Veregy company policies and work with National Insurance and Risk programs to ensure compliance and risk reduction.

Paul has a certificate of completion with the International Associate of Bridge, Structural and Ornamental Iron Workers, as well as being a certified OSHA Authorized Construction Trainer. He is also an accredited Safety Manager Specialist, from the Board of Certified Safety Professionals.