This one-hour webinar explores how districts can quantify utility savings from efficiency upgrades and reinvest those savings to justify and sustain dedicated staff positions such as energy and sustainability managers.

Join us on Wednesday, May 13 to learn how to identify opportunities for quick efficiency savings, calculate and communicate avoided costs, align staffing needs with district financial priorities, and leverage incentives and performance contracting. Participants will hear from districts about how the crafted a compelling internal business case for reinvesting operational savings into long-term staff capacity.

Panelists

Aaron Presberg, Senior Energy and Climate Coach, Stillwater Energy
Aaron is a Senior Energy & Climate Coach with Stillwater Energy, where he provides technical assistance to commercial building owners through Strategic Energy Management (SEM) programs and Clean Buildings Accelerators with goals to save energy, cut utility costs, decarbonize, and help with Clean Building Performance Standard compliance. Prior to working at Stillwater, he spent a decade leading the Energy & Sustainability program at Portland Public Schools with a mission to achieve energy savings and reach net zero emissions by 2040. He oversaw a portfolio with 10 million square feet across 100+ buildings and a $15 million annual utility budget and implemented the District’s first decarbonization roadmap.

Deb LaSalle, Founder, Sustainability and Decarbonization Consultant, Verdant Resolutions
Deb LaSalle is the founder of a Boise-based consulting practice that helps school districts and communities turn energy efficiency into a strategic and financial asset. With over 25 years of experience, she brings a unique blend of data analysis, facilitation, communication, and environmental law to support practical, high-impact decision-making. Deb works closely with school district leaders to identify efficiency opportunities, quantify avoided utility costs, and translate those into clear business cases aligned with district goals and long-term planning. Her approach combines energy dashboards, benchmarking, and analytical tools with hands-on engagement, supporting staff, students and interns in real-world data collection and analysis through energy “treasure hunts.” She also helps districts access and structure revolving loan funds, incentives, and other funding mechanisms to sustain and scale investments.

Moderator

Reilly Loveland Falvey, Associate Director, New Buildings Institute (NBI)
Reilly supports the project management team on various projects including the Prop 39 Zero Net Energy School Retrofit work in California, as well as other K-12 schools related work. The program’s focus is on drastic energy reduction via zero net energy retrofits and vigorous occupant engagement programs. Reilly also designs and develops NBI workshops, public engagement materials, and other technical and market transformation resources. Prior to joining NBI she worked for the Integrated Design Lab and Washington Green Schools doing research and energy analysis, developing and maintaining databases, as well as designing energy focused curriculum for K-12 schools.

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