Institute of Energy Professionals’ Highly Respected Instructors

Walter “Wally” Bright is President of the Institute of Energy Professionals (IEP), where his goal is to provide practical and impactful energy management training backed by expertise in energy efficiency. Walter Bright is the lead instructor for all IEP training, instructing topics such as HVAC and Building Automation Systems (BAS), as well as other building-system and energy-related subjects. Click here for more information on Walter.

Robert “Rob” Kirts is Global Director of Energy and Utilities for Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.

Rob has over 25 years of leadership experience in energy conservation starting in the automotive manufacturing industry before joining Stanley Black & Decker in 2015. Over the years, Rob has installed several onsite solar projects, waste heat recovery systems and has directed the replacement of nearly 10,000 lighting fixtures to LED, additionally there have been several compressed air system upgrades as well as chiller and pumping improvements. Click here for more information on Robert.

John Rees is an Energy Engineer who performs energy assessments in facilities from churches to large industry.  He focuses on energy saving measures in HVAC, lighting, and building envelope systems.  Where appropriate, he evaluates solar energy opportunities. Click here for more information on John.

Kaitlin Rider holds a BFA in Theatrical Design and Production from UNC Greensboro. With over a decade of dedicated experience, she currently serves as a Lighting Controls Specialist for SESCO Lighting, INC. Her commitment to excellence is underscored by her CLCP (Certified Lighting Controls Professional) and PMP (Project Management Professional) certifications. As a dynamic speaker, Kaitlin illuminates the intersections of creativity and proficiency in the ever-evolving landscape of lighting design. Click here for more information on Kaitlin.

Now retired, Jack Connell has nearly four decades of experience in the commercial energy conservation field. Starting with Honeywell in 1978, he mostly worked in the commercial building controls area with much of his Honeywell career focused on Energy Savings Performance Contracting, in which the contractor develops and installs comprehensive projects to save energy and operating expense. Click here for more information on Jack.

David Del Vecchio has been installing renewable energy systems since 1998. He earned a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 1992. Currently he operates a consulting and design/install business, Solar Seed, Inc. David is a NABCEP Certified Solar PV installer (since 2005) and also teaches PV classes for the North Carolina Clean Energy Technology Center (formerly the NC Solar Center). David lives off grid in NC and performs design/construction/O&M consulting services on larger multi-MW installations. Beginning at Strata Solar as Senior Engineer (2011-2014), he has 100s of MWs of experience in design, commissioning, inspecting and maintaining PV power production facilities since 2011. Training technicians to maintain utility scale systems remains a passion. David also was a Certified PV Master Trainer from 2010-2017 through the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC).