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Using Our Energy to Save Yours

Our Team

Energy Management Solutions, Inc. (EMS), has assembled a team of experts, knowledgeable in all aspects of commercial/industrial energy supply, demand, usage and conservation.

MANAGEMENT AND STAFF

  • Gary Swanson, President
  • Matt Haley, Chief Executive Officer
  • Gary Olson, Project Manager
  • Tanuj Gulati, Senior Energy Engineer
  • Peter Liska, Project Manager
  • Tyler Barrell, Project Manager
  • Doug Robison, Energy Analyst
  • Paul Twite, Project Manager
  • David Rheineck, Energy Analyst
  • Matt Jensen, Energy Analyst
  • Vicki Kabat-Szklarz, Accounting Specialist
  • Kelly Rogers, Office Manager

PARTNERS AND CONSULTANTS

  • Kevin Canary, Vice President of Development – Oceans Group International, S.A.
  • Robert Hoerauf, Electrical Infrastructure Consultant
MANAGEMENT AND STAFF

Gary A. Swanson, President, has more than 25 years of professional experience, including over 15 years in ownership and senior management positions at companies dedicated to energy auditing and consulting. Swanson founded EMS in January 2005 as a spin-off of U. S. Energy Services of Wayzata, Minn., where he served as vice president of energy demand management. Throughout his career, he has conducted or overseen more than 4,000 facility audits, saving clients more than $100,000,000 in energy costs. He is a frequent presenter and conference speaker on energy-related topics, earning a national reputation for his expertise in this dynamic industry.

  • Served as a principal and president of Energy & Environmental Consulting Engineers of Minneapolis, Minn., and principal and vice president of Associated Consultants Engineers of Plymouth, Minn.
  • Licensed as a professional engineer in Minnesota and Iowa since 1990
  • Member of the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE)
  • Holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Minnesota

Matt Haley, Chief Executive Officer, is a certified energy manager with more than 26 years of experience in the energy field, including 13 years in ownership and principal management positions of energy consulting firms. Before partnering with Gary Swanson to form Energy Management Solutions, Inc, he was owner and president of Matt Haley & Associates, Inc., a successful Eden Prairie-based consulting firm that specialized in energy conservation, on-site energy audits, utility rebates, and technology reviews. Haley has audited or conducted facility reviews of more than 8,000 commercial and industrial properties and is known for his professionalism, attention to detail, and commitment to customer satisfaction.

  • Proficient in industrial applications, including refrigeration systems, boilers, process improvements, motors and variable frequency drives, pumping and air handling, compressed air, etc.
  • Experienced in developing and managing successful conservation improvement programs for investor-owned and municipal utilities
  • Outstanding customer service—maintaining key customer relations for more than 20 years
  • Served in the U. S. Navy, maintaining steam turbines, electric generators, water plants, air conditioning, fueling systems, and cryogenics
  • Managed a direct install lighting program with 25 employees and an annual budget of $12 million

Gary A. Olson, Project Manager, is a commercial energy auditor with extensive experience working with large industrial, commercial, and agricultural customers. Olson has conducted hundreds of energy audits of commercial and industrial facilities. He provides energy- and demand-savings calculations for utility rebate programs and develops energy management strategies for diverse businesses. Clients appreciate his high level of professionalism and knowledgeable insight into solutions that save energy while improving the bottom line.

  • Member of the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) with the following certifications: Certified Energy Manager (CEM); Certified Energy Auditor (CEA); Certified Business Energy Professional (BEP); Certified Sustainable Development Professional (CSDP); and Certified Demand Side Manager (CSDM)
  • Certified for commercial and residential auditing by the State of Minnesota
  • Achieved Building Operators’ Certification (BOC) through Wisconsin Focus on Energy in commercial and residential energy auditing
  • Onsite coordinator for BOC training – Levels 1 and 2 (since 2004)
  • Formerly taught mathematics at the high school and technical college levels
  • Holds a Bachelor of Education degree in Secondary Mathematics Education from the University of Hawaii, Honolulu

Tanuj Gulati, Senior Energy Engineer, is passionate about helping businesses operate energy efficiently. Gulati works with customers and utilities to reduce energy costs by integrating new technologies and creating innovative energy-saving designs, especially with relation to lighting redesign. He conducts site visits, performs commercial and industrial energy audits, calculates energy savings and rebates, identifies federal conservation incentives, and provides comparative data for energy-saving products. The resulting solutions are tailored to clients’ needs and conservation goals.

  • Member of the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) with the following certifications: Certified Energy Manager (CEM), Certified Energy Auditor (CEA), and Certified Lighting Efficiency Professional (CLEP)
  • Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette (ULL) and Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from R.E.C. Bhalki Gulburga University in India
  • Interned with the United States Department of Energy at the Industrial Assessment Center at ULL; installed the fuel cell in the ULL Alumni Center and analyzed performance data to prove the efficiency of fuel cell systems to manufacturers in and around the Gulf Coast
  • Experience as an operations manager and process controller at Sea Shell Chemical Private Limited

Peter Liska, Project Manager, works with businesses and their utility providers to customize solutions that lower energy rates and delivery costs. Liska also helps organizations identify and implement energy-saving strategies to manage usage and demand. He conducts benchmarking and utility bill verification, assists in energy audits, analyzes sales tax exemptions, and generates rebates for the installation of high efficiency equipment through utility conservation programs.

  • Additional specialties include assisting companies in assessing and implementing renewable energy projects and supporting utility companies in the development and management of conservation programs
  • Experience as a graduate student researcher where he studied multi-step synthesis of metal-organic frameworks and analyzed potential hydrogen fuel storage capacity
  • Member of the American Chemical Society
  • Holds a Master of Science degree in Chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry with an emphasis in Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin, La Crosse

Tyler Barrell, Project Manager, works with EMS clients, promoting energy conservation and incentive programs, assisting with benchmarking studies and energy audits, and generating rebates. His experience in and commitment to sustainability, energy conservation, and renewable energy make him a valuable resource for businesses that are striving to be more socially responsible while strengthening their bottom lines.

  • Several years of consulting experience in the solar and energy storage industries
  • Board member and finance committee co-chair at Sustainable Twin Ports
  • Received 2009 Leeds/Net Impact Case Competition national title, sponsored by Vail Resorts in partnership with the Leeds School of Business, which provided sustainability solutions to the host sponsor
  • Holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the Peter F. Drucker and Masatoshi Ito Graduate School of Management in Claremont, Calif., and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Colorado, Boulder

Doug Robison, Energy Analyst, provides energy management consulting services, assisting business and utility clients in energy audits, facility assessments, sales tax exemption studies, benchmarking, rebate calculations, and payback analysis for energy projects.

  • Specializes in pre- and post-measurements of energy-saving projects, verifying calculations and ensuring the accuracy of results once projects are completed
  • Experienced in design drafting with extensive knowledge of CAD standards
  • Holds an Associate in Applied Science degree in Architectural Technology from Lake Superior College, Duluth

Paul Twite, Project Manager, works with EMS clients and utility customers to identify energy conservation opportunities, benchmarking existing energy usage and aiding in lowering energy footprints.  By conducting a thorough energy assessment on-site and using specialized tools, Twite can identify areas of improvement helping to lower energy bills and strengthen the bottom line for customers.  With many years of utility industry experience, Twite understands the needs for both utility providers and end-users to smartly conserve energy.

  • Project Manager for state mandated utility conservation programs
  • Technical Service Specialist for compressed air audits, infrared scans, power quality investigations and vibration analysis of rotating machinery
  • ASNT Certified for ultrasonic, infrared, laser alignment and vibration testing/analysis
  • Minnesota and Wisconsin electric utility trainer for stray voltage and power quality
  • Suzlon Wind certified turbine commissioning
  • Association of Energy Service Professionals, Midwest Chapter

David Rheineck, Energy Analyst, works with EMS clients, promoting energy conservation and incentive programs by assisting in energy audits, sales tax exemption studies, benchmarking, and generating rebates for the installation of high efficiency equipment through utility conservation programs. His educational and professional experience generates value for clients through enhanced environmental performance strategies and regulatory compliance.

  • Knowledgeable in environmental engineering, regulations and corporate environmental management, environmental life cycle analysis (ISO 14040), environmental management systems and strategy (ISO 14001), and pollution prevention
  • Holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Sciences, Policy and Management from the University of Minnesota, with an emphasis in Corporate Environmental Management
  • Served as a program intern with Minnesota Waste Wise, conducting research and providing sustainability and pollution prevention consulting for member organizations

Matt Jensen, Energy Analyst, provides back-end program support to all EMS projects and assists in the administration of EMS rebate programs.  He continues to build his industry knowledge and professional credentials in support of a progressive career in energy management.

  • Holds both a Masters in Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science in International Business/Management from Herberger College of Business at Saint Cloud State University
  • The Masters in Business Administration is supported by extra coursework in renewable energies, commercial sustainability and resource management
  • Excels at creative thinking, project management, information synthesis, systems analysis and customer relations
  • Working towards proficiency in energy management control systems, lighting applications, heating/cooling technologies and utility policy

Vicki Kabat-Szklarz, Accounting Specialist, has experience in many areas, including marketing, accounting, payroll, purchasing, project management, information technology, and systems administration.

  • Joined EMS in 2007 as the Office Manager and transferred to Accounting in 2008
  • Served in a variety of office management and administrative roles with some of the region's largest and most respected companies
  • Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin, Stout

Kelly Rogers, Office Manager, has experience in marketing, purchasing, project management, information technology, and systems administration.

  • Served in a variety of office management and administrative roles
  • Graduate of Minnesota College of Business and has completed various technical training courses

PARTNERS AND CONSULTANTS

Kevin Canary, Vice President of Development – Oceans Group International, S.A., serves on the board of directors and plays a key role in the business development of EMS.

  • Oversees operations, asset management, and legal for Panama Pillar, S.A., spending most of his time in Panama City, where he interfaces with the national government, local developers, promoters, bankers, contractors, vendors and consultants
  • Joined the Pillar Group in September 2006 as a development executive, working across all business functions in a matrix management role, including spearheading the creation of the End Financing Company, Pillar Solutions
  • Promoted to director of strategy and asset management, where he led the creation and oversight of the asset management division, as well as leading the interface and negotiation with all consultant and third party management groups, including marina, spa and hotel
  • Experience with NVR, a Fortune 500 Company and Top-10 homebuilder in the United States as a leader in the company's Land Acquisition Group, covering the Northern Virginia/Washington, D.C., market
  • Active member of the Urban Land Institute and its Young Leaders Group, as well as Panama's American Chamber of Commerce and Industry, including its newly created environmental committee
  • Attended the University of Dayton in Dayton, Ohio, for Business Management

Robert G. Hoerauf - Electrical Infrastructure Consultant, is president of Hoerauf Consulting Inc., with 25 years of experience in the design, project management and start-up of electrical, energy and generation projects for industrial, municipal and utility customers.

  • Experienced designer of substation, transmission, and renewable energy systems
  • Registered professional engineer in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and Iowa
  • Serves on several national standards committees for the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers
  • 14 years of experience as a manager of the Power Systems Group for Wunderlich-Malec Engineering, Inc.
  • 13 years as a regional engineering manager for Westinghouse Electric