Team
Mike Sherman
CEO
Mike Sherman is President/CEO and Owner of Vanguard Building Solutions. Mike has over 30 years experience in the energy, performance contracting, project development and asset management industries, developing energy retrofit and infrastructure solutions. Over the course of Mike’s career, he has been involved in healthcare, education, and other commercial projects in excess of $400 Million. Prior to launching Vanguard Building Solutions in 2013, Mike was Vice President of Asset Solutions for ARAMARK Healthcare, a division he led from internal start-up to a $55 million group with 20 employees, over a nine-year period. During his tenure at ARAMARK Mike was awarded with five leadership awards. Previously, Mike held leadership positions with Sodexo, Enron Energy Services and Honeywell. He began his career with AVO Biddle Instruments. Mike has a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Drexel University and his M.B.A. from Rutgers University. Mike maintains active involvement in several community service organizations. He is the Past Board President of Habitat for Humanity – Burlington, Mercer, and Atlantic Counties. In addition, over the years Mike has been involved with Rowan University CARES Institute, multiple YMCA’s and Jewish Federation helping those in need by raising over $2 Million for these organizations.
Mike Sherman
CEO
Greg Santore
Executive Vice President & COO
Greg Santore is a highly accomplished senior executive who has led organizations in the healthcare, technology, education, sports, and consulting industries. He has extensive experience consulting with C-Suite executives, For Profit and Not for Profit Boards and other leaders within some of the nation’s most prestigious higher ed institutions, national healthcare systems and many Fortune 500 Companies in both the public and private sectors. His expertise lies in building and growing organizations while helping build long term relationships with clients and assisting them in meeting their objectives. He is responsible for designing and implementing business operations, project management protocols, and establishing policies that promote company culture and vision. Greg has both his undergraduate and MBA degrees from Rutgers University and is involved with many community organizations.
Greg Santore
Executive Vice President & COO
Chris Morgan
Vice President
Chris Morgan is the Vice President of Vanguard Building Solutions. Chris has a wide range of experience in his 20-year career focusing on renovating occupied environments with expertise in distribution, sales, sourcing, leadership, project management and interior renovations. Prior to working for VBS, Chris held key positions at two of the nation’s largest providers of renovation, e-procurement, and asset management services. In his career Chris has overseen $70M in annual category spend, developed and implemented standards programs for clients with a combined total of 22,000 properties, while focusing on energy efficiency integrations at the enterprise level. Chris is an expert contributor to McKnight’s Magazine, Provider and other industry trade publications.
Chris Morgan
Vice President
Ravi Ramnarain
Controller
Mr. Ramnarain is licensed as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Florida, Massachusetts, and Arkansas. Aside from owning and operating his own CPA firm, Ravi Ramnarain, CPA, LLC, for over 8 years, his prior experience also includes his tenure as the CFO of a major Reverse Logistics company in Miami, FL. Prior to this, he worked for 11 years in the Banking industry in Miami; he also spent two busy seasons as a Big 4 External Auditor. In all of these roles, Mr. Ramnarain spent countless hours meeting with Shareholders and Senior Management members pursuant to a variety of topics; functioning as the main liaison between the company and the External Auditors; developing a deep understanding of multiple industries; and perfecting his extensive researching and documentation skills. He holds two Master's degrees -- the first one being a Master of Science in Accounting from Boston College and the second one being a Master of Taxation from Nova Southeastern University in South Florida. Mr. Ramnarain completed his undergraduate work at Fordham University in New York City, where he majored in Business Administration (concentrating in Finance). Mr. Ramnarain's charitable work is also noteworthy as he is a Founding Forty member of the Envision Broward group within the United Way in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. While away from the office, Mr. Ramnarain enjoys family time with his wife Devyn.
Ravi Ramnarain
Controller
Brian Theordor
Senior Director of Engineering
William (Brian) Theordor, is the Director of Engineering for Vanguard Building Solutions, LLC (VBS). Brian is responsible for the development of energy infrastructure projects and supervising engineering field activities. Core areas of focus include mechanical design, energy auditing, energy modeling, code compliance, energy savings calculations, and retro-commissioning. Brian has over 13 years of energy and mechanical design engineering experience. He has delivered projects for a wide variety of clients including commercial, institutional, educational, and government at all levels including, local, state, and federal. In the state of New Jersey, he has extensive experience with the LGEA and ESIP programs. Technologies delivered as part of his energy efficiency projects include combined heat and power (CHP), high efficiency condensing boilers, LED lighting, heat pumps, and advanced building management systems (BMS) strategies. Brian is a graduate of The Cooper Union with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and a registered EIT in the state of New York. Additionally, Brian is a Certified Energy Manager (CEM) and existing Building Commissioning Professional (EBCP) with the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) and a credentialed senior member of AEE.
Brian Theordor
Senior Director of Engineering
Matt Lima
Director of Energy & Utility Programs
Matheus “Matt” Lima is the Managing Engineer for Vanguard Building Solutions. Matt has a comprehensive understanding of demand-side-management markets from analytical and practical perspectives, providing engineering consulting services to commercial and industrial clients. Throughout his career, Matt led the implementation of energy management projects that generated over $6,100,000 in annual savings for commercial and industrial clients. In addition, Matt is skilled in Retro-Commissioning, Building Science, and Industrial Systems. Matt is a Certified Energy Manager (CEM), LEED Accredited Professional for Building Design and Construction, and a Six Sigma Black Belt. He received his Master of Science in Electrical Engineering with a concentration in Energy Systems from the University of Bridgeport. An advocate for sustainable development, Matt has an extensive history of decarbonizing the economy while increasing client’s profitability and social responsibility. Matt believes that a sustainable and economically viable approach to infrastructure development is essential for humanity's future.
Matt Lima
Director of Energy & Utility Programs
Mike Henrich
Senior Director of Project Management
Mike Henrich is Director of Project Management for Vanguard Building Solutions. Mike is responsible for project management oversight including, management, training and hiring of project management and operations support. In addition, Mike interacts with the engineering and sales teams to develop and deliver project specific solutions to VBS clients. Mike has over thirty years of ESCO and construction management experience. Mike has worked as Project Manager, Installation Manager and Operations Manager for major Mechanical Contractors, Controls Companies and Energy Savings Companies. Prior to working for VBS Mike was Operations Manager for both Johnson Controls and Energy Systems Group working exclusively on commercial and industrial opportunities. Mike was responsible for the successful delivery of approximately $150 million dollars in Performance Contracts, in PA and NJ. He has extensive experience developing and implementing Energy Conservation Measures (ECMs) including solar, high efficiency boiler replacement, LED lighting retrofits, building envelope, combined heat and power, building management systems and HVAC retrofits. Mike attended Temple University and Spring Garden College and is LEED GA certified. Mike enjoys fitness and outdoor activities such as hiking. He participates in 5K and Tough Mudder events in support of the Wounded Warrior Project.
Mike Henrich
Senior Director of Project Management
Michel’le Forrest
Regional Director Energy Services
Michel'le Forrest is Director of Program Management for Vanguard Building Solutions. Michel'le is responsible for organizing programs and new initiatives, as well as project management and engineering assessments. She manages and develops project plans and budgets along with long-term goals for our clients and stakeholders. Michel'le brings a decade of project, facilities management and healthcare construction to our firm and supports the strategic vision of the organization. Michel’le has managed several FEMA and National Institute of Health grant backed projects at NYU Langone Health and is certified with the American Society of Healthcare Engineers. Michel'le has a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering from the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science at Columbia University and a Master of Urban Planning from NYU’s Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service. She has volunteered with IEEE Women in Engineering and Girl Scouts of America, is a member of the NYC chapter of Professional Women in Construction and is currently pursuing her Professional Engineering (PE) license in the State of New York.
Michel’le Forrest
Regional Director Energy Services
Deena Sherman
Director of Operations
Deena’s has 25 years of experience in the non-profit sector where she was responsible for multiple function such as operations, finance and administration. Her expertise in building management was built overseeing multiple building and facilities spanning as large as 120 acres including varying projects. She has also supervised large staff managed complex budgets and her team approach has made her a successful leader in business. She received her M.S.W. in administration from the University of Pennsylvania and her B.A. from the University of Delaware.
Deena Sherman
Director of Operations
Graydon Braley
Director of Facility Services
As leader of the Facility Services Division at VBS, Graydon oversees the delivery of mechanical services to our clients. From routine preventive maintenance to demand service in emergency situations or special projects involving system upgrades and renovations, Vanguard Building Solutions has the capabilities to keep your building operating smoothly and economically. Graydon’s broad understanding of building mechanical systems comes from over thirty-five years of successful experience in the commercial and industrial construction industry, including project and service management, estimating and design/build engineering. He also has extensive experience in mechanical equipment and service sales. His experience managing large HVAC projects- including safety, training and transportation logistics includes projects in the $400K to $5 mil range. He has a degree in Engineering Physics from University of Maine.
Graydon Braley
Director of Facility Services
Steve Visnic
National Accounts Manager
Steve has over 11 years’ experience in the energy, performance contracting, project development and asset management industries, developing energy retrofit and infrastructure solutions. During Mr. Visnic’s career, he has been the lead for executed projects in healthcare, education, and other commercial projects totaling more than $50 Million. Steve Visnic was the lead in many projects including but not limited to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Equinox Gyms and Carlisle Construction Materials. Vanguard Building Solutions designed and acted as general contractor, facilitating sub-contractor relationships. Steve has also cultivated relationships positioning VBS as the preferred lighting designer and contractor for many other national clients. He also is responsible for maintaining and supporting Grainger’s national network of clients with turn-key energy efficiency solutions. Steve has worked with large ESCO’s including Johnson Controls, Honeywell, Energy Systems Group and Siemens. Mr. Visnic maintains active involvement in several community service organizations. He coaches girls’ softball and soccer teams. Mr. Visnic earned his bachelor’s degree in Sales and Marketing Management from the Pennsylvania State University.
Steve Visnic
National Accounts Manager
Arcadio Ybanez
Senior Project Manager
Arcadio is a Senior Project Manager for Vanguard Building Solutions. With 30 years of experience in construction and company operations, Arcadio currently oversees multiple projects nationally while simultaneously developing and advising Vanguard’s project management team. Arcadio’s vast professional dedication includes experience as a Building Engineer, Commercial Electrician, Solar Development and Sales Trainer, and Security Design and Installation. In addition to the many skills he shares from the construction field, he also has extensive knowledge in the Mission Critical field of data room cooling, power, planning, and development for mission critical customers. As a project manager, he currently contributes his 24 years of experience and knowledge from his career in the HVAC mechanical industry through building automation systems, customer service, contracting sales, and project estimations. With the great ability of coordinating all phases of a project, complex problem solving skills, strategic planning and assuring safe working conditions, Arcadio displays the daily goal of efficiently producing a safe and profitable project from start to finish and on schedule.
Arcadio Ybanez
Senior Project Manager
Chris Mazurek
National Director of Business Development
Chris Mazurek is a highly motivated result-oriented leader with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Construction Management Technology. He has over 30 years of design / build experience in a wide range of markets. He has a strong background in all phases of the building process. Has held position in preconstruction, project management, operation and business development in the private and public sectors and has been involved in constructing over 300 Million in projects across the US . Over the past 15 years his concentration has been in the sustainability, cardon reduction and energy conservation. Using his experience and creativity, Chris works with owners to develop a clear and achievable sustainability / energy management plan. VBS offers a turnkey approach, to its energy services, from the audit and building assessment process, engineering, development of the proforma, securing financing & rebates, design, implementation and commissioning.
Chris Mazurek
National Director of Business Development
Darrin Scardelli
Senior Energy Engineer
Darrin Scardelli, LC, is a Senior Energy Engineer at Vanguard Building Solutions (VBS). Darrin packages together various types of energy reduction methods to provide the customer with the best overall project designed to not only target customer requests but to satisfy customer’s financial goals. Darrin has worked as an energy engineer for his entire career. His roots started with a role in a previous position which was heavily geared toward educational facilities where he engineered over 17 million dollars in that field alone. Since that time, he has moved on to engineer another 50+ million in various other high-profile projects in both the private and public sector. Darrin received a Bachelor of Science degree from Drexel University in Mechanical Engineering as well as a minor in business. He is Lighting Certified and has trained in a plethora of engineering focuses; including but not limited to, AGi32, AutoCad, and Solid Works.
Darrin Scardelli
Senior Energy Engineer
Gilberto Claudio III Gonzalez
Energy Engineer
Gilberto Claudio González III is an Energy Engineer at Vanguard Building Solutions (VBS). Gilberto works with different energy conservation measures to provide the client with 100% positive achievement on their project and financial goals. Gilberto has over 10 years of experience in the energy efficiency and renewable energy field and has worked as an energy engineer for his entire career. His career started with a project development role in which he helped the clients receive over 30 million dollars in state and federal incentives. Throughout his career, Gilberto has engineered over 60+ million dollars in projects, and over 100 million dollars in savings for different types of clients such as government, educational, institutional, healthcare among others. Gilberto received a Bachelor of Science degree from the Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico in Mechanical Engineering. He is a Certified Energy Manager (CEM), Certified Measure and Verification Professional (CMVP). Gilberto is also registered as an EIT in Puerto Rico and New Jersey.
Gilberto Claudio III Gonzalez
Energy Engineer
Garrett Kashmer
Project Manager
Garrett is a Project Manager for Vanguard Building Solutions. He brings over 7 years’ experience in the construction and retail branches of Project Management, most recently spending almost 5 years remodeling and building over 135 restaurants for the world’s leading fast-food chain. Previously, he oversaw roll outs for large retail chains, most notably involving digital signage as well as LED light fixtures. Garrett holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Moravian University where he competed on the men’s basketball team further developing his team-first mentality. He also gained a master’s certificate in Applied Project Management from Villanova University. In his free time Garrett can be found remaining active in the community as well as assisting in coaching his alma mater high school’s basketball team.
Garrett Kashmer
Project Manager
James Gabrieli
Project Manager
James "Jim" Gabrieli is a Project Manager for Vanguard Building Solutions. He brings over 15 years of experience managing a wide range of construction projects. Over the last 6 years Jim was specifically managing banking construction for the largest bank in the US. Prior to that he was in charge of a multimillion-dollar New Jersey schools’ capital improvement project. Jim holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from Rutgers University in addition to the degree, he holds a Certified Facilities Management Certificate from Rutgers. While Jim is off work you will find him at any local sports field coaching a wide range of sports for his three children and friends.
James Gabrieli
Project Manager
Amy Convery
Finance Manager
Amy has over 10 years’ experience as bookkeeper in the oil recycling, advertising, and digital communications industries. Prior to being bookkeeper, Amy spent 20 years in the Insurance industry as a senior claims adjuster. In her spare time she enjoys reading, gardening, walking at local parks and spending time with her grandson.
Amy Convery
Finance Manager
Rita de Cassia Iscario
Facility Service Administrator
Rita has over two decades of managing support teams for large corporations, such as Embraer Aircraft and Swedish ABB. She graduated from the Pontifícia Universidade Catolica de Campinas– Sao Paulo Brazil, with a major in Business Administration. Rita works as the Service Coordinator for our Maintenance and Services Divisions. She also is fluent in Portuguese and Spanish.
Rita de Cassia Iscario
Facility Service Administrator
Christina Colangelo
Client Coordinator
Christina serves are Vanguard’s Client Service Coordinator and is responsible for supporting our project management staff as well as maintaining direct communication between the company and our clients to ensure a seamless flow of project operations and logistics. Christina has over a decade managing and coordinating sales teams for the HVAC industry and also has previous experience in the food service industry. She has an Associate’s Degree in Applied Science.
Christina Colangelo
Client Coordinator
Karen Cosgrove
Office Manager
Karen has been the office manager at Vanguard Building Solutions for over 5 years. Her duties include customer service, human resources while she working across all business divisions with accounts receivable and accounts payable. Prior to joining the Vanguard team, she works in K-12 education in St. Louis.
