Team
MEET THE 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.
GREG SANTORE
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.
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.
BRIAN THEORDOR
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.
PETE GATENBY
Senior Advisor for Special Projects
Pete Gatenby is a Senior Advisor for Vanguard Building Solutions’ Energy team. Pete brings to Vanguard over a decade of experience in energy efficiency, renewable energy, carbon management, operations, business development, and more. Throughout his career, Pete has delivered projects of many sizes and scopes, including small commercial retrofits through to $30 million utility-scale projects.
Pete’s focus at Vanguard is on project development and partnerships, helping us deliver complex projects that blend on-site power generation, energy efficiency upgrades, local industry partnerships, and project-specific finance models. Pete holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Sydney.
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.
MICHEL'LE FORREST
Director Program Management
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.
DEEENA 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.
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.
NOLA POPOOLA
Regional Manager
Mr. Popoola has 35 years working for Housing Authorities in Texas and Alabama. During his employment as Executive Director at Opelika Housing Authority, he was elected President of NAHRO. Nola also served and chaired several industry associations’ committees for State and Regional NAHRO organizations, several local governments, and non-profit boards/committees. During his time working at the Housing Authority, he led two Energy Performance Contracts and was the first in Alabama to convert Housing Authority’s Low Rent Public Housing total asset to the Rental Assistance Demonstration Program (RAD). Mr. Popoola has also been involved in Low Income Housing Tax Credit, bond, Capital Fund Program and conventional financing and now guides PHAs through different HUD EPC programs. He holds a B.S. degree in Business Studies from the University of Houston and M.B.A. from Texas A&M University in Texas.
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.
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.
MATT LIMA
Energy Engineer
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.
PETER GREENE
Building Program Manager
Peter J Greene, Building Program Manager for Vanguard Building Solutions is tasked with identifying and developing new opportunities in our construction and service enterprises. With 25 years of experience in the commercial mechanical construction and service industry, Peter adds a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Vanguard team.
Peter gained his experience working with some of the largest and most respected names in the industry such as Johnson Controls and Daikin. Additionally, Peter worked for several smaller privately owned commercial service groups helping grow their business through improved client relationships, better understanding of client needs and his extensive experience.
From early-stage design and development to project implementation, management and after the project support, Peter’s experience ensures a seamless process from beginning to end.
After 2 years of general study at the Community College of Baltimore County, Peter completed a 2 year certificate RACH (Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heating) program at Lincoln Technical Institute in Union, NJ.
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.
TERI BUCCI
Senior Project Consultant
Teri Bucci, Senior Project Consultant works closely with clients on design, renovations and energy within Healthcare, Education and Government. She brings over 25 years of experience building relationships with architects, designers and contractors to ensure successful outcomes for varying types of building projects. From concept to completion, Teri and the Vanguard team effortlessly ensure projects stay on budget and on time.
She joins Vanguard after decades in the flooring industry. Working for various flooring manufacturers and government contractors, Teri’s previous positions have included Healthcare Manager, Business Development Coordinator and District Manager.
RALU ASEME
Energy Engineer
Ralu Aseme is an Energy Engineer for Vanguard Building Solutions. He brings vast experience in energy management for large-scale healthcare and education facilities. Skilled in commissioning, plant operation and maintenance (O&M), energy auditing and energy analytics, Ralu has dedicated his career to helping clients reduce their energy and carbon footprint towards more efficient building operation.
Ralu holds a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and has a master’s degree in Environmental Engineering with a concentration in renewable energy, energy efficiency and low energy buildings - both from The City College of New York. A great advocate for environmental consciousness, Ralu is passionate about climate change and the effect human behavior and lifestyle have on mother nature. In his free time, Ralu can be found engaging in his love for sports and music.
RITA DE CASSIA ISCARO
Facility Services 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.
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.
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.
AMY CONVERY
Bookkeeper
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.