Meet The Team
Sustainable Building Solutions's team likes to get things done. We're committed to a relentlessly practical, action-oriented approach to creating greener, cleaner and more comfortable homes and buildings. Our Whole House Promise dictates that we will always recommend the best solution for you - if you call us about HVAC, but we think you need insulation instead - we'll let you know.
Read on to learn more about our team.
Robert (Bobby) Ferrel , Founder
"Sustainability is not about lofty ideals. It's about common sense and a practical commitment to quality and performance"
Bobby graduated from the UNC with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. He spent the next 6 years serving in the USAFR as an F-16 pilot, before entering the paper and printing industry, followed by a stint working for a pharmaceutical start-up.
Acutely aware of the increased interest in sustainability, both in industry and among the public, Bobby realized that there was a shortage of companies that would help consumers and companies map a path to greener living. So in 2006 he immersed himself in everything green. With buildings contributing to such a huge part of our ecological impact, Bobby decided that providing comprehensive, scalable and affordable solutions for greener, better buildings was both a market opportunity and a chance to effect real, practical change.
He conspired with college friend Walker, and SBS was born.
Bobby is a Building Performance Institute certified Building Analyst, has completed Advanced Energy's Principles of Building Science, and is a certified installer for several types of rainwater harvesting systems.
Stephen (Walker) Harris, Founder
"Buying a home is the biggest financial commitment most of us ever make. So it's only sensible to invest in your home's value, comfort and performance. The fact that doing this makes the world better is just a bonus."
Walker graduated from UNC around the same time as Bobby with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics. After a brief careeer in the banking industry, he followed his passion for residential architecture and entered the home building industry with Sunstar Homes. As a field superintendent Walker learned the importance of systems and procedures - forming his belief that to build high quality homes, buildings must be treated as a complete, integrated system - not as a collection of structural and mechanical components.
Walker soon launched his own custom building company named Chase Building. Since 1995, Chase Building Company has built 121 fine homes throughout the triangle. Walker has won numerous awards in customer satisfaction, innovative design, and interior millwork.
Green building was a natural extension of Walker's firm commitment to quality and performance. So when Bobby called about started SBS, Walker was ready. Walker is also a Building Performance Institute certified Building Analyst, and has completed Advanced Energy's Principles of Building Science training.
William (Bill) Klotz, Director of Building Science
"Green is the future of the building industry because it simply makes sense. With energy costs rising, if you're not ensuring the performance and efficiency of your home, you're going to lose out."
Bill began working in the residential construction industry while attending N.C. State University where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Conservation of Natural Resources. He has worked for subcontractors, builders, and engineering firms. After accepting a position with Advanced Energy, a construction consulting firm on N.C. State's campus, he began helping non-profit builders and developers improve quality. While still at Advanced Energy, Klotz began helping builders across the country diagnose problem houses and in some cases entire subdivisions. After six years with Advanced Energy, Bill entered the private sector by starting My Home Building Help and Eco-Anthracite.
Klotz is a licensed General Contractor in North Carolina. He has consulted and taught building science classes for some of the largest builders and manufacturers in the nation. He has also presented at several national conferences. A Master Certified Contractor, Klotz is also a Certified Home Energy Rater, a Building Performance Institute certified Building Analyst, and a Level I Thermographer. He was on the committee that formed the NC Green Builder Task Force and is the co-editor of "Principles of Building Science”.
Brant Wurster, HVAC & Geothermal Specialist
"Efficient heating and cooling is central to building performance, especially here in the South East. But to make the most out of it, you must address it within the context of the house as a system."
With 15 years of experience in the heating and air conditioning industry, Brant is an expert on all things HVAC. Having apprenticed under the wing of a thirty five year veteran, Brant completed a two year program at Griffin Technical College, before becoming a licensed HVAC specialist in Georgia and North Carolina and starting his own corporation.
With increased concern for energy efficiency and sustainability, Brant realised that high-efficiency geothermal was the next logical step for the industry to take. So he furthered his training to become a dealer and installer of geothermal systems as well as traditional HVAC.
But concentrating on heating and cooling systems without looking at how they interact with the rest of a building seemed like fixing only part of the puzzle. When Brant met Bobby and Walker of SBS, he realised that this was an opportunity to apply his knowledge within a more holistic, whole-systems approach to green building. The geothermal and HVAC division of SBS was born.
In addition to HVAC and Geothermal expertise, Brant is a Building Performance Institute certified Building Analyst.
Scott Stubbs, Operations Manager
“Our goal is to bring residential comfort, health, and energy savings to the customer at a price that is economically sustainable for both parties. This means that we have no room for inefficiency and waste in the field.”
Scott Stubbs graduated with a degree in Business Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Class of 2008. During his time at UNC, he completed coursework in Sustainability, Operations Management, Finance, and Accounting. Through summer internships while pursuing his undergraduate degree he partnered in the development of a socially-responsible financial services program, gathered operational and customer satisfaction metrics for a major financial services company, and performed market research on the development of commercial energy auditing services. Scott’s interests and hobbies include cooking, playing basketball, hiking, mountain biking, and clean energy technologies.
Mark Jarvis, Building Analyst & Triad Sales
Mark is a licensed general contractor and owned his own construction company for over 10 years, prior to joing the Sustainable team. He has gone through HERS training and is also a Building Performance Institute certified Building Analyst.
James NeSmith, Crew Leader
"It's great to work for a team as committed as SBS. Each job we do makes a real difference."
James is originally from Gainesville, Florida, but was transplanted to NC at an early age. His background working in public works - maintaining water, sewer and asphalt - served him well in becoming a crew leader for SBS. James works on a wide range of projects - from sealing crawl spaces to installing rainwater harvesting systems - and he enjoys being part of a committed team aiming for a common goal.
Ernie Hodgson, Crew Leader
"The first steps to sustainable living practices is always conservation and the efficient use of resources, and building science is a vital part of attaining those goals."
Ernie graduated From Appalachian State University in 2005 with a degree in Appropriate Technology after working in the construction industry for the previous 15 years. While at ASU he spearheaded a student funded program for renewable energy called The Renewable Energy Inititiave, which just recently installed the largest wind generator currently in operation in North Carolina! After graduation Ernie spent time installing and maintaining solar water heating systems before shifting his focus to building science, the first step in using clean energy sensibly and efficiently. In his spare time he enjoys snowboarding, hitting a little white ball with a big metal stick, and any games involving a backyard and good friends, particularly croquet.