Introducing the Presenters

Eric Michaud
Energy Advisor & Trainer
CHBA-NB
With an extensive background in the energy sector, Eric comes with 21 years of combined experience in the HVAC and Energy Advisor roles. Eric started his early career in the oil and gas industry and his real passion for energy came to life when he began his role as an Energy Development Specialist. Eric was recognized by a large international HVAC manufacturer and was invited to go overseas to attain knowledge and work with their R&D team on new HVAC equipment. His passion grew even more as he began his role as an energy advisor and designed and retrofitted his home to a Net Zero Home. He took it one step further and invested in an EV. Eric is the definition of practicing what he preaches.

Chris Turner
Expert on Sustainability, Climate Change, Cleantech and the Global Energy Transition

 Chris Turner is one of Canada’s foremost voices on climate change solutions and the global energy transition. An award-winning author and journalist, he is known for translating complex ideas about renewable energy, cleantech, and urban design into clear, practical frameworks for progress. His bestselling books include The Patch: The People, Pipelines, and Politics of the Oil Sands, which won the National Business Book Award, and How to Be a Climate Optimist: Blueprints for a Better World, winner of the Shaughnessy Cohen Prize for Political Writing. His work has appeared in The New Yorker, The Guardian, The Globe and Mail, and Maclean’s, earning him 10 National Magazine Awards

Mark Rosen
Director of Building Science
Building Knowledge Canada

Mark is a well-known professional architect, Registered Energy Advisor and building science consultant and joins the BKC team as a partner and Director of Building Science.

Mark has always been passionate about creating buildings that perform exceptionally well. Mark started as a site inspector at Building Energy Inc. in 2008 and became its owner in 2011. He has helped develop software tools, sits on several advisory boards, and continues to actively lead the industry toward positive change. Mark was named Ontario’s Energy Advisor of the Year in 2013 and 2018.

Chantal Daigle Verrier
Program Lead – NCCI
Énergie NB Power
 
Chantal works at NB Power, leading three portfolios the Non-Profit Housing pilot and the New Construction, Commercial and Industrial – energy efficiency programs. She is a professional engineer with experience in manufacturing, consulting engineering, project management, and with green building certification programs (LEED, Zero Carbon Buildings, ICP). She has collaborated on projects with people throughout Canada and beyond while holding New Brunswick based positions. Chantal also completed a master`s degree in climate change.

Jeffrey St-Pierre
Technical Energy Advisor
Énergie NB Power

Jeffrey St-Pierre is a Technical Energy Advisor with NB Power supporting the residential efficiency programs. Previously as an NRCan Registered Energy Advisor he has worked with hundreds of New Brunswickers in their homes, helping them lower their energy footprint and achieve financial savings. Jeffrey comes from a background in environmental sciences but is also a Red-Sealed electrician. This diverse experience gives him keen insight as to how improving the built environment will protect our collective future.

Honourable Minister David Hickey
Minister Responsible for the New Brunswick Housing Corporation
Government of New Brunswick

Minister David Hickey was elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Saint John Harbour on October 21, 2024, as part of the 61st Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick. Prior to provincial politics, Minister Hickey served on Saint John Council for two terms, representing Ward 3. During that time, he was the Chair of the Public Safety Committee and the Standing Committee on Homelessness.

Born and raised in Saint John, Minister Hickey graduated from Saint John High School before pursuing studies in business and economics at the University of New Brunswick.

Minister Hickey lives in Saint John’s Waterloo Village and has been a proud member of various community organizations focused on supporting and improving the community. 

 

Allan Sharpe
Founder & President
Sharpe Builders

Allan Sharpe and Sharpe Builders is a 30+ year member, multi-award winning builder, R-2000 & CHBA Net Zero Ready Builder and a life-long advocate of energy efficiency. Sharpe Builders continues to learn and adapt to new construction practices that continue to yield better results for his high-performance builds.

 

Steve Holland
Owner
Holland Homes

Steve Holland of Holland Homes is a multi-award-winning builder who builds high-performance homes in Fredericton area and a Member of CHBA NB. Holland Homes continues to grown their reputation as a leader in the residential construction industry in the Province.

 

Trevor Murray
Building Code Administrator
Government of New Brunswick
 
Trevor Murray is the Building Code Administrator for the Province of New Brunswick and a frequent speaker at conferences on the subject of building/energy codes and building regulations. With over 12 years as a municipal building official, he is able to connect with regulatory officials and contractors alike, building towards a common purpose of the construction industry for code complaint buildings.

Stefanie Coleman
Sustainable Resilient Housing Industry Lead
Natural Resources Canada Local Energy Efficiency Partnership (LEED)

Stefanie Coleman is the Sustainable Resilient Housing Industry Lead for Natural Resources Canada’s Local Energy Efficiency Partnership (LEEP) team. She joined LEEP in July 2023 and is overseeing LEEPs work on the Greener Neighbourhoods Pilot Program (GNPP), and Sustainable Resilient Housing (integrating energy, carbon and climate resilience) in residential construction. She has worked in the residential construction industry for 18 years, having owned a renovation contracting business for 15 years. She served as the national Canadian Home Builders Association (CHBA) President in 2019/2020. In 2023, she completed a Master of Environment and Business and is completing a PhD in Sustainability Management at the University of Waterloo.

 

Curtis Mercer
National President
Canadian Home Builders’ Association

Curtis Mercer is the President and CEO of K & P Contracting, a highly respected local residential construction company in St. John’s, NL, with a legacy spanning over 47 years. He is a recognized expert in the field, also serving as a Building Envelope consultant, where he applies his specialized knowledge to help builders and homeowners resolve complex building envelope issues such as water and air infiltration.

A dedicated advocate for the housing sector, Curtis holds influential leadership positions nationally and regionally. He is currently the National President of the Canadian Home Builders Association (CHBA). Additionally, he is a past president of CHBA-NL and is currently serving another term on that board. He further contributes to industry governance as a board member of the Atlantic Home Warranty Board of Directors.

 

Jeff LeBlanc
Founder
Radon Repair
Precision Envelope Sealing

Jeff LeBlanc is a certified radon professional, serial entrepreneur, and the president of the Canadian Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists. Since 2016, he’s been on a mission to reduce lung cancer deaths by 15% through radon education and mitigation—a promise he calls “Angela’s Promise.” Jeff has trained thousands across North America on radon science and business strategy. In 2025, he launched Precision Envelope Sealing and became a certified AeroBarrier installer. When he’s not coaching or speaking, he’s running multiple successful businesses including Window World Canada and Radon Repair Inc.

 

Lauren Lipka
Trainer, Consultant & Energy Efficiency Mentor
CHBA-NB

Lauren Lipka works for the Canadian Home Builders’ Association New Brunswick as their Energy Efficiency Manager, Trainer, and Consultant. Lauren is Licensed by Natural Resources Canada as an Energy Advisor and Trainer for their residential housing programs. Lauren frequently partners with other organizations to deliver residential energy efficiency training throughout New Brunswick, Atlantic Canada and in Northern Communities. 

In the 1970 ’s Lauren’s career began in the oilfields of British Columbia, Alberta, and the Northwest Territories. While working in Norman Wells, NWT, for Esso Resources as an Efficiency Operations Teams Leader, Lauren was instrumental in the development and maintenance of the Norman Wells Project and led many indigenous crews to construct the infrastructure that would deliver crude oil from Norman Wells.  

In the 1990s Lauren embarked on a new career in the residential industry serving in various capacities including real estate appraisal, real estate assessment, energy evaluations on new and existing homes and has worked in Saskatchewan, PEI, Newfoundland & Labrador, and New Brunswick. Lauren’s training has included working with community leaders in First Nations Communities and has worked with communities to develop residential energy efficiency housing strategies and to build energy advisor capacity. Lauren specializes in energy efficiency consultations, plan evaluations (Hot2000), air tightness testing, and is a trainer for R-2000, ENERGY STAR® and the EnerGuide Rating System (ERS) for New and Existing Homes. Lauren is also a Qualified CHBA Net Zero Energy Advisor and Trainer for the Canadian Home Builders’ Association and serves on their CHBA Net Zero Technical Committee.