Kathryn Parlin, M.S.
Co-founder and Principal
Kathryn Parlin has over 25 years of experience working in the field of energy efficiency, since her employment at Conservation Services Group in Massachusetts in 1987 where she started as a program manager. Her broad range of experience includes program design, integrated resource plan (IRP) review and the design and implementation of a wide range of impact evaluations. Impact evaluations led by Kathryn cover many sectors and topics, including residential low income, cross sector nonparticipant spillover, R&D and whole portfolio studies. Kathryn brings an in-depth understanding of the statistical methods used for conducting multivariate analyses and designing and implementing complex sample plans. Her engineering training, long history in energy efficiency and advanced degree in statistics form a powerful combination for developing creative and unique approaches to intractable problems. For example, she recently designed and implemented a new approach for estimating equipment replacement savings that directly incorporates both the equipment characteristics and actual residential consumption patterns.
Kathryn has contributed numerous papers on these topics at national and international conferences and pioneered the use of information-theoretic model selection, based on Aikake’s Information Criteria, for billing analysis. Ms. Parlin is currently developing an alternative approach to measure attribution using the Analytic Hierarchical Process.She completed a Master’s Degree in statistics from the University of Vermont and received honors for her academic achievement in statistics in 2005. Her master’s thesis introduces the use of the information-theoretic approach to model selection for the impact evaluation of energy efficiency programs. Kathryn also has a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Vermont and a B.A. in German from Middlebury College.
Contact Kathryn at kathryn@westhillenergy.com
Al Bartsch, M.E.L.P.
Co-founder and Principal
For over 30 years, Al has sought to understand the world in a broader context than is traditionally taught. While he initially earned an interdisciplinary bachelor’s of science in mechanical engineering and environmental science, his studies also included extensive course work in social sciences and economics. Since the mid 1980’s, Al has worked in numerous capacities in the energy efficiency field including program management and the development and maintenance of tracking systems. In the last 12 years, he has focused on impact evaluation. His strengths are his breadth of knowledge, technical expertise, programming and analytical skills.
Al has an advanced degree in environmental law and policy as well as a working knowledge of economics and social sciences. He has technical knowledge and expertise in a broad range of electrical, mechanical and building systems. His current work areas include reviewing engineering field evaluation reports, survey development, information technology, measure characterization review and business management. He has also developed databases systems and is highly knowledgeable regarding a variety of database platforms and file structures.
Al earned a Masters in Environmental Law and Policy, Magna Cum Laude, in December 2010 from Vermont Law School and has a B.S. with a concentration in mechanical engineering and environmental science from the University of Massachusetts.
Contact Al at al@westhillenergy.com
Lucas Sanford-Long
Energy Analyst I
Lucas Sanford-LongLucas is an excellent analyst and engineer with a strong grasp of engineering principles and their relationship to energy efficiency. In his role at West Hill Energy, he has conducted residential site visits for a low income program evaluation and analyzed residential retrofit program quality control data to identify potential reasons for low realization rates. He has developed and implemented metering plans for site verification of commercial energy efficiency projects, analyzed meter data to estimate energy savings and summarized and presented results of analyses in written reports. He is currently working on an impact evaluation of unregulated fuels (heating oil and propane) for a residential retrofit program.
Lucas has a B.S. from the Thayer School of Engineering and B.A. in Engineering Sciences from Dartmouth College in 2013.
Contact Lucas at lucasl@westhillenergy.com
Lisa Maxfield
Project Manager
Lisa Maxfield joined West Hill Energy in 2019. As project manager, she has monitored evaluation projects from initiation through delivery and assessed progress in meeting key milestones, project budgets, and schedules. She is responsible for creating, formatting, and editing deliverables to ensure timeliness and meet high-quality standards. Ms. Maxfield’s creative eye and attention to detail allows her to apply data visualization techniques to create stunning graphics for reports, trainings, and presentations. Her experience also covers developing survey instruments and fielding surveys to program participants, installers, and program staff to assess in-service rates, barriers to program, participation, and program satisfaction.
Other tasks include developing complex spreadsheets to analyze energy savings and programming eGauge, DENT, and HOBO meters used for on-site M&V of lighting, HVAC, and refrigeration, including downloading the meter data.
Lisa earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Fashion Modeling from the University of Vermont.