Betsy L. Ames - Executive Director
Betsy L. Ames is a graduate of Oberlin College, with a B.A. in Sociology and Women’s Studies. Her professional background includes fundraising and database management for a variety of non-profits, as well as, over 15 years as a physician recruitment consultant. She holds a Permaculture Design Certification (PDC), Group Peer Support (GPS) certification, and is a trained social justice facilitator. Betsy's interests lie at the intersection of economic, social, and environmental justice, with a focus on creating opportunities for regenerative practices to transform both internal and external landscapes, including the built environment. She currently resides in Northampton, MA. In her spare time she enjoys playing piano and has been known to carve a fancy pumpkin, or two!
Timothy Poole - Technical Director
Tim has been a HERS rater for seven years, with extensive experience that includes all field work and testing. As a proud graduate of the Northeast HERS Alliance’s HERS Rater Training Program in 2017, he was hired as a HERS Rater for Home Energy Technologies in CT focusing on Utility Program Requirements and moving into Energy Star, Indoor airPLUS, ZERH and PHIUS verifications. In 2020 Tim joined MaGrann Associates where he moved into a senior role as Lead Rater, mentoring new field inspectors and tackling more demanding projects. And in 2023 Tim joined Innova Building Advisors as a Senior Energy Consultant, taking responsibility for energy program compliance review and multi-platform energy modeling for the full spectrum of projects in Innova’s extensive mid-Atlantic portfolio.
Tim’s professional background includes over thirty years of experience as a home improvement contractor and carpenter, an executive at a reconstruction firm and a middle school teacher. And his educational studies took him across the globe, including studying History at University of Connecticut, French at the University of Rouen in Normandy, France, and receiving his Teaching Certificate in Education from St. Joseph’s College.
While he hung up his hammer and pouch professionally, Tim still enjoys carpentry and has comfortably moved into the DIY role at home. Tim's other interests include landscaping and constantly repairing his classic cars. Tim holds certifications in Energy Star Certified Homes and Multifamily New Construction, EPA Indoor AirPLUS, DOE Zero Energy Ready Homes and is a PHIUS+ Verifier.
Abdulrahman Gabriel - Success Coach
Abdulrahman Gabriel is a 2022 Georgetown University graduate with a B.A. in Government, along with African Studies and Arab Studies certifications from the Georgetown School of Foreign Services. Since graduation, Abdulrahman has worked in a variety of industries gaining experience in sustainable finance, a global non-profit, and supporting the growth of a family business.
At Terra Alpha Investments, a sustainable asset manager, Abdulrahman worked as a business development analyst supporting the firm to find mission-aligned investors by producing messaging highlighting the firm’s rigorous research process aiming to capture the most ESG-focused and environmentally sustainable companies. At the African Diaspora Network, a non-profit with the goal of finding a higher purpose in remittances sent to Africa, Abdulrahman was responsible for growing the community that supported the organization’s mission. At ADN, he produced research material and planned events such as the one he hosted on the 78th United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Abdulrahman decided to take his talents to support Bestlink Consult LLC, a family business that aimed to consult developers, builders, and homeowners on increasing their energy efficiency. At Bestlink, Abdulrahman learned the inner workings of HERS and energy efficiency from a business perspective, helping Bestlink get to a successful first operational year. At NEHERS, Abdulrahman will be supporting our programs through the success coaching of students that are aiming to earn their RFI, Modeler, and HERS certifications. Abdulrahman will serve as a resource hub for students and to support the Directors’ work at putting together successful programming to increase the development of the energy workforce in MA.