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.