NCEO 2026 Conference Wrap-Up: Insights, Energy, and Employee Ownership in Action
The NCEO 2026 Annual Conference in Milwaukee, Wisconsin brought together a powerful community of employee ownership advocates, business leaders, and industry experts and it did not disappoint. From the moment the conference kicked off, there was a clear theme: employee ownership is not just growing, it’s evolving. A Standout Keynote: Adam Grant One of the […]
Q&A with Jacob Volcensek, Assistant Project Manager at EEI
Meet Jacob Volcensek, a new Assistant Project Manager at EEI Building Performance, based in Columbus, Ohio.In this Q&A, Jacob shares his educational background, early career experiences, and what led him to building performance and commissioning. He also talks about why EEI’s culture stood out to him and how his passion for understanding complex systems carries […]
EEI Announces Promotion of Al Skodowski to Director
MILWAUKEE – Feb. 24, 2026 – EEI, a national leader in facility systems consulting, announced today the promotion of Al Skodowski to director. With more than 40 years of experience in sustainable building strategy, energy performance, and portfolio-level environmental leadership, Skodowski brings a depth of expertise that has influenced both national programs and landmark projects. […]
Q&A with Brendon Mattis, Principal, Mission Critical — EEI
For two decades, Brendon Mattis has helped shape EEI’s evolution from a regional commissioning firm into a national leader in mission‑critical facilities. His career spans higher education, data centers, laboratories, pharmaceuticals and some of the most complex building systems in the country. As the mission‑critical division enters its next phase of growth, Brendon reflects on […]
Six Trends Reshaping Building Performance in 2026
Engineered Systems News
Q&A with Blake Hickok, CEO & President of EEI
Blake Hickok stepped into the CEO & President role at EEI in October 2025, but his impact has been years in the making. After leading the employee purchase of the firm from its founder in 2017, Blake now guides a 200‑person, employee‑owned organization delivering high‑performance building systems, shared ownership and a culture of possibility. In […]
Lakewood company shuffles CEO, other leadership roles
Denver Business Journal
How to Develop a Monitoring-Based Commissioning (MBCx) Plan — and Why It Matters Now
Monitoring-based commissioning (MBCx) is no longer an optional strategy for high-performance buildings — it’s the foundation for maintaining efficiency, comfort, and reliability throughout a facility’s life. Unlike traditional commissioning, which confirms performance at turnover and then ends, MBCx is a continuous process that monitors actual system operation over time. It uses analytics, sensors, and ongoing […]
7-Step New Construction Building Commissioning Process for High-Performance Buildings.
Commissioning is a structured, quality-focused process that verifies building systems are designed, installed, tested, and operating in accordance with the Owner’s Project Requirements (OPR). When delivered successfully, commissioning reduces operational risk, improves energy performance, enhances occupant comfort, and supports long-term asset value. For owners, developers, and construction teams, commissioning is not an end of the […]
Existing Building Commissioning (EBCx): Retro- and Re-Commissioning Explained
Commissioning is often associated with new construction, yet many of the greatest performance improvement opportunities exist in occupied, existing buildings. As facilities age, equipment performance degrades, control strategies are overridden, and system operation gradually drifts from original intent. Existing Building Commissioning (EBCx) provides a structured, engineering-led approach to understanding how building systems operate today, and […]