Description

Denver Regional Meeting

Wednesday, July 16, 2025

Location: Hilton Garden Inn Denver Union Station

1999 Chestnut Place, Denver, Colorado, 80202

Introduction: 

This meeting is to strategize an approach for each state being considered. It is recognized that some states have more/less activity than others. The people/companies listed below are not expected to be presenters, but discussion leaders. 

This meeting is for full and affiliate member company employees only*, except where NAESCO has specifically invited a key ally for our industry. Space is limited to 80 people and 2 representatives per company.

*To participate in a members-only meeting, the participating individual needs to have an email address with the member company domain.

Agenda: 

11:00 AM - Discussions with Ron Vanderwall, Energy Programs Lead at the Office of the State Architect of Colorado; Arin Chakraverty, Program Engineer at the Colorado Energy Office; and Ameer Faquir, Director of Facilities and Fleet Management for Adams County, CO, will take place. They will give a brief talk on current developments and share any updates. Bring your questions, as this will be an informal opportunity for them to speak with us.

Rodney Vanderwall, Manager, Energy Programs at Office of the State Architect of Colorado

Rodney earned a Bachelor of Engineering from the University of New Mexico and a Master of Engineering from the University of Colorado-Boulder. He started his career in energy when he moved to New Mexico in 1980 to study solar energy. Rodney changed to an emphasis on building energy efficiency in school. He worked in a low-income weatherization program until he started school at UCB. Rodney spent 30-plus years with the State of Colorado in what is now the Office of the State Architect. He supported the development of the State’s Energy Performance Contracting Program (EPCP) in the late 1990s. For the last 20 years, Rodney co-managed the EPC program with support from the Colorado Energy Office. He worked with both EPC clients and Energy Service Companies to make Colorado’s program one of the more successful EPC programs in America.

Arin Chakraverty, Program Engineer, Colorado Energy Office

Arin Chakraverty (pronounced Orren) is an electrical engineer working for the State of Colorado as a Program Engineer with the Colorado Energy Office.

He earned his bachelor's degree from Purdue University and his master's degree from Case Western Reserve University, both in electrical engineering. His career spans a diverse range of roles, beginning with support for nuclear power plants and chemical weapon destruction efforts at Bechtel Engineering, where he focused on power distribution design, load studies, and critical safety systems. He later spent four years in operations support and facility upgrades at Novelis Aluminum Mill, managing PLC programs, motor and temperature control systems, camera and networking devices, safety systems, and robotics.

In 2019, Arin moved to Denver, Colorado, where he spent two years designing and building electrical panel boards, motor control cabinets, and switchgear. He then transitioned to the role of Senior Electrical Engineer, leading the department at RK Mission Critical in the design and manufacturing of modular data centers and crypto-mining equipment.

His extensive background has given him a holistic understanding of power generation, distribution, building requirements, and the critical role electricity plays across industrial, commercial, and residential sectors. Driven by a commitment to addressing climate and environmental challenges, he sought a role that allowed him to make a tangible impact. The Colorado Energy Office provided him with that opportunity, where he now supports communities in assessing building conditions, identifying facility improvement measures to enhance energy efficiency, securing financial resources, and collaborating with engineering firms to implement these upgrades.

Beyond his professional work, Arin is passionate about music as a multi-instrumentalist and producer. He fully embraces Colorado life, enjoying running, biking, and skiing. Most importantly, he and his wife find immense joy in raising their 17-month-old son, Kirvani.

Ameer Faquir, Director of Facilities and Fleet Management, Adams County

Ameer is a dynamic and seasoned professional facilities management leader and is currently serving as Director of Facilities and Fleet Management for Adams County. Ameer serves as the asset owner for Adams County’s 40, plus facilities, including the Colorado Air and Space Port (CASP), in the areas of vertical design and facility construction, landside facility maintenance and fleet management.

Prior to joining Adams County, Ameer served as Denver International Airport’s (DIA/DEN) Facility Management Director for 3 years and where he was an integral part of DIA’s senior leadership team. As the DIA Facilities Director, Ameer had vast facility responsibilities, including an MEP and Control Systems team that included the management of a massive central utility plant and over 27 thousand airfield lighting fixtures.

Prior to moving to Colorado, Ameer served as the Facilities Manager for King County, WA in Seattle for 13 years. He also worked for the City of Los Angeles for over 20 years, with his last position being Deputy Director at LA’s Hyperion Wastewater Treatment Plant over maintenance and facilities, before moving on to King County/Seattle.

 Ameer’s education and affiliations include:

• Univ of Colorado, Denver School of Public Affairs, Certificate: Leading and Managing Complex Environments
• Univ of Washington, Evans School of Public Affairs, Certificate: Foundations of Strategic Management
• California State University, Los Angeles CA: BS, Business Administration
• El Camino College, Torrance CA: AA: Management/Accounting
• AAAE (American Association of Airport Executives), ACE: Security Certification
• NACo (National Association of Counties) Professional Development Academy: Leadership Academy: Certificate
• IFMA: Currently Matriculating for Certified Facilities Manager
• IFMA: Sustainability Committee member
• Project Management Institute: Certificate: Advanced Project Management

12:00 PM Lunch All - Sponsored by ESPEN Technology!

1:00-4:30 PM State Discussions (More Information Coming Soon!)

Washington - Leslie Larocque, McKinstry

Oregon - Mike Kozlowski, JCI

California - Emily Douglas, Opterra

Arizona - Ron Haxton, Ameresco

Nevada - Chris Halpin, Independent

New Mexico - Erica Velarde, JCI

Colorado - Oscar Rangel, Veregy

Utah - Leslie Larocque, McKinstry

Idaho - John Gajan, SitelogIQ

Wyoming - John Gajan, SitelogIQ

Montana - John Gajan, SitelogIQ

4:30 PM Wrap Up All 

5:00 - 6:30 PM Networking Social Event in Wynkoop Brewing Company at 1634 18th Street, Denver, CO 80202 - Sponsored by Blue Energy Group and Walker Reid Strategies!

Sponsorship Contact:

Please email Michelle Yoon at michelle.yoon@naesco.org for sponsorship information.

Hotel Information: 

The hotel is offering a special room rate of $241 for our event, which includes an indoor pool, fitness center, and complimentary internet access. To reserve your room, visit our event attendee website or call the hotel's reservation department at 1-800-445-8667. Please make your reservation by June 20, 2025, and identify yourself as part of the NAESCO Denver Regional Meeting.