We’re excited to welcome Chloe Castañeda as a Commissioning Analyst to our team at Stephen Turner Inc.! 

Chloe brings a diverse background bridging science, design, and community engagement to her work in building commissioning. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Physics and a Master of Industrial Design with a focus on climate-resilient housing and community engagement.

Chloe’s career spans over five years in next-generation solar energy technology development, including roles at a Department of Energy national laboratory and an early-stage nanotechnology start-up. Her work has ranged from chemist to product designer to community solar stakeholder engagement. With this experience, Chloe navigates seamlessly between technical concepts and human-centered design, making her a valuable contributor to multi-stakeholder projects.

Her academic and professional contributions include an undergraduate thesis on charge transfer in semiconducting polymers, co-authorship of numerous journal articles on quantum dot technologies, key contributions to patented security ink materials, and the initiation of research into insulation materials derived from introduced plants.

Chloe’s adaptability, technical expertise, and commitment to sustainability make her a strong addition to our team. She is passionate about advancing energy efficiency and supporting the development of high-performance buildings that reduce energy burdens and greenhouse gas emissions.

Please join us in welcoming Chloe to the team!

Stephen Turner Inc. is proud to announce the promotion of Amanda Harding to Chief Operating Officer. Amanda joined the firm in 2013 and has since become a cornerstone of its success, guiding both new construction and complex retro-commissioning projects with a steady hand and a clear vision. Her thoughtful leadership and technical expertise have been instrumental in furthering the firm’s mission of delivering high-performance, energy-efficient buildings.

With a degree in Interior Architecture and LEED accreditation, Amanda has led numerous initiatives that prioritize occupant well-being, sustainability, and long-term building performance. Her portfolio includes critical work on LEED-aligned projects at Brown University and MIT, where she has helped advance the firm’s reputation for delivering climate-responsive, forward-thinking solutions. Amanda’s collaborative approach and deep knowledge of commissioning have made her a trusted leader both within the firm and across the industry.

This transition also offers a moment of gratitude for outgoing COO Jayme Sitnik, whose leadership laid a strong operational foundation and fostered a culture of trust, professionalism, and innovation. Amanda is well positioned to build on this legacy, and her promotion marks an exciting new chapter for Stephen Turner Inc. Please join us in congratulating Amanda on this well-deserved achievement.

We are thrilled to welcome four talented engineering students to our team this summer as Commissioning Analyst Interns! Supported by the Office of Energy Resources and RI Commerce through the Clean Energy Internship Program, these students will gain hands-on experience in the growing field of building commissioning.

Their summer kicked off with a site visit to Martin Middle School in East Providence, where they joined Joe and Jonny for a firsthand look at HVAC systems and field-based commissioning practices—applying what they've been learning in a real-world setting.

Meet our 2025 Summer Interns:
Taha Calisir is studying Mechanical Engineering and German at the University of Rhode Island. Originally from Istanbul, Taha has a strong interest in sustainable design and HVAC systems and is eager to contribute to projects that enhance energy performance and indoor environmental quality.

Beck Flach is a Mechanical Engineering student at Olin College of Engineering. Hailing from Arizona, Beck is spending the summer in Providence and looks forward to deepening their knowledge of sustainable building technologies and HVAC best practices.

Bryan Perez is a recent graduate from University of Rhode Island with bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. He is passionate about fieldwork and excited to begin his career in Building Commissioning. In his free time, he enjoys working out, skating, and walking his two dogs.

Jodd Sheer is pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Applied Artificial Intelligence at McGill University. A Providence native, Jodd is committed to helping Rhode Island become more sustainable through smarter building practices.

We look forward to a productive and inspiring summer together!

Stephen Turner, PE, CCP, recently presented a free training session, sponsored by Rhode Island Energy—on major updates to the 2024 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). Rhode Island set to adopt the 2024 IECC without amendments, skipping over the 2021 version. The session highlighted the significant changes that will be introduced to commercial building design, permitting, and compliance strategies.

The training covered key updates to building envelopes, mechanical systems, lighting, plumbing, and commissioning. Attendees gained insights into how these changes support improved indoor air quality, occupant comfort, and energy performance. This webinar was recommended for building managers, designers, contractors, developers, and code officials working in Rhode Island.

Review more details & learning objectives Here +
 

On June 10th, Dave Sungarian, PE, CEM, CPHC, of Stephen Turner Inc., led an AIA Rhode Island Continuing Education Webinar introducing the Passive House standard—an increasingly popular approach to high-performance building design. The session covered core Passive House principles, design strategies, certification criteria for both commercial buildings including multi-family, and specific examples of how the standard has been applied and implemented in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. This training offered valuable insights for building owners, designers, builders, and policy-makers seeking to improve building efficiency, comfort, and sustainability.

Thank you to AIA Rhode Island and CLEAResult for organizing this valuable event on behalf of Rhode Island Energy.
 

We were proud to sponsor last Thursday’s  RIMiAD meetup at La Braza Bar & Grill—an inspiring evening that brought together students and professionals across architecture, engineering, construction, and allied fields. Events like this strengthen our shared commitment to elevating underrepresented voices and building a more inclusive industry.

Thank you to everyone who joined us—we’re excited for what’s ahead!

We’re proud to celebrate an exciting accomplishment by our team member, Dave Sungarian, who recently achieved his Phius Certification as a Certified Passive House Consultant, CPHC®! This credential reflects Dave’s dedication to high-performance building practices and deepens our firm’s capacity to support energy-efficient, climate-responsive work. As the industry moves toward more rigorous sustainability standards, we’re excited to contribute to the growing momentum behind Passive House design and construction. Congratulations, Dave!

Stephen Turner Inc. is looking for passionate professionals at all levels to join our team. Whether you’re new to the field or have experience in building commissioning, we have exciting career opportunities. Current Openings include Project Manager, Coordinator, and Analyst. A team-oriented workplace located on the East Side of Providence, we value work-life balance and are a triple bottom line company. Stephen Turner Inc. is an equal opportunity employer offering competitive salary and full benefits, including health insurance, paid vacation, holidays, and 401K plan.

Interested or know someone who might be? Learn more or apply by emailing [email protected] with your resume. Join us and be part of a team shaping the future of building performance!

On December 11th, Joe Wagner, Senior Technical Personnel at Stephen Turner Inc., led an AIA Rhode Island Continuing Education Webinar, offering expert insights on the 2024 IECC requirements for lighting and lighting controls. The session covered the following:

1. Review IECC 2024 lighting controls and lighting requirements.
2. Identifying potential issues with lighting controls during construction
3. Key testing protocols for evaluating lighting control system performance
4. An overview of Rhode Island's incentives and rebates programs, including free technical support and the Circuit Rider Program.

Thank you to AIA Rhode Island and CLEAResult for organizing this valuable event on behalf of Rhode Island Energy.