Dirk Mason, LEED AP - Director of LEED Services This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ]

Dirk Mason is focused on delivering Leonardo Academy’s sustainability services for companies and organizations. These services include: providing overall sustainability assessments; planning and implementation of sustainability strategies for buildings, including certification under the U.S. Green Building Councils LEED® program; and developing reduction and offset strategies for emissions that affect climate and health. Dirk has over 10 years of project management experience in planning, development and construction in the public, private, and non-profit sectors. For the past eight years he has been focused on implementing sustainable building technologies and practices within the built environment. Dirk earned a BS in Environmental Science and Geography from Carroll College and a Masters degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee School of Architecture and Urban Planning. Dirk is a LEED Accredited Professional.

Steve Olson, LEED AP - Director of Finance and Operations, Senior LEED Project Manager [ This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ]

Steve Olson has been with Leonardo Academy since its inception in 1997 and manages the organization’s administration, operations, and finances. Steve earned an MBA in International Business and Marketing and a BS in Zoology and Psychology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Steve has over 20 years of experience in energy, water, emissions and other environmental sustainability fields and is a frequent author and co-author of white papers, reports and guides including lead author of “Deliver the Green, A Fresh Look at LEED-EB and Facility Management” prepared for the IMFA Foundation. Steve has also enjoyed extensive involvement with the LEED for Existing Buildings (LEED-EB) Program from 2001 to the present including the following:

• Created the LEED-EB excel letter templates and assisted with their integration into the LEED-Online tool.
• Co-authored the initial LEED-EBv2.0 Reference Guide and LEED-EB full-day training.
• Has performed over 50 LEED-EB certification application reviews and appeal rulings.
• Wrote the LEED-EB v2.0 Volume Certification Guidelines for the USGBC Pilot Program, provides ongoing contractual technical support to the USGBC’s development of tools and guidelines for the LEED-EB O&M2008 and 2009 Volume Certification Programs and has performed all LEED-EB Volume Certification Application reviews to-date.
• Lead Authored draft LEED-EB CIRs for the USGBC Technical Advisory Groups (TAGs) from 2007 to 2009.
• Was a technical review team member for the LEED-EB LOv3 form development effort.
• Serves as LEED Consultant for LEED Certification Projects by providing LEED assessments, project implementation, LEED Online training, technical support, application documentation preparation and review and LEED Online project management.

Michael Arny, PE, MSME, LEED AP - President [ This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ]

Michael Arny founded Leonardo Academy in 1997 and leads Leonardo Academy's sustainability programs and consulting practice. Michael has worked on energy, environmental issues, and sustainability throughout his entire career. After earning a BS and MS in mechanical engineering, as well as a BA in Psychology and Russian language at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Michael worked for the Wisconsin Public Service Commission for 14 years. He was co-chair of the State of Wisconsin committee that developed the State of Wisconsin Greenhouse Gas emissions inventory, emission reduction cost analysis, and the economic benefits analysis for emission reductions.

As president of Leonardo Academy, Michael helped create the Energy Services Coalition, which is a public private partnership that helps promote energy savings performance contracting. From 1999 to 2003, Michael acted as the Executive Director of the Energy Services Coalition. Michael was the chair of the LEED® for Existing Buildings (LEED-EB) committee of the US Green Building Council (USGBC) from 2001-2005 when the USGBC's LEED-EB rating system was being developed and first implemented.

Kara Edmonson, LEED AP - Senior LEED Project Manager [ This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ]

Kara Edmonson is a project manager of LEED consulting projects and reviews LEED-EB certification applications for the USGBC per Leonardo Academy’s service agreement. Kara also manages the Sustainability Internship Program and Leonardo Academy’s Sustainable Land Management Program, which includes the restoration and management of Leonardo Academy’s Valley Ridge Preserve in Richland Center, Wisconsin. Kara has a background in wetland ecology, stormwater management and sustainable development. Kara has six years of experience with natural areas restoration and urban environmental issues. Kara earned a MS degree in Water Resources Management at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a BA in Biology at Lewis & Clark College. Kara is a LEED Accredited Professional.