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 Michael
Arny, President
Michael
Arny founded Leonardo Academy in 1997 and has guided the growth of this
organization to the present. Michael has worked on energy and environmental
issues throughout his entire career. After earning both 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 chaired 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. Michael
attended the first meeting that began the development of LEED for Existing
Buildings (LEED-EB) in 2000 and chaired the LEED-EB Committee of the U.S. Green
Building Council from 2001-2005. As chair of the LEED-EB Committee, Michael
guided LEED-EB through the development, pilot testing, refinement and balloting
process. Michael is a registered professional engineer in the State of Wisconsin
and is a LEED® Accredited Professional.
 Steve
Olson, Director of Finance and Operations
Steve has managed Leonardo Academy's administration, operations, and finances since 1997. He has over 15 years of extensive experience in energy, water, air and other environmental fields.
His diverse background and experience provide expertise to effectively help
companies and organizations implement sustainable policies and practices
that make both environmental and business sense. Steve has co-authored many of Leonardo Academy's white papers and reports. He has
also been directly involved with Leonardo
Academy’s LEED-EB effort since the earliest stages of the EB Pilot program.
He developed the LEED-EB Letter Templates, assisted with their integration
into the LEED-Online tool and performs LEED-EB certification application
reviews and acts as LEED consultant on building projects
as needed. Steve earned an MBA
in International Business and Marketing and a BS in Zoology and Psychology
at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He is also a LEED® Accredited
Professional. When not at work chained to a computer,
Steve enjoys mountain biking, gardening, photography, and camping.
Kara Jensen, Project Manager
Kara Jensen joined Leonardo Academy in 2007, bringing six
years of previous experience with natural areas restoration and urban
environmental issues. Kara manages Leonardo Academy’s Sustainable Land
Management and Development Program. Her responsibilities also include
assisting with LEED® certification applications, obtaining LEED-EB status
for the Leonardo Academy office in Madison, and working with private land
owners on restoration and sustainable land management. Kara has a background
in wetland ecology, stormwater management, and sustainable development. Kara
earned a MS degree in Water Resources Management at the University of
Wisconsin – Madison and a BA in Biology at Lewis & Clark College.
Dirk Mason, Project Manager
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 seven years he has 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.
Amanda Raster, Program Manager
Amanda Raster joined Leonardo Academy in 2007 and divides her time managing the development of the Draft Standard for Sustainable Agriculture Practices and the Cleaner and Greener® Program. She also works with clients on sustainability and emissions footprint analysis projects and provides technical assistance on LEED® projects. Amanda brings management and coordination experience from her previous position at a Madison-based farmers' cooperative, where she managed a 350 member community supported agriculture program. She has a broad understanding of sustainability analysis and associated impacts from her academic experience at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she earned a BA in both Conservation Biology and Anthropology, as well as an academic certificate from the Nelson Institute of Environmental Studies.
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