People-Centered Firm
We’re a fun-loving team, that is passionate about sustainability in our work, our operations, and our communities. We treat our team, our clients, and our stakeholders as valued and critical players in our work and our impact.
Brendle Group is proud of our more than 20 year history helping clients reach their sustainability goals! We’re excited to share a little bit about our history, our purpose and mission, and our exciting team of talented professionals.
When our President, Judy Dorsey, started Brendle Group in 1996, she chose her mother’s maiden name, Brendle, as its foundation.
Eileen Brendle-Dorsey was a leading edge-architect promoting green building techniques as early as the 1950s, with plans to start her own firm one day. Eileen’s career was tragically cut short – she passed away from breast cancer in 1970, just short of her 40th birthday.
Brendle Group’s name is a tribute to all women and leaders challenging conventions and to Eileen’s vision and enduring legacy.
Brendle Group has been practicing sustainability since the company was founded in 1996, and we are committed to embodying sustainability principles in our own operations.
Purpose
Apply our engineering and consulting talents to create lasting impacts that sustain and inspire our communities and our world.
Mission
Accelerate equitable solutions to the climate crisis.
Core Values
- Lead by Example: We walk the talk by advancing sustainability across our team, operations, and communities, and by providing transparency through annual reporting.
- Work/Life Flow: We provide flexibility and support for coworkers to contribute fully in work and life.
- Impact: We do work that makes a difference.
- Inspiration: We cultivate opportunities for people to follow and share their passions.
- Relationship: We support each other and collaborate to build strong teams.
- Opportunity: We create an environment for rich and rewarding personal and professional growth.
Brendle Group remains committed to helping shape the ever-evolving frontiers of sustainability and addressing the most pressing needs. Sustainability is at the core of everything we do. For details, please review our Annual Report here.
As the founding president and principal engineer of Brendle Group, Judy is a pioneering engineer, entrepreneur, and sustainability business leader with 30 years of executive expertise in innovation, strategy, and risk management. A natural team-builder, Judy has led the completion of more than 300 sustainability projects for over 150 clients across 30 states and is co-founder of the Colorado Clean Energy Cluster (CCEC) and the International Cleantech Network. Many of these projects pioneered new frontiers in sustainability, prior to national standards and certifications, in areas such as green building, greenhouse gas management and accounting, net zero energy, and climate resilience. Judy has also coached numerous business leaders and public policy makers on managing the risks and opportunities posed by climate change, energy system transitions, and other socioeconomic challenges.
Through natural curiosity and engineering problem-solving, Judy distills complex technical problems into policy and strategy actions that solve for both the long and the short term. She is a valued collaborator known for her skilled facilitation in engaging diverse groups of stakeholders seeking to align and execute around a shared purpose. Judy is the recipient of numerous industry awards and is featured in the Smithsonian Institute’s Places of Innovation exhibit. She also serves as a U.S. C3E Ambassador, a group of distinguished senior leaders who serve as role models and advocates for women in clean energy. Additionally, she is a member of the Colorado State University Energy Institute Industry Advisory Board and is on the Board of Directors of the Peaks to People Water Fund and the Colorado Clean Energy Cluster.
Professional Qualifications
- Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Colorado State University
- Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Northwestern University
Affiliations
- National Ski Areas Association Board of Directors
- Colorado Clean Energy Cluster Board of Directors
- Peaks To People Water Fund Board of Directors
- Colorado Clean Energy Education & Empowerment (C3E) Steering Committee
- Colorado State University Energy Institute External Advisory Committee
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory Cities-LEAP External Review Group
Shelby is a natural leader with seventeen years of experience helping to shape the vital intersection between urban planning and sustainability on a national scale. From research to implementation, Shelby’s portfolio of work is transforming the way that communities plan and interact with resources and the natural environment. Her strengths are in navigating complex policy and organizational landscapes and engaging and empowering stakeholders. A skilled and creative project manager, her experience includes sustainability, land use, community energy, and climate resiliency plans and programs for a range of public and private sector clients. Her work in sustainability indicators and dashboards helps ensure plans are implemented and monitored throughout the planning horizon.
Professional Qualifications
- Master of Public Administration from the University of Colorado (Denver) Anticipated Graduation 2020
- Bachelor of Environmental Design in Community Planning from the University of Colorado
- Green Building Certificate from the Institute for the Built Environment at Colorado State University
- American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Member
- LEED Accredited Professional
- Leadership Northern Colorado Class of 2018
Affiliations
- American Planning Association
Sarah is an enthusiastic member of the Brendle Group team who has worked in both government and the private sector on a broad range of planning topics including: climate, resiliency, transportation, comprehensive, and integrated water and land use. Sarah is fueled by a passion for finding ways to bridge gaps in the often-siloed areas of sustainability – as well as building on existing intersections – collaborating with customers to create and implement impactful projects.
Sarah’s previous work with North Front Range Metropolitan Planning Organization sharpened her ability to bring together politically diverse stakeholders to produce plans and programs that provided benefits to an entire region. Sarah is flourishing as a subject matter expert in the field of integrated land use and water planning, bringing her expertise to projects ranging from code review to metrics development.
What really sets Sarah apart is her passion for connecting with stakeholders and project partners, facilitating robust dialogues, and developing a deeper understanding of the communities with which she works.
Professional Qualifications
- Master of City and Regional Planning from the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill
- Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from the University of Florida
- Leadership Northern Colorado Class of 2019
- American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Member
Affiliations
- American Planning Association (APA)
Jessica is an intuitive problem solver with over 15 years of experience developing and implementing innovative business solutions utilizing a unique combination of technical and interpersonal skills. She has extensive experience with utility, energy, and government operations.
Most recently, she served as a Principal Operations Analyst for Colorado Springs Utilities, where she managed a group responsible for utility rate evaluation, renewable energy credit accounting, production cost modeling, and detailed electric and gas supply analysis. Jessica is skilled in project management, process improvement, and strategic planning and approaches challenges with determination, thoughtful examination, and intelligent action. At Brendle Group, her responsibilities include energy and sustainability dashboard development, data analytics, and implementation tracking.
Jessica is passionate about leading and evaluating change in the ever-evolving energy industry. In her free time, she enjoys hiking with her dog and teaching yoga.
Professional Qualifications
- Master of Science in Global Energy Management from the University of Colorado, Denver
- Bachelor of Arts in Communications with a minor in Mathematics from the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs
Affiliations
- Women of Renewable Industries and Sustainable Energy
- Women’s Energy Network
Jillian (she/her) brings two years of experience in local government sustainability and climate planning to Brendle Group. Her knowledge of greenhouse gas accounting practices, stakeholder engagement, and equitable deep decarbonization efforts shape Jillian’s approach to sustainability analysis. Jillian’s educational background in both psychology and climate science enables her to bring a critical combination of mitigation and resiliency analysis and planning to Brendle Group’s projects. Jillian is passionate about understanding the needs of individuals and communities and this shines through her work.
In her previous work for municipal governments and nonprofits, Jillian created successful volunteer training programs, managed large-scale community engagement activities, secured funding for sustainability improvements, and contributed to community-wide climate planning efforts. This experience gives her insight into the relationship between nonprofits, government organizations, and the private sector.
Outside of work, Jillian enjoys bouldering, cycling, making delicious food, and hiking with her dog, Hops.
Professional Qualifications
- Master of Science in Climate Science and Solutions from Northern Arizona University
- Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Heidelberg University
With a keen sense of economic impacts, Terry has a strong background in utility data analysis, energy efficiency strategies, and greenhouse gas accounting. He has extensive experience navigating utility programs and processes, developing and implementing renewable energy strategies, developing measurement and verification techniques, and managing energy efficiency programs across a range of building types. Terry is uniquely able to communicate complex technical and financial information to a broad audience to influence decision making, buy-in, and impactful project outcomes.
At Brendle Group, Terry supports community energy planning, data management and analytics, cost-benefit analyses, and energy and sustainability dashboard development. Terry uses his technical and fiscal expertise to build and inform the business case for increased energy efficiency, renewable energy adoption, and sustainable development.
Professional Qualifications
- Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Boston University
- Certified Energy Manager
- Engineer in Training
Zakri applies his expertise in technical engineering, data analysis, and applied research to support a variety of projects at Brendle Group. He is skilled at data analytics and visualization, developing training and reference resources, building cost estimates, reviewing project plans and specifications for compliance, and processing energy, water, and climate data for baselining, business as usual projections, and scenario analysis. Zakri is particularly adept at reviewing complex technical information, identifying key themes, and summarizing the information so it can be used to create actionable project outcomes.
Zakri is passionate about projects that cross the intersections of water, energy, and climate to generate meaningful emissions reductions and resource conservation. He prioritizes strategies founded in data-driven solutions accessible to all by implementing one water solutions and best practices and developing easy to use and accessible analysis tools that empower client decision making. He constantly strives to incorporate new perspectives and industry innovations.
Professional Qualifications
- Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering from Colorado State University
Affiliations
- American Water Works Association
Dan is a principal and the Chief Operating Officer at Brendle Group responsible for ensuring execution of all projects to scope and budget in addition to overseeing all legal, financial, and operational processes within the company. Dan brings to Brendle Group 30 years of experience in consulting, engineering, project management, strategic and financial planning and analysis, operations and business performance, corporate management, software integration, and mergers and acquisitions. Dan has a depth of experience spanning from Fortune 500 companies to technology startups and engineering consulting firms.
Over his career and work with Brendle Group, Dan has been involved in numerous renewable energy development projects, renewable product development opportunities, and economic and financing analysis for a wide array of renewable studies. He has a passion for and experience with deep energy renovation and new development of green buildings. Dan brings his technology background to Brendle Group and supports data analytics and quality control processes as part of Brendle Group’s program management across all projects.
Professional Qualifications
- Master of Engineering in Civil Engineering from Colorado State University
- Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering from Northwestern University
Becca has a strong background in energy efficiency measures for industrial customers though her experience at the Colorado State University Industrial Assessment Center. Also, she has been involved in researching and designing a commercial refrigeration heat recovery system that successfully brought industrial energy efficiency principles to a small commercial scale. At Brendle group, she employs her expertise to assess and quantify energy efficiency opportunities for commercial and institutional customers. She also applies energy efficiency principles on a larger scale for climate action planning, greenhouse gas accounting, and community energy planning, as well as analysis of renewable energy feasibility across these projects.
Outside of Brendle Group, Becca puts her degree in Zoology to work volunteering at a local wildlife rehabilitation center.
Professional Qualifications
- Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Colorado State University
- Bachelor of Science in Zoology from Colorado State University
- Engineer in Training (EIT)
At Brendle Group, Van focuses on process efficiency through data management automation as well by supporting GHG accounting, analysis, and protocol compliance. Van has long been interested in the intersection of environmental science and economics, and believes in taking a systems-based approach to solving complex problems. He thrives on helping clients see the big picture by using his skills to craft adaptive solutions built on data-driven insights.
Van is a sustainability consultant with 3 years of experience in data analysis and automation. Before joining Brendle Group, Van worked for the Colorado Secretary of State’s Business Intelligence Center. There, he focused on building ETL (extract, transform, load) processes to make government data publicly accessible and usable via their website, data.colorado.gov. This work also included organizing the Go Code Colorado challenge, where Coloradans compete to build digital applications and analyses that utilize government data to improve Colorado businesses.
One of Van’s main motivations to create sustainable change is his passion for the outdoors. He is an avid skier, runner, and backpacker, so wants to do his part to protect the natural environment.
Professional Qualifications
- Bachelor of Arts and Science in Economics and Ecosystem Sustainability from Colorado State University
Jellie contributes 6 years’ experience in community engagement to the Brendle Group team. She founded the organization LivZero – a firm that partners with nonprofits to strategize upstream climate solutions that genuinely reflect community expertise. She has worked cooperatively with historically marginalized communities to cultivate environments with unobstructed opportunities to nurture their health, wealth, and well-being. Jellie is supporting our team as a Climate Justice Worker for the Kansas City Climate Protection and Resiliency Plan. She is based in Kansas City, and works to foster meaningful relationships with and support the leadership of historically marginalized communities in the fight for climate justice.
Professional Qualifications
- Bachelor of Science in Sociology and Cultural Anthropology from the University of Missouri – Kansas City
Awards
- LISC’s Young Champion Award in 2019 for leadership in environmental justice in Kansas City, Missouri
Idalia is Brendle Group’s community engagement intern and a student at the University of Missouri- Kansas City pursuing two degrees – Urban Planning and Design and Spanish foreign language. As an urban planning student, Idalia has experience working on community revitalization projects. She is passionate about helping deprived individuals find a healthy and safe place to live.
At Brendle Group, Idalia is supporting the development of Kansas City’s Climate Protection and Resiliency plan. She helps with outreach and engagement planning efforts to create a more resilient and equitable Kansas City. When Idalia is not balancing project work and school assignments, she enjoys gardening and learning about plants.
Professional Qualifications
- Senior at the University of Missouri- Kansas City, Majoring in Urban Planning & Design and Spanish Foreign Language
Awards
- Kansas City Chapter of the Missouri American Planning Association (KC-APA) – 2021 for demonstrating a commitment to Urban Planning and academic achievement
With over seven years of experience working for local government and non-profits, Imogen enjoys working with clients to develop goals and design place-based initiatives that improve sustainability practices, decrease carbon emissions, and deliver tangible quality of life benefits. She recognizes the need to focus on community priorities while leveraging regional, state, and national partnerships to amplify the impact of local action.
Imogen has an international sustainability lens, having begun her career in the United Kingdom developing community-owned solar installations in inner-city areas. She also has Mountain West experience, having served as Sustainability Coordinator for the City of Durango for 5 years. During that time she gained valuable insight into best practices for collaborating with diverse internal and external stakeholders as well as managing a comprehensive municipal sustainability program.
At Brendle Group, Imogen serves as a technical expert in electric vehicle readiness planning, greenhouse gas emissions accounting, composting and waste reduction programs, municipal equity planning, and community outreach.
In her free time, Imogen is a competitive trail runner, enthusiastic mountain biker, and experimental bread baker.
Professional Qualifications
- Master of Science in Geography from the University of New Mexico
- Master of Science (undergraduate) in Environmental Geography from the University of Bristol, UK
Sherri brings more than 20 years of administrative experience to Brendle Group. She has worked in a variety of capacities, including consulting, not-for-profit, education, and corporate settings, where her responsibilities entailed event and meeting planning, grant writing, internal and external communication, and program coordination.
At Brendle Group, Sherri helps keep our operations running smoothly and supports our staff by coordinating administrative duties in the areas of recruitment and human resources, event and meeting planning, travel and scheduling, and facility operations. She can also be found assisting on projects in the form of coordinating between clients, project managers, and other stakeholders and supporting the development of reports, presentations, agendas, letters, and much more.
Professional Qualifications
- Bachelor of Science in Organizational Communication from Missouri State University
Katie is a gifted storyteller with ten years of experience in marketing, including strategy development, communications and content, outreach, advertising, branding, and graphic design. At Brendle Group, Katie is the design channel and gate keeper for all externally facing media and deliverables including social media content, website presence, documents of all varieties, and engagement campaigns in numerous delivery formats.
Katie has a broad range of experience, having developed and executed marketing strategies for nationwide media campaigns as well as organizing grassroots outreach efforts. She has managed marketing budgets, facilitated radio and video commercial recordings; developed weekly, monthly, and quarterly newsletters; and coordinated with public relations staff for deliberate and targeted media impact. Her repertoire includes exceptional communication skills, creative approaches for long-term behavior change, comprehensive market research and analysis, and empowering promotional content.
A love of language and drive to leverage great communications are Katie’s tools to inspire positive change.
Professional Qualifications
- Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Colorado State University
- Bachelor of Arts in English from Colorado State University
Melody brings twelve years of engineering, project management, and product development skills to the Brendle Group team. She uses her skills for community energy planning, sustainability planning, and developing new tools to support clients’ energy efficiency and sustainability goals. Melody is also well versed in the business case for sustainability, having recently completed her MBA with a focus on sustainability at Colorado State University.
Prior to joining Brendle Group, Melody spent 7 years as a chemical process engineer for Burns & McDonnell Engineering in Kansas City, MO conducting analyses from feasibility through detailed engineering and construction. There, she gained experience with design calculations, data management, stakeholder engagement, and business development.
Professional Qualifications
- Master of Business Administration in Global Social and Sustainable Enterprises from Colorado State University
- Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Kansas
Jennifer is Brendle Group’s Accounting Contoller. She has a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and more than 20 years of experience. This experience and Jennifer’s dedication to the environment combine to create a strong resource for Brendle Group and its clients.
Professional Qualifications
- Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Metropolitan State University of Denver
Amy brings more than twenty years of engineering experience to Brendle Group, having provided consulting services to a wide variety of federal, State, and local government agencies as well as water, wastewater, and electric utilities. She is particularly interested in promoting sustainable utility operations through water efficiency, energy management, and broad sustainability programs. Her areas of expertise include using data and tools to inform water and energy management decisions and using stakeholder engagement and facilitation techniques to achieve collaborative solutions and successful program implementations.
Amy is a member of Brendle Group’s leadership team and also contributes as a project manager, business development leader, and subject matter expert. Her goals for any project are to make efficient use of readily available data and tools; to address human factors such as risk tolerances and stakeholder objectives; and to ensure that outcomes are sustainable given available staff, time, and financial resources.
She is currently active in the following areas:
- Sustainable utility operations
- Climate-resilient communities
- Community energy planning to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions
- Delivering One Water solutions to enterprise and campus-scale developments
- Innovative planning solutions, including efficiency benchmarking and integrated water and land use planning
- Improving water efficiency in the commercial, industrial, and institutional sectors
Professional Qualifications
- Master of Science in Environmental Engineering from the University of North Carolina
- Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Michigan
- Professional Engineer
Affiliations
- Colorado WaterWise Board of Directors
- American Water Works Association Member
Lynn contributes seven years of experience in urban planning and meaningful community engagement to the Brendle Group team. She uses a systems-thinking approach and her past experience working for a local government to help communities accelerate the adoption of sustainable practices through equitable planning and program implementation, recognizing that community involvement, expertise, and ownership is critical to the success of any sustainable plan or program. In her role at the City of Lakewood, she gained extensive experience coordinating with other Colorado communities and agencies on regional and statewide sustainability and climate issues, including greenhouse gas emission accounting and climate vulnerability assessments.
Her academic and professional background provide her with technical knowledge in a number of sustainability subject areas, including sustainability indicator development and tracking, climate resiliency, zero waste, and clean transportation systems. She uses this expertise and a passion for community-driven planning to identify strategies that communities and organizations can take to make lasting change.
Professional Qualifications
- Master of Urban & Environmental Planning from Arizona State University
- Bachelor of Science in Urban Planning from Arizona State University
- Bachelor of Arts in Sustainability from Arizona State University
- American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Member
- Envision Sustainability Professional
Affiliations
- American Planning Association
- NextCity Vanguards Alumni
Kat is a passionate marketing professional with two years of experience in graphic design, content creation, and branding. She has experience supporting a wide range of sectors, including higher education and government institutions, where she’s led graphic design efforts, managed multiple social media channels, and curated blog content.
Kat’s background gives her a unique combination of creative and analytical expertise. Her ability to simplify complex problems or data into compelling and understandable designs is vital in supporting community outreach. She is passionate about using her skills to encourage sustainable behaviors that will make the world a better place for future generations.
Outside of Brendle Group, Kat is an avid runner who’s completed two marathons and enjoys the many benefits of bicycling. Her deep appreciation for the outdoors contributes to her love for exploring new places by foot or on two wheels.
Professional Qualifications
- Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Georgia Institute of Technology
Justice is a community leader, social justice activist, and policy analyst committed to amplifying the voice of underrepresented communities. While pursuing a bachelor’s degree from the University of Missouri – Kansas City, he led the undergraduate community as student body president. Justice has also served on several boards and commissions where he strives to make equity the center of all projects. Justice is located in Kansas City and is supporting the Kansas City Climate Protection and Resiliency Plan as a Climate Justice Worker. He is connected to and knowledgeable about Kansas City neighborhoods and is leveraging this role to support a resilient, equity-focused future for Kansas City.
Professional Qualifications
- Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Missouri – Kansas City
Awards
- 2021 National Civic League’s John Parr Awardee, 2020 Good Guy award from the Kansas City Women’s Political Caucus, resolutions in recognition of service and legacy from Kansas City, Missouri and the Missouri House of Representatives
We’re passionate about sustainability and foster an environment in which our team members can thrive, pursue their interests, and grow personally and professionally by:
- Encouraging work-life balance
- Helping our team grow professionally and personally through a mentorship program
- Emphasizing employee wellness
- Encouraging community involvement and volunteerism
- Encouraging ongoing training and professional growth
- Incentivizing sustainability practices at home
Each year we donate services to nonprofit organizations that lack the in-house expertise or resources to get started with sustainability. Examples of services provided in the past include building assessments, strategic sustainability planning, and training. Brendle Group also supports non-profit and educational organizations with grants for projects or initiatives that align with the company’s vision and mission. To apply for free consulting services or a charitable donation, follow the directions in this form.
“Brendle Group truly puts the principles of sustainability into action in their own business and this sets them apart. Fort Collins is lucky to have Brendle Group located here, supporting our community’s work to create a better future.”