We asked incoming BCxA IBOD President Jonathan Vaughan CCP, CEM, LEED AP, Principal Commissioning Director at Page, a few questions to get to know him a little better.
What life experience(s) caused you to want to be an engineer, operator, technician, or another building-related career?
Looking back, I find it interesting that it was the Oil Embargo in 1973, which shook the global energy market, that first got my attention. I remember, as a teenager, sitting in long gas lines with my dad while he tried his best to explain what was going on in geopolitics and the global economy. Trust me, we had plenty of time while we waited in line. And then during the 1979 oil crisis when, again, there were long lines at the gas stations that would wrap around the block. I was just entering college at the time, but it was the result of these two “oil shocks” that shaped my passion for energy conservation. I remember fondly, as a young mechanical engineering student, reading books and articles about the energy crisis, and stumbled across the book “Soft Energy Paths – Towards a Durable Peace” written by Amory Lovins (1979). The gist of the book was describing an alternate future, which Lovins called “the soft path,” favoring benign sources of renewable energy, along with a heightened commitment to energy conservation and energy efficiency.
It wasn’t long after that that I found myself working in the energy services industry, performing energy audits and helping to craft energy retrofits for facilities across the country. There was a lot to do during the 80s and 90s, and utility companies created demand-side management incentive programs while many institutions entered into Performance Contracting Agreements. I worked for an Energy Services Company (ESCo) at the time, which meant that if projected energy savings were not proven through measurement and verification, then we didn’t get paid. This translated that if the energy conservation measures weren’t installed properly, then the project would not achieve the projected energy savings. This translated into the fact that I personally had to “verify” that the installed retrofit was functioning according to the energy retrofit design intent. See where this is going?
When and why in your career did you first engage with commissioning?
So, practically speaking, I was providing commissioning services as a part of a necessity for successful energy service contracts before I knew that a formal Commissioning Process existed. But my first engagement with the formal Cx Process began in 2005 when I started working for Page Southerland Page, an Architecture & Engineering (A&E) firm (aka Page) that was beginning to support their clients in the Houston area with commissioning services. And my first commissioning project was at the NASA Johnson Space Center campus to support Gilbane Building Company in the delivery of LEED Fundamental and Enhanced Commissioning for their new Astronaut Quarantine Facility. My main point of contact for Gilbane was a gentleman by the name of Ed Faircloth! Please recall that Ed served as BCxA President several years ago, and I was very nicely “volun-told” to become active in the BCxA.
What challenges did you face coming into your profession? How have those challenges changed over time?
The early challenges that I faced as I entered the building commissioning profession were earning the trust of the project teams from the design phase and throughout the construction phase. Most institutional clients prefer to hire commissioning directly with a firm that is completely independent of the design and construction teams. So, when design review is a part of the commissioning scope, there have been challenges in how design review comments have been communicated and received. But when the language is buffered with “things to consider,” then I have found that it helps to disarm any defensive tendencies. I have also found that it’s important to hold a design phase commissioning kickoff meeting to discuss the specifics of the design phase commissioning process with the Owner’s Representative’s full backing. Over time, I have found that the project teams have found value in the process, especially as the sequence of operations is fully vetted and coordinated with the control’s contractor. There have also been challenges early on in earning the trust of the General and subsequent Trade contractors during the construction phase. One of the first things I learned in this business is to try and minimize issues before field testing as much as possible. And this is only accomplished by establishing a clear vision of success from the start. I think it’s important to convey to the team that the purpose of the Commissioning Process is to optimize the efficiency of project delivery and that the Commissioning Provider is here to help the project become successful. It’s also important to encourage mutual respect, promote collaboration, and set clear expectations while fostering a positive work environment.
What drives/motivates you every day?
I am truly motivated by being a part of something bigger or greater. That includes being a part of an incredible Cx & TAB Team at Page and being part of the overall Page firm leadership, which has helped me understand leadership effectiveness. The immediate impact has allowed for a deeper connection with colleagues and clients alike, resulting in improved communications, active listening, self-awareness, and greater empathetic leadership in the workplace. I also love being a part of the BCxA because I have found people who are just as passionate as I am about helping to make commissioning “business as usual.” I have also made friends for life in this organization.
Describe the proudest moment in your career.
The proudest moment in my commissioning career has to be when I received the BCxA President’s Award in 2015 at home plate in Busch Stadium in St. Louis. I remember Liz Fischer handing me the mic and asking me to say a few words. And so, on the large PA sound system serving the entire stadium, I remember saying something like, “Building commissioning is not only about energy efficiency but about team efficiency."
When hiring, how do you evaluate entry-level candidates?
What do I look for as I evaluate entry-level candidates? Well, that reminds me of a story when I first applied for a job at one of the first ESCo that surfaced back in the 80s. As I’ve shared, I developed a passion for energy conservation after becoming inspired by Amory Lovins. Well, I discovered a firm called Time Energy Systems that provided energy conservation retrofits for clients around the country, which was exactly what I wanted to do. So, I reached out to them and spoke with someone in their human resources department. I told her my story and why I wanted to work there. Afterward, she went to the hiring manager and told him, “Look, he really WANTS to work here, and he’s got a lot of heart.” He told her to hire me because that’s the kind of people they want to work with. So… to answer the question? The bottom line, I look for passion from an entry-level candidate. The technical expertise can be taught, but the passion has to come from within.
What advice do you have for newcomers considering entering the building-related field?
For those who are fascinated with the idea of creating something spectacular, for those who can imagine the built environment that makes a difference in people’s lives and businesses that thrive… building commissioning helps bring it all together.
What is on your professional agenda that you want to accomplish?
The immediate future for me is the honor of becoming President of the BCxA in 2024! The organization has tremendous momentum going forward and I would like to see us continue to focus on education, training, and advocacy. I also would love to see a renewed commitment to volunteering for the organization to help make the 10 BCxA Chapters thrive.
How do you think the field of commissioning might change in the next 5-10 years?
The advancement in technology will continue to affect the application of building systems. I believe that Information and communications technologies will continue to play a huge role in how systems communicate. I see the field of commissioning will always require the expertise needed to provide the confidence building owners will always need that their buildings are functioning properly on Day One.
What’s one thing no one knows about you?
Well, as I mentioned before, I have always been motivated by being a part of something greater. That has played out in a couple of ways over the years including being a football running back in high school. This taught me so much about being a part of a team with a common goal, which was mostly about relying on each other to get the job done. But I also have enjoyed singing in choruses over the years, including the Houston Symphony Chorus where I have sung in cathedrals in Wales, the Royal Albert Hall in England, and most recently, Carnegie Hall. One single voice blending with a chorus of voices singing some of the greatest choral music ever written at a very high level of quality… ahhh, there’s nothing else like it!