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April 2021
For the 3rd year in a row, Gretchen Coleman has been a judge for the Virginia State Science & Engineering Fair (VSSEF). The Virginia State Science and Engineering Fair is a state-level fair affiliated with the International Science and Engineering Fair (affiliate USVA50). Students compete at local level fairs to qualify for regional affiliate fairs, with the highest-ranking projects moving on to compete at VSSEF.
The 2019 fair, sponsored by the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, was held in Roanoke, VA, the home of GCCG headquarters. That year, Gretchen judged presentations in Engineering Mechanics. She had this to say about that experience, “Those kids are way smarter than me. Where I added value to the judging process is teaching them how to dumb it down to the layman level.”
In 2020, the fair fell right in the beginnings of the COVID-19 pandemic, so the fair went virtual. That year, Gretchen judged presentations in Engineering and Robotics. That year’s comment from Gretchen, “The VSSEF organizers were disappointed that we had to go virtual, but I loved it. Not sure why I drew a category that had the word Robotics in it, but the virtual experience allowed me to google almost every word on some presentations. I sure learned a lot!”
The 2021 fair was still subjected to the pandemic and was again a virtual event. This year’s category was Environmental Engineering. Gretchen practically crowed, “I thought finally, a category I have some experience in! These kids are brilliant, and it made me so hopeful for the future of science and engineering. Judging this fair is just so much fun. The ideas are forward thinking, the experiments to prove the theory are innovative. I would encourage anyone practicing in the sciences or engineering fields to be a judge in the future. It is a great way to give back and encourage our up-and-coming leaders in these fields.”
The 2019 fair, sponsored by the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, was held in Roanoke, VA, the home of GCCG headquarters. That year, Gretchen judged presentations in Engineering Mechanics. She had this to say about that experience, “Those kids are way smarter than me. Where I added value to the judging process is teaching them how to dumb it down to the layman level.”
In 2020, the fair fell right in the beginnings of the COVID-19 pandemic, so the fair went virtual. That year, Gretchen judged presentations in Engineering and Robotics. That year’s comment from Gretchen, “The VSSEF organizers were disappointed that we had to go virtual, but I loved it. Not sure why I drew a category that had the word Robotics in it, but the virtual experience allowed me to google almost every word on some presentations. I sure learned a lot!”
The 2021 fair was still subjected to the pandemic and was again a virtual event. This year’s category was Environmental Engineering. Gretchen practically crowed, “I thought finally, a category I have some experience in! These kids are brilliant, and it made me so hopeful for the future of science and engineering. Judging this fair is just so much fun. The ideas are forward thinking, the experiments to prove the theory are innovative. I would encourage anyone practicing in the sciences or engineering fields to be a judge in the future. It is a great way to give back and encourage our up-and-coming leaders in these fields.”
July 6, 2020
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April 2, 2020
Gretchen Coleman, owner of Gretchen Coleman Commissioning Group LLC, has once again been sought as a top commissioning agent and small business owner to lend her voice on navigating, adjusting and living in our new world during the current pandemic of COVID19. During an interview with Engineered Systems Magazine, Gretchen discusses her experience in the field and the measures companies are taking to keep workers safe. She also speaks about the realities of the challenges she is seeing in her personal life. You can check out the article here:
https://www.esmagazine.com/articles/100290-coronavirus-survey-56-of-aec-respondents-report-a-decrease-in-new-business-activities.
https://www.esmagazine.com/articles/100290-coronavirus-survey-56-of-aec-respondents-report-a-decrease-in-new-business-activities.
February 14, 2020
Unsurprisingly, our very own Gretchen Coleman, owner of Gretchen Coleman Commissioning Group LLC, has been recognized yet again as one of the “leading ladies” in the engineering industry! In the February 2020 issue of Engineered Systems Magazine, Gretchen is featured as one of the 20 to Watch: Women in HVAC.
In the article, Gretchen describes how she took her wondering eyes from the sky as a child to a more practical on-the-ground use for commissioning building systems. When asked what was been her most rewarding aspect of working in the field, she comments that it is “figuring out why a building sucks or blows.” She further adds that “the field of commission is so rewarding because one gets to solve problems whether during design or in the field during construction.” Those who know and have worked with Gretchen know that is one of her biggest strengths: problem solving.
Congratulations once again to our Leading Lady!
Click here to read her entire write-up: https://www.esmagazine.com/articles/100135-to-watch-women-in-hvac---gretchen-coleman
In the article, Gretchen describes how she took her wondering eyes from the sky as a child to a more practical on-the-ground use for commissioning building systems. When asked what was been her most rewarding aspect of working in the field, she comments that it is “figuring out why a building sucks or blows.” She further adds that “the field of commission is so rewarding because one gets to solve problems whether during design or in the field during construction.” Those who know and have worked with Gretchen know that is one of her biggest strengths: problem solving.
Congratulations once again to our Leading Lady!
Click here to read her entire write-up: https://www.esmagazine.com/articles/100135-to-watch-women-in-hvac---gretchen-coleman
October 21, 2019
Gretchen with Tom Poeling, BCxA Board President and Liz Fischer, BCxA Executive Director, following the presentation of the Benner Award on September 26, 2019.
A huge CONGRATS to GCCxG owner, Gretchen Coleman, for winning this year’s Benner Award at the BCxA (Building Commissioning Association) Annual Conference! Created in memory of Nancy Benner, the Benner Award recognizes outstanding achievement in making building commissioning “business as usual.”
Upon announcing the award, BCxA Executive Director, Liz Fischer had to say this of Gretchen: “This one has been a long time coming. She has been a pioneer in our commissioning profession. She has been commissioning buildings and systems that they serve since 1992 and she worked on what is acknowledged as the first third-party commissioning project in the United States – Phase 1 of Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. Since that first project, Gretchen has commissioned over 25 million square feet at a construction cost of over $2.6 billion on just about any type of building and system there is out there.
As a commissioning pioneer, she was credited for some of the industry’s firsts: the first woman to become a member of the BCxA and the only woman on the founding committee, she was one of the first ten people in the nation to receive our CCP (Certified Commissioning Professional) and among many other firsts, she had the first LEED Platinum project in our Nation’s Capital and since has completed 53 others.
She started her own business in 2008 and her slogan is “Building Potential… Realized,” which speaks to her core philosophy basing her work off the end purpose of the building, and that no two buildings are the same. She fosters all team members to ensure that the building’s purpose is realized.
She has been a mentor to co-workers, industry colleagues, owners, contractors, and college students. One co-worker she mentored is now a regional director and a commissioning competitor, and he still credits her for his success and her mentorship. She also serves as an alumni mentor for the Kansas State University College of Engineering Mentor program.
She has a passion for her work, and it shows. Never satisfied with the status quo, she exemplifies Nancy’s vision, and in fact, has raised the standards even higher.”
Congratulations again, we couldn’t be more proud!
Upon announcing the award, BCxA Executive Director, Liz Fischer had to say this of Gretchen: “This one has been a long time coming. She has been a pioneer in our commissioning profession. She has been commissioning buildings and systems that they serve since 1992 and she worked on what is acknowledged as the first third-party commissioning project in the United States – Phase 1 of Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. Since that first project, Gretchen has commissioned over 25 million square feet at a construction cost of over $2.6 billion on just about any type of building and system there is out there.
As a commissioning pioneer, she was credited for some of the industry’s firsts: the first woman to become a member of the BCxA and the only woman on the founding committee, she was one of the first ten people in the nation to receive our CCP (Certified Commissioning Professional) and among many other firsts, she had the first LEED Platinum project in our Nation’s Capital and since has completed 53 others.
She started her own business in 2008 and her slogan is “Building Potential… Realized,” which speaks to her core philosophy basing her work off the end purpose of the building, and that no two buildings are the same. She fosters all team members to ensure that the building’s purpose is realized.
She has been a mentor to co-workers, industry colleagues, owners, contractors, and college students. One co-worker she mentored is now a regional director and a commissioning competitor, and he still credits her for his success and her mentorship. She also serves as an alumni mentor for the Kansas State University College of Engineering Mentor program.
She has a passion for her work, and it shows. Never satisfied with the status quo, she exemplifies Nancy’s vision, and in fact, has raised the standards even higher.”
Congratulations again, we couldn’t be more proud!
October 3, 2018
Cheers to 10 years! While we missed not celebrating with our treasured clients, GCCG celebrated its 10th year in business in style this year - in bonnie Scotland. Owner, Gretchen Coleman, had this to say about the momentous occasion:
What a long, strange trip it’s been…
Yet it seems like yesterday my stepdaughter, marketing guru, web designer and awesome travel companion was talking me into starting my own company. I knew my limitations, and the thought of having to get the work about made me sick. Fulfillment, not a problem, that is what I do best. She thought I was crazy for thinking getting the work would be hard, and she turned out to be right. I have been very fortunate to have colleagues helping me along the way and repeat clients who like what I do. Five years ago, those people helped me celebrate. This year I received several complaints that they weren’t invited to my 10-year anniversary party. Well, that was because I got to celebrate it in Scotland at my favorite spot, the Inchnadamph Hotel, with UK friends. Going to the Inch is like stepping into an episode of Cheers. So, I want to thank my old friends Jaimie, Richard, Rohan and Storm, and new friends Isabella, Burtus, Campbell, Roy, Simon, Mai, Alex and Mike for frivolity, stories, crisps, and many drams of the nectar of the gods, the peatier the better!
Slainte Mhath!
What a long, strange trip it’s been…
Yet it seems like yesterday my stepdaughter, marketing guru, web designer and awesome travel companion was talking me into starting my own company. I knew my limitations, and the thought of having to get the work about made me sick. Fulfillment, not a problem, that is what I do best. She thought I was crazy for thinking getting the work would be hard, and she turned out to be right. I have been very fortunate to have colleagues helping me along the way and repeat clients who like what I do. Five years ago, those people helped me celebrate. This year I received several complaints that they weren’t invited to my 10-year anniversary party. Well, that was because I got to celebrate it in Scotland at my favorite spot, the Inchnadamph Hotel, with UK friends. Going to the Inch is like stepping into an episode of Cheers. So, I want to thank my old friends Jaimie, Richard, Rohan and Storm, and new friends Isabella, Burtus, Campbell, Roy, Simon, Mai, Alex and Mike for frivolity, stories, crisps, and many drams of the nectar of the gods, the peatier the better!
Slainte Mhath!
May 10, 2018
The EMA Certification Council, EMA staff and Board of Directors are very happy to announce our Energy Management Professional (EMP) Certification attained ANSI accreditation and US Department of Energy recognition under the Better Buildings Program! A lot of hard work went into receiving that accreditation and recognition. As Certification Council Chair, GCCG owner Gretchen Coleman said, "I want to thank the test writing committee, the Certification Council members, Richard Rusk for his work on the Gap Session, and especially the EMA staff for a job well done!"
April 27, 2018
Gretchen Coleman posing with North Charleston Firefighter, Adam Craft
The 2018 Firefighter Calendar Debut Party was once again voted Charleston's Best Party for the fourth year in a row by Charleston City Paper's annual "Best of" awards! The event, which took place on September 30, 2017, raised over $150k for abused and abandoned animals. GCCG owner Gretchen Coleman once again participated in this past year's event as a valued member of the Firefighter Calendar committee and was an integral part in the success of the party, helping to save even more at-risk animals.
Since the calendar's inception in 2013, almost 50,000 calendars have been sold worldwide.
February 7, 2018
We are proud to announce that GCCG was just awarded a four year renewal (2018-2022) through the state of North Carolina for the HUB (Historically Underutilized Businesses) program and a five year renewal (2018-2023) through the state of Virginia for SWaM (Small, Women-owned, and Minority-owned Business). The SWaM renewal includes a micro-business, a small, and a woman owned certification for GCCG. Gretchen Coleman, owner of GCCG commented on the renewals by saying “as a minority business owner, I am grateful to be given the opportunities provided by programs such as SWaM and HUB. These programs celebrate diversity in the business world and I am proud to be a certificant.”
October 12, 2017
On Saturday, September 30th, GCCG owner Gretchen Coleman once again participated in the 2018 Charleston Firefighter Calendar Debut Party. The Firefighter Calendar benefits Toby's Fund, Charleston Animal Society's Medical Fund used to treat abused, injured and abandoned animals. Since the calendar's inception in 2013, almost 40,000 calendars have been sold worldwide. Gretchen served on the 2018 Firefighter Calendar work committee, graciously volunteering her time and money to this worthy cause. In doing so, her efforts have helped the organization save many more at-risk animals.
To purchase your calendars, go to: https://charlestonfirefightercalendar.com/products/2018-firefighters-calendar
To purchase your calendars, go to: https://charlestonfirefightercalendar.com/products/2018-firefighters-calendar
GCCG owner Gretchen with her "date," Jordan (aka Mr. February)!
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GCCG owner Gretch and Marketing Director Jen strike a pose.
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The hardworking 2018 Firefighter Calendar Team
May 10, 2017
Members of the CxA Exam Committee were recognized at the opening session of the CxEnergy 2017 conference. The committee was responsible for revising the CxA certification exam in order to obtain ANSI Accreditation and DOE approval for the CxA certification program. The CxA certification was accredited in March 2017.
Members of the CxA Exam Committee were recognized at the opening session of the CxEnergy 2017 conference. The committee was responsible for revising the CxA certification exam in order to obtain ANSI Accreditation and DOE approval for the CxA certification program. The CxA certification was accredited in March 2017.
April 27, 2017
At CxEnergy 2017, Gretchen was appointed Chair of the Energy Management Association's Certification Council. The Council is responsible for the Energy Management Professional (EMP) certification program, which includes shepherding the certification through the ANSI accreditation process. Gretchen and her fellow EMA Exam Committee members have recently updated the exam to meet Department of Energy and ANSI requirements. This beta test was given to 43 individuals at CxEnergy 2017 and our next step is to determine the cut score and revise or augment the test if needed. Our goal is to have the EMP certification ANSI accredited by the end of 2017.
At CxEnergy 2017, Gretchen was appointed Chair of the Energy Management Association's Certification Council. The Council is responsible for the Energy Management Professional (EMP) certification program, which includes shepherding the certification through the ANSI accreditation process. Gretchen and her fellow EMA Exam Committee members have recently updated the exam to meet Department of Energy and ANSI requirements. This beta test was given to 43 individuals at CxEnergy 2017 and our next step is to determine the cut score and revise or augment the test if needed. Our goal is to have the EMP certification ANSI accredited by the end of 2017.
June 27, 2016
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The Building Commissioning Association's (BCA) affiliate, the Building Commissioning Certification Board (BCCB) just announced their Certified Commissioning Provider (CCP) has just been accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) based on the International Standard ANSI/ISO/IEC 17024:2012.
With the ANSI accreditation the CCP is also now a Better Buildings Workforce Guidelines Recognized Program. This means that all CCPs are recognized as qualified commissioning providers eligible to deliver commissioning services to federally funded projects. The Certified Commissioning Professional is the first commissioning certification to earn this honor. FEDS - that means hire me! |
October 1, 2015
GCCG owner Gretchen Coleman attended the Firefighter Calendar Debut Party in Charleston, South Carolina. The calendar benefits Charleston Animal Society’s medical fund, Toby’s Fund, which is used to treat the area’s injured, abused and abandoned animals.
“I was honored to donate my time and money for this amazing cause.” Coleman said. “Not only was it a great event but knowing it is helping to sustain Charleston as the first No Kill Community in the Southeast makes it all worthwhile! #iamcaitlyn”
If you would like to support Toby’s Fund as well, you can purchase your calendar here: http://charlestonfirefightercalendar.com/shop/
“I was honored to donate my time and money for this amazing cause.” Coleman said. “Not only was it a great event but knowing it is helping to sustain Charleston as the first No Kill Community in the Southeast makes it all worthwhile! #iamcaitlyn”
If you would like to support Toby’s Fund as well, you can purchase your calendar here: http://charlestonfirefightercalendar.com/shop/