Empowering sustainability through tailored solutions.
EXPERIENCE
Many markets for many types of clients.
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CONTACT US
We make it enjoyable.
CONTINUITY
Repeat clients are the bedrock of sustainable business growth. Our clients have trusted our services by returning time and again.
Pictured: UK Health Education Building: Paladin’s 48th for UK
ABOUT US
We coined Game changer in building systems TM because of our solid commitment to your building’s potential. Founded in 1986, Paladin is a woman-owned business that built upon engineering roots to deliver strategic commissioning, sustainability, and direct-to-owner engineering consulting services for new and existing facilities.
THE PALADIN PROMISE
To show unwavering commitment to you and your project from day one through closeout.
To recognize key drivers for the project and measure to them.
To deliver a complete, efficient project using a strategic blend of talent and resources.
20 buildings commissioned
38 years in commissioning 22 years in sustainability
300
161,432 projects LEED-certified or higher
220 MTCO2e emissions reductions since 2019
100% achievement on LEED goals * years in engineering
* This metric reflects the personalized care, innovative thinking, and supportive teamwork that we invest in every project.
Sustainability SERVICES
Paladin knows the crucial role buildings play in shaping a sustainable future. Our team partners with you to optimize building performance, reduce environmental impact, and maximize energy efficiency. Whether navigating LEED certification, implementing renewable energy solutions, or ensuring compliance with green building standards, Paladin delivers innovative and cost-effective strategies that align with your goals.
Our certification consulting aims to simplify complex sustainability challenges for building owners. From project inception throughout the building’s life, we engage in a collaborative process to brainstorm strategies that fit your goals and budgets and identify ways to reduce your building’s environmental impact.
We specialize in these building certifications:
• Green Globes
• LEED
• WELL
• Fitwel
• SITES
• Energy Star
• LEED for Existing Buildings
SUSTAINABILITY PLANNING
Our planning solutions integrate sustainability targets with your specific goals, budgets, and timelines, and balances environmental, social, and economic factors to promote long-term viability.
• Sustainability Analysis
• Energy Modeling
• Operational Policy Development
• Portfolio Assessment
• Construction Support
Building sustainability requires a holistic approach that accounts for the mental well-being of occupants as well as the economic and social impacts the building has on the environment.
Paladin stays ahead of industry trends to bring proven, cost-effective sustainability solutions to building owners, developers, and design teams.
Commissioning
Commissioning used to focus solely on energy savings. Now, it plays a crucial role in ensuring the successful operation of systems in both new and existing buildings.
We understand the intricacies of building systems, from building envelopes to electrical systems, and we know how to maintain their functionality for the lifespan. Our process involves architects, engineers, owners, contractors, building managers, and maintenance teams to identify and resolve issues affecting occupant safety, experience, and overall building performance. Paladin provides a range of commissioning services for:
NEW CONSTRUCTION
Even with clearly stated expectations for your new building systems, proper function is never guaranteed. Paladin helps ensure the correct installation and operation of systems of all sizes.
• MEP Systems Commissioning
• Building Enclosure Commissioning
• Building Automation Systems Commissioning
• Renewable Systems
EXISTING BUILDING
Priorities range from carbon reduction and energy performance to operational stability, risk reduction, and operating cost containment. Our capabilities extend to your entire built environment to thoroughly address issues preventing you from reaching these goals.
ONGOING COMMISSIONING
HVAC, lighting, and other systems change over time. Ongoing commissioning ensures these systems are regularly reviewed to keep them in check. Paladin starts with a deep dive into your project and current facility requirements. We can also perform some ongoing commissioning steps remotely through metering and utility data.
Engineering
UNLOCKING BUILDING POTENTIAL
Your building relies on complex, interconnected systems to function properly. If any component fails, it can reduce the building’s quality and lifespan.
Our streamlined design and implementation processes enable us to work directly with you, focusing on your business goals and enhancing the likelihood of achieving them. Since 1986, we’ve been a Game changer in building systemsTM optimizing operational systems to unlock building potential.
MEP DESIGN
Our engineering services cover everything from managing current inventory to meeting energy goals, cutting emissions, and planning maintenance. Our process begins with an understanding of your goals and carefully studying the project. Then, we offer tailored recommendations and guide you through any implementation challenges. Whether it’s phasing out old equipment or planning upgrades, we forge partnerships to ensure seamless execution and maximum outcomes.
Our goal is to strike a balance between sustainability and financial feasibility.
EXISTING BUILDING IMPROVEMENTS
With decades of experience, our engineers specialize in custom upgrades and retrofitting. We handle everything from small commercial spaces to large industrial campuses.
BAS DESIGN
Modern building requirements are more varied as the industry leans towards greater dependence on advanced building automation systems. Our BAS design is grounded in a thorough understanding of these systems and their evolving technologies.
RELATIONSHIPS
Contractor Support
We can develop a plan together that’s compliant with the leading certifications while meeting project timelines, budgets, and goals.
Our support equips your contracting team with the knowledge and resources needed to implement sustainable practices throughout the project, including:
1. Green Building Certifications: From LEED, Green Globes, WELL, and Energy Star, we help contractors secure best-fit certifications.
2. Waste Management Planning: Minimizing construction and demo waste and promoting material recycling and reuse.
3. Sustainability Strategy: Target-setting for energy efficiency, waste reduction, and carbon emissions.
4. Lifecycle Assessment: Evaluating the environmental impact of materials and construction methods.
5. Energy Efficiency Optimization: Renewable energy systems, passive design strategies, and energy-efficient equipment.
6. Environmental Compliance: Compliance with relevant environmental regulations and standards.
7. Performance Monitoring and Reporting: Metrics like energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and water usage.
8. Risk Assessment and Mitigation: Identifying potential environmental and social risks and developing strategies to mitigate them proactively.
Our comprehensive engineering services drive projects and initiatives forward, supported by a team of skilled professionals with expertise in a wide array of advanced technical systems including:
• Building Information Modeling (BIM)
• 3D Coordination Drawings
• Building Information Management
• 3D Scanning
• MEP and Building Envelope Testing
• Water Intrusion Testing
• Whole Building Air Tightness Testing
(Paladin’s David Burks is one of Kentucky’s two ABAA-Certified Air Barrier Specialists)
Additional contractor services are available through Paladin DTS , our sister organization.
In perfect alignment with a building owner’s strategic vision and objectives, Paladin DTS seamlessly integrates the creative concepts of designers with the expert craftsmanship of contractors, optimizing building value and profitability.
Harnessing the latest technology and a steadfast commitment to collaboration and timely delivery, we empower our A/E/C partners to minimize rework and maintain high field quality standards. From managing BIM teams and executing clash detection protocols to identifying vulnerabilities in weather barriers, we offer technical clarity that informs cost-effective and swift decision-making.
EXPERIENCE
Paladin specializes in making buildings work better while being kind to the environment. Our commissioning, direct-toowner engineering solutions, and sustainability consulting services can help boost a building’s value, optimize occupant comfort, cut down on costs, and make the world a little greener.
From commercial office buildings to healthcare and industrial facilities, educational campuses to municipal infrastructure, our portfolio reflects an unwavering commitment to excellence, innovation, and sustainability.
South Central Regional Library, one of seven completed for the Louisville Free Public Library.
HEALTH EDUCATION BUILDING
University of Kentucky
Lexington, KY
LEED Administration
As the largest academic building in UK’s history, the 500,000 sq. ft. Michael D. Rankin MD Health Education Building will house the colleges of Medicine, Public Health, Health Sciences, Nursing, and the Center for Interprofessional and Community Health Education. Paladin will guide LEED certification, ensuring sustainable and environmentally responsible practices are integrated into every aspect of the project, which is pursuing LEED Silver certification.
Paladin has worked at UK since 2011 on dozens of projects ranging from residence halls to labs.
ECOFIBRE U.S. HEADQUARTERS
Georgetown, KY
Whole Building Commissioning
LEED Administration
Ecofibre is an innovator in industrial hemp, and its U.S. headquarters is as sustainable as its high-performance products. Paladin provided commissioning and LEED administrative services for the 50,000 sq. ft. office, manufacturing, and warehousing space.
The team’s objectives included: 1) ensuring LEED Platinum certification to demonstrate Ecofibre’s fundamental commitment to producing sustainable products; 2) shaping the facility as a marketing tool; and 3) ensuring a fully operational facility.
The facility’s landmark product is Hemp BlackTM, a hemp derivative with antimicrobial and antiviral properties that can be added to anything; currently in use in textiles, furniture, and flooring.
89%
potable water reduction
“Paladin helped us become a
model for sustainability.”
— ERIC WANG
Ecofibre Managing Director
Certified LEED Platinum under LEED WDCv4, a first for any warehouse and distribution facility in the U.S.
Features include outdoor hemp garden, transparent manufacturing clean rooms, rainwater collection systems, geothermal HVAC, and photovoltaic panels.
Paladin has been Berea’s exclusive commissioning and LEED administration provider for over a decade.
NATURAL SCIENCES BUILDING
Berea College
Berea, KY Commissioning
The 133,000 sq. ft. Margaret A. Cargill Natural Sciences and Health Building is a state-of-the-art instructional facility with advanced science laboratories, nursing laboratories, interactive learning spaces, collaborative spaces, and planetarium. The building envelope system required special attention for its role in humidity control. Paladin commissioned all building, lab, and process systems.
FEDEX FREIGHT FACILITY
Green Bay, WI
Commissioning
LEED Administration
Only 2.7% capital cost premium needed to earn LEED certification DEBUNKING THE MYTH
FedEx Freight is a LEED-certified (WDCv4) distribution center with cross-deck bays and office areas. Our efforts helped underscore FedEx Freight’s commitment to greenhouse gas emissions reduction: over 10,325 MtCO2e were avoided through the systems and materials used in the project.
10,325 MTCO2e avoided
Paladin helped FedEx develop a new framework for their development guidelines.
BLUEOVAL SK TRAINING CENTER
Commonwealth of Kentucky/ECTC
Glendale, KY
Sustainability Consulting
The 1,500-acre BlueOval SK Battery Park is an all-new battery manufacturing campus that produces batteries for Ford and Lincoln vehicles beginning in 2025. BlueOval SK Battery Park will employ 5,000 people, who will prepare for these future careers through training at the Elizabethtown Community and Technical College BlueOval SK Training Center onsite. Paladin’s services include Sustainability Consulting for the new facility that has a LEED Silver target.
Governor Andy Beshear cuts the ribbon on the 42,000 sq. ft. facility.
CENTRALIZED LABORATORY
Frankfort, KY
Commonwealth of Kentucky
Direct-to-Owner Engineering
Existing Building Commissioning
Paladin’s first project in 2015 was a solution to large utility bills, mold, and water infiltration. We identified simple repairs, like enabling heat recovery, as well as complicated repairs like notable building pressurization problems that were creating extreme negative pressure. Subsequent projects have included fit-up renovations for an expanding Kentucky State Police Forensic Lab, BSL-3 lab improvements, lab air handling unit replacements, and central utility plant upgrades.
Paladin has worked at Central Lab for over 13 years on dozens of projects.
38% energy use reduction
SOUTHWEST REGIONAL LIBRARY
Louisville Free Public Library
Louisville, KY
LEED Administration Commissioning
The Southwest Regional Library achieved LEED Gold under LEED-BD&C 2009. Paladin performed multiple design reviews with particular emphasis on controls strategies and performance of the underfloor air system. Our previous experience with those systems informed the specifications and contractual requirements, ensuring correct installation, operation, and potential issue resolution.
The project was awarded the 2015 AIA Kentucky Design Excellence Honor Award – New Construction.
SOUTHCENTRAL REGIONAL LIBRARY
Louisville Free Public Library
Louisville, KY
LEED Administration Commissioning
The Southcentral Regional Library serves as a new model of sustainability for Louisville, as the project has received LEED Gold certification. The library has reduced energy usage by 29%, and exceeds the AIA 2030 Challenge for system performance.
Paladin created custom Owner’s Project Criteria as a strong foundation. Pivotal to the OPR and subsequent commissioning tasks was the library’s expectation for outstanding performance and equipment and component maintainability. LFPL is well-known for its vested interest in carefully monitoring building efficiency and watching the performance of geothermal fields for changes over time.
Paladin has worked with Louisville for 15 years.
Paladin’s commissioning resulted in $385,250 avoided costs over the life of the building.
CENTER FOR APPLIED ENERGY RESEARCH
University of Kentucky
Lexington, KY Commissioning
UK’s Center for Applied Energy Laboratory #2 is an energy research building with a living laboratory devoted to renewable energy and energy storage. The 43,000 sq. ft. lab achieved LEED Gold under LEED-BD&C 2009. Paladin commissioned the MEP, lighting, and controls systems, and also verified third-party turnkey dry lab and Class 6 clean rooms operation.
The research space incorporates labs and testing areas for prototyping, characterization, evaluation and lifecycle testing of new photovoltaic and solar materials. The core of the first floor houses analytical instrumentation for bioenergy and biofuels.
Spaces include:
7 individual research labs
5 environmental rooms
1 Class 6 clean room
1 dry lab with a dedicated air-handling unit for 0.5% relative humidity 55% energy use reduction
TEAM
Paladin’s Sustainability Team focuses on optimizing a building’s environmental performance. With expertise in sustainability practices, energy efficiency, green technologies, and more, this team is committed to enhancing an eco-friendly footprint with cost-effective solutions.
Candice B. Rogers
MBA, CCP, CxA, WELL AP, LEED AP BD+C President
Candice advises on projects ranging from residence halls to manufacturing facilities. “The key to successful implementation of sustainability is understanding the business needs behind the building and developing strategies that support those needs.”
Erica Weeks
LEED Fellow, AIA, SITES AP, WELL AP, LFA, Fitwel Director of Green Building Certification
Erica is dedicated to lessening the built environment’s impact, while elevating the human experience and exceeding financial expectations. She is a consummate problem-solver, who approaches every challenge with creativity. So far, she has certified over 145 buildings in 18 states.
Mikenna Wainwright Sustainability Consultant
With a fresh perspective and a wealth of knowledge in environmental science and sustainability strategies, Mikenna is dedicated to positive environmental change and helping steer clients towards greener futures.
Pictured:
36.9% annual water use reduction
ANALYSIS
A Triple Bottom Line analysis of the 11 credits pursued revealed that a $540,000 additional investment in sustainable design and construction strategies returned over $988,000 in benefits to stakeholders.
13.4% energy cost savings
University of Louisville’s Belknap Residence Hall achieved LEED Gold while remaining cost efficient, durable, and easy to maintain.
OTHER KEY EXPERTS
Comprised of diverse talents and driven minds, we are a collective force dedicated to crafting solutions that transcend challenges. With a shared commitment to excellence and collaboration, we harness individual strengths to deliver impactful results.
David Burks CxA, BECxP, CxA+BE, CAPM Principal
David brings expertise in commissioning, enclosure field testing, data gathering and analysis, reporting, and testing equipment, maintaining regular correspondence with owner representatives.
Kelsey Leslie PE, CCP Principal
Kelsey brings a wealth of expertise managing intricate HVAC systems and diverse BAS control platforms. Her experience encompasses educational, governmental, and healthcare facilities.
Mark Zoller PE, CxA, CEM Principal
Mark takes complex concepts and explains them clearly. He uses this skill to improve issues resolution in a way that is clearly understood by all invested parties.
Chad Riegle Director of Virtual Design Services
Chad has over 25 years of experience with 3D drawings utilizing BIM technology through AutoCAD and Revit. He is FARO certified for 3D scanning and modeling.
