2025 Paladin Capabilities - Reduced Energy

COMMISSIONING S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y E N G I N E E R I N G

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ABOUT US

SERVICES

More than a small business.

Empowering optimization through tailored solutions.

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RELATIONSHIPS

EXPERIENCE

Our collaborations inspire us daily.

Many markets for many types of clients.

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TEAM

CONTACT US

Dedicated to turning ideas into innovation.

We make it enjoyable.

CONTINUITY Repeat clients are the bedrock of 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 systemsTM 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.

engineering since 1986 commissioning since 2001 sustainability consulting since 2005

SERVICES 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.

EXISTING BUILDING

Paladin helps ensure the correct installation and

Priorities range from carbon reduction and energy

operation of systems of all sizes.

performance to operational stability, risk reduction, and operating cost containment. Our capabilities

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MEP Systems Commissioning

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Building Enclosure Commissioning

issues preventing you from reaching these goals.

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Building Automation Systems Commissioning

ONGOING COMMISSIONING

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Renewable Systems

extend to your entire built environment to address

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.

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.

EXISTING BUILDING IMPROVEMENTS With decades of experience, our engineers specialize in custom upgrades and retrofitting. We

Engineering

handle everything from small commercial spaces

UNLOCKING BUILDING POTENTIAL

BAS DESIGN

Your building relies on complex, interconnected

Modern building requirements are more varied as

systems to function properly. If any component fails, it

the industry leans towards greater dependence on

can reduce the building’s quality and lifespan.

advanced building automation systems. Our BAS

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.

to large industrial campuses.

design is grounded in a thorough understanding of these systems and their evolving technologies.

Sustainability Paladin helps owners turn sustainability goals into

Our role is to simplify complex requirements and

practical, cost-effective results. From design through

deliver strategies that fit your priorities and budget.

operations, we optimize performance, reduce

Whether it’s planning, energy modeling, operational

environmental impact, and support energy efficiency

policies, portfolio assessments, or construction

while guiding projects through certifications such as

support, we balance environmental, social, and

LEED, WELL, Fitwel, Green Globes, SITES, Energy

economic factors to ensure long-term value.

Star, and LEED for Existing Buildings.

PALADINDTS Additional services are available through PaladinDTS, our sister organization.

PaladinDTS gives contractors the tools to build smarter and move faster without guesswork. From managing models to testing enclosures and air quality, we solve challenges before they slow you down.

We plug in where you need us — during design, construction, or closeout — to help you avoid rework and stay on track.

PaladinDTS works side by side with contractors and design teams to keep projects moving. We manage

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We handle full BIM or support your team with

or coordinate Building Information Services (BIM),

clash resolution, model alignment, and field-ready

scan existing conditions, and run targeted field tests.

guidance.

Whether you need to check for clashes, validate an enclosure detail, or confirm air quality, we help you

Building Information Modeling (BIM)

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get it done, fast and accurately.

Building Enclosure Testing From air and water infiltration to diagnostic support, we deliver clear results so you act fast

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Indoor Air Quality Testing Quick-turn testing for CO₂, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and particulates that can also help with LEED certification.

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3-D Scanning High-accuracy scans of existing conditions to support as-builts, layout, and prefabrication.

Paladin’s David Burks is one of Kentucky’s two ABAA-certified Air Barrier Auditors.

People Thrive When Buildings Perform Better No matter where you are in the project lifecycle, our team is equipped with the expertise and technology to move your project forward with clarity and confidence.

PALADINDTS GIVES CONTRACTORS STRAIGHT ANSWERS. NO FLUFF. From system performance issues to field conflicts that didn’t show up in the plans, we help spot problems early and fix them before they slow you down or blow your budget.

Design teams hand off a model. We dig into the real world conditions, using the right tools to uncover what’s actually happening in your building. DTS gives you clear results you can use and the follow-through to keep your project moving.

We make sure what’s designed can actually be built — and built right. Whether we’re running tests or managing models, our goals are the same: to reduce rework, protect quality, and keep you on track.

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, and cut down on costs.

From commercial office buildings to healthcare and industrial facilities, educational campuses to municipal infrastructure, our portfolio reflects an unwavering commitment to excellence and innovation.

South Central Regional Library, one of seven completed for the Louisville Free Public Library.

HEALTH EDUCATION BUILDING University of Kentucky Lexington, KY Commissioning 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 and significantly expand the colleges of Medicine, Public Health, Health Sciences, Nursing, and the Center for Interprofessional and Community Health Education. Paladin is guiding all commissioning services for this stateof-the-art facility, which will contain classrooms, simulation laboratories, research areas, and clinical training spaces.

Paladin has worked at UK since 2011 on dozens of projects ranging from residence halls to labs.

68.5% total energy reduction

Governor Andy Beshear cuts the ribbon on the 42,000 sq. ft. facility.

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. The Park will employ 5,000 people, who will prepare for these future careers through training at the onsite Elizabethtown Community and Technical College BlueOval SK Training Center. Paladin’s efforts resulted in decreased indoor water usage, saving nearly 336,000 gallons per year, equivalent to conserving 25 million bottles of water annually.

The energy cost savings is sufficient to power approximately 382 average homes for a year. In all, approximately 13 million pounds of waste were diverted from landfills.

UK PAVILION A, 12TH FLOOR University of Kentucky Albert B, Chandler Hospital Lexington, KY Commissioning

Driven by patient and staff experiences in UK’s various ICUs during the COVID-19 pandemic, the 12th floor of UK Chandler Hospital is the new home to UK’s medical and cardiovascular ICU and includes a number of modifications and upgrades.

Paladin provided commissioning services for the new space that features 64 ICU rooms, all with negative pressure capability, built-in tubing access ports to enable flexibility with IVs and monitors, and can be doubled to handle an influx of patients. Eight rooms have built-in antechambers to allow both a positiveand negative-pressure environment for immunocompromised patients. The floor also houses a Serious Communicable Disease Lab, which allows for quicker blood and tissue testing.

In-wall indicator visually confirms relative pressurization.

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 a fully operational facility; 2) shaping the facility as a marketing tool; and 3) ensuring LEED Platinum certification to demonstrate Ecofibre’s fundamental commitment to producing sustainable products.

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.

47% energy cost reduction 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

The 133,000 sq. ft. Margaret A. Cargill Natural Sciences and Health

Commissioning

spaces, collaborative spaces, and planetarium. The building envelope

Building is a state-of-the-art instructional facility with advanced science laboratories, nursing laboratories, interactive learning system required special attention for its role in humidity control.

Paladin commissioned all building, lab, and process systems.

UPS GLOBAL AVIATION TRAINING CENTER PHASE II Louisville, KY

Paladin’s commissioning process ensured the building’s

Commissioning

scope functional testing across HVAC, electrical, and domestic

LEED Administration

systems performed exactly as intended. We conducted fullhot water systems, collaborated during design reviews to identify issues early, and trained UPS staff to operate systems efficiently, reducing downtime and maximizing performance.

The project achieved a perfect score across all Green Globes lighting categories, from optimized power density to fully automated shut-off and reduction controls. The energy saved through efficient lighting is enough to power more than 100 average U.S. homes for a year.

Healthcare services include primary care, orthopedics, cardiology, imaging, laboratory services, and physical therapy.

CHI SAINT JOSEPH HEALTH WINCHESTER NexCore Group Winchester, KY Commissioning (New Construction) The commissioning of this 60,000 gsf medical office building focused on field observation, functional test verification, and issue resolution. The VAV mechanical systems relied on manufacturer’s control sequences, challenging the controls contractor. Our commissioning revealed discrepancies between the engineer’s sequences and the equipment’s delivery.

Paladin facilitated discussions among the owner and contractors, leading to solutions that balanced performance and cost. The initial schedule planned for testing before substantial completion, but testing during occupancy was required. The project reveals that even seemingly simple systems in non-critical spaces can present significant challenges.

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.

20% energy use reduction Paladin has worked at Central Lab for over 14 years on dozens of projects.

Healthcare services include primary care, orthopedics, cardiology, imaging, laboratory services, and physical therapy.

CHI SAINT JOSEPH HEALTH LONDON NexCore Group London, KY

This two-story, 60,000 sq. ft. project is one of two medical office

Commissioning (New Construction)

efficiency, and expands services. We focused on field observation,

buildings that Paladin has commissioned for CHI. The facility consolidates physicians and staff into one facility, maximizes functional test verification, and issue resolution, which revealed discrepancies between the engineer’s sequences and the equipment’s delivery. Paladin facilitated discussions among owner and contractors that led to balanced performance and cost solutions.

ADVENTHEALTH EXPANSION Manchester, KY

PaladinDTS conducted comprehensive inspections of the

Building Enclosure

thermal insulation along the exterior perimeter, the Modified

Testing

building enclosure, focusing on the Drainable EIFS Wall System, Bitumen Roof System, its subcomponents, and the Aluminum Storefront Window System. Our report included detailed accounts of site visit activities, observations, concerns, and recommendations, along with discussions with manufacturer representatives when necessary, to ensure the highest standards of construction quality and performance.

Testing glazing assemblies allowed adjustments to occur during construction.

38% energy use reduction

The project was awarded the 2015 AIA Kentucky Design Excellence Honor Award – New Construction.

SOUTHWEST REGIONAL LIBRARY Louisville Free Public Library Louisville, KY

Paladin performed multiple design reviews with particular

Commissioning

systems informed the specifications and contractual

LEED Administration

requirements, ensuring correct installation, operation, and

emphasis on controls strategies and performance of the underfloor air system. Our previous experience with those

potential issue resolution.

SOUTHCENTRAL REGIONAL LIBRARY Louisville Free Public Library Louisville, KY Commissioning LEED Administration

The Southcentral Regional Library serves as a new model of energy efficiency for Louisville. The library has reduced energy usage by 29%, exceeding 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.

29% energy use reduction 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

UK’s Center for Applied Energy Laboratory #2 is an

Commissioning

commissioned the MEP, lighting, and controls systems,

energy research building with a living laboratory devoted to renewable energy and energy storage. Paladin and also verified third-party turnkey dry lab and Class 6 clean rooms operation for the 43,000 sq. ft. lab.

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 focuses on optimizing a building’s performance and functionality.

With expertise in energy efficiency, system integration, and more, this team is committed to ensuring that everything operate as intended, delivering costeffective solutions that can enhance overall building performance.

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 commissioning is understanding the business needs behind the building and developing strategies that support those needs.”

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.

UofL BELKNAP RESIDENCE HALL 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

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.

Richard Burks PE Electrical Engineer

Dick, a licensed electrical and chemical engineer in Kentucky, brings over 35 years of experience designing, specifying, and troubleshooting mechanical HVAC systems. He has deep expertise in the operation of mechanical, plumbing, electrical, and control systems.

Dave Stapleton PE

Mechanical Engineer

Dave conducts field observations, implements construction checklists, and facilitates test verifications. His hands-on approach enhances identifying and resolving early-stage coordination and O&M issues.

Ben Clements PE

Commissioning Engineer With a detail-oriented approach, Ben conducts functional testing, on-site validation, and troubleshooting, helping ensure equipment and controls perform reliably.

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 results.

Rachel Norton EIT, ACP Commissioning Engineer

Rachel combines engineering expertise with a background in community development. She leads projects from planning through closeout, coordinating teams, testing systems, and delivering documentation to ensure buildings perform seamlessly.

Morgan Walli EIT, ACP Commissioning Engineer

Morgan is a commissioning engineer with a strong background in building systems performance, data analysis, and integrated functional testing. She leads MEP and Building Envelope commissioning efforts across a wide range of project types.

Rhodes Thompson CxA, NABCEP Commissioning Professional

Rhodes brings deep technical expertise to support functional testing, field verification, and troubleshooting across diverse projects, helping ensure systems operate as intended.

Davis Reeves CxT

Commissioning Technician Davis’s background as a master plumber, journeyman, and maintenance supervisor provides an operator’s perspective to building systems. He diagnoses equipment failures and offers functional, operable solutions.

Scott Fleming

Engineering Designer Scott plays a key role in transforming concepts into detailed designs, helping drive our projects forward. His technical expertise and attention to detail ensure constructible, efficient, and coordinated solutions.

James Bowman

Field Technician

James provides hands-on support to ensure building systems perform as designed, through site testing, equipment verification, data collection, and troubleshooting.

Karson Caswell Field Technician

Karson brings technical skill and attention to detail to the jobsite. He performs on-site testing, system verification, and troubleshooting to make sure building systems operate the way they’re meant to.

Wynston Riebel

Field Technician

Wynston performs on-site testing, system verification, and troubleshooting to make sure building systems operate as intended.

859.252.3047 paladinengineers.com 121 Old Lafayette Ave | Lexington, KY 40502