Building Codes Assistance Project

The Building Codes Assistance Project announces Jeff Herholdt, with the West Virginia Division of Energy, as our May 2009 selection for ENERGY CODE CHAMPION!

John F. "Jeff" Herholdt Jr. is the director of the West Virginia Division of Energy, which became a stand-alone agency under the West Virginia Department of Commerce in the summer of 2007. The division was created to implement programs in the fossil, renewable and energy efficiency arenas.

Jeff's work in energy efficiency spans 3½ decades. Before the establishment of the Division of Energy, he managed the Energy Efficiency Program under the state's economic development agency. The program concentrated very heavily on saving energy in the industrial sector. Jeff was instrumental in the establishment of the Industries of the Future-West Virginia program, which continues to help West Virginia industries save energy and streamline processes.

Jeff has been personally and professionally interested in energy efficiency his whole life, installing compact fluorescent lamps in his rural West Virginia home, extra insulation, ENERGY STAR windows and a metal roof. "Caulk is cheap," he tells audiences as he promotes the power of the individual in saving energy at home.

As director, Jeff oversees the Energy Efficiency Program and the Office of Coalfield Community Development. His expertise has helped shape policy in West Virginia relating to the advancement of resource diversification as well as building energy codes. Additionally, he serves as Chairman of the West Virginia Public Energy Authority and is the Governor's Alternate to the Southern States Energy Board. He is also a member of the Board of Directors for the West Virginia Manufacturing Extension Partnership and serves as a Board Member and Treasurer for the National Association of State Energy Officials. Additionally, he is a member of the Appalachian Regional Commission Energy Advisory Committee and serves as co-director of Industries of the Future-West Virginia.

He received a bachelor of arts degree in economics from West Virginia's Davis and Elkins College and a master of arts degree in economic from West Virginia University.

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Each quarter, BCAP will be recognizing a new Energy Code Champion. This will be a person who has been working hard behind the scenes to advocate for improving building energy codes. If you have someone you would like to nominate, or if you would like to tell us about the wonderful work you are doing, please write us at kwillock@ase.org or pkarrer@ase.org.

Past Energy Code Champions