About Us

Meet Our Team

Your project, our experts.

The Certa team has successfully completed hundreds of building projects throughout the United States. No project is the same and our team is highly skilled at tailoring our work to meet the specific needs and goals of a project.

Mark Rose

President

Senior Building Science Specialist

With a 30-year tenure in the construction industry, Mark is an accomplished professional specializing in building science, enclosure assessment, design, and construction.  Serving as the President of Certa, he leads the company’s expansion efforts in Central Florida and the adjacent coastal regions, focusing on addressing climate-driven environmental challenges affecting local communities and the buildings within them.

Mark’s extensive experience is rooted in practical knowledge acquired through numerous building envelope assessments and rehabilitation projects across a diverse range of building types.  His expertise seamlessly extends to the design and construction of building enclosure assemblies for both low- and high-rise structures and is also proficient in the evaluation and conservation of historically significant structures.

Mark’s involvement as a lead expert witness in complex litigation demonstrates his commitment to resolving construction-related issues.  He has contributed significantly to construction defect claims in Florida, Oregon, Utah, and Washington, providing valuable insights into building enclosure failures.

In addition to his professional roles, Mark is an advocate for sustainable construction practices. At Certa, he emphasizes environmentally conscious approaches, ensuring that the company’s initiatives align with a commitment to sustainability.

As President of Certa, Mark invites you to connect, whether you’re interested in Certa’s services, seeking professional insights, or exploring collaboration opportunities. Feel free to reach out directly.

Justin Barnhart

Director of Assessment and Rehabilitation

Building Science Specialist | CEI, LEED, AP, RS

Justin Barnhart is a Building Science Consultant with over ten years of experience as an industry-leading Reserve Study provider. Justin has obtained the Reserve Study Provider (RS) designation from the Community Association Institute (CAI), with his building science background a cornerstone of his practice. He can provide superior guidance for short and long-term reserve planning and provided budget forecasting for hundreds of community associations, numerous market rate properties, and many affordable multi-family housing projects and state-owned facilities throughout the region.

Jim Riley

Director of Architecture

Architect | AIA, NCARB | Building Science Specialist

Jim (James) Riley is Certa’s Director of Architecture and leads our Seattle office. With active projects in Washington, Oregon, and Florida, Jim engages directly with owners, contractors, owner’s representatives, Architects, Jurisdiction Authorities, and designers on a wide range of projects. He works closely with each to deliver high-quality, cost-effective projects that meet the most stringent of standards and expectations. With his strong management skills and commitment to design excellence, Jim consistently exceeds expectations on the most challenging projects. Jim is a licensed Architect in Oregon, Washington, Utah, and Florida and has been practicing since 2000.

Dan Rundle

Director of New Construction

Architect | NCARB, RRC, RWC | Building Science Specialist

Dan is a registered architect in Washington, Oregon, and Florida and has provided a multitude of services over his 18 years of industry experience, focusing on enclosure design and construction-defect remediation. He is an active member of the IIBEC and a voting member on several ASTM committees. Dan holds the Registered Roof Consultant (RRC), Registered Waterproofing Consultant (RWC), and Registered Roof Observer (RRO) designations through IIBEC. His peers have recognized him as a leader in the building sciences through the design, construction, and post-occupancy phases of his projects.

Derek Buchanan

Building Science
Consultant

 

SPRAT Level 1 Certified Rope Access Technician

Since 2014, Derek has been engaged in building construction and consultation of a wide variety of projects ranging from net-zero, custom single-family homes to major stadium renovations in the Puget Sound region. With his ability to work through complex project issues, draw on his construction experience and utilize his excellent communication skills, Derek consistently provides technically sound and practical solutions to our clients. Derek is currently a Building Science Consultant in our Orlando office focused on the Florida rehabilitation market.

Tony Case

Building Science
Consultant

A registered architect in WA, Tony has extensive experience working closely with owners, contractors, and architects to resolve building science questions on various projects, from high rises buildings to historic renovations and one-of-a-kind residences. He specializes in design peer reviews and building condition assessments and leads design efforts and field investigations to find practical, elegant solutions to complex problems.

Anson Chen

Anson Chen

Building Science
Engineer

Building Science Engineer | BASc, P.E. (OR), CPHC®

Originally from Vancouver, Canada, Anson has been providing building envelope consultation services throughout the Pacific Northwest since 2016. As a licensed engineer, she brings her extensive knowledge of how buildings function and her depth of experience to each of her new construction and existing building projects. Anson believes in combining a drive to achieve successful results, technical expertise, and a thorough understanding of project needs in order to deliver timely and practical solutions to our clients. Anson is a Certified Passive House Consultant (CPHC) through the Passive House Institute.

Joe Cordes

Joe Cordes

Building Science
Consultant

Joe is a Building Science Consultant with ten years of history in construction. Joe has worked on a number of various projects ranging from single-family homes, rehabilitations, and townhouse or condominium reclads to new construction of downtown high-rises and convention centers. Utilizing his experience in drafting, field performance testing, construction administration, and project management, Joe brings his skills to support any project and team with their building envelope needs. Applying his background in architecture and construction, Joe provides sound building envelope design with practical problem-solving for complex issues.

Phil Corah

Building Science
Consultant

Building Science Consultant 

Phil is a Building Science Consultant who has been in the Architecture and Construction industry for over 10 years. Phil received his Master of Architecture from Montana State University and moved back to his hometown of Portland Oregon to pursue his career. He is experienced in providing high-quality services and care to his clients through thoughtful and innovative strategies. He has experience working on single family homes, multi-family homes and small commercial projects. His attention to detail and practicality ensures exceeding the needs of clients and the success of projects.

Adam Di Placido

Building Science
Engineer

Building Science Engineer | MASc, P.E. (WA), CPHC®

Originally from Toronto, Ontario, Adam has been actively engaged with new and existing construction projects throughout the Pacific Northwest since 2015. Adam has consulted on a vast range of enclosure systems for various building typologies including commercial, large-scale residential, and specialty construction projects.

As a licensed engineer and Certified Passive House Consultant (CPHC®), Adam uses his professional experience and analytical skills to perform Certa’s energy code compliance analysis and translate required efficiency standards, or the more stringent voluntary energy efficiency standards like Passive House, into creative construction solutions.

Adam has been an industry leader, making numerous contributions to building science research, and has co-authored several publications and guidelines focused on designing and building durable and energy-efficient enclosures.

Hiroki Ota

Building Science
Engineer

Hiroki is a Building Science Engineer practicing building science in the Pacific Northwest since 2011. Originally from Japan and as a licensed Professional Engineer, he brings extensive knowledge of how buildings are designed, constructed and how they function. His depth of experience dealing with various construction trades in the field as well as with design teams in meeting rooms, allows
him to keep projects on track and deliver cost-effective yet high-performance building enclosures.

Roman Lechner

Building Science
Consultant

MSc | CDT

Roman is a Building Science Consultant who has been practicing building science in the Pacific Northwest since 2016. Originally from Austria, he has the unique ability to apply his gained working knowledge from both the North American and the European building industry, allowing him to deliver high-performing and long-lasting building enclosures for our clients. He is experienced in providing building enclosure design services for new construction projects, building commissioning (BECx), and property condition assessments. Roman excels in developing innovative rehabilitation and repair strategies. Roman is a CSI-certified Construction Document Technologist, ITC Level 1 Certified Infrared Thermographer, and SPRAT Level 1 Certified Rope Access Technician.

Rob LoPiccolo

Building Science
Consultant

Rob is a Building Science Consultant with over ten years of building enclosure consulting experience. Rob is skilled at providing expertise and technical support throughout the lifecycle of a project. He has performed hundreds of diagnostic building investigations as well as managed rehabilitation projects including single family homes, large and small commercial properties, and industrial buildings. Rob is a Certified AAMA Installation Master.

Luis Mendez

Building Science
Consultant

Luis, a Florida native, is a Building Science Consultant with nearly ten years of experience in property condition assessments, construction monitoring, and project management. Luis has a Mechanical Engineering background and a broad knowledge base with experience in industrial & residential construction and rehabilitation. Luis is a technically diverse and resourceful individual with excellent communication skills focused on delivering practical and reliable solutions to clients.

Liz McKenzie

Director of Operations

Liz is a highly experienced professional with over 25 years of experience in HR and business operations. As the Director of Operations at Certa, Liz plays a pivotal role in overseeing the company’s operations across the multiple locations. Her leadership and strategic vision contribute to the company’s growth and success. She is adept at managing cross-functional teams, fostering collaboration, and implementing effective strategies to achieve organizational objectives. Liz brings a wealth of expertise and knowledge to the table.

Liz is known for her strong work ethic, attention to detail, and commitment to delivering exceptional results. She thrives in dynamic and fast-paced environments, consistently demonstrating adaptability and problem-solving skills.

Outside of her professional endeavors, Liz enjoys cycling and hiking. This well-rounded approach to life allows her to bring a unique perspective and creativity to her work.

Graham Pirtle

Building Science
Consultant

Charlie Sasse

Building Science
Consultant

Charlie Sasse is a Building Envelope Consultant and Roofing Specialist in South Florida. He works directly with other project disciplines, architectural partners, sub-consultants, owners, contractors, etc. on projects that meet the highest standards and expectations. Charlie consistently exceeds expectations with strong management skills and a commitment to project excellence. Charlie is a Registered Roof Observer through IIBEC.

Charlie has led and managed various complicated projects in many different environments. He has a high level of knowledge in construction detailing, material selection, roofing design/repair scopes, project administration, and estimating new and existing buildings. He has a high level of understanding and experience managing numerous stakeholder groups for complicated construction projects.

Matthew Stock

Matthew Stock

Building Science
Consultant

Rasha Younan

Building Science
Consultant

Architect | AIA, LEED AP BD+C
 
Originally from Egypt, Rasha is a licensed Architect and a LEED accredited professional with 15 years of experience in the PNW, she brings a wide experience on different types of projects, blending creativity with technical proficiency. 
 
In her role as a Building Science Consultant, Rasha excels in navigating the complex intersection of design, engineering, and environmental considerations. Her analytical approach and attention to detail ensure that each project aligns with the latest advancements in building science, meeting the evolving needs of clients and the broader architectural concept.

Tell us about your project.