Meet Your Energy Manager
Rachel Futrell is Columbia University Medical Center's (CUMC) Associate Director for Energy Management and Sustainability. In this role she is reponsible for executing CUMC's Sustainable Energy Master Plan, which she built during her first year at Columbia, in order to reach a 30% in greenhouse gas emissions by 2025. In addition to this role, Rachel works with students, faculty and staff to build and execute sustainability initiatives across, inform facilities on energy and sustainability initiatives in construction projects, as well as ensure CUMC meets its energy and sustainability performance goals for both code reporting requirements and in-house programs.
Rachel came to Columbia University Medical Center in December 2009. She is a Certified Energy Manager and Certified Energy Procurement Manager by the Association of Energy Engineers, as well as a LEED Accredited Professional for Existing Buildings by the US Green Building Council.
Rachel has extensive experience performing energy efficiency projects in commercial buildings, but has always maintained a focus on healthcare facilities. As the lead project manager for the statewide Focus on Healthcare at the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, she managed a team that performed outreach to hospitals and medical centers across the state. They provided the additional tools and guidance hospitals and medical centers needed to perform energy efficiency projects in their facility, whether it be prioritizing and selecting projects or assistance and guidance during the project implementation.
Rachel received her bachelor of science in chemical engineering from the University of Virginia and her masters of science in Sustainability Management at Columbia University.
For more information on Rachel, see the profile written up by Environmental Stewardship in April 2010.
