2018 Speakers

Joseph Lstiburek, Ph.D., P.Eng., ASHRAE Fellow

Joseph Lstiburek is a principal of Building Science Corporation. Dr. Lstiburek’s work at BSC ranges widely, from investigating building failures to overseeing research and development projects, to writing articles and books as well as educating industry professionals. A building science pioneer, particularly in the areas of air barriers, vapor barriers, and vented and unvented assemblies, he has had a lasting impact on building codes and practices throughout the world. Dr. Lstiburek founded BSC in 1991, and has been a key figure in establishing it as one of the most influential and respected building science firms in North America. Dr. Lstiburek has been a licensed Professional Engineer in the Province of Ontario since 1982 and is an ASHRAE Fellow. He is an Adjunct Professor of Civil Engineering at the University of Toronto and the past chairman of ASTM E241 - Increasing the Durability of Building Assemblies from Moisture Induced Damage. He also worked on the Canada-wide Super Energy Efficient Housing R-2000 program and served as senior engineer on commercial construction projects for Trow in Toronto. Dr. Lstiburek is also a former Director of Research of the Housing and Urban Development Association of Canada. Dr. Lstiburek is one of the world’s foremost authorities on energy efficient construction techniques and heads one of the Building America program teams for the U.S. Department of Energy. Through the program, Dr. Lstiburek has forged partnerships with designers, builders, developers, materials suppliers and equipment manufacturers to build higher performance buildings across the U.S.

Dr. Lstiburek is a noted educator who has taught hundreds of professionals over the past three decades. He has written numerous books and technical papers on building science, indoor air quality and durability, such as the best-selling Builder’s Guides and the U.S. DOE Handbook on Moisture Control. Fittingly, the Wall Street Journal has described him as "the dean of North American building science."

Lew Harriman, ASHRAE Distinguished Lecturer

Lew Harriman is Director of Research at Mason-Grant Consulting in Portsmouth, NH. He has spent 40 years researching and solving problems related to humidity and moisture in buildings and industrial processes. He is an ASHRAE Fellow and Distinguished Lecturer. Lew was the lead author and project manager for the ASHRAE Humidity Control Design Guide and also for the ASHRAE Guide for Buildings in Hot & Humid Climates. He currently serves as Handbook Chair of ASHRAE Technical Committee 1.12 (Moisture Management in Buildings), and also as Chair of the Document Revision Committee for the ASHRAE Position Document titled: Limiting Indoor Mold and Dampness in Buildings.

Claudette Hanks Reichel, Ed.D., Professor, Extension Housing Specialist and Director, LaHouse Resource Center, Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center

Dr. Claudette Hanks Reichel is Professor and Extension Housing Specialist with the Louisiana State University AgCenter. She spearheaded and serves as Director of LaHouse Resource Center, a public exhibit of multiple high performance housing solutions and regional hub of Louisiana Extension’s sustainable housing educational outreach programs. The vision of LaHouse is to shape our future with resource-efficient, durable, healthy, convenient and practical homes for the southern climate and natural hazards.

Since 1981, Dr. Reichel has developed numerous educational outreach materials, programs and delivery systems relating to housing and building science, including energy-efficiency, healthy indoor air quality, hurricane and flood resilience, universal design and others. She has authored more than 100 Extension publications, including the Building Your High Performance Home – Southern Region Homeowners Guide book. She has received 12 national and state level awards for program excellence or impact, was twice a featured speaker at the National Building Museum in Washington D.C. and has presented at numerous national and regional events.