Derek McGarry began consulting during college and quickly became enthusiastic about energy modeling and economic analysis because it quantified ways to improve electromechanical building systems. Interests in energy, the environment, and business spurred a desire to incorporate ideals of sustainability into practical engineering design.
Having worked for McCracken & Lopez and Talbot & Associates locally, and Randall Lamb in California, he ultimately realized that existing buildings were a largely untapped market for energy efficiency. Greenbuild 2006 and Ed Mazria's Architecture2030 Challenge inspired him to start Refresco, PLLC, with a focus on energy efficiency projects in existing buildings.
As a licensed professional engineer and a LEED Accredited Professional, Derek has managed and designed mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems for projects of many sizes, including central energy plants upwards of 4,800 tons cooling and 1,800 BoilerHP heating. Project types include office buildings, libraries and museums, higher education, multifamily, hospitality, religious, biotech/laboratories, convention centers and performing arts facilities. He has designed mechanical systems and performed the economic analysis for seven LEED registered projects.
He graduated from Cornell University in 2000 with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. In addition to the Charlotte Region Chapter of the US Green Building Council, Derek is also currently on the Board of Governors of the Southern Piedmont Chapter of ASHRAE.
