meet the board
2022-2023
board OFFICERS
BOARD OF directors
Sierra Spitulski
President
Registered professional engineer with experience designing HVAC/R systems in both new and remodeled healthcare facilities (both OSHPD and non-OSHPD), office TIs, and university/K-12 school districts. Engineering education from Fresno State (Bachelors of Science in Mechanical Engineering, minor in Mathematics and Physics) and UC Davis (Masters of Science in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering).
Elyse Johnson
President-elect
Elyse Johnson, PE is a mechanical engineer at Infrastructure Factor Consulting, Inc. She has experience with K-12 schools, hospitals, and commercial building design. She has previously served on the Tri-County ASHRAE board before moving to the SoCal ASHRAE region. She received her bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Cal Poly Pomona.
Rafi Karim
Treasurer
Rafi Karim is the Building Performance Market Leader at Affiliated Engineers, Inc in Pasadena. He is a licensed Mechanical Engineer with a passion for the sustainable built environment. Rafi has served numerous grassroots positions in ASHRAE SoCal and ASHRAE San Diego during the last 8 years including the Director of Chapter Technology Transfer Committee (CTTC), Sustainability and GAC (SoCal), Director of Student Activities & YEA (SoCal) and Chairman of Government Affairs Committee (San Diego). In January 2018, Rafi was appointed to the ASHRAE Technical Committee 2.8 (Building Environmental Impacts and Sustainability) as the chairman of Water Energy Nexus Subcommittee
Matt Sittel
Secretary
Matt Sittel is a New Equipment Sales Engineer for R.F. MacDonald Co., supporting clients with equipment and design assistance for hot water and steam boilers, pumps, and other commercial HVAC and industrial equipment. Matt covers West LA County through Santa Barbara. Since obtaining his B.S. in Environmental Engineering from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, he’s had nine years of experience as a sales engineer in the SoCal HVAC market, with experience in nearly all types of commercial HVAC equipment and systems. He has a passion for learning about and sharing new technology and energy-saving equipment and designs, as well as helping to solve complex problems with clients.
Barnabas Path
Past President
Barnabas is an energy consultant working with K12, University, Municipal, and Special District customers advising on strategic energy positioning as well as evaluating energy performance at portfolio, site, and operator levels. Barnabas has owned an HVAC contracting business; designed, built, operated, and maintained a micro-turbine co-generation plant, supported a District Energy plant, and has been in sales with many ESCO’s including Honeywell, Siemens, and Johnson Controls. Barnabas has been the ASHRAE Sustainability Chair and received a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering Technology from Cal Poly Pomona.
Rey Ong
Director of Chapter Technology Transfer & Sustainability
Bio will be available soo
Karena Salch
Director of Public Relations & Correspondence
Karena Salch is a Senior Sales Executive and Interim Service Operations Manager at Albireo Energy in Anaheim Hills, CA. She has over 20 years of Operational and Sales experience in the commercial HVAC and BAS industry. Karena has worked in the Southern California region for the entirety of her career, with a strong focus on the healthcare, commercial office, and higher education sectors.
Cetin "Chet" Dik
Director of Student Activities, YEA, & Historian
Bio will be available soon
Shahpoor Khosravi
Director of membership and retention
BIO will be available soon