Meet The Team
Green Horizon's team likes to get things done. We're committed to a relentlessly practical, action-oriented approach to creating greener, cleaner and more comfortable homes and buildings. Our Whole House Promise dictates that we will always recommend the best solution for you - if you call us about HVAC, but we think you need insulation instead - we'll let you know.
Robert (Bobby) Ferrel , Founder
"Sustainability is not about lofty ideals. It's about common sense and a practical commitment to quality and performance"
Bobby graduated from the UNC with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. He spent the next 6 years serving in the USAFR as an F-16 pilot, before entering the paper and printing industry, followed by a stint working for a pharmaceutical start-up.
Acutely aware of the increased interest in sustainability, both in industry and among the public, Bobby realized that there was a shortage of companies that would help consumers and companies map a path to greener living. So in 2006 he immersed himself in everything green. With buildings contributing to such a huge part of our ecological impact, Bobby decided that providing comprehensive, scalable and affordable solutions for greener, better buildings was both a market opportunity and a chance to effect real, practical change.
He conspired with college friend Walker, and GH was born.
Bobby is a Building Performance Institute certified Building Analyst, has completed Advanced Energy's Principles of Building Science, and is a certified installer for several types of rainwater harvesting systems.
Stephen (Walker) Harris, Founder
"Buying a home is the biggest financial commitment most of us ever make. So it's only sensible to invest in your home's value, comfort and performance. The fact that doing this makes the world better is just a bonus."
Walker graduated from UNC around the same time as Bobby with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics. After a brief careeer in the banking industry, he followed his passion for residential architecture and entered the home building industry with Sunstar Homes. As a field superintendent Walker learned the importance of systems and procedures - forming his belief that to build high quality homes, buildings must be treated as a complete, integrated system - not as a collection of structural and mechanical components.
Walker soon launched his own custom building company named Chase Building. Since 1995, Chase Building Company has built 121 fine homes throughout the triangle. Walker has won numerous awards in customer satisfaction, innovative design, and interior millwork.
Green building was a natural extension of Walker's firm commitment to quality and performance. So when Bobby called about started GH, Walker was ready. Walker is also a Building Performance Institute certified Building Analyst, and has completed Advanced Energy's Principles of Building Science training.
Brant Wurster, HVAC & Geothermal Specialist
"Efficient heating and cooling is central to building performance, especially here in the South East. But to make the most out of it, you must address it within the context of the house as a system."
With 15 years of experience in the heating and air conditioning industry, Brant is an expert on all things HVAC. Having apprenticed under the wing of a thirty five year veteran, Brant completed a two year program at Griffin Technical College, before becoming a licensed HVAC specialist in Georgia and North Carolina and starting his own corporation.
With increased concern for energy efficiency and sustainability, Brant realised that high-efficiency geothermal was the next logical step for the industry to take. So he furthered his training to become a dealer and installer of geothermal systems as well as traditional HVAC.
But concentrating on heating and cooling systems without looking at how they interact with the rest of a building seemed like fixing only part of the puzzle. When Brant met Bobby and Walker of GH, he realised that this was an opportunity to apply his knowledge within a more holistic, whole-systems approach to green building. The geothermal and HVAC division of GH was born.
In addition to HVAC and Geothermal expertise, Brant is a Building Performance Institute certified Building Analyst.
John Eberdt, General Manager
"Energy efficiency is a team effort between businesses, homeowners and contractors. Every little bit helps when we're all sharing the same environment."
As General Manager for Green Horizon, John is the jack of all trades and master of them too! As a graduate of the Fork Union Military Academy and North Carolina State University, John has brought business savvy and leadership to the team. His 20+ years in sales and business development in the construction industry now lets him focus on what he loves best - green building science.
When he's not wearing the many hats of General Manager, John is busy leading teams of a different sort - notably as an Eagle Scout leader and coach of a local baseball team. He's just as capable in the water as he is on land, being an advanced open water scuba diver.
John has a finger in every pie at Green Horizon, from meeting with new clients, to organizing our crews, to managing our government-sponsored low-income weatherization program, to liasing with the many small neighborhood groups in the Raleigh/Durham and Charlotte areas.
Mykhael (Myke) Epps, Home Performance Manager
"Installing basic home energy remodel measures is like giving yourself a raise without having to ask for it. Just compare your utility and home heating/cooling bills before and after your energy remodel then add the accumulated savings, year over year, that you keep in your pocket as opposed to writing large checks to maintain a comfortable home environment."
Although now a North Carolinian through-and-through, Myke's hometown was in New York, where he spent ten years managing the discount trading unit at Citicorp Investment Services of Wall St. He traded up (no pun intended to) to manage the New York division of an Atlanta-based youth entrepreneurship business which became the only financially sel- sustained division of an eleven city roll-out.
In 2003, Myke decided to relocate and expose his children to the warm weather and even warmer welcome of North Carolina. After enjoying a year off with the littles ones, Myke’s first job in NC was at the Midway business Center in Chapel Hill. He was responsible for providing one-on-one support to fledgling small businesses. At the same time, he was busy managing several rental properties, making him one busy guy!
For fun, Myke has served as vice-chair of the Chatham County affordable Housing Coalition and has volunteered on several weekends with Habitat for Humanity of three Counties. He is also one of the youngest SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) Volunteer Counselors (Inactive).
Myke is currently responsible for managing Green Horizon’s Home Performance and Spray Foam work. He is a certified Building Performance Institute Building Analyst, holds his Envelope/Shell Certification and is a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Associate.