John Avina
John Avina
Owner/CEO
Years in Industry: 25 – M.S. Mechanical Engineering, University of...
Robert Urban
Years in Industry:
13 – B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
Designations:
CEM, CxA
Favorite Hobby:
Carpentry
What’s your biggest accomplishment:
I’ve been with Abraxas for over 10 years now and helped it grow from a small effectively 1-man show to the great team we have today.
Favorite Food:
Shrimp Burritos from Rubio’s
Favorite Energy Savings Tip:
You cannot save energy if you do not take action
Favorite Thing About Abraxas:
The people here are great. My coworkers have high expectations of each other and a willingness to help out wherever we can. Everyone is eager to learn and engage.
Robert Urban
Operations Manager
Years in Industry: 13 – B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Cal Poly...
Kevin Cross
Years in Industry:
26 – M.S. Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin, Madison
B.S. Physics, University of California, Davis
Designations:
PE, CEM, CIAQP, LEED AP
Favorite Hobby:
Bicycle touring, which I don’t do enough of.
Favorite Quote:
“Do you know the difference between education and experience? Education is when you read the fine print, experience is what you get when you don’t.” – Pete Seeger
What’s your biggest accomplishment:
Founding a statewide coalition of organizations focused on the climate crisis.
Favorite Energy Savings Tip:
Giving people control over their indoor environment allows them to thrive over a wider temperature range than what is usually viewed as “standard” – which results in less energy use.
Favorite Thing About Abraxas:
The variety of work activities
Kevin Cross
Senior Project Engineer
Years in Industry: 26 – M.S. Mechanical Engineering, University of...
Tyler Stafford
Years in Industry:
8– BS in Journalism
Designations:
None
Favorite Hobby:
Anything Outdoors – Backpacking, Camping, Boating, Snowboarding, Hiking
If you could live anywhere in the world:
A rustic cabin in the woods.
What’s your biggest accomplishment:
Completing a 76 mile backpacking trip across the Sierras in a high snow year ending with a summit of Mount Whitney.
Favorite Energy Savings Tip:
Turn it off!
Favorite Thing About Abraxas:
Everyone fits well into the company culture and we all work together to accomplish our goals.
Tyler Stafford
Business Development Manager
Years in Industry: 8– BS in Journalism Designations: None Favorite...
Christian Orsi
Years in Industry:
9 – B.S. Electrical Engineering, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
Designations:
CEM, CWEP
Favorite Hobby:
Hobby hiking or off-roading
Favorite Food:
Has to be something off a Japanese menu. Tonkatsu ramen, takoyaki, fresh sashimi.
Favorite concert you have been to:
Kenny Chesney. Wasn’t a fan prior, but the guy can get a stadium rocking.
Favorite Energy Savings Tip:
Snip cords on personal space heaters to prevent
simultaneous heating/cooling.
Favorite Thing About Abraxas:
Everyone is actually one the same team, and we have freedom in our work.
Christian Orsi
Project Engineer
Years in Industry: 9 – B.S. Electrical Engineering, Cal Poly...
Clayde Barkley
Years in Industry:
8 – B.S. Mechanical Engineering, California
Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Designations:
P.E., CEM
Favorite Hobby:
Disc Golf, Backpacking
What’s your biggest accomplishment:
Studying for and passing the PE exam while working full time and being a dad to a 1.5 year old.
Favorite Food:
Bean and cheese burrito from Dora’s in Woodlake CA (it’s their salsa)
Favorite Energy Savings Tip:
Turn it off, you don’t really need it.
Favorite Thing About Abraxas:
The collaborative atmosphere, where people bring their strengths together for a project.
Clayde Barkley
Project Engineer
Years in Industry: 8 – B.S. Mechanical Engineering, California Polytechnic...
David Emme
Years in Industry:
6 – B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University
Designations:
CEM, CMVP
Favorite Hobby:
Alpine climbing and skiing
Favorite Superhero:
The 14th Dalai Lama
What’s your biggest accomplishment:
Climbing Ranrapalca North Face in the Peruvian Andes
Favorite Energy Savings Tip:
Count the watts and the kilowatts will take care of themselves (adapted from ultralight backpacking mantra)
Favorite Thing About Abraxas:
Saving energy and nerding out about HVAC technology.
David Emme
Consulting Project Engineer
Years in Industry: 6 – B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University...
Blane Bennett
Years in Industry:
3 – M.S. Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder
Designations:
EIT
Favorite Hobby:
Skiing, hiking, Formula 1, music
Favorite Food:
Homemade Italian with fresh ingredients that simmers all day.
If you could live anywhere in the world:
So many choices! Singapore, Italy, Israel, Japan, Bueno Aires.
Favorite Energy Savings Tip:
Open a window, turn off the AC
Favorite Thing About Abraxas:
Continually learning, making an impact, always
working on different projects.
Blane Bennett
Energy Engineer
Years in Industry: 3 – M.S. Mechanical Engineering, University of...
Gabriel Avina
Years in Industry:
3– B.A. Psychology, University of San Francisco
Designations:
None
Favorite Hobby:
Reading, music, and nature photography
Favorite Quote:
“Not what I have, but what I do, is my kingdom.”
If you could live anywhere in the world:
Why settle for one location?
Favorite Energy Savings Tip:
Responsible consumer choices reduce not just energy use, but waste production and environmental burden as well.
Favorite Thing About Abraxas:
Constant learning in an evolving work environment, and applying that effort towards a greener, cleaner future.
Gabriel Avina
Energy Analyst
Years in Industry: 3– B.A. Psychology, University of San Francisco...
Michael Roth
Years in Industry:
1– B.S. Mechanical Engineering, California State Polytechnic University (2021
Designations:
None
Favorite Hobby:
Playing cards with friends
Favorite Quote:
“If you’re searching for perfection, you’re bound to find greatness along the way” – Vince Lombardi
What’s your biggest accomplishment:
Balancing attending Cal Poly, playing for the football team, working part time and succeeding at all of them is what I am most proud of.
Favorite Energy Savings Tip:
In the morning, open the windows of your room and let cold air in. then close all windows and to keep the cool air in and avoid using AC during the day.
Favorite Thing About Abraxas:
Constantly learning about engineering and nonengineering topics while also being productive on the job.
Michael Roth
Energy Analyst
Years in Industry: 1– B.S. Mechanical Engineering, California State Polytechnic...
Brad Keister
Years in Industry:
<1– M.S in Renewable and Clean Energy, University of Dayton
Designations:
None
Favorite Hobby:
Boating, Soccer, and Gaming. Hoping to learn snowboarding soon.
Favorite Movie:
Star Wars.
What’s your biggest accomplishment:
Earning my masters while managing a restaurant.
Favorite Energy Savings Tip:
Slowly lowering the thermostat during the winter, and seeing how low I can go before my girlfriend complains.
Favorite Thing About Abraxas:
Everyone has been extremely nice and patient and willing to help out.
Brad Keister
Energy Analyst
Years in Industry:
Andrew Bebernes
Years in Industry:
<1– B.S. Electrical Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder
Designations:
EIT
Favorite Hobby:
Baseball, video games, snowboarding
Favorite concert you have been to:
Anything at Redrocks is pretty cool.
What’s your biggest accomplishment:
Staying Alive?
Favorite Energy Savings Tip:
The small things add up
Favorite Thing About Abraxas:
Working with great people who have a wide range of knowledge.
Andrew Bebernes
Energy Analyst
Years in Industry: <1– B.S. Electrical Engineering, University of Colorado...
Stacie Spurlock
Years in Industry:
9 – BS in Business Administration, Management/Accounting
Designations:
None
Favorite Hobby:
Gardening and photography with dance thrown in there!
Favorite Place to vacation:
Hawaii and the unknown next adventure
Favorite Quote:
“To succeed in life you need three things: A wishbone, a backbone, and a funny bone.” – Reba McEntire
Favorite Energy Savings Tip:
Dinner by Candlelight
Favorite Thing About Abraxas:
Constantly learning and problem solving.
Stacie Spurlock
Office Manager
Years in Industry: 9 – BS in Business Administration, Management/Accounting...
Corey Volk
Years in Industry:
2 – A.B.A, University of Phoenix
Designations:
None
Favorite Hobby:
Recreating vintage hairstyle and makeup, antiquing, and taking my senior pups to fun places.
Favorite Food:
Italian, Mexican or a good ol’ fashion cheeseburger.
What’s your biggest accomplishment:
Getting my dog training certification to assist in behavioral rehabilitation and adoptions at the humane society.
Favorite Energy Savings Tip:
Wear a Snuggie in your office. You will stay warm and give Rob something to make fun of.
Favorite Thing About Abraxas:
The focus on the greater good of the world, and reciprocated sarcasm amongst teammates.
Corey Volk
Project Coordinator
Years in Industry: 2 – A.B.A, University of Phoenix Designations:...
John Theisen
Years in Industry:
3– B.A. Psychology, University of San Francisco
Designations:
None
Favorite Hobby:
All sports, traveling, anything outdoors, music
Favorite Superhero:
Superman
Favorite concert you have been to:
Van Halen
Favorite Energy Savings Tip:
Turn the lights off!
Favorite Thing About Abraxas:
Being surrounded and challenged by the highest level co-workers.
John Theisen
Controller
Years in Industry: 3– B.A. Psychology, University of San Francisco...