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...
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:
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...