Partner at Donovan Energy
With roots in both the finance industry and energy industry, Andy Holzhauser focuses on developing innovative financing solutions for clean energy projects, market analysis, education and advocacy for solar energy, energy policy, and program development. Nationally, Andy serves on the Board of Directors of PACENation, the national trade association focused on developing the Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing marketplace. Locally, Andy is President of the Board of Directors of Green Umbrella and an alumnus of the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber’s C-Change and Leadership Cincinnati programs.
Andy began his career as a CPA in accounting and finance roles with Deloitte, then served as controller for 3CDC, before he focused full-time on advancing the clean energy market. In 2009, he founded the Greater Cincinnati Energy Alliance (GCEA), a non-profit economic development agency that has led the investment of more than $50 million in energy efficiency and renewable energy projects in residential and commercial markets. He was integral in drafting and lobbying for PACE finance legislation in both Ohio and Kentucky, which successfully brought PACE to the region. Andy holds a Bachelor of Science in Business and a Master of Accountancy from Miami University, where he recently served on the alumni board.
Across Ohio, communities are working to transform historic buildings from vacant and underutilized properties into productive, economically viable assets. Former department stores become hotels. Historic office buildings become apartments. Schools become housing and community facilities. Theaters become entertainment venues. Warehouses become restaurants, offices and mixed-use developments. This is the work of historic preservation through adaptive reuse finding new economic and community purposes for buildings that are important to a place's history and identity. But having a great reuse plan is only the beginning. The real challenge is making the project financeable. Adaptive reuse projects often carry the added complexity of older building systems, deferred maintenance, environmental issues, code upgrades and significant capital needs. At the same time, the very improvements required to make these buildings viable for their next use—HVAC, windows, roofing, insulation, lighting, water systems, building-envelope improvements and renewable energy—can create opportunities for alternative financing. That is where Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy, or C-PACE, enters the conversation. This session is approved for 1.00 AIA HSW credit.