Nick Brown is President of Build Smart, an independent energy consultancy specializing in California energy modeling, energy code, and building performance that supports builders and architects in designing energy-efficient buildings.  Nick is a Certified Energy Analyst (CEA) for residential and an Associate Energy Analyst (AEA) for nonresidential construction by the California Association of Building Energy Consultants (CABEC).  He is a Subject Matter Expert on the Energy Code Ace statewide education team and teaches classes for Southern California Edison on Net Zero Design, All-electric Homes, Heat Pumps, and Selling Clean Energy Homes.  As part of a CalSEED team, Nick is currently researching phase change material applications in HVAC systems.  Nick was elected to the Board of Directors of CABEC beginning in 2018.  He holds a BA in Economics from Princeton University and an MBA in Manufacturing from the University of Michigan.  He remodeled his own home in 2014 in a deep energy retrofit and has written and presented extensively on Net Zero buildings, high-performance walls, and energy efficient building.  Prior to starting Build Smart, he served as President of Merlex Stucco for 15 years, a $15 million Southern California stucco manufacturer.