2023-2024 Board Members
John Tijerina
President
Since 2018, John has been an active participant in the Oregon ASHRAE Chapter and is presently the chapter’s Vice President after serving two presidential terms for Oregon State University’s ASHRAE Student Branch. John earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from OSU while serving in the Oregon Army National Guard as a Horizontal Construction Engineer. Currently, John is employed as a mechanical and plumbing designer for Säzän Group, Inc. and also participates in the ACE Mentor Program. During his free time, John enjoys playing golf, soccer, and loving on his dog Nico (a Great Pyrenees and Poodle mix). He also enjoys home improvement projects and cooking – his current specialty is a savory miso ramen.
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Elsa Harder
Vice President, President Elect, Programs Chair, Student Activities Committee Chair
Elsa joined the Oregon Chapter in the spring of 2018 after graduating from Oregon State University with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. The ACE Mentor Program of Portland planted the seed for working in the building industry, and during her final years of college, she found herself in OSU’s ASHRAE Student Branch and searching for jobs in mechanical contracting firms. Elsa now works as a mechanical designer for Southland Industries’ NW Division. Paying it forward, Elsa hopes to guide more young people to pursue careers related to the built environment by her involvement as a lead mentor for the ACE Mentor Program and the Student Activities Committee Chair for the Oregon ASHRAE Chapter. In her free time, Elsa enjoys listening to podcasts and light adventuring.
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Cassie Kuwahara
Treasurer
Cassie received her Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Portland in 2013. After taking an elective HVAC design course her senior year, she decided to pursue a profession in the HVAC industry. Her current position as a Commercial Application Engineer at Airefco, Inc. has provided new opportunities and learning experiences to help her knowledge of the HVAC industry grow. She joined the Oregon ASHRAE Chapter shortly after graduating from college and over the past couple of years she has become more involved within the chapter. With her new role as Chapter Treasurer, she is working hard to ensure our chapter finances are in order and looking for opportunities that may help our chapter grow. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, playing with her dogs, and getting out to enjoy nature (golfing, hiking, fishing, etc.). She recently welcomed her son, Theodore.
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Madeline Giovagnoli
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Chair, Oregon BOG
Maddie is a mechanical engineer at PAE, a leader in sustainable design based right here in Portland, Oregon. Maddie believes that diversity, equity, and inclusion in the built environment leads to designs that are not only environmentally sustainable but also socially equitable and welcoming to all.
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Rosie Welch
Past President, Oregon BOG
Rosie joined the Oregon Chapter in 2018 and swiftly jumped on board as the Electronic Communications Chair, then Secretary, and onto VP/Programs Chair. As President, Rosie enjoyed continuously connecting and learning with others in the HVAC industry and engaging presenters on diverse presentation topics for membership. Graduating from Iowa State University with a B.S. in Industrial Engineering and Minor in Leadership Studies, Rosie is passionate about reducing the energy intensity of commercial buildings in her new PNW home. Selling Building Automation Systems since 2018, she is excited by how controls and connected buildings can impact energy reduction. In Rosie’s free time, she enjoys international travel, singing in a choir, and all things soccer (Go Thorns!).
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Committee Chairs:
Research Promotion Chair
Rudy Nagasimha
Golf Tournament Co-Chairs
Cassie Kuwahara & Rosie Welch
K-12 Outreach Chair
Open to Volunteers!
Historian Chair
Open to Volunteers!
Electronic Communication Chair
Open to Volunteers!
YEA (Young Engineers in ASHRAE) Chair
Kha Pham
Secretary
Ryan Pinckard
Honors and Awards Chair
Eileen Jensen
Government Affairs Chair
Open to Volunteers!
Refrigeration Chair
Open to Volunteers!