Meet the Hidden Heroes Behind Building Performance: Our Commissioning Team!

Terms: News

You won’t always find them in the spotlight, but they’re behind the scenes on some of the region’s most high-performing and technically complex buildings—making sure that systems aren’t just designed and installed, but actually work the way they’re supposed to.

Meet our Commissioning (Cx) team, led by Associate and Team Leader Jeanine Palmieri, who brings clarity, consistency, and care to every project. Acting as an independent third party, they verify that mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection (MEP/FP) systems function properly and that owners have the tools and understanding to manage them effectively.

“We’re not here to redesign or oversee construction,” Jeanine explains. “Our job is to confirm that the design intent is carried through and that everything is operating as it should. Think of us as the final quality check, from an operations standpoint.”

Their involvement can range from a simple post-construction check to verify systems are functioning properly, to full engagement throughout the entire project lifecycle. This can include early design coordination, construction, system testing, and post-occupancy follow-up, sometimes extending up to a year after the building opens.

Certified, Detail-Oriented, and Dependable

With a team of four (plus an intern!), the Cx group is frequently on site for functional testing, construction phase observations, and investigative system troubleshooting. They also create clear, user-friendly systems manuals that help clients not just operate, but fully understand their building systems.

This highly credentialed team holds certifications including CCP (Certified Commissioning Professional), BECxP (Building Enclosure Commissioning Provider), CxA+BE (Commissioning Authority + Building Enclosure), TAB (Testing, Adjusting, and Balancing), and Level I Thermography, allowing them the technical expertise to support a wide variety of building types and system complexities.

“We love following a project through to the very end,” Jeanine says. “It’s not just about verifying performance. It’s about empowering owners to keep things running smoothly.”

Jeanine is also passionate about mentorship, passing along not just technical knowledge, but the people skills that make the job work, including communication, collaboration, and confidence under pressure.

What They’re Working On

With 50+ active projects, the Cx team juggles a broad portfolio. Highlights include:

  • Northeast Metro Regional Vocational High School: 386,600 SF, $246M LEED v4 school for 1,600 students. Contract through August 2028.
  • Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School: MSBA-funded, large-scale campus supporting future-ready technical education.
  • 101 College Street, Yale University: Commissioning of core + shell and multiple tenant lab spaces. The team is helping Yale implement new Cx standards, including virtual testing and analytics.

“We’re proud of the partnership we’ve built with Yale,” says Jeanine. “Our work spans everything from a single lab fit-out to multi-phase, multi-tenant buildings.”

They may not design the systems, but they’re the ones who make sure those systems deliver. Independent, trusted, and relentlessly thorough, our Commissioning team is critical to building performance, occupant comfort, and long-term success.

Click here to view more of the team’s projects!