Employee Spotlight - July 2018 - GDS Associates, Inc - Employee Spotlight

GDS Associates Employee of the MonthDina Pinnell

Project Manager | Manchester, NH

Dina Pinnell started at GDS in our Manchester, NH office in June 2011. Prior to GDS, Dina worked for a mechanical contractor in Alaska as a Quality Control Systems Manager overseeing the replacement of steam, condensate, water, and sewer piping, and other general construction projects on Air Force and Army bases. Upon moving to NH, Dina worked for the State of New Hampshire Bureau of Public Works as a Project Manager overseeing various state contracts and construction projects. Currently, Dina is a Project Manager for the Energy Efficiency Service in NH. As part of her work at GDS, she has completed numerous commercial and industrial energy audits, energy savings implementation analyses, post installation verification, and small-scale retro-commissioning and/or HVAC troubleshooting. Additionally, as the technical administrator for multiple municipal electric and gas companies in Massachusetts, Dina has taken a large role in the administration and project management of these accounts. Dina is a licensed professional for the Energy Star Buildings Program and certified the first Multi-Family High Rise New Construction project in NH, as well as certifying a number of existing buildings for Energy Star certification. She has a B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

What are your interests in your field of work?

I have always been interested in energy efficiency and renewable energy.  Growing up in Alaska, I saw the oil industry first hand and wanted to be a part of the solution to climate change. I am excited when we see the measure we recommend implemented and can help make a difference in customers energy usage and costs.

What do you enjoy doing on your day off?

I enjoy getting outside with my family camping, hiking, biking, and skiing.  I also enjoy relaxing in the hammock at home with a book.

What are your favorite places to visit?

I’ve lived on three different continents and in four countries.  I enjoy traveling to new places and am excited that my boys are getting close to the age that they can enjoy international travel and explore new countries and cultures.  We are currently planning a summer trip to the Netherlands next year as requested by my oldest son, he is interested in the windmills, chocolate, and the countryside.

As a family we enjoy camping and take a trip every other year to a small island off the coast of Maine for remote camping.  We are hoping to work up to back country camping with our boys when they are old enough to carry their own gear.