Leadership

Rob holds a Marketing degree from John Carroll University and an MBA in engineering technology from the University at Buffalo. He has excelled in various positions, including Sales and Marketing Manager at Curtis Screw Company, Markin Tubing, and Clgy." Gear and Products, Business Development Manager at HFW Industries, Industrial OEM Sales Engineer at INA USA Corporation, and Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Solar Liberty Energy Systems. Rob specializes in turnarounds, high-gross strategies, team building, new business development, and custom relationship management.

Xin Gordon is a Chinese-American Urban Planner and Architectural Designer based in Buffalo, NY, with over nine years of experience. Holding a Master of Urban Planning from the University at Buffalo and a Bachelor's in Urban & Rural Planning from Fuzhou University, she integrates green infrastructure, walkability, and mixed-use development into her projects to promote community revitalization.

As a Project Manager and Urban Planner at Schenne & Associates, Xin manages teams, ensures project success, and upholds the highest standards of professional practice as an AICP certified planner.

Dean Robert FAIA, FAICP, has served as dean of the School of Architecture and Planning at University at Buffalo since 2011. He continues to hold professorships in both architecture and urban planning and was advanced to the rank of State University of New York Distinguished Professor in 2021. Robert is a recipient of numerous awards and accolades, including the Thomas Jefferson Award for Public Architecture and lifetime achievement award from the American Institute of Architects. He will coordinate Greensphere's Research and Collaborative Agreement with University at Buffalo.

Dennis has almost 30 years of experience in the Electric and Gas utility industry, covering supply, delivery, and demand from various perspectives. He served as President and Chief Sustainability Officer of Viridi Parente a battery storage startup, and currently holds multiple positions, including Head of Energy and Sustainability at Phillips Lytle, Partner at HM 1901 Development Group, and sole proprietor of LLC. Dennis is actively involved in the community, serving on several boards and councils, including Northland Training Center, Buffalo Urban Development Corporation, and UB School of Engineering Dean's Council. He holds a Bachelor of Technology in Industrial Engineering, as well as MBA and master's in engineering degrees. Dennis advises Greensphere on energy policies.

With over 25 years of experience in operations, accounting, software, and consulting, Derek is a specialist in building materials, construction, and distribution. He is the President of Scottsdale Steel Framing, an expert in light gauge framing and light steel construction and was previously the VP of Steel Products at Katerra. Derek is highly respected in the sustainable building products and circular building materials industry, having spent about 5 years leading Global, almost 10 years at Nucor Steel, and currently still active in the construction industry. Derek holds a bachelor's and master's degree in Finance and Accounting from the University of North Texas and is a Certified Management Accountant.

For more than 40 years, Greg has been working behind the scenes to assist in housing and economic development, neighborhood and municipal planning, and family crisis mentoring. Greg is a specialist in new construction technology, renovations, and restorations, having completed over 20 major developments.

As co-founder of the former Technocraft Manufacturing Company, Greg was instrumental in developing new building technologies that are the cornerstone of the Greensphere building systems.

Mo is a seasoned professional with 15 years of combined experience in the tech industry and real estate. Specializing in product and sustainability, vendor management, real estate site selection, and project management for development, Mo brings a wealth of expertise to his role at GreenSphere. Passionate about affordable housing and sustainability, he is dedicated to shaping the real estate landscape in the greater Austin markets.  With a focus on innovation and social impact, Mo seeks to create positive change through collaborative and entrepreneurial endeavors. 

Frank Lazarus is the founder and visionary behind Lazarus Industries, a leading construction company known for its innovative, design-build approach. With over 20 years of experience, Frank has redefined the industry by managing over 75% of projects in-house, minimizing reliance on subcontractors and enhancing efficiency. His focus on understanding client needs and designing tailored solutions has streamlined the construction process, earning the company recognition in The New York Times and Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. Frank’s leadership fosters a team of skilled designers, project managers, and tradespeople who deliver exceptional results. His commitment to building strong client relationships and ensuring quality has made Lazarus Industries a trusted name in the field.

Dr. Shawna Gugino is a seasoned leader in organizational management with over 25 years of experience in conflict resolution, systems analysis, and compliance strategy. She has led transformative initiatives across educational and institutional settings, helping organizations navigate complex challenges through strategic policy design, mediation, and leadership development. Her work emphasizes clarity, equity, and performance while supporting sustainable change.

Grounded in data and values, Dr. Gugino brings a principled, strategic lens to leadership. She holds a doctorate in Educational Leadership, Policy, and Law from the University at Buffalo, along with master’s degrees in Communication Disorders and Educational Administration. A certified mediator, she is known for translating behavior-driven insights into actionable strategies that promote transparency, ethical governance, and long-term organizational resilience.

Glen is a lifelong resident of WNY with over 30 years in operating, managing, and training staff in modular technology with Style Craft Homes. His projects include. building custom modular homes, commercial buildings, condominiums, hotels, pharmacies and non-combustible buildings and as an independent contractor and consultant with Capital Homes. Active in his community as a volunteer, Glen has been assisting Habitat for Humanity in constructing their home projects. 

A highly skilled and competent professional engineer and geologist. John has residential, commercial, industrial, and military experience involving more than 10,000 projects. Mr. Schenne’s expertise includes hospitals, hotels, nursing homes, apartments, restaurants, stores, industrial buildings, parking facilities, truck terminals, sports facilities, subway stations, military and heavy civil work projects. These projects involve a wide range of both new construction, adaptive reuse, and historic preservation. His experience includes providing construction Design and Quality Assurance on large Federal and private projects along with preparation of design documents and specifications.