BPI News

Saratoga Springs, NY - Building Performance Institute (BPI) is proud to announce the 2024 recipients of the Jon Siemen Memorial Scholarship.  

John Harrel III is receiving the scholarship for the Healthy Housing Principles (HHP) Reference Guide and certificate exam.  Mr. Harrel lives in Arkansas and works with Better Community Development. 

Julius Johnson is receiving the scholarship for the Building Analyst- Technician certification exam.  Mr. Johnson lives in Virginia and is a United States veteran. 

Kevin McKenzie is receiving the scholarship for the Infiltration and Duct Leakage certification exam.  Mr. McKenzie lives in Georgia and is a United States veteran. 

Thomas Barlet is receiving the scholarship for the Total Building Performance (TBP) certificate exam.  Mr. Barlet lives in Michigan and works with Monroe County Opportunity Program. 

Wendy Ryan is receiving the scholarship for the Building Science Principles (BSP) Reference Guide and certificate exam.  Ms. Ryan lives in Arkansas and works with Arkansas Energy & Environment. 

The Jon Siemen Memorial Scholarship was developed to honor the life, memory, and work of Jon Siemen, BPI Technical Relations Representative, who passed away in March 2015. 

Jon began his career in weatherization in the late 1970s, when he started working at Community Action in Southwestern Vermont (BROC). He joined the BPI team in 2009, where he filled the roles of Field Representative and Technical Relations Representative. Over the years, Jon was involved in administering BPI exams, contributing to standards and certification development, performing quality assurance reviews, and answering technical questions presented by contractors, candidates, and proctors. 

Jon was a lifelong advocate for weatherization, and a beloved member of the BPI family. The scholarship in his memory advances weatherization careers by enabling awardees to take online and field exams for BPI certification at no cost. BPI also helps recipients to obtain training for that certification at reduced or no cost. 

Applications for the 2025 Jon Siemen Memorial Scholarship are open through November 30th. The scholarship supports careers in home performance for veterans and those who work with the Weatherization Assistance Program. 

The Jon Siemen Memorial Scholarship is awarded annually, with applications open year-round. Those who currently work in a Weatherization Assistance Program or who are veterans of the US Armed Forces are eligible to apply. See the application form for details on how to apply.