This past Wednesday, September 17, professionals from across New Hampshire gathered in Concord for the Plan NH Fall Conference, centered around the theme: Built to Last: Reducing Impact, Maximizing Performance. On the surface, this may sound like a technical conversation about sustainable materials or energy-efficient buildings, the event delved much deeper. Through five engaging speakers, the conference explored the human, environmental, and community dimensions of designing spaces that truly stand the test of time.
Nancy E. Smith – CEO, GrowSmart Maine
Nancy Smith opened the day with a powerful reminder of how the pandemic reshaped our sense of place. She spoke about the loss of “third places”—parks, libraries, and gathering spots—and how essential they are to mental health and community life. Through storytelling, she challenged us to design spaces that foster human connection and trust. In a unique moment, she asked attendees to write haikus about connection, sparking spontaneous conversations and reminding us that design is ultimately about people.
Emma Sabella – Senior Waste Reduction Consultant, CET
Emma Sabella shared practical, inspiring solutions for reducing construction and demolition (C&D) waste. Representing the Center for EcoTechnology, she outlined how deconstruction—carefully dismantling buildings to salvage materials—can save money, support reuse outlets, and divert tons of waste from landfills. Emma emphasized that CET’s technical assistance is free, thanks to USDA funding, and shared real-world examples of adaptive reuse and smart material recovery. Her message: sustainability starts with planning, and there’s value in what we might otherwise throw away.
David Webb – Commercial Sales Lead, ReVision Energy
David Webb brought the conversation into the world of clean energy and building performance. Representing ReVision Energy, he highlighted practical ways to integrate renewable systems into commercial and residential projects. He also addressed barriers communities face—such as access to incentives and understanding evolving technologies. His session emphasized that reducing environmental impact isn’t just about new construction, but also retrofitting existing buildings with systems that are efficient, affordable, and scalable.
Matt O’Keefe – Energy Efficiency Coordinator, Unitil/NH Saves
Matt O’Keefe offered insight into how local utilities and programs like NH Saves are helping to improve energy performance across New Hampshire. He spoke about accessible energy efficiency measures for homes and businesses, and how smart design choices today can lead to lasting savings. By breaking down technical programs into clear, actionable steps, Matt helped demystify energy upgrades and showed how they can align with both sustainability goals and local economic development.
Joe Knapik – Technical Director, RPF Environmental
Joe Knapik provided a sobering but necessary perspective on worker health and safety in construction and environmental projects. With decades of experience in industrial hygiene, Joe reminded attendees that sustainability must include the people doing the work. He raised awareness about mental health challenges in the trades and emphasized the importance of managing hazardous materials safely. His call to action was clear: protect the workers, not just the materials. True sustainability is both environmental and human.
The 2025 Plan NH Fall Conference was a reminder that strong communities are built on connection—between people, places, and purpose. It reflected TFMoran’s focus on creating thoughtful, sustainable solutions that truly serve the communities we help shape. We are always proud to be a sponsor of Plan NH!
