Bernhard’s executive leadership team is comprised of expert professionals with diverse and extensive experience in the industry. These individuals provide strategic leadership and direction to the organization and leverage the talents of our workforce to empower our customers and promote a sustainable future.
Ed Tinsley
Chief Executive Officer
Ed Tinsley is the Chief Executive Officer of Bernhard, LLC. Prior to becoming CEO in 2018, Ed was the President of the company’s development division.
Ed graduated as the First Ranked Senior Scholar (valedictorian) from the University of Arkansas in 1982 with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering degree. Ed began his career working as a Facility Manager for a large university, followed by a large urban hospital. This work inspired Ed to co-found Tinsley-Mullen Engineers, later known as TME, in 1995. TME was a consulting engineering firm dedicated to owner advocacy and energy efficient healthcare facilities.
In 2014, TME combined forces with Bernhard Mechanical, MCC, and EP Breaux to form Bernhard. Bernhard was specifically formed to offer innovative energy efficiency, infrastructure renewal, and financial solutions to healthcare facilities struggling to survive a perfect storm of higher costs and capped revenues. Under Ed’s leadership, Bernhard has grown from a regional company to the largest turnkey provider of Energy-as-a-Service solutions in the United States with more than 2,200 employees in 24 office locations. Since 2017, Bernhard has closed more than $1 billion in Energy-as-a-Service transactions.
Throughout his career, Ed has managed the design of more than 300 healthcare construction projects with a total cost in excess of $5 billion. In the collective, these projects have yielded more than $50 million in annual utility cost savings. He has authored numerous articles and white papers for industry organizations, including several chapters of the ASHE Commissioning Handbook, which is considered by many to be the foremost authority on the topic. He has also presented more than 100 seminars on a wide variety of healthcare facility related subjects including energy efficiency, medical gas systems, facility management, chilled water systems, ventilation systems, operation and maintenance staffing levels, decarbonization, electrical systems, surgery HVAC systems, and Energy-as-a-Service transactions. Ed has also provided expert witness testimony in numerous state utility rate dockets on many topics impacting healthcare facilities including cost allocation, rate design, and net metering.
Ed is a registered Professional Engineer in 18 states, an AEE Certified Energy Manager, a USGBC LEED Accredited Professional, an ASHRAE Healthcare Facility Design Professional, and an ASHE Certified Healthcare Facility Manager. Ed has received eight energy awards from ASHRAE for projects he has designed or managed. Ed has personally helped 22 hospital facilities earn the coveted Energy Star award (awarded annually to less than 1% of US hospitals). In 2010, Ed received the ASHE Crystal Eagle award for his lifetime commitment and service to the American Society of Hospital Engineers (ASHE).
Philip Catanzaro
Chief Operating Officer
Philip has more than 20 years of experience in the commercial construction industry, where he has held various positions. He began his career at Bernhard in 1997, and quickly rose to increasing positions of leadership, through and including his most recent role serving as the Company’s President of Delivery. As COO, he will oversee all day-to-day operations of Bernhard, including the program management of Energy-as-a-Service projects, implementation of strategic initiatives, and continued advancement of internal processes. Throughout his tenure, Philip has relentlessly focused on innovation, continuous improvement, and enhancing operational execution.
Lewis Derbes
Chief Financial and Strategic Officer
Lewis (Lew) Derbes is a proven executive with expertise in financial management and administration. He is a Certified Public Accountant with more than 20 years of experience in finance and accounting. Lew’s experience in project financing and structuring is integral to the shaping the development and financing strategies of Bernhard’s Energy-as-a-Service projects.
Melissa Samuel
Chief Administrative and Legal Officer
Melissa has over 20 years of employment law and human resources experience. As Chief Administrative and Legal Officer, Melissa’s primary mission will be to leverage the many leadership positions she has held for Bernhard to ensure that culture, compliance and communication are the company’s top priorities. She also provides strategic leadership to Human Resources and Marketing and Communications.
Rob Guthrie
Chief Development Officer
With over 15 years of industry experience, Rob is a qualified leader in helping clients realize long-term operational savings and in developing Energy-as-a-Service projects. Rob is a graduate of The University of the South (Sewanee) and a Certified Energy Manager (CEM). As Chief Development Officer, Rob provides executive oversight of business development efforts and is a key leader in navigating Bernhard to achieve its vision.
Tim Staley
President – Engineering
Tim began his career in the engineering department of a large healthcare facility, resulting in a passion for owner advocacy and energy efficiency that has lasted throughout his career. He brings more than 30 years of experience in the areas of energy engineering, energy procurement, systems design, performance contracting, measurement and verification, engineering economics, commissioning, leadership, and entrepreneurial pursuits.
Tim is a registered Professional Engineer and holds several specialized certifications, including Certified Commissioning Authority, Certified Commissioning Provider, Certified Energy Manager, Certified Healthcare Constructor, Certified Healthcare Facility Manager, and LEED Accredited Professional. He is an active members of the American Society for Health Care Engineers where he is a Fellow and Leadership Institute Graduate.
David Bell
President – Electrical
David Bell has more than 35 years of experience in the contracting industry. David joined Ernest P. Breaux (now Bernhard’s Electrical division) early in his career, serving as a Project Manager in the commercial division. Because of his technical expertise and exemplary leadership, David was later promoted to the role of President of the E.P. Breaux’s Commercial construction division, which he held for over 10 years. He has managed and led projects across various market sectors, ensuring quality work and customer satisfaction
As President of Bernhard’s Electrical division, David works closely with other executives to develop and carry out major plans and coordinates operations of all divisions to complement company goals. David’s 35 years of expertise, knowledge and leadership in the construction industry helps Bernhard provide solutions to projects and has earned him the respect of clients and colleagues.
Dwayne Hammer
President – Mechanical
Dwayne is President of Bernhard’s Mechanical division which is responsible for mechanical contracting services for clients across the nation. Dwayne has over 38 years of experience in the construction industry. Dwayne has been with Bernhard for 17 years and has worked on a range of projects in hospitality, healthcare, education, and commercial sectors. He is a graduate of the New Orleans Pipe Trades Apprenticeship Program and has completed specialized training in leadership, project management, scheduling, estimating, safety, and code compliance. Dwayne brings proven, hands-on experience to his role as President.
Dwayne is responsible for leading the mechanical division and directing the overall strategy to align with Bernhard’s business goals.
Michael Cooper
President – Sustainability
Michael is the President of Bernhard’s Sustainability division. With more than 17 years of experience in the industry, Michael is a proven leader with hands-on experience in construction, service, and maintenance. Michael is a registered Professional Engineer and LEED Accredited Professional. He is a graduate of Louisiana State University with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering.
Michael established, grew, and led Bernhard’s mechanical service department, now the Sustainability division. Sustainability encompasses mechanical service, operations and maintenance, and asset management. Michael provides executive leadership to the team as they support customers through the lifecycle of their facility, ensuring on-going efficiency and energy savings.