News

Read the latest updates from Bernhard.

Lew Derbes Joins Bernhard as Chief Financial Officer

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Bernhard is excited to announce that Lewis (Lew) Derbes has joined the company as Bernhard’s new Chief Financial Officer. A CPA with more than 20 years of experience in finance and accounting, Lew is a proven executive with expertise in financial management and administration.

Lew joins the Bernhard team after six years in the role of CFO at HRI Properties, a New Orleans-based real estate development firm with a portfolio of 25 mixed-use, and retail properties across 12 cities. During this time, he helped to expand the firm’s portfolio to eight new cities while improving internal controls and leading implementation of a new enterprise resource management software. Prior to this role, Lew served as CFO and Treasurer of Stewart Enterprises, the second largest publicly traded death care company in the United States, until its acquisition in late 2013. Lew’s experience in project financing and structuring will be valuable in shaping the development and financing of Bernhard’s Energy-as-a-Service projects.

Lew holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from the University of Notre Dame and is a dedicated alumnus. He is an active member of the New Orleans community, holding leadership positions for multiple not-for-profit and social organizations. Lew is also a member of the New Orleans Society of Certified Public Accountants, the Louisiana Society of Certified Public Accountants, and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Lew will be based in Bernhard’s headquarters in Metairie, Louisiana.

Bernhard and ProStar Announce National Agreement with HealthTrust

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NEW ORLEANS, LA. (Feb. 18, 2020) – Bernhard and ProStar Energy Solutions (ProStar) announced today an agreement with HealthTrust to offer Energy-as-a-Service solutions to member hospitals and health systems nationwide. The agreement offers HealthTrust members a comprehensive choice of services including engineering design, construction, operations & maintenance and financing that are designed to reduce energy consumption.

“The Bernhard ProStar team has an innovative and valuable service offering that aligns perfectly with HealthTrust’s mission of improving operational excellence through total spend efficiency,” said Ed Jones, HealthTrust President and CEO. “We are excited to welcome them and look forward to the benefits that their Energy-as-a-Service solutions will bring to our membership.”

Bernhard currently works with nearly 1,400 hospitals nationwide, with healthcare facilities making up more than half of its Energy-as-a-Service operations. This agreement marks a decisive expansion in this space. Already, the firm calculates savings of $50 million in operating expenses every year for the healthcare facilities it serves.

“I am certain this first-of-a-kind agreement will prove beneficial to countless healthcare providers and the communities they serve,” said Bernhard CEO Ed Tinsley. “The unique capabilities of the Bernhard ProStar team are proven to reduce operating costs, enhance resiliency and reliability, transfer risk, and improve the bottom line.”

ProStar has more than 30 years of experience and has completed over 10,000 projects focused on energy optimization and sustainability, through lighting and solar solutions. ProStar is currently one of three LED vendors to provide lighting audit and design services, lighting product procurement, labor and installation services, and energy rebate administration to the members of HealthTrust. ProStar and Bernhard are currently delivering an Energy-as-a-Service project for AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

“We have a long history with Bernhard and are excited about this new opportunity to share our turnkey solutions in the healthcare sector with HealthTrust’s diverse membership,” said Jerry Jones Jr, ProStar Chairman.

To learn more, visit ProStarEnergy.com and HealthTrustPG.com.

Celebrating Bernhard’s Nashville Office

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On October 10, Bernhard employees and clients gathered to celebrate the opening of the company’s first integrated office located in Nashville, Tennessee. The new office houses staff from each division — development, engineering, construction, and energy solutions.

“The decision to open an integrated office in Nashville is a key step in our business growth strategy,” says Ed Tinsley, Chief Executive Officer of Bernhard. “We’ve had the privilege of serving the Nashville market for 10 years. Nashville is one of the fastest growing cities in America, and this office solidifies our strong foundation as we continue supporting this great community and grow our presence in Tennessee.”

The reception was held at City Winery and included live music, food, drinks, and fellowship. The event was sponsored by the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, and Ashley Davidson, Director of Investment Engagement, welcomed Bernhard and its Energy-as-a-Service offerings to the city. Rusty Mullen, CEO of Bernhard TME and Bernhard Energy, and Philip Catanzaro, President of Bernhard MCC, also shared their gratitude and excitement with the crowd.

Bernhard’s companies have a long history and strong foundation of clients in the Nashville area. The new, integrated Bernhard office brings together our staff to ensure streamline communication and encourage innovation and collaboration across business units.

Jim Sabin Promoted to Chief Operating Officer

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Bernhard, the largest privately-owned, Energy-as-a-Service (“EaaS”) company in the United States, announces the promotion of Jim Sabin to Bernhard’s Chief Operating Officer (COO).

Jim brings more than 35 years of experience in the engineering and construction industry, specializing in organizational leadership and effectiveness. Throughout his career, Jim has focused on innovation, continuous improvement, and enhanced operational execution. Jim joined Bernhard in January and has worked with Bernhard’s Executive Leadership Team to develop a strategic plan to advance internal systems and processes in support of our continued growth. 

“Jim has proven to be an invaluable asset for our company,” says Chief Executive Officer Ed Tinsley, “he has demonstrated the kind of innovative and strategic problem-solving that is at the core of Bernhard’s culture.”

In his expanded role as COO, Jim will oversee the 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.

Prior to joining Bernhard, Jim served as an executive at Stone & Webster Engineering Corporation and The Shaw Group, Inc. Most recently, Jim served as Executive Vice President for Global Operations services at Chicago Bridge & Iron where he was a key member of the Executive Leadership team. He has also served a Board Director for NET Power, LLC.

Announcing Our New Orleans Headquarters

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Today, we’re announcing our plan to combine Bernhard’s local New Orleans offices and establish our national corporate headquarters in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Bernhard has called Louisiana home for more than 100 years. We have experienced tremendous growth during this time, expanding from a local plumbing contractor into a national, engineering, contracting, and energy solutions firm. As our firm continues to grow, Bernhard’s leadership sought a new headquarters location that would provide increased access and convenience for our team.

“This is an exciting growth period for Bernhard,” says Chief Executive Officer, Ed Tinsley. “This move will help us continue building the next 100 years of Bernhard in Louisiana as we advance our historical lines of business and simultaneously invest in the future of energy technology, efficiency and related services.”

Bernhard will be based in The Galleria building in Metairie, a suburb in the New Orleans metropolitan area. The new office will employ approximately 250 local team members with expectations for continued growth in the coming years.

“New Orleans meets the criteria we sought for our new headquarters,” says Bernhard MCC’s President Philip Catanzaro. “This move will consolidate our growing New Orleans area workforce in one location to allow for greater collaboration and innovation and serve as an essential asset for our continued recruiting efforts.”

The move will take place in late 2019, with Bernhard’s new office expected to open in Metarie beginning in early 2020.

Bernhard 100 Gala

Bernhard Celebrates 100 Year Legacy

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In 1919, William Bernhard founded Bernhard Plumbing and Sheet Metal Works in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, starting a legacy that would prosper into a new century.  What began as a small, family-owned plumbing contractor in South Louisiana is now one of the country’s largest engineering and contracting firms, delivering innovative and energy-saving services for clients across the nation.

This year we celebrate our 100 year history in the A/E/C industry. Our firm kicked off the centennial celebration with a festive gala at the L’Auberge Casino Hotel. Employees, clients, and friends gathered to commemorate four generations of notable achievements. The event included live music, dancing, toasts, and remarks from Chief Executive Officer Ed Tinsley.

Employees Give to St. Jude Children’s Hospital

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Infographic of timeline, employees, and money raisedWe are thrilled to share that Bernhard completed our first ever employee giving campaign for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

In under a month, our compassionate and generous employees pledged $45,045 to St. Jude!

Bernhard is committed to assisting selected organizations that make a significant positive impact for those in need. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is one such organization.  St. Jude is making tremendous strides to advance the way the world understands, treats and cures childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases.

Treatments developed at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20 percent to 80 percent since the hospital opened more than 50 years ago.  St. Jude is unique in that families of the children treated there do not receive a bill for care provided.

We are excited to come together as employees and as a company to support this amazing mission!