Our Team
Nigel Makela, Partner
Nigel is a Certified Energy Manager with broad field study, utility program analysis, and plan review experience. Nigel provides third-party residential, commercial, and green plan services to a major city on the East Coast. In this capacity, he interacts with designers, building owners, and developers to address and solve specific project-related code compliance issues. He managed data collection efforts for residential energy code baseline studies in Kentucky, California, Alabama, Missouri, and Texas. He conducted additional research in Manual J, D, and S design applications, in addition to training the field teams for both Nebraska and California Title 24 residential energy code studies. As a senior analyst with the Cadmus Group, he evaluated utility energy efficiency programs across eight states and conducted data collection studies to enhance more accurate Net to Gross analysis. He holds ICC certifications as a Commercial Energy Inspector with ASHRAE 90.1, Residential Energy Inspector/Plans Examiner, and IgCC Inspector Plans Examiner with ASHRAE 189. Nigel has a B.A. in liberal studies and is working towards a B.S. in mathematics.
Amanda Berry, Partner
Amanda brings a fresh perspective to building energy efficiency. With a background in language and communication as a writer, editor, live vocal performer, and narrator, she has a keen appreciation for both the written word and audience engagement. Her writing and editing work includes everything from short stories and mysteries to technical editing. As a narrator, she has recorded numerous eLearning and training modules from her home studio. A longtime small business owner working with a variety of clients, her expertise includes project management, developing and maintaining work structures and budgets for on-time delivery and client satisfaction. As an avid reader of scientific nonfiction, she has a strong layperson’s appreciation for science and is particularly interested in public science communication. Amanda obtained her degrees in French and Linguistics from New York University.
Kelly Makela, Partner
Kelly can trace her experience and commitment to stakeholder engagement to when, as a 14-year-old, she supported stakeholder engagement for the inclusion of energy efficiency in the Fijian National Building Code while also observing internationally funded projects that neglected to include local stakeholders. Kelly recognizes the similarities between the Global South and the rural American West in community resilience, striving to implement innovative and resilient strategies in the face of a lack of capacity and funding. She is passionate about peer-to-peer learning and shared educational and international relationships that will lead to greater resilience and innovation.
Her work encompasses strategic cross-stakeholder engagement, communication and facilitation, training development, data management and analysis, and project coordination. Additionally, Kelly has worked with federal, tribal, local, and private partners as a member of the Northern Blues All Lands Partnership's operation and communications team. She holds a B.A. in global development & environmental studies and is finishing an M.A. in environmental management.
Michelle Britt & Eric Makela, Founding Partners
Michelle & Eric have combined 60 years of experience impacting the built and natural environment. BMG has been a collaboration of their complementary interests in the human, biological, and built environment. Eric has been instrumental in strengthening the residential and commercial provisions of the IECC over six code cycles. Committed to seeing the energy efficiencies of the codes realized, Eric has trained in over 20 states and 3 nations in the building, design, and enforcement industry in various venues.
Michelle Britt has served national, state, and local governments, industry, and non-profits across the US and the Pacific. Her broad background in land use, transportation planning, and environmental impact analysis brings a holistic approach to her work. As a partner with Britt/Makela Group, she focuses on research and best practices, partnering with stakeholders to meet their specific needs. Michelle was the Director of Energy for the International Code Council through the 2021 code cycle and a senior member of the U.S. DOE Building Energy Codes Program. Eric has a B.A. in environmental studies from Sonoma State University and an M.A. in education from California State University, Sacramento. Michelle holds a B.A. in environmental studies and an M.A. in architecture. Michelle is a LEED AP.
Together, Eric and Michelle serve as “principals in charge” at BMG, focused on supporting the next generation to continue innovation in conservation.