Session Overview
This session offers a beginner-friendly overview of the Building Automation Systems (BAS) industry—what it is, how it has evolved, and why it matters today. Attendees will learn the fundamentals of BAS functionality, explore how these systems improve efficiency and support sustainability goals, and gain insights into best practices for both new projects and retrofits. Perfect for newcomers, this session provides a clear foundation for understanding the world of BAS.
SPEAKERS
Stephanie Poole, Principal, SES Consulting
Stephanie is a professional engineer with extensive experience in energy efficiency and decarbonization projects, including audits, implementations, commissioning, project management, and strategic planning. A former teacher, she now applies her expertise to develop and deliver energy and decarbonization courses for organizations such as the Canadian Institute for Energy Efficiency (CIET). She is also a contributing editor for AutomatedBuildings.com and sits on the Building Decarbonization Alliance (BDA) expert advisory panel.
Scott Cochrane, President & CEO, Cochrane Supply
Scott Cochrane is President and CEO of Cochrane Supply & Engineering, a leading Smart Building Controls Supplier with locations throughout Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, and Texas, as well as an affiliate in Ontario called Canada Controls. Scott earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business with minors in Marketing and Finance from Eastern Michigan University and holds an additional minor in HVAC Technologies from Macomb Community College. In 2000, he took over the business from his father, Donald Cochrane, Sr., who founded the company in 1967. Scott is an IBcon Digital Impact Award Winner for going above and beyond to positively impact the smart building industry, as well as a winner of the ControlTrends Impact Person of the Year Award and Distributor Executive of the Year Award for his contributions to the industry.
