Columbia Green Technologies

Vanessa Keitges is President and CEO of Columbia Green Technologies, whose innovative green roofs help manage the quality and quantity of storm water, energy use, and air and water pollution. Vanessa has had a dynamic career in the public and private sector.  She has served in numerous executive positions in business development, marketing and sales, where she has managed rapid growth; both domestically and internationally. Vanessa purchased Columbia Green, along with local investors, in 2009 and the company is currently experiencing significant growth under her leadership.

In the fall of 2013 Vanessa was appointed to President Obama’s Export Council to represent the interest of small businesses and the green industry. Vanessa was a speaker at SXSW,  nominated as top “40 under 40″ executives in Oregon and mentioned as a top woman in technology to invest in 2012 by Forbes eblog. She sits on the Oregon Zoo Wild Life Board.  Vanessa graduated from Oregon State University earning a B.A. in Philosophy.

Jordan comes to Columbia Green Technologies with ten years of a variety of construction experience. As Estimator, she is here to find the best pricing for your green roof projects by site specifications, cost changes, and additions. Prior to joining CGT, she worked in quality control as a CAT1 Lab Technician for an asphalt paving company, where she tested materials per ASTM/specification standards. She has a strong passion for green infrastructure and is determined to obtain the best solution for your specific project.

Jordan graduated from The Evergreen State College with a B.A./B.S. in Environmental Science. She loves spending time with her family and friends, traveling, gardening, concerts, and anything outdoors!

Paul brings a decade of experience in purchasing and logistics to the Columbia Green team. As Program Manager, he is here to source materials for your green roof, ensure their timely delivery, and to facilitate a smooth project. Having experience in leveraging long-term spend while factoring quality into the total cost of ownership, he will work with you to determine a green roof solution that works best with your resources and constraints. Paul comes from the MRO and Food & Beverage industries where he has established a proven track record of streamlining supply chains and creating efficiencies.

Paul holds a Masters degree in Supply Chain Management from Penn State University.  

Ellen Barlow is a graduate from the University of Redlands in Southern California with a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Policy and Management with a Spatial Studies minor. She focused on sustainability issues as well as environmental science and computer mapping software. As the Inside Sales Manager, Ellen supports the sales team in generating and qualifying leads as well as communication with architects and contractors to help focus the regional sales managers.

During her time in college, Ellen worked as an office assistant for a private medical practice here in Portland, as well as in the hospitality industry in San Diego. She studied abroad in both Costa Rica and Europe, studying sustainability and environmental policy. She enjoys meeting new people and assisting others.

Janelle’s role is Inside Sales and Marketing at Columbia Green Technologies and brings thirteen years of experience in executive support and marketing functions.  She spent the majority of her career working within the sustainability sector for financial organizations. Prior to joining Columbia Green Technologies in 2013, Janelle worked as a Marketing Analyst for Equilibrium Capital Group a company focused on building leading investment products and strategies for institutional investors.

Janelle assists the Columbia Green team with lead generation, aids in the development of marketing campaigns, coordinates trade shows and oversees our social media accounts. In addition, she supports the Executive Team.

Janelle graduated from Southern Oregon University earning a B.S. in Psychology.  Her personal interests include: spending time with her family and friends, traveling and cooking.  She enjoys helping out her community and currently volunteers with the Ronald McDonald House Charities in Portland, OR.

Kelly McGuire comes to Columbia Green Technologies with more than 7 years of industry experience, previously having served as a Business Developer for a prominent subcontractor in the DC Metro region.  She has developed a strong network of owners, developers, architects, landscape architects, general contractors, roofing contractors and installers and understands the importance of building relationships between all of those involved to deliver a successful project.

As a Washington DC local and an Eastern Shore of Maryland native, she is passionate about providing stormwater management solutions that will give back to her own community and excited to help Columbia Green grow their presence in the market.

Kelly graduated from Virginia Tech with a degree in Communications and Public Relations.  She currently serves on the board of directors for the Washington Building Congress and is the Programs Committee Chair for the Associated Builders & Contractor’s Metro Washington chapter (ABC Metro) as well as a mentor for their Leadership Development Program.

Kelly graduated from ABC Metro’s Leadership Development Program in 2017 at the platinum level and was the recipient of the J.P. Blasé Cooke Leadership Achievement Award.

When she is not attending or organizing an industry networking event, you can find her on the golf course, fishing on the Chesapeake Bay or coaching high school girls’ lacrosse.

Kevin Goad comes to Columbia Green Technologies with a background in Business Development and Sales with more than 20 years of professional experience in the Environmental, Energy and Sustainability industries. He has worked with building owners across the country to help them reduce their energy and carbon footprints and decrease their overall operating costs. Kevin understands the importance of the return on investments for building owners when it comes to building improvements and the overall value that green roofs bring to the building, the owners, occupants and communities. He is here to help guide and build relationships with Owners, Developers, Architects, Landscape Architects, General Contractors, Roofing Companies and Installers.  

Kevin is a graduate of the University of Houston and holds a B.S in Environmental Management, with a concentration in Marketing. Kevin also is a member of USGBC and is a LEED Green Associate. His professional and educational background makes him a strong addition to the Columbia Green Technologies team. 

Kyle Faron comes to Columbia Green Technologies with over 10 years of experience as a construction professional. His focus has been on delivering value with sustainable building envelope products and solutions for building owners and developers, with a concentration on occupant comfort and well-being.  Sustainable standards and occupant well-being are important drivers today as we seek to build better, smarter, and more efficiently. Over his career he has sought to develop strategic partnerships with key accounts in the construction industry, including developers, architects-engineers, construction managers-consultants, and general contractors. In his role in the Northeast, Kyle looks to deliver value as a trusted partner and to highlight return on investment to all members of a project team.

Kyle is a central New Jersey native and graduate of Monmouth University in West Long Branch, NJ with a B.S. in Business Administration. His personal interests include enjoying the outdoors with his family, sports, and honing his golf game on the course.

Sallyanne comes to Columbia Green Technologies with over 20 years of sales, marketing and management experience. Her passion is for customer service and she loves the rewards and challenges that present themselves on a daily basis in this industry. She has a knack for creative solutions, providing timely communication, supporting our partners and ensuring a beautiful finished product for our end users. When she’s not busy trying to make our communities greener, she can be found paddleboarding, rock climbing or snowshoeing. As a new homeowner, she is probably trying to learn how to fix something or is wandering the local Home Depot.  

Deni Blumhardt is Vice President of Finance & Operations. Deni has over 30 years in accounting, management and operations.  She has served as a member of executive management teams and provided analytical support regarding strategic decisions on acquisitions, expansions, staffing and other corporate development possibilities. She has been a part of large publicly held companies and small startups where she has orchestrated dramatic improvements in operational efficiency, productivity, and internal communications.

Deni is Certified Public Accountant licensed in both Oregon and Washington.  She also holds the designations of CGMA and CFF and is an active member of the AICPA and ORCPA.

Andrea brings 12 years’ experience as a landscape architect to the Columbia Green team. As Technical Director she is here to answer all your questions related to our green roof systems, and to provide design guidance and product support to specifiers, design professionals, and product installers. Andrea is a registered Landscape Architect with a focus on low impact development and green infrastructure, and is well versed in all phases of project design, construction and maintenance.

A Pacific NW native, Andrea earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Landscape Architecture from University of Oregon. She practiced landscape architecture in Portland, with a focus on green design solutions for a diverse range project types and scales.