OUR TEAM
Darin Carei dcarei@energywisecompanies.com See Bio
Gary Tollefson gtollefson@energywisecompanies.com See Bio
Mitzi Bestall mbestall@energywisecompanies.com See Bio
Bill Murphy bmurphy@energywisecompanies.com See Bio
Vernon Nelson vnelson@energywisecompanies.com See Bio
Kent Stine kstine@energywisecompanies.com See Bio
Born and raised in Southern New Jersey, Darin heard the call of the West in the late 70’s and moved to Grand Junction. While attending Mesa State College, Darin worked as an intern at the Energy Information Office. During this time he worked to publish the “Solar Directory” and organized the original “Solar Home Tours”.
The Energy Office later became Housing Resources of Western Colorado and Darin now proudly serves on its Board.
After working for a period of time for Better Buy Builders in the Truss manufacturing division, Darin motivated by his passion for sport cars, went to work for Metric Motors. Eventually acquiring the business and renaming it Metric Automotive Inc, which he ran until he sold it in 1994. Today the business is known as Rocky Mountain Subaru.
While operating a specialty auto finance company and an art gallery, Darin went back to Mesa State College, to complete a degree in Economics, also ‘attempting’ to become active in local politics.
In 1997 Darin became an original partner in Grace Homes Real Estate and Construction. As, Vice President Darin headed up the operations side of the business. As General Contractor Darin permitted and built over 1500 homes assisting his company in becoming one of, if not “the” leader in delivering entry level homes on the Western Slope.
Actively involved in building over 2 million square feet of residential space, Darin became aware of the fact that buildings were responsible for more energy consumed each year than either transportation or industry. Recognizing that energy costs have historically risen and surely will continue to, he realized that a great opportunity existed. Business opportunities to both save home owners and commercial building financial resources while conserving natural resources. Upon researching the many programs available to builders and home owners. It was apparent that primary among those offered was the ENERGYSTAR® brand available to builders. He then focused in on that brand and became RESNET Certified,
EnergyWise Companies was soon created. Darin has gathered a team of experts to partner in fulfilling the mission; “To promote energy efficiency in new and existing buildings, elevate stewardship of resources, and enhance the lives of those we do business with by helping them in their move toward more energy efficient lifestyles”.
Darin holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics, is a RESNET Certified National Energy Rater. Is a licensed Real Estate Professional and licensed General Contractor.
Darin married his wife Tammera (Tammy) in 1986. Together they have three children; Jessica, Bryan, and Summer.
Darin also has a strong desire for and a commitment to community involvement. With an emphasis to assist those humbled by fate and misfortune, Darin is active in numerous community boards and ministry outreaches both here and abroad.
Board Positions-past and present:
- Saint Matthew’s Church
- Homeward Bound of the Grand Valley
- Housing Resources of Western Colorado
- Karis Inc
- Grand Valley Catholic Outreach
- Grand Valley Housing Initiatives
- Kingdom Builders Network
- The Faith Foundation of Grand Junction
Darin can be reached at dcarei@energywisecompanies.com or 970-234-0708.
Gary has been working as an Energy Rater since 1995 on the Western Slope. As a graduate of South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, he received a BSCE.
After a career spent designing and building civil works, Gary began to explore the benefits of energy efficiency and how he might contribute. Looking for something to keep him relevant and driven by the challenge of using building science in new and existing buildings, he was soon involved with the Home Energy Rating program.
Gary loves teaching and using skills to benefit those who rely on building industry professionals to deliver safe, comfortable, sustainable and energy-efficient homes.
As Gary expounds, “If I can communicate just one technique to a framer, such as reduce the amount of framing in a building and that framer, accepts and believes in that lesson, uses it for all his houses, then that idea now has positive results that will go on and make life better, just one home at a time”. After a meeting with Darin Carei and discovering their common ambitions Gary decided to partner in EnergyWise Companies.
When not working on energy-efficient projects, Gary and his wife Connie are on the road or camping. Having lived in Colorado for 35 years Gary still has not explored all it that he wants to. He says, “I can find no reason to travel to any other place, except for my grand kids."
Contact Gary at gtollefson@energywisecompanies.com.
Mitzi was born and raised in Arizona. She moved to Colorado in 1997 to work on a
5000-acre resort development near Winter Park. During this undertaking, she attained an honor and record, becoming the first female Ski Area Manager in the U.S. of a ski area owned by a female. That ski area was Berthoud Pass. More importantly though, this was the launching pad for her passion and devotion to a career in Real Estate sales.
After the successful launch of a townhome complex (85% presold) Mitzi learned about “Fractional Sales” working for IMI Resort Holdings selling Hyatt Main Street Station in Breckenridge, Colorado. She had the second most sales of anyone on the project.
Mitzi then joined a Canadian development and sales company to complete the sales of home sites and high-end “cabins” for the Catamount Lake Resort in Steamboat Springs, CO and then moved on to the Olympic Peninsula in Washington to oversee the sales of two projects. Both sold out.
Mitzi was then back in Colorado to form her own company that specialized in new project sales and that company sold over 500 homes in five years.
In the fall of 2008, she became an owner in Keller Williams Realty - Grand Junction LLC. She now has the National Association of Realtors Green Designation and is an EcoBroker Certified Realtor.
Seeing the importance and value in energy efficient homes, Mitzi joined EnergyWise Companies to promote and support the healthy lifestyle associated with living in an energy efficient home. She will assist those in search of such a home and those who have one for the market. Her affiliation with Keller Williams offers international exposure to EnergyWise Properties.
Mitzi has been involved with a variety of boards and associations. Most notably was her six year involvement with the Fiesta Bowl Committee contributing extensive service during a critical time in her career.
Mitzi and her husband Bill have five children together, all in college or soon to be. In their spare time they like to golf or get into the mountains. Contact Mitzi at mbestall@energywisecompanies.com.
Bill devoted twenty-five years to Ski Resort Management before becoming involved in Real Estate development, marketing and sales. In fact it was his extensive involvement in marketing resort products and services that lead to developing and marketing properties.
Having held several top management positions from GM to President, in 1998, Bill was put in charge of developing, operating and expanding the assets of Silver Creek Holding Company. He led the charge in master planning, permitting, developing, managing and promoting a 5,000-acre resort development near Winter Park, Colorado. The ski area was expanded to include additional snowmaking, high speed lift transportation, and night skiing. He oversaw the design and construction of the Headwater Golf Course at the resort.
Bill also planned and supervised the construction of infrastructure that began the resorts first sales with nearly 200 home sites marketed and sold. In addition he acquired approval for and marketed a multi-family development in which a townhome project was nearly sold out before construction began.
It was the excitement of this development and ultimately the successful sales that led Murphy and his partner and wife Mitzi Bestall to form their own company that specialized in new product marketing and sales. Together they have represented over a thousand properties since 2001.
As a partner in Keller Williams Realty - Grand Junction LLC, Bill saw the changes that were developing in energy efficient building and the opportunities for promoting a healthier lifestyle as a result of the improved environment that comes from such construction.
Soon after this revelation Bill met Darin Carei and opportunity became reality. Bill became a partner in EnergyWise Properties and will assist in the promotion and sales of energy efficient homes and home sites and ENERGY STAR® certified homes.
In his spare time Bill enjoys golf, skiing and exploring the country with his wife Mitzi and their children. Bill believes whole heartedly in giving back and has served on many community boards and associations throughout his career. Contact Bill at bmurphy@energywisecompanies.com.
I was born in Farmington, NM and have lived in Colorado for the past 30 years. My hobbies include fishing, photography, gardening, cooking, motorcycles, and all things out of doors.
I have always loved being close to Mother Nature, and became passionate about energy conservation in the 1970’s while working in the natural gas industry in Western Colorado.
My passion for energy conservation deepened during my years in the residential home construction business and my exposure to Energy Star Rated homes. Our EnergyWise team of experts share my passion for high performance homes and businesses. We strive to improve the occupant’s comfort and quality of life and continue reducing the consumption of our natural resources.
Contact Vernon at vnelson@energywisecompanies.com.
Kent Stine grew up in a small town in Ohio. Upon graduation from high school, he headed west for college, graduating from the University of Arizona with a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering in 1983. The oil shale bust in the early 80s led him to a career in sales, working in several different industries, including high tech and specialized manufacturing.
As a sales manager for a company that manufactured a more environmentally friendly packaging solution, Kent learned the value of conserving natural resources, yet remaining competitive in the business world.
Recognizing that energy efficiency not only saved our natural resources, but saved money for energy consumers, Kent decided to join EnergyWise companies.
Kent recently passed the exam to become a certified RESNET energy auditor and hopes to combine his passion for providing practical business solutions to companies who want to improve their bottom line and be kind to the environment. He will be working as both a residential and commercial energy auditor for EnergyWise Companies.
Kent and his wife, Penny, were married in 1984. They have three sons and one grandson and have lived in Colorado since 2000, enjoying the climate, the great motorcycle riding and the beautiful area that God so graciously created.
Contact Kent at kstine@energywisecompanies.com.
533 Bogart Lane, Unit F, Grand Junction, CO 81505-9695 Phone: (970) 242.9473 Fax: (970) 242.2229