John Wozniak – Sr. Program Manager

This month’s Employee Spotlight is…

John Wozniak – Sr. Program Manager

1. Where did you grow up? Where do you reside now?

I grew up along the I-79 corridor of western PA in Edinboro, Meadville, and Pittsburgh. I currently reside in the mountains of central PA.

2. What did you want to be when you grew up (when you were a child)?

Professional basketball player or fly-fishing (or rafting) guide in Montana. There’s still hope…

3. What guided you into the energy efficiency industry?

I was running non-profits in Bolivia for a few years and was looking for a different line of work upon return.  A family friend, who built a passive house in the early 90s, was performing HERS Ratings and asked me if I could help him out. There was no turning back.

4. What does a day in the life of John at PSD look like?

No two days are the same. A lot of what I do revolves around meeting client goals, energy modeling analysis, training in some capacity, QA, problem-solving, and doing my best to not derail meetings.

5. Our company has five core values (Integrity, Passion, Collaboration, Vision, and Making an Impact). Which of these values resonates most with you and the work you do at PSD?

I’d have to say collaboration. It’s great working with incredibly smart and talented people who genuinely want to make a positive impact in the world. The longer you work in the industry, the easier it becomes to facilitate. I would not be able to make any sort of impact without the great folks that I’ve met, learned from, and worked with over the years.

6. What is your favorite PSD-related memory?

Almost a dozen years ago, we had a get-together with our tiny office in Meadville after work. We went to the ‘happening’ brewery in the area on a Friday night that had live music. Once it was learned by the group that my father was the entertainment, I was ‘encouraged’ by our current CEO, Kathy Greely, to jump on stage for a set. I did originals only so they couldn’t tell if I was butchering the songs.

7. What do you do when you aren’t at work? Any interesting hobbies? 

My hobbies have taken a backseat to my one and four-year-old children.  But when I don’t have young children, I love to creek/stream fish, play disc golf, play guitar, forage for mushrooms, and almost any other outdoor activity. Sitting around a campfire always puts me in a good mood.  And I always keep a frisbee in my trunk in case anyone is looking for a toss!

8. Do you have any pets?

Yes, would you like one?

9. What is your favorite holiday?

It’s got to be Thanksgiving. Family, food, football.  Grandparents and cousins to help entertain the children. Yes, please!

10. Favorite travel destination? Or dream travel destination?

I love Vermont. I lived there during grad school and keep going back. Maybe we’ll end up moving there one of these years.

11. Favorite musician/genre?

If I had to pick a couple of my favorite musicians/bands, I would probably go with the Avett Brothers and perhaps Tom Petty. The Beatles, Stones, and David Bowie are also in the running.

12. What’s the top item that is still on your bucket list? Have you checked anything cool or fun off?

I spent most of my 20s checking off bucket list items. But I still haven’t been to Cuba. A few decades ago, the documentary “Buena Vista Social Club” got me very interested in visiting Havanah and the interest has yet to wane. Turkey is another place that seems to be drawing me in.

13. What is an interesting thing about yourself that not a lot of people know?

I played tennis and volleyball in college as a walk-on. But my true calling is ping pong.  I also coached high school basketball and was an ESL professor for a few semesters.

Thank you, John! We appreciate you taking the time to do this and are excited to have people get to know a little more about our employees here at PSD.