About Us
Engineer-Led. Results-Focused. Purpose-Driven.
What We Believe
As a Guaranteed Energy Savings Company (GESC) led by licensed engineers and seasoned energy professionals, we approach every project with a blend of precision, practicality, and long-term thinking.
Accountability
Your savings are guaranteed, and we stand behind every number.
Clarity
We explain technical concepts in plain language, so nothing gets lost in translation.
Integrity
No shortcuts, no upsells, no surprises.
Client-first Collaboration
We treat your facility and your mission as if they were our own.
Our Story
AFP began with a team of engineers who saw a gap in the energy services world. Too many firms were built around sales rather than substance. We set out to change that.
From the beginning, we’ve worked side-by-side with schools, cities, and institutions to solve the same problems we used to face ourselves: aging infrastructure, rising utility costs, and tight capital budgets.
Our engineer-led model ensures that every solution we design is custom-built, cost-effective, and technically sound. And because we guarantee your savings, we take responsibility from day one.
Who We Serve
We work with public institutions and mission-driven organizations that need to stretch every dollar. Whether you’re trying to modernize a campus or reduce operating expenses, AFP helps you identify the savings and put them to work.
Our Clients Include:
K–12 School Districts
Colleges and Universities
Municipalities and State Agencies
Healthcare Facilities
Nonprofit and Community Organizations
Meet Our Leadership
Russ Litsinger,
PE, MBA, LEED AP BD+C, CEM
Managing Principal
Baccus Oliver,
PE, LEED AP, CxA
Design Principal
David Belt,
CPA, CCIFP
Finance Principal
Mark Workman
Business Development Principal
J.P. Kelly
Construction Principal
Business Development
Ryan Baker
CEM, PMP
Senior Business Development Engineer
Stewart M. Shunk
Senior Business Development Director
Steve Carter
Business Development
Performance Engineers
Nathan Howell
Performance Engineer
Cole Patterson
Performance Engineer
Austin Dennison
Performance Engineer
Project Management
Ryan Meinert
CEM, PEP
Project Management Director
Alec Golightly
Performance Engineer
Russ Litsinger,
PE, MBA, LEED AP BD+C, CEM
Managing Principal
As a founding member of Marcum Energy Management Solution, Russ provides Energy Auditing services to the firm’s clients. Russ’s areas of expertise include: Energy Management, Energy Distribution and Conservation Strategies, Energy Audits, Feasibility Studies, Project Opinions-Of-Cost, Facility/Maintenance Surveys, Diagnosing Poorly Performing Buildings, Building Energy Modeling/Analysis, High Performance/Sustainable Building Design, HVAC Systems, HVAC Controls, Ventilation Systems, Heat Recovery Systems, Geothermal Systems, Plumbing Systems, Fire Protection Systems and Site Utilities Design.
Russ began his career with Marcum Engineering, LLC in 2005, until transitioning into his role with our sister company, Marcum Energy Management Solutions. Russ has been the Project Manager to numerous projects which have gained LEED Gold and Silver Certifications and Energy Star Labeling.
Education & Experience
- Murray State University, Masters of Science-Business Administration
- University of Kentucky, Bachelor of Science-Mechanical Engineering
Professional Registrations
Licensed Professional Engineer in the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, and West Virginia
Professional Certifications
- The Association of Energy Engineers – Certified Energy Manager (CEM)
- The Association of Energy Engineers – Certified Green Building Engineer (GBE)
- The AABC Commissioning Group – Certified Commissioning Authority (CxA)
- The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers – Building Energy Modeling Professional (BEMP)
- The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers –High-Performance Building Design Professional (HBDP)
- The American Society of Plumbing Engineers – Certified In Plumbing Design (CPD)
- The United States Green Building Council – Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design Accredited Professional with Specialty (LEED AP BD+C)
- Villanova University – Six-Sigma Black Belt (SSBB)
Professional Affiliations
- The AABC Commissioning Group – Corporate Member
- The Association of Energy Engineers – Senior Member
- The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers – Member
- The American Society of Mechanical Engineers – Member
- The American Society of Plumbing Engineers – Full Member
- The Building Commissioning Association – Corporate Member
- The International Ground Source Heat Pump Association – Architect / Engineer Member
- The Kentucky Society of Professional Engineers – Member
- The National Society of Professional Engineers – Member
- The Society of Fire Protection Engineers – Professional Member
- The United States Green Building Council – Kentucky Chapter Member
Baccus Oliver,
PE, LEED Ap, CxA
Design Principal
Baccus has extensive experience in all aspects of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration, plumbing, fire suppression and mechanical design including ductwork, piping systems, steam systems and insulation systems. Baccus is also experienced in project conception, project cost estimating, creation of engineering drawings, specifications/contracts, project scheduling, project quality and cost control. Baccus is a Principal at Marcum Engineering, LLC and serves as Project Manager and Mechanical Engineer for all major projects.
Education & Experience
- University of Kentucky
B.S., Mechanical Engineering, 1992
Professional Registrations
Licensed Professional Engineer in the states of Illinois, Tennessee, Missouri, and Kentucky
Professional Affiliations
- Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Accredited Professional
- American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers
- American Society of Plumbing Engineers
- Code Administrators Association of Kentucky
- The International Ground Source Heat Pump Association
- National Society of Professional Engineers
- Kentucky Society of Professional Engineers
- National Fire Protection Association
David Belt,
CPA, CCIFP
Finance Principal
David joined BFW/Marcum as Chief financial Officer in 2015 after 14 years as CFO with a large construction and construction materials company operating multiple entities in over 15 states. There he served in the senior most financial position as a member of the leadership team providing financial and non-financial data and knowledge to facilitate, support and impact management decision making and planning. David began his career in public accounting where he spent 13 years (including 8 years as a partner) providing traditional as well as non-traditional accounting and financial consulting services.
Education & Experience
- Murray State University, B.S. Accounting
Professional Certifications
- Certified Public Accountant
- Certified Construction Industrial Financial Professional
Ryan Baker
Senior Business Development Engineer
As a seasoned Senior Project Development Engineer, Ryan Baker brings over 16 years of extensive experience in the Guaranteed Energy Savings Contract (GESC) space. His expertise spans from on-site project management to leading sales development efforts. Ryan has effectively navigated the K-12, State and Local Government, as well as higher education markets throughout our region. His career commenced with engagements in renewable projects like landfill gas to energy and high-security Department of Defense (DoD) projects across the Southeast. Based in Newburgh, IN, Ryan is poised to leverage his wealth of experience as a Senior Project Development Engineer to help develop projects that meet and exceed the expectations of our customers.
Education & Experience
- University of Southern Indiana
BS Industrial Engineering
Mark Workman
Business Development Principal
Mr. Workman holds a degree from Murray State University and is one of the founding members of Bacon Farmer Workman Engineering & Testing, Inc.
Mark serves as both the firms’ Executive Vice President and CEO, and oversees all proposal development, marketing, project management, and client relations for the firm. In addition, Mark also oversees employee recruitment, retention, and employee relations at all eight of the firm’s locations. Mark began his career in municipal government and has extensive experience in the management of multi-discipline engineering firms.
Education & Experience
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B.S. Murray State University, 1992
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Current Chairman of the Kentucky Employers Mutual Insurance (KEMI) Board
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Current Vice-Chairman of Paducah Power Board
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Board member of the Paducah Economic Development Corporation
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Board Member Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce
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Former Board Member of the United Way of Paducah-McCracken County
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Former Member of the Luther F. Carson Center for the Performing Arts
J.P. Kelly
Construction Principal
J.P. is an experienced President and CEO with a demonstrated history of success in the construction and service industry. He is skilled in Project Development and Management, Team Building, Contracting, Negotiations and Risk Management and a strong business and community leader with a Bachelor’s Degree focused in Business Administration and Management from Belmont University.
Education & Experience
- Belmont University, Bachelor of Science Business Administration
- Triangle Enterprises, Inc – Chair, Board of Directors
- Valley Mechanical Alliance, a valley wide TVA Maintenance Partnership – Founder
- Greater Paducah Economic Development- Chair, Board of Directors
- McCracken County Industrial Development Authority – Board Member
- Paducah Innovation Hub – Advisory Committee Member
- Paducah Chamber of Commerce – Board of Directors
- Western Kentucky Associated General Contractors – Past Chair, Board of Directors
- Market House Theatre – Former Board Member
- Purchase Area Construction Advancement Foundation – Board of Directors
Stewart M. Shunk
Senior Business Development Director
Stewart recently joined the Ascendant Facility Partners team as Director of Business Development. Located in Frankfort, KY, he will be engaged in and help guide all aspects of AFP’s client relationships, marketing strategies, project development, team growth and strategic alliances in the Guaranteed Energy Savings Contract space in Kentucky. Stewart has over 30 years of experience in the industry, working with K-12 schools, Institutions of Higher Learning, Healthcare Facilities and State and Local Governments with several different national companies in multiple states within the US, holding various roles and responsibilities over his career.
Education & Experience
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Texas A&M University, Business Marketing
Alec Golightly
Performance Engineer
Alec’s experience lies in performing energy savings calculations and assisting in project management. He has exclusively worked with educational facilities ensuring all projects and clients receive the best possible outcome.
Education & Experience
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University of Kentucky College of Engineering-Paducah Campus, Mechanical Engineering
Ryan Meinert
CEM, PEP
Project Management Director
As Project Management Director, Ryan combines a passion for problem- solving with a commitment to precision, ensuring every project runs efficiently from concept to completion. His experience is grounded in the core principles that drive successful facility improvement projects: thoughtful planning, clear communication, and disciplined execution.
With a strong background in construction, Ryan brings practical knowledge of building systems and processes to every endeavor, allowing him to balance technical detail with big-picture project goals. His ability to translate complex specifications into clear, actionable steps keeps teams aligned and clients confident throughout each phase of the work.
Education & Experience
- Ball State University, B.S. Construction Management
Professional Registrations
- The Association of Energy Engineers – Certified Energy Manager (CEM)
- Project Management Institute – Project Management Professional (PMP)
Nathan Howell
Performance Engineer
Nathan’s experience solely lies in General Energy Savings Contracts with educational facilities. His duty as performance engineer is to calculate energy savings. In addition to energy savings contracts, Nathan also assists with project management
Education & Experience
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University of Kentucky College of Engineering-Paducah Campus, Mechanical Engineering
Cole Patterson
Performance Engineer
Cole has experience in completing multiple energy savings calculations for different independent school districts. He has worked in initial baseline calculations for utility costs, ECM computations for the districts, and contract development for these projects.
Education & Experience
- University of Kentucky College of Engineering-Paducah Campus
Mechanical Engineering
Austin Dennison
Performance Engineer
Austin brings valuable experience in energy performance engineering, combining technical precision with a strong focus on project success. He has performed detailed baseline utility analyses, developed and managed construction documentation, and supported measurement and verification efforts following project completion.
As a Performance Engineer, Austin works closely with project managers to ensure each initiative is delivered efficiently and effectively. His experience spans both educational and municipal facilities, where he applies a data-driven approach to help clients achieve measurable results and long-term efficiency improvements.
Education & Experience
- University of Kentucky College of Engineering-Paducah Campus,
Mechanical Engineering
Why Engineer-Led Matters
Many GESCs are structured around sales teams. AFP is structured around engineering expertise. That distinction makes all the difference:
Your plan is built on real data, not assumptions.
Your upgrades are designed by professionals who understand building systems.
Your outcomes are tracked, verified, and optimized over time.
With AFP, you’re building smarter systems that last.
Let’s Build Something That Pays for Itself
We know how to make the numbers work because we’ve done it before, for clients just like you. Whether you’re starting with an aging facility or an ambitious vision, we’ll meet you where you are and engineer a plan that moves you forward.
Steve Carter
Business Development
Steve joined Ascendant Facility Partners after as Superintendent from McCracken County Schools after 27 years in public education. Twenty-one of those years were spent serving in building and district level leadership overseeing numerous programs and departments including facilities, maintenance, and transportation. Steve has been an active member of the Kentucky Association of School Administrators having served as President for 2018-2019.
Education & Experience
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Western Kentucky University
Bachelor of Arts -
Murray State University
Master of Arts in Education