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Posted: April 20, 2021
2021 Ones to Watch: Samuel Biele-Fisher, Bright Power
Name: Samuel Biele-Fisher, BPI MFBA
Title: Manager, Affordable Housing Services
Company Name: Bright Power
Real estate associations or organizations that you are currently a member of:
New York Housing Conference’s Rising Leaders Network, NYSAFAH (New York State Association for Affordable Housing) 2G
What recent project, transaction or accomplishment are you most proud of?
Our work on a new affordable housing property in Brooklyn called Vital Brookdale. We worked with the development team from the initial RFP through the NYS Vital Brooklyn program, helped design the building to passive house standards, and now monitor construction to ensure the building will be able to certify with PHIUS and perform to the program’s extremely high standard of energy efficiency. We will install a large solar photovoltaic system on the roof as well so the building can produce a portion of its electric needs onsite and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It is the development team’s first passive house project, and I am very proud to work with them throughout the process.
How do you contribute to your community or your profession?
I volunteer with the New York Housing Conference’s Rising Leaders Network (RLN) and serve as the co-chair of the RLN board.
How do you keep your team motivated despite conflicts and obstacles?
By staying focused on our and our clients’ end goals to build and retrofit affordable housing that is energy-efficient, sustainable to operate, and that provides housing that residents are proud to call home.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
A fireman
What led you to your current profession?
An economic development background working with industrial businesses and community development organizations on energy efficiency projects, coupled with a deep passion for New York City and the need to improve housing affordability throughout the five boroughs.
Top three things on your bucket list:
Live abroad; hike throughout South America; see the Knicks win a championship
Favorite quote:
“Live the phrase ‘Sky’s The Limit’”
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