It is with mixed emotions that we announce the retirement of Energy Engineer and CUNY Building Performance Lab (BPL) founder Michael Bobker.
For more than two decades, Michael has been a driving force behind BPL’s mission to improve the energy performance of buildings and advance the practice of building science across New York City and beyond. In many ways, BPL would not exist without him. Twenty years ago, Michael developed and secured the initial NYSERDA funding proposal that laid the foundation for what would become the CUNY Building Performance Lab. Twenty years later, that vision has grown into an established program that continues to advance energy-efficient building practices through research, outreach, education, and professional training.
Michael’s contribution to BPL extends far beyond the creation of a successful program. His work has helped build connections among CUNY faculty and students, building professionals, policymakers, and the broader energy community. Through his leadership, BPL has supported the development of practical approaches to improving building performance while helping prepare the next generation of professionals to address the evolving challenges of energy efficiency and decarbonization.
His influence can also be seen in the many people he has mentored and collaborated with throughout his career. Michael has consistently brought a spirit of curiosity, generosity, and commitment to the work, sharing his knowledge freely and encouraging others to think creatively about the complex relationship between buildings, energy systems, and the communities they serve.
Although Michael’s official status with BPL will change at the end of September 2026, we are very pleased that his work in the field will continue. He will remain engaged with CUNY as a mentor to students and advisor on special initiatives within the Grove School of Engineering Dean’s Office. He will also continue advancing work on district and community energy systems, including thermal energy networks and virtual power plants. In addition, he will collaborate with Professor Ahmed Mohamed on the launch of a new Grid Modernization training lab.
For BPL, Michael’s retirement marks the end of one chapter, but certainly not the end of his contributions to the field. The program he envisioned more than two decades ago continues to grow and evolve, and his influence will remain part of its foundation.
We are deeply grateful to Michael for his vision, leadership, dedication, mentorship, and service to CUNY and to the building energy community. We congratulate him on his retirement and look forward to seeing where his curiosity and commitment to a more efficient, resilient, and sustainable energy future take him next.
Thank you, Michael, for everything you have done to build BPL and for everything you continue to do to move the field forward. We wish you all the best in this next chapter!