O’Neall Named Executive Director for Cold Climate Housing Research Center

Mindy O’Neall has been named Executive Director of the Cold Climate Housing Research Center to lead the Alaska nonprofit in promoting and advancing the development of healthy, durable, and sustainable shelter for Alaskans and circumpolar people. She is a communications, marketing, and media consultant with an extensive background in policy and organizational development.

The Fairbanks-based research center was founded in 1999 to develop building technologies to address northern challenges such as high energy costs, indoor air quality problems, and building on permafrost. In 2020, CCHRC partnered with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) to expand capabilities in Alaska and the Arctic. While the new partnership takes researchers’ work on the national stage, the nonprofit remains focused on Alaskans.

“This partnership leverages the strengths of this world-class national lab advancing energy efficiency and clean energy to drive the mission of CCHRC. With Mindy’s demonstrated service to Alaskan communities and families, she will ensure the work of the research center continues to focus on the critical issues we face in Alaska and benefits all Alaskans,” said NREL’s Center Director Bruno Grunau.

O’Neall joins Hébert and Grunau in leading this partnership to the future.