About ESI
In our 40 years in the industry, we have completed design and installation of HVAC systems for more than 10,000 commercial projects, more than 2.5 million square feet of laboratories and clean rooms, more than 70 MRI facilities, plus projects for many of the colleges and universities in our region.
ESI was founded in 1974 by Robert Elliott and Richard LaPorte. The two worked tirelessly to cultivate a company known for the highest standards of quality and exceptional customer service. Every member of our firm – from engineer to technician, administrator to senior management – is committed to client satisfaction. It is a commitment that we demonstrate daily, in every department and on every job site.
Our highly trained mechanical engineering department is dedicated to the design of all types of HVAC systems using the latest in CAD and 3D modeling technologies. With Revit-Autodesk software for Building Information Modeling (BIM), our team of engineers can work collaboratively to plan, design, construct, and manage industry-leading HVAC systems.
The ESI Team
Shawn Elliott
President / Sales Engineer
For over 15 years, Shawn Elliott has been ESI’s President and member of the Sales team. As part of the Sales team, he helps to oversee and deliver the company’s performance, as well as, nurture and grow lasting relationships with clients. As a leader, he establishes and implements the company’s strategic direction. This strategy includes fostering a culture in the workplace that ensures the entire team understands and applies the vision and values of the company: to provide exceptional service and quality HVAC systems with a client- focused approach.
Shawn has been a member of the ESI family and part of the HVAC industry for over 20 years. He earned his Bachelor’s degree at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and also has education from the New England Institute of Technology and Northeastern University’s Continuing Education program. He is a member of American Society of Heating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE).
Email: SElliott@esihvac.com
James Baldasaro
Vice President/Sales Engineer
Jim Baldasaro has accumulated over 35 years of experience at ESI and in the HVAC industry. For more than 15 years, Jim has held the position of Vice President and Sales Engineer. He works closely with his clients during the conceptual phases of a project, providing pricing and designing systems that meet both program and budgetary requirements. Throughout the life of a project, Jim collaborates with the Engineering team and the manufacturers of the major equipment being installed as well as the Project Management team to ensure its timely and on-budget completion.
Jim is a graduate of the New England Institute of Technology in Warwick, Rhode Island. He holds numerous licenses including: Master Refrigeration Technician, Master Pipefitter, and Master Mechanical Contractor licenses in Rhode Island and Mechanical Contractor and Sheet Metal Contractor licenses in Massachusetts. He also has certificates in Clean Room Design and Carrier’s Technical Development Program.
Email: JBaldasaro@esihvac.com
Renèe LaPorte
Corporate Secretary/Office Manager
Renèe LaPorte wears many hats as ESI’s Corporate Secretary and Office Manager. She is responsible for overseeing all of Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Contract Administration, and Billing operations.
Renèe has over 20 years of experience with ESI and in the HVAC industry. She is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth.
Email: RLaPorte@esihvac.com
Edward Copes
Operations Manager
Ed Copes has over 25 years of experience at ESI and began his career here as a truck driver. Through the years, he worked his way through the Sheet Metal, Service, Startup, and Project Management departments, gaining invaluable experience along the way. Since 2009, Ed has been ESI’s Operations Manager where he is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the company, including collaboration with ESI’s Sales, Engineering, Startup, and Accounting teams. He oversees the Project Management team, the sheet metal facility, and the field sheet metal personnel. Ed stands behind the fabrication shop’s quality and works with his department to ensure precise schedules, budgets, and cost control.
Ed is a graduate of the New England Institute of Technology and has certificates in Employment Law, Clean Room Design, Essentials of Project Management, Carrier Technical Development Program, and OSHA 10-Hour Construction Safety. He is also a member of the Sheet Metal Contractors Round Table. Ed holds licenses in Refrigeration and Sheet Metal in Massachusetts, has a Sheet Metal Journeyman license in Rhode Island, and a New Hampshire Gasfitters license. Ed is also EPA certified.
Email: ECopes@esihvac.com
Robert Kelley
Engineering Department Manager
Bob Kelley is a Mechanical Engineer and is a licensed PE in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and Maine. He has over 20 years of experience in building HVAC design and engineering, specializing in the design of laboratories, clean rooms, healthcare, academic, and commercial facilities.
Bob has his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Massachusetts Lowell. He is a LEED Accredited Professional with a specialty in Building Design and Construction. He is also a member of ASHRAE.
Email: RKelley@esihvac.com
Michael Aellig
Startup Department Manager
Mike Aellig is the esteemed manager of ESI’s Startup Department, which is responsible for the startup, commissioning, and balancing of the HVAC systems we install. He is responsible for managing startup personnel, estimating projects, design development, purchasing, quality control, and the training of his field support.
Mike has been with ESI for 33 years and has a total of 41 years of industry knowledge. He received his education from the U.S. Air Force as a Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Specialist. He then became Project Manager with Lutz Engineering in Providence, Rhode Island, before joining ESI in 1984. Mike is a LEED Accredited Professional and has his EPA and OSHA 10-Hour Safety certifications. He is also licensed in Rhode Island as a Refrigeration and Pipefitter Journeyman, Refrigeration Technician, and Master Sheet Metal Worker in Massachusetts, and as a Gasfitter in New Hampshire.
Email: MAellig@esihvac.com
Edward Michael
Piping Department Manager
As the Piping Department Manager, Ed Michael coordinates all aspects of the piping operations from project conception to project completion here at ESI. Ed oversees all piping field personnel and monitors quality control. He also works collaboratively with clients, architects, project managers to ensure continuity, efficiency, and effectiveness.
Ed has been a member of the ESI team for 3 years, but has 27 years of experience in the piping industry. He began his piping career at Piping Systems, Inc. in 1990 and worked his way through the ranks before eventually opening his own company, Precision Mechanical, in 2003. In 2014, Precision Mechanical merged with ESI—adding Pipefitting Contractor to ESI’s list of capabilities.
Email: EMichael@esihvac.com
Michael Muratori
Service Department Manager
Mike Muratori heads up ESI’s Service Department. Mike works tirelessly to provide superior customer service for existing and new clients. He strives to continually develop and seek out better and more efficient ways the department can operate using technology, procedures, and training. Along with his team, Mike ensures that ESI delivers the highest quality service and maintenance in the HVAC industry.
Mike has been with ESI for 8 years and 17 total years in the HVAC industry. He began in residential and commercial construction and moved into the commercial industrial service industry as his career progressed.
Mike received his education in Refrigeration, Air Conditioning, and Heating from New England Tech. He holds Sheet Metal Master and Refrigeration Contractor licenses in Massachusetts and a Refrigeration Master license in Rhode Island.
Email: MMuratori@esihvac.com
Brian Mooney
Safety Manager
Brian Mooney has been with ESI for 18 years, starting as a Sheet Metal Mechanic and working his way to the office as an Assistant Project Manager. For the past 6 years, Brian has also been ESI’s Safety Manager, holding both his OSHA 10-Hour safety and OSHA 30-Hour Construction Instructor certifications.
Brian regularly takes continuing education credits with the OSHA Education Center at Keene State to maintain current knowledge of safety standards and guidelines. He is certified as a CPR instructor through the American Heart Association. Brian also holds licenses in Massachusetts and Rhode Island for Sheet Metal.
Email: BMooney@esihvac.com
Steven Dion
Electrical Department Manager
Steve Dion is ESI’s Electrical Department Manager and has been with the company for 17 years. Steve coordinates the installation of control systems for all of our construction projects. He oversees installation and closeout documentation, purchases materials, and assists in bids, as well as, assisting in the management of the Startup Department personnel.
Starting his career at Bristow Electric in 1993, Steve has over 25 years in the electrical and HVAC industries. He joined ESI’s Startup Department in 2000 and the electrical staff has since grown to 13 licensed electricians and 5 apprentices.
Steve is a graduate of the New England Institute of Technology where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Applied Science of Electricity. He holds a Master Electrical License in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire and is OSHA certified.
Email: SDion@esihvac.com
John Sinapi
Treasurer
John Sinapi has been with the ESI team for almost 25 years and has spent over 35 years in the accounting field. As the Treasurer, John is responsible for the company’s financial planning and cash management. He handles the preparation of financial reports, ensures the company is properly insured, and makes sure ESI is able to meet operational and investment requirements.
John is a graduate of Bryant University in Smithfield, Rhode Island.
Email: JSinapi@esihvac.com
John Murray
Sales Engineer
As a Sales Engineer, John Murray works closely with our Engineering team to design and prepare cost estimates on all sizes of mechanical systems. He cultivates strong working relationships with his clients to deliver a complete HVAC system that is on budget and to their specifications. As of November 2017, John has been part of the ESI team for 30 years.
John received his education at the New England Institute of Technology in Rhode Island and has Certificates of Achievement in Clean Room Design and Carrier’s Technical Development Program. He also completed the Essentials of Project Management program at Northeastern University. John holds a Master of Refrigeration and Master of Piping license in Rhode Island and a Mechanical Contractors License in Connecticut.
Email: JMurray@esihvac.com
Joseph Mahoney
Sales Engineer
Joe Mahoney has been with ESI for almost 20 years and has 23 years in the HVAC industry. He began his career here as a Service Apprentice, but worked his way up to Service Technician, then Assistant Service Manager, to Service Manager, and finally landing in his current role of Sales Engineer.
Joe attended the New England Institute of Technology for Air Conditioning & Cooling. He holds Master Refrigeration Technician and Master Sheet Metal licenses in Rhode Island and Massachusetts Journeyman Refrigeration and Sheet Metal licenses.
Email: JMahoney@esihvac.com
Walter Sousa
Service Sales Manager/Account Executive
Since starting at ESI in 2010, Walter has been involved in the overall business development and sales for the Service Division, currently managing a team of Service Sales Representatives for end-user accounts throughout New England.
Walter grew up working for a family based HVAC business, and gained further experience post-college with a Boston based mechanical contractor, Cox Engineering. Walter received a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Salve Regina University in 2008.
Walter currently serves as the Chapter President for Association of Facilities Engineers (AFE) Rhode Island, advisory board member for MTTI Technical School, and an active member of the La Salle Academy Alumni committee.
Email: WSousa@esihvac.com
Shayna Walls
Human Resources & Benefits Manager
Shayna Walls is ESI’s Human Resources and Benefits Manager. Her role includes a variety of responsibilities such as compliance management, maintaining personnel records, administering and managing employee benefits, weekly payroll processes, recruiting and talent management, and employee relations. Shayna has been with ESI for 3 years, has worked in the HR field for 6 years, and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology.
Email: SWalls@esihvac.com