Barkan’s Energy
& Sustainability Team (BEST)

Energy markets are complex, dynamic, and increasingly influential on a community’s financial health. BEST provides specialized energy and sustainability insight designed to help communities navigate this environment with clarity and confidence. Powered by trusted partnerships and embedded within Barkan’s management framework, BEST supports informed energy decisions aligned with long-term operational and financial goals.

Barkan’s Energy
& Sustainability Team (BEST)

Energy markets are complex, dynamic, and increasingly influential on a community’s financial health. BEST provides specialized energy and sustainability insight designed to help communities navigate this environment with clarity and confidence. Powered by trusted partnerships and embedded within Barkan’s management framework, BEST supports informed energy decisions aligned with long-term operational and financial goals.

Dedicated Advisory & Market Expertise

Energy decisions benefit from focused attention and informed perspective. BEST operates as an extension of the Barkan team, providing access to experienced energy professionals, market intelligence, and a dedicated advisor who knows the community.

Lisa Cochran has served as BEST’s dedicated energy advisor for 3+ years, acting as an in-house energy expert and client advocate for Barkan communities.
• Navigate energy markets with confidence and clarity
• Lock in favorable pricing at the right time
• Build reliable, leadership-ready energy budgets
• Evaluate renewable and sustainability options with unbiased guidance
• Serve as a consistent, knowledgeable point of contact for all energy matters

Hands-on guidance informed by market awareness and deep local expertise.
• Dedicated energy advisor supported by experienced analysts
• Strategy development aligned with community goals and risk tolerance
• Evaluation of potential energy initiatives and return considerations
• Guidance related to rebates, incentives, and regulatory updates
• Coordination with vendors and suppliers to support execution

Integrated Energy Solutions

BEST takes a comprehensive view of energy planning, considering procurement, efficiency, and renewable opportunities together to support consistency and coordination across a community’s energy strategy.

Strategic purchasing with stability and planning in mind reduces exposure to market volatility while supporting predictable budgeting.
• Electric procurement: secure competitive supply contracts and manage renewals
• Natural gas procurement: reduce risk and pricing swings through strategic purchasing
• Evaluation of options with expert insight and unbiased supplier selection
• 24/7 monitoring for savings opportunities
• Support for predictable budgeting and long-term cost management

Explore solar where it makes sense, and only when it makes sense.
• Assessment of whether on-site solar is feasible for your community
• Community solar options to lower common-area electric costs without installing panels
• Balancing environmental goals with operational and financial realities
• Reduction of long-term energy costs through renewable sourcing
• Portfolio-level considerations for communities across multiple properties

Approach EV charging with clarity, planning, and long-term readiness from industry experts.
• Evaluation of EV charging feasibility and infrastructure requirements
• Planning for stations that fit your community’s needs and budget
• Addressing electrical, safety, and usage policies proactively
• Improving resident satisfaction and supporting the shift to electric
• Support for navigating utility incentives and rebate programs

Integrated Energy Solutions

BEST takes a comprehensive view of energy planning, considering procurement, efficiency, and renewable opportunities together to support consistency and coordination across a community’s energy strategy.

Strategic purchasing with stability and planning in mind reduces exposure to market volatility while supporting predictable budgeting.
• Electric procurement: secure competitive supply contracts and manage renewals
• Natural gas procurement: reduce risk and pricing swings through strategic purchasing
• Evaluation of options with expert insight and unbiased supplier selection
• 24/7 monitoring for savings opportunities
• Support for predictable budgeting and long-term cost management

Explore solar where it makes sense, and only when it makes sense.
• Assessment of whether on-site solar is feasible for your community
• Community solar options to lower common-area electric costs without installing panels
• Balancing environmental goals with operational and financial realities
• Reduction of long-term energy costs through renewable sourcing
• Portfolio-level considerations for communities across multiple properties

Approach EV charging with clarity, planning, and long-term readiness from industry experts.
• Evaluation of EV charging feasibility and infrastructure requirements
• Planning for stations that fit your community’s needs and budget
• Addressing electrical, safety, and usage policies proactively
• Improving resident satisfaction and supporting the shift to electric
• Support for navigating utility incentives and rebate programs

Local Market Insight & Program Navigation

Energy considerations vary significantly by region. BEST brings localized awareness and experience to help communities understand available programs, evolving requirements, and emerging opportunities across New England and the Mid-Atlantic.

Make sure your community is only paying for what it uses.
• Catch billing inefficiencies or inaccuracies before they compound
• Identify tax-exemption opportunities for additional savings
• Energy efficiency assessments and planning support
• Reduce unnecessary energy expenses over time
• Improve air quality and support healthier resident living environments

Forecast utility expenses with confidence and market-based data.
• Market-informed annual energy budget development
• Historical usage analysis and cost benchmarking
• Utility expense forecasting aligned with community financial planning
• Use of measurable indicators to monitor performance over time
• Leadership-ready reporting for transparent financial oversight

Insight shaped by local conditions and market dynamics.
• Understanding of regional energy markets and pricing dynamics
• Guidance related to renewable programs and community solar opportunities
• Utility engagement and program enrollment coordination
• Awareness of policy changes and compliance considerations
• Strategies informed by the specific challenges of each community

Unbiased Procurement Oversight & Integration

BEST is designed to work within Barkan’s broader management and financial frameworks, supporting energy-related decisions while staying fully aligned with established governance and oversight. Proud partner of Usource.

Rigorous, unbiased evaluation of energy vendors and contracts to protect community interests at every step.
• Independent vendor sourcing not tied to a single supplier relationship
• Contract review and negotiation support to secure favorable terms
• Ongoing cost monitoring to catch billing errors or rate changes
• Transparent recommendations, free of vendor commissions or conflicts of interest

BEST supports energy decisions without ever overriding a community’s own leadership and decision-making authority.
• Recommendations presented for leadership review and approval before action
• Coordination with property managers and existing service providers
• Clear documentation of energy decisions for governance and financial records
• Designed to complement, not replace, a community’s existing oversight structure

Unbiased Procurement Oversight & Integration

BEST is designed to work within Barkan’s broader management and financial frameworks, supporting energy-related decisions while staying fully aligned with established governance and oversight. Proud partner of Usource.

Rigorous, unbiased evaluation of energy vendors and contracts to protect community interests at every step.
• Independent vendor sourcing not tied to a single supplier relationship
• Contract review and negotiation support to secure favorable terms
• Ongoing cost monitoring to catch billing errors or rate changes
• Transparent recommendations, free of vendor commissions or conflicts of interest

BEST supports energy decisions without ever overriding a community’s own leadership and decision-making authority.
• Recommendations presented for leadership review and approval before action
• Coordination with property managers and existing service providers
• Clear documentation of energy decisions for governance and financial records
• Designed to complement, not replace, a community’s existing oversight structure

One Partner for Your Energy Strategy.

Energy costs are one of the most significant and least predictable expenses a community faces, and navigating the market alone puts your budget at a disadvantage. Through BEST, powered by Usource, Barkan connects your community to dedicated energy expertise, a robust supplier network, and an unbiased procurement process designed to deliver budget certainty and long-term savings. It’s specialized support you won’t find at most management companies, and it’s available exclusively to Barkan-managed communities.

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