Deep Industry Knowledge
Lindahl Reed brings an experienced leadership team with deep energy innovation, national security, and environmental stewardship knowledge and expertise. Our leadership team has decades of proven experience delivering solutions to complex energy and environmental challenges. Lindahl Reed combines this leadership experience with the agility to quickly assemble teams anywhere in the U.S. that are tailored to meet customer-specific skill requirements. We have demonstrated success using established partnerships and an existing network of customer relationships to successfully scale business and execute work.
Nicole Hough, J.D.
President & CEO
Ms. Hough is a senior executive with over 25 years of leadership and management experience, specializing in healthcare, legal, education, environmental, energy, and facility management services for government and private organizations. She has worked with nationally recognized law firms, owned a small business, and held a key leadership role in a 4,000-plus employee healthcare organization. Her expertise includes Her leadership includes executive leadership, corporate governance, compliance, risk assessment, strategic planning, and community engagement. In her role as CEO, Nicole has responsibility for day-to-day operations of the company.
Her business acumen spans daily operations, team leadership, financial planning, and enterprise-wide compliance initiatives. She has developed risk mitigation programs, implemented LEAN management principles, and collaborated with law enforcement, healthcare stakeholders, and nonprofit advocacy groups. She also has a legal background in medical professional liability and healthcare risk management.
Ms. Hough holds a B.A. in Biology and Literature from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and a J.D. from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law. She is known for her commitment to ethics and integrity in business and law.
Jeff Baker
Senior Vice President
Mr. Baker is a nationally recognized leader with 37 years of experience in federal energy innovation, science, environmental management, and national security. He spent 28 years managing DOE National Laboratories, including serving as DOE’s Director of Laboratory Operations for the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). His leadership contributed to a $450 million capital investment in sustainable infrastructure, including the LEED Platinum net-zero energy Research Support Facility.
His contributions to the energy sector have earned him prestigious accolades, including the 2010 Service to America Medal in Science and Environment and the 2011 Engineering News-Record National Award of Excellence. At Lindahl Reed, he oversees DOE practice and energy innovation transition services, managing large-scale contracts such as the $300 million EERE Scientific, Engineering, and Technical Support Services BPA.
Mr. Baker holds a B.S. in Biology from Augustana College, an M.S. in Environmental Engineering from the University of Iowa, and an M.B.A. from the University of Colorado. He is also a certified Project Management Professional (PMP).
Chris Lippert, CEM CEA
Vice President, Strategic Growth Initiatives
Mr. Lippert is a senior business strategist with over 25 years of experience in leadership, business development, and federal energy management. He has led strategic growth initiatives and built lasting partnerships across multiple federal agencies. His expertise spans tactical planning, energy program development, and policy implementation at various government levels.
At Lindahl Reed, Mr. Lippert drives strategic planning, opportunity identification, partnership development, and contract capture across practice areas. He holds several professional certifications, including Certified Energy Manager, Certified Energy Auditor, and Certified Sustainable Development Professional. He has been recognized for his contributions to federal energy management with the Presidential Award for Leadership in Federal Energy Management and the DOE’s Champion in Energy designation.
Mr. Lippert earned a B.S. in Finance from San Diego State University. In a previous career, he played for and captained the U.S. National Rugby Team for ten years before transitioning into a leadership role in team management.
Simon Matthews, CEM, CEA, CBCP, LEED AP
Vice President of Energy Services
Mr. Matthews is an accomplished leader in energy innovation with over 20 years of experience in operations, business development, and energy engineering. He has worked extensively with federal and private sector clients, including the Department of Defense, Department of Veterans Affairs, and other agencies, delivering high-impact solutions in energy efficiency and resiliency.
At Lindahl Reed, Mr. Matthews leads the Energy Services Practice, overseeing projects across more than 100 federal sites. He has a proven track record of managing complex energy programs, developing utility partnerships, and implementing performance-based energy efficiency projects for government, municipal, and commercial clients. His leadership is instrumental in driving operational excellence and expanding the firm’s energy footprint.
Mr. Matthews holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Arizona and maintains multiple professional certifications, including Certified Energy Manager (CEM), LEED Accredited Professional (LEED-AP), Certified Building Commissioning Professional (CBCP), and Certified Energy Auditor (CEA). His expertise ensures the delivery of innovative, cost-effective solutions that align with client energy efficiency, security, and resiliency goals.
Lu Pham
Vice President & Health Practice Lead
Mr. Pham is an accomplished leader with over 20 years of consulting experience in federal healthcare and government sectors. His expertise includes business case analysis, risk assessment, strategic pricing, and digital health initiatives. He has helped clients integrate healthcare technologies to improve data analytics, care delivery, and community health outcomes.
His strong financial and business management skills enable him to develop pricing structures and capture high-value contracts. He has successfully led proposals and contract awards exceeding $250 million for agencies such as CMS, NIH, and CDC.
Mr. Pham is passionate about leveraging emerging healthcare innovations to support federal agencies. His work bridges technology, policy, and strategy to create sustainable and effective healthcare solutions.
Ben Hough, CEM LEED AP
Practice Lead
Mr. Hough has more than 25 years of experience in program management, engineering, and technical consulting for federal, state, international, and commercial clients. His expertise includes implementing energy, environmental, and climate change solutions that enhance operations, optimize performance, and reduce costs.
At Lindahl Reed, he serves as the technical lead for energy practice areas, integrating resources across disciplines to deliver customized solutions for clients. He has extensive experience managing large government contracts and strategic contracting vehicles, including GSA Schedules and IDIQ contracts.
Mr. Hough holds a B.S. in Earth Science from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and has been a Certified Energy Manager since 2002. His leadership ensures Lindahl Reed remains at the forefront of sustainable energy solutions.
Paul Bautista
Vice President of D.C. Operations
Mr. Bautista has over 30 years of experience leading high-performance teams and managing business units, programs, and projects. He drives business development, customer relations, and contract execution in the federal market, supporting Lindahl Reed’s energy innovation, climate change, and public health practice areas.
His background includes senior roles at Gas Research Institute, Energy Nexus Group, Sentech, SRA International, CSRA, and CALIBRE Systems, where he specialized in energy market analysis, policy assessments, and technology deployment. His expertise in research and development management and feasibility analysis makes him a valuable asset to the company.
Mr. Bautista holds a Master of Engineering Management from Northwestern University and a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Michigan. He continues to advance strategic initiatives in federal energy and environmental sectors.
Bryan Pruden
Senior Vice President of Operations & Chief Financial Officer
Mr. Pruden brings over 25 years of experience in finance, operations, and strategic leadership, supporting Lindahl Reed’s growth and financial performance. His expertise spans global corporations, government contracting, and technology startups, with leadership roles at Intel, SAIC, and Redhorse Corporation.
He has held CFO and COO positions at multiple mid-market firms, demonstrating a track record of driving operational excellence and maximizing customer value. His deep knowledge of government contracting enables him to lead financial strategy and corporate governance effectively.
Mr. Pruden holds an M.B.A. from Indiana University and is actively involved in the Association for Corporate Growth, the Private Directors Association, and the Male Allyship Committee of Athena.
Shayne Naugle
Vice President of Corporate & New Venture Development
Mr. Naugle has over 28 years of leadership experience in federal business development, operations, and program management. He specializes in securing and managing multimillion-dollar federal contracts, particularly with DOE, DOD, DHS, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
His expertise lies in strategic planning and growth, team leadership, and organizing business partnerships to pursue federal opportunities. He has held senior roles at North Wind Group, CSRA, SRA International, and AECOM, where he successfully captured and executed major government projects.
Mr. Naugle holds an M.B.A. from Waynesburg College and is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP). His collaborative leadership style and strategic mindset have made him a trusted partner in delivering results across a wide range of federal clients.
Mark Walsh
Advisor to the Board
Mr. Walsh has over 35 years of experience in business and operational leadership, focusing on strategic growth and mission execution. He provides guidance to Lindahl Reed’s Board of Directors and executive team, ensuring continued company development.
Previously, he co-founded Redhorse Corporation, growing it to 400 employees and $80 million in revenue. He also held leadership roles at Tetra Tech, managing a $197 million business unit with 1,400 employees.
Mr. Walsh holds a B.S. in Environmental Resource Management and an M.P.A. from Pennsylvania State University. His leadership drives Lindahl Reed’s long-term vision and operational success.