2017 40 Under 40: Anthony Sannazzaro, LEED AP; 33

Co-founder, HIGHMARK

By Jack Smith, Content Manager, and Amara Rozgus, Editor-in-Chief May 15, 2010

Anthony Sannazzaro, LEED AP; 33

Co-founder, HIGHMARK, New York

BS Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta

Sannazzaro cofounded HIGHMARK with Richard Gerbe in 2013 to challenge the HVAC status quo and to bring efficiency to the built environment. He and his partner agreed that it was time to usher in a new era focused on making commercial buildings more efficient. Since its founding, the company has experienced double-digit annual growth and continues to expand its extensive client base. Prior to cofounding HIGHMARK, Sannazzaro worked for several years as an account manager at Trane, where he spearheaded the company’s messaging to the engineering community and led efforts to continuously grow his group’s market share in the industry. He searches for technologies that will enable buildings in New York and the Northeast to operate more efficiently, use less energy and water, and reduce emissions while generating significant cost savings. According to Sannazzaro, buildings consume roughly 40% of the energy and more than 70% of the electricity used in the U.S. However, he believes that realizing a more sustainable future and mitigating climate change is possible by increasing building efficiency. He also believes very strongly in helping other engineering students succeed and serves as a mentor to educate budding engineers on the latest building-efficiency topics. He is active in several engineering-focused organizations and initiatives including ASHRAE, the American Society of Architects, the U.S. Green Building Council, and various colleges’ engineering programs, where he mentors younger engineers. Sannazzaro manages to find time to spend with his wife and extended family. He’s an ardent traveler and has recently been to Italy, China, Hawaii, and Spain. When he travels, he seeks out information on local building-efficiency initiatives to enhance his efforts back home. He is an avid enthusiast of outdoor activities and especially enjoys snowboarding.