About Us
Learn more about the experience, values, and mission that drive Lumen Global’s results-focused approach helping organizations reduce energy costs, improve performance, and create measurable value with clarity and confidence.
WHO WE ARE
We are not a vendor. We are a results partner.
Lumen Global is an energy efficiency firm that partners with commercial property owners, operators, and private equity firms to reduce energy costs, improve operational performance, and create measurable financial value.
We invest our own capital into the infrastructure and analysis required to deliver savings and we earn our return when our clients do.
Founded in 2017 and operating across North America, the UK, and Europe, Lumen brings together commercial real estate expertise, advanced energy analytics, and a track record of delivering returns that consistently outperform traditional investments.
WHAT WE DO
Lumen identifies, designs, and implements energy efficiency programs across commercial buildings and portfolios.
Across every service, the result is the same: lower costs, stronger performance, and direct EBITDA impact. Our work spans six core service areas:
Energy Monitoring (LumenSmart™)
Real-time circuit-level data that pinpoints waste and drives continuous savings
Electricity Procurement
Negotiated energy contracts that reduce your cost per kilowatt- hour
HVAC Controls & Upgrades
HVAC and compressed-air systems engineered for efficiency
LumenAI™
Proprietary AI analytics that optimize energy use and flag anomalies automatically
Mechanical Optimization
Systems-level improvements that cut costs and improve occupant comfort
Smart LED Conversion
Turnkey lighting upgrades with fast payback and strong IRR
History
The Lumen Global story begins in 2008, when founder Judd Stensrud was managing operations for a multinational real estate company in Costa Rica. A local electrician proposed a trade: upgrade the hotel’s lighting systems to LED in exchange for hosting his daughter’s wedding. Stensrud was skeptical and passed.
He didn’t forget. Later, as an asset manager at Jones Lang LaSalle overseeing properties including The Plaza Hotel and The Four Seasons Mexico City, he revisited the LED numbers. They weren’t just good, they were exceptional. Returns of 50% to 120% IRR, with a real and measurable environmental impact. And almost no one was doing it at scale.
The barrier wasn’t the technology, it was the operational complexity. Stensrud left his role at JLL, built the systems to handle that complexity end-to-end, and founded Lumen Global in 2017.
Since then, the firm has grown from its LED origins into a full-spectrum energy intelligence platform, serving clients across three continents and expanding its technology capabilities through LumenSmart™ and LumenAI™.
THE LUMEN PROCESS
Lumen’s approach is structured, repeatable, and designed to deliver results at every stage.
Low-Cost Energy Audit
We conduct a comprehensive audit of your facility or portfolio - at a low charge. Our team identify where energy is being wasted and quantify the savings opportunity.
Analysis & Recommendations
We present our findings with clear financial models: projected savings, implementation timelines, IRR, and carbon impact. You see exactly what you’re getting before any work begins.
Turnkey Implementation
We manage the entire project: procurement, installation, permitting, and quality control. Minimal disruption to your operations.
Ongoing Monitoring
LumenSmart™ monitors energy performance continuously. We track savings, identify new opportunities, and report results to your team on a regular basis.
Performance Reporting
You receive clear, quantified impact reports showing dollars saved, energy reduced, and carbon avoided. Every metric is auditable.
MISSION
Driving energy efficiency. Delivering long-term value. Building trusted partnerships.
VISION
A world powered by smarter energy decisions.
LEADERSHIP
MEET THE TEAM
Our Experts
Judd Stensrud — Founder – President & CEO
Judd Stensrud brings 20+ years of commercial real estate and private equity experience to Lumen Global. Before founding the company, he led asset management teams at Jones Lang LaSalle, managed a valuation practice at Ernst & Young, and served as lead asset manager for The Plaza Hotel in New York.
“In all my years managing and consulting for large and diverse deals, I never once saw a consistently better return on investment than what Lumen Global can offer. Most of our deals have returns of 50% to 120%, with a real, quantifiable environmental impact and a simple process.”
Mike Elwood – Executive Vice President
Mike Elwood brings more than 25 years of energy efficiency experience, along with a career building and owning global brands across a highly dynamic business landscape. He has a proven track record of turning strategy into commercial momentum, helping organizations sharpen their position, expand their reach, and create lasting value through disciplined execution.
Richard Brenner – Vice President Finance
Richard Brenner brings more than 30 years of executive experience spanning corporate restructuring, financial planning and analysis, valuation, and operating leadership. His background cuts across industries including commercial printing and digital services, toy manufacturing, skilled nursing, LED lighting and safety products, and environmental services. He brings a disciplined, analytical perspective to helping organizations improve performance and create value.
Suzy Ryan – Accounting Manager
Suzy brings over 25 years of finance and accounting experience, along with a strong background in executive administration and business ownership. She is highly organized, detail-oriented, and passionate about using numbers to help businesses grow and operate more effectively. At Lumen, she helps support strong financial management with a practical, business-minded approach.
Rebecca Pattabhi – Marketing Manager
Rebecca leads Lumen’s creative and social media efforts with a strong focus on bringing the brand to life across every channel. She combines sharp communication, strong organization, and a hands-on approach to develop content that is engaging, consistent, and on brand. Her work helps ensure Lumen shows up with clarity, professionalism, and energy in the digital space. She brings both creativity and discipline to building the company’s voice and visibility.
Jesus Rivas - Operations Manager North America
Jesus Rivas has been a cornerstone of Lumen Global's operational success for many years, leading the execution of thousands of projects across nearly all 50 U.S. states. As Operations Manager, he directs the deployment and coordination of field crews throughout North America, overseeing project execution, quality assurance, safety, scheduling, and client satisfaction. His ability to manage complex, multi-site initiatives with consistency and precision has been instrumental in delivering successful outcomes for Lumen Global's clients, making him a trusted leader within the organization.
Board of Advisors
Charlie Olcott
Charlie Olcott has played an important role in the growth and development of Lumen Global, serving as a trusted advisor, mentor, and champion of the company’s vision. Drawing on his distinguished leadership experience as former President of Burger King and Treasurer of Pillsbury, Charlie provides valuable guidance in business development, financial strategy, and executive relationship building.
Throughout Lumen’s evolution, Charlie has been a strong believer in Judd Stensrud, the company’s mission, and its long-term potential. His experience, insight, and strategic perspective have helped shape key aspects of the organization’s growth and direction.
Charlie continues to be a valued member of the Lumen Global advisory team, bringing leadership, integrity, and decades of executive experience to support the company as it expands its impact and creates value for clients, partners, and stakeholders.
Eric Ek
Eric Ek is a seasoned executive and Board Advisor with more than 30 years of experience helping public and private companies navigate strategy, M&A, profit improvement, and financial reporting. He previously served as President and CEO of OSG and as Chairman of CMS, and prior to that was a Managing Director at FTI Consulting in its Office of the CFO and Corporate Finance practices. His broad leadership background and deep experience advising management teams, private equity firms, and boards bring valuable financial discipline, strategic judgment, and commercial insight to Lumen’s Board of Advisors.
Wyn Channer
Wyn Channer brings valuable real estate industry experience to Lumen’s Board of Advisors, with a strong background in negotiation, business planning, operations management, sales, and leadership. His practical, operations-focused perspective helps guide strategic decision-making and supports the team in navigating growth with discipline and commercial awareness. Wyn’s experience adds a valuable lens on execution, partnership, and building strong business outcomes.
Ready to see what Lumen can do for your portfolio?
We start with a low-cost energy audit.