The Company

The Team

Chad Palmer — President, CEO

Chad Palmer

President & CEO, Energyficient Systems, Inc.

Chad Palmer is the visionary force behind Energyficient Systems, Inc., where leadership is rooted in stewardship, innovation, and a deep belief in the power of people. With over 30 years in the lighting industry, Chad’s core philosophy centers on building exceptional teams, fostering continuous improvement, and creating the conditions where individuals thrive personally and professionally.

Under Chad’s leadership, Energyficient has cultivated a culture of learning, collaboration, and shared accountability. The team succeeds together, driven by a commitment to excellence and a belief that accountability is something they do for each other not to each other. Chad leads with clarity, curiosity, and care, empowering his team to make confident decisions and unlock new possibilities.

An inventor at heart, Chad holds a U.S. patent for the Q-Series of electrical and lighting products designed for the agricultural industry. These innovations form the backbone of Energyficient Products, LLC a wholly owned subsidiary of Energyficient Systems and have helped position the company as a respected leader in lighting efficiency.

Chad’s impact extends beyond the business. He was recently appointed President of NAILD (National Association of Innovative Lighting Distributors), where he’s focused on expanding membership and advancing educational opportunities across the industry. He also serves as Chairman of the Board for the Community Foundation of Des Moines County in Burlington, Iowa, reflecting his deep commitment to local philanthropy and civic engagement.

Energyficient stands apart for its streamlined approach to design, procurement, and construction management. By leveraging local installers and meeting union, non-union, minority-owned, and apprenticeship requirements, the company delivers scalable, repeatable results that meet agency standards and energy efficiency targets. Its rigorous process and quality controls ensure predictable performance regardless of project size or complexity.

Outside of work, Chad enjoys time with his wife of 27 years and their daughter, whom he’s especially proud of. Whether boating, golfing, hiking, biking or even skateboarding Chad brings the same energy and curiosity to life that he brings to leadership.

Justin Joens — Senior Vice President, CCO, Business Development

Justin is Energyficient’s first client contact. With over 25 years of experience in business management and sales, Justin’s dedication to providing exceptional customer service is integral to Energyficient’s ability to prosper.  His excellent interpersonal and communication skills ensure a positive experience for our customers throughout the lifecycle of a project.

As CCO, Justin is committed to not only establishing but nurturing client relationships. He conducts in-depth interviews with customers and potential clients so he can help deliver a project that is engineered to meet the customer’s energy goals. With his strong capability to problem solve, Justin applies foresight and creativity to individually address client needs.

Justin is based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Although he spends most of his day on the phone or email, he can also be found on-site assessing client concerns. When not talking with customers, Justin is cheering for the Iowa Hawkeyes or perfecting his swing on the golf course.

J. Byers Wolf — Vice President, COO, Design Engineering

Byers is a native of Fort Madison, Iowa, and has more than 15 years lighting and electrical experience, and is a licensed journeyman electrician. Starting in 2004, Byers held an apprentice position before going to Northeast Iowa Community College. He graduated with his AA in Industrial Electrical in 2006, and then went on to work for an electrical contractor before moving into the lighting sector.  Byers has a passion to learn and grow within the lighting market, in an effort to always provide Energyficient’s customers with the highest quality lighting designs and projects.

As Chief Operating Officer, Byers spends most of his time designing/engineering, providing oversight and direction for the engineering staff, and cultivating manufacturer relationships.  He begins all new opportunities by conducting on-site assessments to provide baseline data for engineering, and works very closely with the sales team, engineers, and project managers during all phases of project development and construction.

When not on-site or designing a new lighting project, he can be found spending time with his wife and three children, or reading a good book.  Byers is a member and shepherd at Harmony Bible Church, and a committee member of The Greater Burlington Partnership Government Affairs committee.

Marcus Chezum – Senior Project Administrator

Marcus is a native of Iowa City, Iowa but moved to the Burlington area where now he resides with his wife Jennifer and son Jackson (JJ).

Marcus has experience in Logistics, working as an Inventory Key User for a prominent Manufacturer and Distributor along with working as a Plant Manager for a local distributor. Marcus then took a turn in the IT field for 5 years, of which the experience in both of those fields lead him to his current position which utilizes both of his talents.

As the Senior Project Administrator, Marcus works alongside our Site Managers and Design Engineers to ensure contract requirements are met and the documentation that follows those requirements are complete and accurate.

Marcus is very outgoing and active in community events while being a member of the Greater Burlington Young Professionals and is also a Greater Burlington Leadership course graduate.

In his spare time, Marcus loves spending time with his family and friends, watching the Chicago Cubs, Green Bay Packers and his beloved Iowa Hawkeyes, all the while trying to find new and unique food dishes to try along with new craft beers.

Melissa Skalinski – General Manager

Melissa is the operational cornerstone of Energyficient, an indispensable leader whose influence touches every corner of the company. She is the person that makes Energyficient feel like Energyficient.  With deep roots in Burlington and now residing near Mediapolis with her husband Jace and their three children—Trevor, Tanner, and Madilynn—Melissa brings both heart and precision to her role.

As General Manager, Melissa oversees a wide spectrum of responsibilities, from recruiting and HR to accounting, inventory, taxes, and customer service. But her impact goes far beyond tasks. She’s the steady hand behind our systems, the voice of reason in complex decisions, and the cultural glue that keeps our team aligned and supported.
Melissa’s experience in office administration, accounting, and human resources is matched by her rare ability to lead with empathy and efficiency. She’s the person who makes things work—and makes people feel seen while doing it. Her attention to detail, commitment to excellence, and calm leadership style have helped shape Energyficient’s reputation for reliability and integrity.

Outside of work, Melissa is all about family and the outdoors. She enjoys boating on the Mississippi, camping, fishing, and exploring nature with her kids at Lake Geode and Starr’s Cave. She also gives back through her participation in local initiatives, reflecting her deep commitment to community and cause.

Melissa doesn’t just manage the office; she helps define what Energyficient is. Her leadership is foundational to our success.