Paul Banks ’81, Distinguished Alum 2023

Paul Banks
BS, Mechanical Engineering, 1981
Founding Principal at B2Q Associates

Paul Banks is a 1981 graduate from UMass Amherst with a BS in Mechanical Engineering (Energy Concentration). He is a licensed professional engineer and a founding principal of B2Q Associates. B2Q is a consulting engineering firm specializing in M/E/P design of HVAC and utility infrastructure, design build, energy efficiency, and commissioning for public and private sector academic, healthcare, and industrial clients. Paul has more than 40 years of engineering, construction, and commissioning experience and prior to founding B2Q he was the CEO of a 650-person engineering firm. Mr. Banks has started five different companies and has served on four Board of Directors over his career. 

He is a registered Professional Engineer in Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, New York, Maine and Washington, DC.   

Mr. Banks developed the curriculum and for twelve years was the lead instructor for the Association of Energy Engineers Certified Building Commissioning Professional Program as well as the Existing Building Commissioning Professional Program. Mr. Banks is the former Chapter President for the New England AEE Chapter and the former Vice President of the New England Chapter of the Building Commissioning Association.  

Mr. Banks has been a very active Alumni. Paul has served on the MIE Industry Advisory Board for 15 years and currently serves as the Co-Chair. Paul has been a strong supporter of student clubs, helped with the creation of the MIE Innovation Shop, assisted with ABET Accreditation, and has served as a judge for the Senior Capstone Design Competition. He has been continuously active with the mechanical department career center in several ways, including hiring 25 UMass Amherst graduates over the course of growing B2Q. B2Q also helped support a team of students during a course related to energy efficiency project for the Town of Amherst and has provided several students internships at B2Q.  

Paul and his wife Nancy, who is also a Professional Engineer and business partner, met while learning together at UMass. They are blessed to have three wonderful children and three adorable grandchildren. He currently resides in Beverly, MA and spends his summers fishing off the coast near his house in Hampton Beach, New Hampshire.