USGBC Honors Green Building Leaders

Denver, CO., November 20, 2006--The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) recognized outstanding leaders in green building with the annual USGBC Leadership Awards last night at an event held during the Greenbuild International Conference and Expo in Denver, Colorado. The awards were presented to select companies and individuals with exceptional vision, leadership, and commitment to the evolution of green building design and construction. "The companies and individuals receiving the USGBC Leadership Award inspire us each and every day with their words, their actions, and their passion," said Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO and founding chair, USGBC. "It's an honor to work with them, and to support their dedication to advancing green building." This year awards were given to organizations and individuals in five categories: Community, Education, Advocacy, LEED, and Organizational Excellence. In the Community category, green architect Robert Fox Jr., Principal, Cook + Fox, received the award for his longstanding commitment to the green building movement in all aspects of his work. Fox's keen interest and insight into green design are reflected both in his work and in his active community involvement. He serves on numerous nonprofit boards and sustainable advisory councils, including directing the team that created residential and Commercial Environmental Guidelines for the Battery Park City Authority in NYC, an effort that has greened millions of square feet of construction and continues to drive green development in lower Manhattan. In the Education category, Greg E. Franta, FAIA, of The Rocky Mountain Institute received an award in recognition of the 30 years he has spent educating the building industry about sustainability. With the ENSAR Group, Franta has guided more than 500 green projects, ranging from offices to educational buildings to health facilities-even the White House. He has been instrumental in developing new environmental resources and design methodologies for architects, and has served on the National Board of Directors for the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and is the co-founder and past Chairman of the AIA Committee on the Environment. Franta was also key to the development of the LEED Rating System, and is a LEED faculty member for USGBC and part of USGBC's certification team. The Alliance for a Sustainable Colorado also received an Education award, which was accepted by President John Powers. The Alliance for Sustainable Colorado, a nonprofit founded in 2004, works to advance environmental, economic and social sustainability in Colorado by fostering broad support among individuals, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and government. The Alliance's programs including a partnerships with the University of Colorado at Denver graduate school of architecture on a design studio for four multi-disciplinary teams of graduate students and with the Rocky Mountain College of Art and design on three courses covering Green Interiors. The Alliance is also developing the Alliance Center, which will showcase LEED and green building to real estate, development, and building professionals, as well as to owners, government officials, nonprofit representatives, and individuals. Maria Atkinson, global head of sustainability at Lend Lease, received an award in the Advocacy category. Her Global Sustainability Group has made a tremendous effort to drive Lend Lease's green building and broader sustainability agendas, and to realize the organization's sustainability vision throughout all operations. Her work has led to sustainability executives being nominated across the Lend Lease Group to facilitate the integration of environmental, social, and economic goals in the activities of nearly 10,000 employees in more than 40 countries. Also in the advocacy category, a Leadership Award was presented to the California Department of General Services (DGS) and was accepted by Ron Joseph, director.

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