Blog
Recognition of our Members and Sponsors
As dedicated volunteers of the Detroit Regional Chapter, chapter members and leaders work every day to achieve our mission of transforming the way buildings and communities are designed, built, and operated in the greater Detroit region. But, it is important that we pause and take time to thank members who go the extra mile. These members stand out as leaders and deserve our recognition for their efforts.
This past week the Detroit Regional Chapter did just that at our first Annual Recognition Banquet. And on behalf of the chapter, I would like to thank the leaders of the Events Committee -- Priya Niskode, Maria Kramer, and Jonathon Backos -- who put together a fantastic tribute to southeastern Michigan’s green leaders.
Not only do I share a sense of profound gratitude for our sponsors and committee leaders, I truly enjoyed the camaraderie of the evening. From Maria Kramer’s tearful goodbye to Ray Meganck (we will miss you) to the satisfied smile on Joe Colleran. From the surprise of the Green Schools sponsors to the sincere thanks to Randy Mielnik. From the heartfelt tribute to our past and current Advocacy leaders -- Emile Lauzzana, Rich Hingst, and Ramon Corpuz -- to the “we can’t thank you enough” Emerging Professionals leader, Teresa Sinelli. And, how can I forget our Chief Troublemaker, Sue Cindrich. I am pleased to share that our chapter recognized the work of each of the following at the event:
- Communications Committee: David Czeszewski, Kevin Mlutkowski
- Commercial Real Estate Committee: Joe Colleran, Tiina Perttu
- Education Committee: Lindsay Roderick, Lynne McCarthy, Ray Meganck, Kim Sansone
- Green Schools Committee: Peggy Matta
- LEED for Homes Committee: Sue Cindrich
- LEED for Neighborhood Development Committee: Randy Mielnik, Bob Prud’homme
- Outreach & Events Committee: Jonathan Backos
- Public Policy Committee: Richard Hingst, Emile Lauzzana
- USGBC Students: Peggy Matta, Teresa Sinelli
- General Circle: Rod Brown, Noah Wolfson
- Commercial Real Estate Event Sponsors: Haworth, WJ O’Neil Company
- Green School in a Lunch Box Sponsors: DTE Energy, MI Green Team, Green Living Festival, NECA, IBEW Local 58, EcoStore USA, Schupan Recycling
- LEED for Neighborhood Development Sponsors:Warm Training Center, Lawrence Tech School of Architecture
- Banquet Program and Seedling Sponsor: Mosher Dolan, Inc.
- Past Board of Directors: Dave Eifrid, Term ended in 2010; Larry Bliss, Term ended in 2010; Susan Zaffarano, Term ended in 2010; Kenn Rickman, Former Chair, Term ended in early 2011; Saulius Mikalonis, Term ended in 2011; Paul Goldsmith, Term ended in 2011
- 2012 Board of Directors Officers: David Norwood, Chair; Jeff Gaines, AIA, AICP, LEED AP, Vice Chair; Julie Lyons Bricker, LEED AP, Treasurer; Kevin Mlutkowski, LEED AP BD+C, Secretary
- 2012 Board of Directors: Jonathan Backos, LEED AP BD+C; Roderick Brown, PE, PMP, SSBB, LEED Green Associate; Jacob Corvidae; Dan Jacobs, AIA, LEED AP; Kenn Rickman; Ronald A. Rivers, Jr., LEED AP; Kim Rosseter, LEED AP BD+C; Robert Stevenson, LEED AP BD+C
The Events Committee far exceeded the original goal of getting some members together for a nice evening. The emails that have been flowing in about the good time everyone had are proof of this achievement.
I know that we also need to thank our past leaders who started our chapter and allowed us to get to this point. Without their vision and stamina, the Detroit Regional Chapter would not exist. I believe we can continue to leverage their hard work along with events like the Annual Recognition Banquet to grow our membership, expand our program offerings, and continue to spread our message to transform the way buildings and communities are designed, built, and operated in the greater Detroit region.
Ferndale Public Library Defines Public Place
Rock ‘n Roll bands playing in the community room on Friday afternoons. Dedicated space for teens to feel welcome and private rooms for meetings or study. Aesthetically pleasing and sustainable carpeting, furniture, lighting, HVAC system and furniture. All this in a public library ? But, of course !
As the Ferndale Public Library awaits gold certification as a new LEED public building from the US Green Building Council (USGBC), it offers eye opening features and amenities to visitors and staff alike. On Thursday, December 1st, the Detroit Regional Chapter of the USGBC offered a tour of the reopened facility hosted by the lead architect of the redesign, Seth Penchansky, AIA of Penchansky Whisler Architects in Ann Arbor. The facility has been retrofitted to not only be a more accessible and comfortable place for its visitors and workers, but to blend in more with its urban setting and be that “place” which offers a healthier, safer, more comfortable environment in which all users can enjoy.
According to Kate Pohjola, recently hired Director of the remodeled library, the positive comments and good vibes emanating from the space have been overwhelmingly positive and supportive. Even the staff is smiling more and motivated to enhance the publics’ experience, whether they be a first time visitor or a frequent user. Certainly the building, originally built in 1956, has been “reborn” with geothermal wells for more efficient heating and cooling in addition to creation of a very energy efficient building envelope. Other improvements include greater water efficiency with a stormwater reclamation system, installation of a green roof and carbon dioxide sensors, large volumes of fresh air circulating throughout the building, CFL and LED lighting throughout, use of low voc (volatile organic compounds) paints and adhesives, along with re-use of recycled materials and 86% diversion of waste from the landfill. It also merits mentioning that this was a brownfield site due to asbestos remediation during the retrofit project. Jim Newman of Newman Consulting Group helped on the technical part of this LEED project with the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI).
As a 2011 AIA Huron Valley Chapter Honor Award for Design and Construction Association of Michigan (CAM) runner-up Green Project, the Library is fast becoming a place to sit down, relax, hang out and enjoy the surrounding space with friends and new acquaintances. Record numbers are entering its space on a daily basis and it is ready to establish itself as a jewel and community anchor. After touring the building and speaking with both staff and the new Director, city residents should be proud of this new star on Nine Mile Road. Strike up the band !
Members Drive Chapter Programs
I am continually amazed at how much our USGBC Detroit Regional Chapter is able to accomplish through the work of so many dedicated volunteers. As chair of the chapter, I have the opportunity to represent some of the area’s top green building professionals at green building events. And, when I talk about how much we have accomplished last year alone, I am reminded of how proud I am to work alongside such champions.
For example, did you know that during 2010 alone, the U.S. Green Building Council Detroit Regional Chapter has led the community by conducting tours of some of the region’s greenest buildings, including: Madonna University, Lawrence Tech University Student Services Center, Richard Mazurek Medical Building at Wayne State University, Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital, and Clarkston Community Schools Office, among others?
In addition, the chapter hosted or participated in several education programs including Campus Greening at IADT, Demystifying Green Building Forum, Macomb County’s All Things Green, Troy Earth Day program, The Henry Ford Teacher Appreciation Day, Urban land Institute’s Detroit Metro Marketplace, Oakland Hills Green Summit, Downtown Rochester Earth Day Expo, Greening the Heartland 2010, Oakland County OakGreen Sustainable Seminar, Oakland County Green Summit, Designing Out Waste, Greenbuild 2010, as well as a statewide advocacy training in Lansing.
Additionally, the chapter hosted several continuing education programs for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professionals (LEED APs) and others, provided funding to send area representatives to Greenbuild 2010 in Chicago, hosted 15 study groups for over 150 area professionals preparing to earn LEED AP or LEED Green Associate accreditation, developed four continuing education courses, and participated as judges in both the Engineering Society of Detroit’s Future Cities event and Oakland County’s Green Communities Excellence Awards.
On a legislative perspective, the chapter contacted 30 legislators advocating for six green building bills. The U.S. Green Building Council Detroit Regional Chapter received grants to develop a “Green Schools in a Lunchbox” program and a pollution prevention program with the City of Dearborn, and was awarded a 2010 American Graphic Design Award for its “Sustainable Spotlight” newsletter and a 2010 Communicator Award for its website.
Leveraging the influence of the national U.S. Green Building Council, the LEED green building certification program, and the reach of affiliated organizations including the Building Owners and Managers Association Metro Detroit, the chapter has already accomplished so much this year. I look forward to sharing 2011 milestones of the DRC as we continue to transform the built environment here in the Detroit region.
Sincerely,
Dave Norwood, Chair
U.S. Green Building Council Detroit Regional Chapter
