Making Others Green with Envy

What is LEED? LEED is an acronym that stands for Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design. It is commonly associated with the United States Green Building Council (www.USGBC.org) that regulates the movement to design, construct and maintain buildings and projects in an environmentally friendly manner. At Hennessy Construction Services, we have given many of our employees the opportunity to become a LEED Accredited Professional and we are proud to say that we now have eight individuals who have successfully received their LEED accreditation. They are Senior Project Managers Sid Talsma, Robert Gibson, and Dave Pigott; Project Managers Wendy Bryce Miskewich and Brad Kunz; Senior Project Superintendent Dan Garrick; Project Superintendent Al Marr; and Project Estimator Gary New. There are several other gentlemen in the process of studying for future exams.

The environmentally conscious “Green” movement has been developing and, please pardon the pun, growing stronger with each passing year since the inception of the USGBC in 1994. What does this mean to the common everyday person? What does this mean to our children? It means that we, as professionals in the construction industry, are taking a stance and demanding that from this point forward in our great nation we design, construct and maintain buildings in a manner that is effective, efficient and environmentally less harmful to those around us. Too long have we not only as an industry, but as individuals carried on in this life as if our actions had no further reactions. Nothing could be further from the truth! It affects each one of us every day and will have a lasting impact on our children.

What if you are an accountant, teacher, mechanic, etc. and do not work in an industry that recognizes the LEED AP status? You can still make an impact. The Green movement isn’t limited to just the construction industry. Ask yourself these questions:

• How can I use less natural water in my daily activities?
• How can I reduce my demand on the waste and sanitation departments?
• What can I do to require less energy with our activities?
• What can I do to eliminate trash from my purchases?

Daily each one of us encounters many opportunities to make a difference; we just have to take that first step. Do whatever you can today to limit the effect you have on the environment around you or in Green jargon “reduce your carbon footprint”. Make a list of those things in your life that utilize water, create waste, or leave a lasting imprint.

You can make a difference without the accreditation. Everyone will win if we all just do our part. So start today. For more information search the internet for suggestions on how you can “go green.”

Posted by Gary New

Gary, a devout Christian, husband, father of four and grand-father of two, celebrated his 10 year anniversary with Hennessy last fall. In the last few years, Gary has spent most of his time working as a Project Estimator; however, he was hired as and still continues to take on jobs as a Project Manager as needed. Gary also gives of his time each year to represent Hennessy at the ABC Tabletop presentations as well as many charitable functions.

For more information on Hennessy Construction Services and additional reading about our Green projects, please visit us on the web at www.hcsfl.com.