Rick Fedrizzi, who has been the face of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) since he co-founded it in 1993, has informed the Council that he will be stepping down as its CEO, a position he’s held since 2003, at the end of 2016.
The Council’s Board has set up a search committee to identify candidates for the CEO position, to ensure a smooth transition of leadership by January 2017.
“As an industry, we’ve grown and prospered because of a powerful idea that ultimately sparked a movement,” said Fiona Cousins, chair-elect of the USGBC Board of Directors. “That movement has been ably led by Rick Fedrizzi for more than two decades, and it’s that success we’ll continue to build on in the future.”
Fedrizzi will be leaving an organization that has grown to 76 chapters. The Washington, D.C.-based USGBC employs 260 people, and last year reported $74.1 million in revenue.
Fedrizzi—who was USGBC’s volunteer chairman the first six years of its existence—states that the most gratifying aspect of his job has been “seeing the impact of LEED and the greater USGBC community have made on the global green building industry.”
Since launching its Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) green certification program in 2000, more than 55,000 commercial projects spanning 10.1 billion sf, and more than 154,000 residential units around the world participate in LEED, with 1.7 million square feet of building space earning LEED certification every day. Nearly 200,000 LEED professional credential holders are engaged in advancing this global movement.
Last year, the United Nations honored USGBC with its Champions of the Earth award.
While he didn’t provide specifics about his future plans, the 60-year-old Fedrizzi says he would continue to work with the green building movement, and companies that can use his knowledge of green building practices, as a volunteer “in any way I can.”
Related Stories
Green | Aug 24, 2017
Business case for WELL still developing after first generation office fitouts completed
The costs ranged from 50 cents to $4 per sf, according to a ULI report.
Libraries | Aug 18, 2017
Johnson Favaro-designed Lions Park project breaks ground in Costa Mesa
The project includes a new library, the renovation of the existing library, and the redevelopment of parkland.
Mixed-Use | Aug 15, 2017
A golf course community converts into an agrihood with 1,150 homes and a working olive grove
The community will cover 300 acres in Palm Springs, Calif.
Green | Aug 11, 2017
A school’s sports hall is created entirely from bamboo
The building boasts a zero-carbon footprint and is naturally ventilated.
Sustainability | Aug 7, 2017
Existing storage center becomes symbol of renewable energy for a southwestern German town
The tower’s design comes from the Laboratory for Visionary Architecture’s (LAVA) winning competition entry for an energy park and storage tower.
Codes and Standards | Aug 3, 2017
ASID headquarters is first space in the world to earn both LEED and WELL Platinum Certification
Washington, D.C. office is showcase for top levels of the two standards.
Mixed-Use | Aug 3, 2017
A sustainable mixed-use development springs from a Dutch city center like a green-fringed crystal formation
MVRDV and SDK Vastgoed won a competition to redevelop the inner city area around Deken van Someren Street in Eindhoven.
Sustainability | Jul 31, 2017
Passive House practitioners aim to spread standard beyond single-family homes
Growth has been slow, but enticing larger firms and getting help from local governments could provide a boost.
Office Buildings | Jul 19, 2017
James Corner Field Operations, designers of the High Line, creates rooftop amenity spaces for three Dumbo office buildings
The new spaces range from about 8,500 to 11,000 sf and were added to Two Trees Management’s anchor office buildings.
Green | Jul 18, 2017
Garden of the Four Seasons lets you experience all four seasons at once
Carlo Ratti Associati designed the garden with an innovative net-zero energy climate control system.
