a bunch of trophies against a bright background

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) announced its 2021 USGBC Leadership Award recipients of the Pacific region during its USGBC Live virtual conference. The USGBC Leadership Awards recognize the exemplary leadership of individuals and organizations contributing to the creation of sustainable, healthier, equitable and resilient buildings, cities and communities. The Pacific region includes Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon and Washington.

“USGBC believes that healthy people in healthy places equals a healthy economy and it is only because of the leadership of organizations and individuals like our award recipients that this vision can become a global reality,” said Melanie Colburn, USGBC regional director, Pacific region. “In what has been a very challenging year for everyone around the world, the green building industry has continued to carry on. In the U.S. Pacific region, organizations, governments and private industry are continuing to think about innovative ways to create green projects that lower carbon emissions and contribute to a healthier society. USGBC is proud to partner with them to advance our collective mission of a sustainable future for all.” 

The 2021 USGBC Leadership Award recipients for the Pacific region are:

- Nohona Hale, in recognition of the first micro-unit affordable housing project and one of the few LEED v4 projects in Hawaii;

- University of California, Merced for achieving carbon neutrality on its campus, two years ahead of its goal, and the first public research university in the country to achieve net zero carbon on a campus;

- Straus Family Creamery for its two TRUE Zero Waste certified projects: the Marshall Creamery and Petaluma warehouse and offices;

- REI for its commitment to obtain TRUE Certification for all of their distribution centers and exploring opportunities for its retail stores;

- Scott Shell, Principal at EHDD, for his work as a leading voice among architects for decarbonization in California;

- Anthony Bernheim at the San Francisco International Airport for his work incorporating new leading technologies that continuously advance performance both in scope and degree;

- Kaiser Permanente, NFS Capital Projects - Marin Sonoma Service Area for its LEED Platinum certified medical office building, which is tracking to achieve LEED Zero Energy and LEED Zero Carbon certification;

- Meyer Memorial Trust for its headquarters in Oregon, achieving LEED v4 Platinum (BD+C: NC) while incorporating equity-centered design to its building that acknowledges the region’s Native American history.