2011–2012
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
CHAIR
Brenden McEneaney
City of Santa Monica
Brenden McEneaney is the Green Building Program Advisor for the City of Santa Monica. In this role, he is responsible for overseeing the green building code requirements for new construction in the city. He also oversees and administers the City's incentive programs, including expedited permitting for buildings pursuing LEED certification and grant funding for buildings achieving LEED certification and for innovative technologies that address energy efficiency. Brenden also coordinates education and outreach efforts, both for City staff and for residents, to increase awareness of green building design and construction strategies Brenden has a degree in environmental engineering from Yale University and holds a Master's degree in Industrial Environmental Management from the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies. He is a LEED Accredited Professional with the USGBC and a Certified Green Building Professional with Build It Green. Before coming to the City of Santa Monica, Brenden managed operations for the largest retailer of green building finish materials in Southern California.
City of Santa Monica
Brenden McEneaney is the Green Building Program Advisor for the City of Santa Monica. In this role, he is responsible for overseeing the green building code requirements for new construction in the city. He also oversees and administers the City's incentive programs, including expedited permitting for buildings pursuing LEED certification and grant funding for buildings achieving LEED certification and for innovative technologies that address energy efficiency. Brenden also coordinates education and outreach efforts, both for City staff and for residents, to increase awareness of green building design and construction strategies Brenden has a degree in environmental engineering from Yale University and holds a Master's degree in Industrial Environmental Management from the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies. He is a LEED Accredited Professional with the USGBC and a Certified Green Building Professional with Build It Green. Before coming to the City of Santa Monica, Brenden managed operations for the largest retailer of green building finish materials in Southern California.
VICE-CHAIR
To be filled.
SECRETARY
Daniele Aquino Horton
Thomas Properties Group, Inc.
Daniele Horton has over 15 years of industry experience. She is the Sustainability Manager for Thomas Properties Group, where she administers the sustainability performance of the real estate portfolio nationwide spanning entitlement, design, construction and operations. She runs the LEED EB O&M Certification program for the firm’s nationwide portfolio of 33 office buildings and has managed the LEED Certification of more than 12 Million sf to date in house. The company has been recognized by several institutions for their leadership in sustainability including the NAREIT Leader in the Light Gold Award, Energy Star Leader Award and has most recently been ranked as the highest environmental performer among public funds in North America by the Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark. A LEED AP since 2003, with a Professional Certification in Construction Management and a California Real Estate License, she sits on the California Sustainability Alliance Green Buildings Committee, the BOMA LA Sustainability Committee, the USGBC-LA Board of Directors and founded and Chairs the first Existing Buildings Committee in the country. Previously, Ms. Aquino worked as an architect and planner in Brazil and the US. She earned her Master's in Sustainable Development from Harvard University and her Bachelor's in Architecture & Urban Planning from Catholic University of Goias in Brazil..
Thomas Properties Group, Inc.
Daniele Horton has over 15 years of industry experience. She is the Sustainability Manager for Thomas Properties Group, where she administers the sustainability performance of the real estate portfolio nationwide spanning entitlement, design, construction and operations. She runs the LEED EB O&M Certification program for the firm’s nationwide portfolio of 33 office buildings and has managed the LEED Certification of more than 12 Million sf to date in house. The company has been recognized by several institutions for their leadership in sustainability including the NAREIT Leader in the Light Gold Award, Energy Star Leader Award and has most recently been ranked as the highest environmental performer among public funds in North America by the Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark. A LEED AP since 2003, with a Professional Certification in Construction Management and a California Real Estate License, she sits on the California Sustainability Alliance Green Buildings Committee, the BOMA LA Sustainability Committee, the USGBC-LA Board of Directors and founded and Chairs the first Existing Buildings Committee in the country. Previously, Ms. Aquino worked as an architect and planner in Brazil and the US. She earned her Master's in Sustainable Development from Harvard University and her Bachelor's in Architecture & Urban Planning from Catholic University of Goias in Brazil..
TREASURER
Amelia Doyle
Cuningham Group Architecture, P.A.
Building on experience with the Emerging Green Builders (EGB), a committee of the U.S. Green Building Council focused on the sustainable development and education of students and young professionals, Amelia continues to thrive in this green community. In 2003, at Greenbuild, Amelia was introduce to the EGB and was instantly inspired by the notion of a diverse group of young, energetic, motivated people getting together to pursue projects and competitions that rose awareness and creatively addressed issues of social, environmental and economic sustainability. Amelia was looking for a local EGB group in Los Angeles and upon realizing it did not yet exist she founded the EGB-LA in the beginning of 2004. Once EGB-LA was up and running, as Chairperson Amelia represented the group on the Local Leaders Committee, a nationwide network of leaders representing the ever increasing number of EGB groups in the U.S. Soon after, in 2006, Amelia applied and was elected to hold a position with the National Committee of the Emerging Green Builders and in 2007 Amelia was elected Chairperson of the National Committee. In 2008, with her two year national term coming to an end, she represented the EGB on the Chapter Steering Committee with the National USGBC. Now, after contributing her volunteer energy at the national level for the last three years, Amelia is excited to focus on local initiatives as the Co-Chair of the Government Affairs Committee.
Cuningham Group Architecture, P.A.
Building on experience with the Emerging Green Builders (EGB), a committee of the U.S. Green Building Council focused on the sustainable development and education of students and young professionals, Amelia continues to thrive in this green community. In 2003, at Greenbuild, Amelia was introduce to the EGB and was instantly inspired by the notion of a diverse group of young, energetic, motivated people getting together to pursue projects and competitions that rose awareness and creatively addressed issues of social, environmental and economic sustainability. Amelia was looking for a local EGB group in Los Angeles and upon realizing it did not yet exist she founded the EGB-LA in the beginning of 2004. Once EGB-LA was up and running, as Chairperson Amelia represented the group on the Local Leaders Committee, a nationwide network of leaders representing the ever increasing number of EGB groups in the U.S. Soon after, in 2006, Amelia applied and was elected to hold a position with the National Committee of the Emerging Green Builders and in 2007 Amelia was elected Chairperson of the National Committee. In 2008, with her two year national term coming to an end, she represented the EGB on the Chapter Steering Committee with the National USGBC. Now, after contributing her volunteer energy at the national level for the last three years, Amelia is excited to focus on local initiatives as the Co-Chair of the Government Affairs Committee.
DIRECTORS AT-LARGE
Peter Barsuk
Gensler
Peter Barsuk brings over 18 years of experience in the construction industry as an architect and green building expert. He has been involved in a wide variety of project types including commercial, institutional, healthcare, entertainment and education. A Project Architect, Manager and LEED expert at Gensler, Peter often gets called in to assist clients with LEED certification and documentation processes for various project types. As an office leader in Sustainable Development, Peter continues to chair Gensler’s LA Sustainability Committee and educate his colleagues on the LEED rating system and the practices of sustainable design. A Board member of USGBC-LA for over four years, Mr. Barsuk has served as both Chapter Treasurer and Vice Chair. In these roles he chaired the Chapter's Founding Sponsorship program and hired the Chapter's first Executive Director. Mr. Barsuk holds Accreditations for LEED NC 2.0, 2.1, 2.2 and LEED for Existing Buildings 2.0. He has participated as a speaker and guest lecturer at many conferences, including events for the AIA, ASID, Silverlake Film Festival, BOMA, ULI and the USC Masters program in Real Estate Development.
Gensler
Peter Barsuk brings over 18 years of experience in the construction industry as an architect and green building expert. He has been involved in a wide variety of project types including commercial, institutional, healthcare, entertainment and education. A Project Architect, Manager and LEED expert at Gensler, Peter often gets called in to assist clients with LEED certification and documentation processes for various project types. As an office leader in Sustainable Development, Peter continues to chair Gensler’s LA Sustainability Committee and educate his colleagues on the LEED rating system and the practices of sustainable design. A Board member of USGBC-LA for over four years, Mr. Barsuk has served as both Chapter Treasurer and Vice Chair. In these roles he chaired the Chapter's Founding Sponsorship program and hired the Chapter's first Executive Director. Mr. Barsuk holds Accreditations for LEED NC 2.0, 2.1, 2.2 and LEED for Existing Buildings 2.0. He has participated as a speaker and guest lecturer at many conferences, including events for the AIA, ASID, Silverlake Film Festival, BOMA, ULI and the USC Masters program in Real Estate Development.
Edward Belden
Edward has a passion for bringing nature into the built environment. He has been involved with USGBC-LA since 2007 previously serving as co-chair of Emerging Green Builders and now as an elected board member serving on various committees. He has managed watershed-monitoring programs and green infrastructure projects for the Council for Watershed Health and past environmental consulting worked has ranged from evaluating the environmental impacts of dust control measures in Owens Lake to a trails manual for the County of Los Angeles. He has worked as a restoration intern for the Land Trust of Santa Barbara County, consulted with the United Nations Environment Program in Geneva, and was a biologist for the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. Edward earned his Master of Environmental Science and Management with an emphasis in conservation planning from the Bren School at UC Santa Barbara and his BS in Biology from Hobart and William Smith Colleges in New York.
Edward has a passion for bringing nature into the built environment. He has been involved with USGBC-LA since 2007 previously serving as co-chair of Emerging Green Builders and now as an elected board member serving on various committees. He has managed watershed-monitoring programs and green infrastructure projects for the Council for Watershed Health and past environmental consulting worked has ranged from evaluating the environmental impacts of dust control measures in Owens Lake to a trails manual for the County of Los Angeles. He has worked as a restoration intern for the Land Trust of Santa Barbara County, consulted with the United Nations Environment Program in Geneva, and was a biologist for the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. Edward earned his Master of Environmental Science and Management with an emphasis in conservation planning from the Bren School at UC Santa Barbara and his BS in Biology from Hobart and William Smith Colleges in New York.
To be filled.
Dimitris Klapsis
STUDIO dnk
Dimitris’ eighteen year plus project experience includes a diverse set of architectural solutions, from the Del Mar Station, a Congress for the New Urbanism award-winning mixed-use transit development, to the new Metrolink commuter station in Santa Clarita, California, to the $750 million Arrowhead Medical Center in San Bernardino County, and to the new City of Glendale Police Facility. His dedication to sustainable design solutions has been vital to such projects as the Robert Redford Building for the Natural Resources Defense Council, LEED Platinum-rated, and the Taylor Yard Parcel “C” Master Plan, a 24-acre mixed use LEED for Neighborhood Development project in Los Angeles, California. A vocal advocate for green strategies in the urban context, Klapsis was involved in publishing the Los Angeles edition of Green Map, an interactive planner that highlights the city’s natural and sustainable locales and transit options for the everyday consumer (www.greenmap.org). His presentations on sustainability include the Congress for New Urbanism X, the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Buildings, the Municipal Green Building Conference and Expo, the United States Green Building Council Annual Members Summit, and the Natural Resources Defense Council Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2).
STUDIO dnk
Dimitris’ eighteen year plus project experience includes a diverse set of architectural solutions, from the Del Mar Station, a Congress for the New Urbanism award-winning mixed-use transit development, to the new Metrolink commuter station in Santa Clarita, California, to the $750 million Arrowhead Medical Center in San Bernardino County, and to the new City of Glendale Police Facility. His dedication to sustainable design solutions has been vital to such projects as the Robert Redford Building for the Natural Resources Defense Council, LEED Platinum-rated, and the Taylor Yard Parcel “C” Master Plan, a 24-acre mixed use LEED for Neighborhood Development project in Los Angeles, California. A vocal advocate for green strategies in the urban context, Klapsis was involved in publishing the Los Angeles edition of Green Map, an interactive planner that highlights the city’s natural and sustainable locales and transit options for the everyday consumer (www.greenmap.org). His presentations on sustainability include the Congress for New Urbanism X, the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Buildings, the Municipal Green Building Conference and Expo, the United States Green Building Council Annual Members Summit, and the Natural Resources Defense Council Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2).
Ted Senet
Gibbs, Giden, Lorcher, Turner & Senet LLP
Theodore L. Senet, LEED AP is a named partner in the law firm Gibbs, Giden, Locher, Turner & Senet LLP. He obtained his undergraduate degree from the University of California at Santa Barbara in 1973 and his J.D. from Loyola Law School in 1978. He currently represents corporate owners, developers, public entities, commercial general contractors, design professionals and residential builders in complex construction litigation, class action litigation, environmental claims, insurance claims and major tort litigation. He has been involved in development, construction, risk management and dispute resolution on numerous major projects, including high rise buildings, hospitals, schools, airports, power, manufacturing and processing plants, and large residential developments. He has written numerous articles on green building, construction, insurance and real property law. He has been a principal speaker at MCLE-approved seminars and has served on many panel programs.
Gibbs, Giden, Lorcher, Turner & Senet LLP
Theodore L. Senet, LEED AP is a named partner in the law firm Gibbs, Giden, Locher, Turner & Senet LLP. He obtained his undergraduate degree from the University of California at Santa Barbara in 1973 and his J.D. from Loyola Law School in 1978. He currently represents corporate owners, developers, public entities, commercial general contractors, design professionals and residential builders in complex construction litigation, class action litigation, environmental claims, insurance claims and major tort litigation. He has been involved in development, construction, risk management and dispute resolution on numerous major projects, including high rise buildings, hospitals, schools, airports, power, manufacturing and processing plants, and large residential developments. He has written numerous articles on green building, construction, insurance and real property law. He has been a principal speaker at MCLE-approved seminars and has served on many panel programs.
Ying Wang
Okapi
Ying Wang has been a Board Director for USGBC Los Angeles Chapter since 2009. She has much devotion and passion for the Green School Committee, Pacific Regional Council and Branch Formation. Ying is a registered architect and has been practicing architecture for nearly 30 years. She is avid about the implementation of various sustainability programs for a diverse field of educational facilities ranging from K-12 to college/university campuses. As a leader in architectural sustainability, Ying established Okapi Architecture Inc. in 2010. Her practices not only emphasize on integrating sustainable designs, but also developing a program for management She has created the largest energy efficient school program for Los Angeles City Unified School District. She also serves as a consultant for San Bernardino City School District. Ying carries an extensive background in architectural practice and is familiar with a diverse amount of different building structures. Most projects consist of large, complex structures coupled with multiple clients. This has allowed her to gain valuable experience in understanding program complexity, forming consensus, and comprehending new, progressive forms of technology. In addition to the USGBC, she is also active in both the California High Performance Schools (CHPS) technical board and in the California’s Coalition for Adequate School Housing (CASH). Ying frequently provides many presentations and workshops related to architectural sustainability. Ying is a LEED accredited professional and a registered architect in the states of California and Illinois. She has received a master degree in architecture from Virginia Polytechnic Institute in Blacksburg, and a bachelor degree in Horticulture from the National Taiwan University in Taipei.
Okapi
Ying Wang has been a Board Director for USGBC Los Angeles Chapter since 2009. She has much devotion and passion for the Green School Committee, Pacific Regional Council and Branch Formation. Ying is a registered architect and has been practicing architecture for nearly 30 years. She is avid about the implementation of various sustainability programs for a diverse field of educational facilities ranging from K-12 to college/university campuses. As a leader in architectural sustainability, Ying established Okapi Architecture Inc. in 2010. Her practices not only emphasize on integrating sustainable designs, but also developing a program for management She has created the largest energy efficient school program for Los Angeles City Unified School District. She also serves as a consultant for San Bernardino City School District. Ying carries an extensive background in architectural practice and is familiar with a diverse amount of different building structures. Most projects consist of large, complex structures coupled with multiple clients. This has allowed her to gain valuable experience in understanding program complexity, forming consensus, and comprehending new, progressive forms of technology. In addition to the USGBC, she is also active in both the California High Performance Schools (CHPS) technical board and in the California’s Coalition for Adequate School Housing (CASH). Ying frequently provides many presentations and workshops related to architectural sustainability. Ying is a LEED accredited professional and a registered architect in the states of California and Illinois. She has received a master degree in architecture from Virginia Polytechnic Institute in Blacksburg, and a bachelor degree in Horticulture from the National Taiwan University in Taipei.
Dennis Thurman
Transwestern
Dennis Thurman has over 30 years experience in all aspects of commercial real estate and is responsible for the operations and engineering in Transwestern's West Region Commercial Services' portfolio. Thurman is a LEED Accredited Professional, CPE, Steam Engineer, RPA, FMA & holds a Trade Degree in Technical Engineering. Thurman is responsible for TW's Energy Star Program of which they have been nationally recognized the last 8 years by the EPA for Sustained Excellence. He also Chairs many Committees and is in charge of TW's LEED EB program in the West.
Transwestern
Dennis Thurman has over 30 years experience in all aspects of commercial real estate and is responsible for the operations and engineering in Transwestern's West Region Commercial Services' portfolio. Thurman is a LEED Accredited Professional, CPE, Steam Engineer, RPA, FMA & holds a Trade Degree in Technical Engineering. Thurman is responsible for TW's Energy Star Program of which they have been nationally recognized the last 8 years by the EPA for Sustained Excellence. He also Chairs many Committees and is in charge of TW's LEED EB program in the West.
EMERGING PROFESSIONALS
Marc Costa
The Energy Coalition
Marc Costa is a project analyst at The Energy Coalition, a 501(c) 3 corporation located in Irvine, CA which generates capital through energy with innovative concepts and partnerships between local governments, utilities, businesses, schools, and other constituencies. Prior to The Energy Coalition, Marc advanced the largest green jobs training program in the nation at Long Beach City College. He is a current USGBC-LA Chapter Board Member and is a founding member of both the USGBC Long Beach branch and USGBC Students of CSULB. He also sits on the USGBC committees of Emerging Professionals, Pacific Regional Committee and is USGBC Students National Chair and a member of USGBC Students National Advisory Working Group. Marc holds a B.S. from UCSD in Management Science and is expecting a fall 2011 B.S in Construction Engineering Management from CSULB.
The Energy Coalition
Marc Costa is a project analyst at The Energy Coalition, a 501(c) 3 corporation located in Irvine, CA which generates capital through energy with innovative concepts and partnerships between local governments, utilities, businesses, schools, and other constituencies. Prior to The Energy Coalition, Marc advanced the largest green jobs training program in the nation at Long Beach City College. He is a current USGBC-LA Chapter Board Member and is a founding member of both the USGBC Long Beach branch and USGBC Students of CSULB. He also sits on the USGBC committees of Emerging Professionals, Pacific Regional Committee and is USGBC Students National Chair and a member of USGBC Students National Advisory Working Group. Marc holds a B.S. from UCSD in Management Science and is expecting a fall 2011 B.S in Construction Engineering Management from CSULB.
USGBC-LA STAFF
COMMUNICATIONS
AND OPERATIONS
DIRECTOR
AND OPERATIONS
DIRECTOR
Katy Robinson
Katy is the Communications and Operations Director for the U.S. Green Building Council, Los Angeles Chapter. She brings with her over 10 years of experience working in nonprofit organizations. She has experience working as an administrator, instructor, community organizer, communications and marketing advisor and as a technical guru. Interested in bringing her expertise from the arts field to the green building community, Katy has provided the Los Angeles Chapter with creative innovations in organizational practices and communications approaches. Katy is a graduate of Florida Atlantic University with a degree in Art History and is currently pursuing a degree in the Graduate department of Geography and Urban Analysis at California State University, Los Angeles. Ms. Robinson and her husband maintain Commonwealth Garden, a certified Natural Wildlife Habitat which provides an urban example of sustainable food and native gardening.
Katy is the Communications and Operations Director for the U.S. Green Building Council, Los Angeles Chapter. She brings with her over 10 years of experience working in nonprofit organizations. She has experience working as an administrator, instructor, community organizer, communications and marketing advisor and as a technical guru. Interested in bringing her expertise from the arts field to the green building community, Katy has provided the Los Angeles Chapter with creative innovations in organizational practices and communications approaches. Katy is a graduate of Florida Atlantic University with a degree in Art History and is currently pursuing a degree in the Graduate department of Geography and Urban Analysis at California State University, Los Angeles. Ms. Robinson and her husband maintain Commonwealth Garden, a certified Natural Wildlife Habitat which provides an urban example of sustainable food and native gardening.
PROGRAMS
MANAGER
MANAGER
Dominique Smith
Dominique is a Southern California Native and currently resides in Culver City. She began working with the USGBC-LA in 2008 on the Events Committee planning tours of LEED Certified Buildings. In the years to follow her involvement with the Chapter grew as she held the positions of Events Chair, Education Programming Consultant, and now Program Manager. She is responsible for the planning and execution of education, training, networking and special events for the USGBC in Los Angeles. She is an alumna of Loyola Marymount University and has a background in real estate development. She has a special interest in sustainable landscaping and cooking.
Dominique is a Southern California Native and currently resides in Culver City. She began working with the USGBC-LA in 2008 on the Events Committee planning tours of LEED Certified Buildings. In the years to follow her involvement with the Chapter grew as she held the positions of Events Chair, Education Programming Consultant, and now Program Manager. She is responsible for the planning and execution of education, training, networking and special events for the USGBC in Los Angeles. She is an alumna of Loyola Marymount University and has a background in real estate development. She has a special interest in sustainable landscaping and cooking.
