Dive Brief:
- The U.S. Green Building Council announced that Chief Operating Officer Mahesh Ramanujam will take over the CEO position at the end of 2016.
- In June, Rick Fedrizzi, the co-founder and current CEO, said he would step down after serving in the role since 1993.
- Ramanujam first joined the council in 2009 as senior vice president of technology before being promoted to COO in 2011.
Dive Insight:
Ramanujam will have big shoes to fill, as Fedrizzi is widely regarded as a major driving force behind green building worldwide. He founded the USGBC in 1993 with environmental attorney Michael Italiano and real estate developer David Gottfried to promote sustainable construction practices.
The USGBC runs the internationally recognized Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) certification program, which has picked up steam in the building industry.
Approximately 30,000 commercial buildings in the world have qualified for LEED certifications, which require that buildings have lower operating costs and better indoor environmental quality.
Last month, Carnegie Hall joined the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building in earning a LEED certification after renovations to its non-performance space.
