January 31, 2006
Elkins Constructors Announces First LEED Accredited Professional
Jacksonville, Florida - Elkins Constructors, Inc., announces its first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Accredited Professional. Preconstruction Manager Dan Lee, who spearheaded the green movement at Elkins, received his accreditation in December 2005. Lee has a personal concern for the environment and how public actions will affect future generations.
“The Green Movement began in some more progressive areas several years ago but has really become a hot topic in our area in the last year or two,” said Lee, who has been with Elkins for eight years.
Lee began the accreditation process by attending a one-day class in Orlando. This class gave an in-depth review of the technical requirements of the LEED Rating System and the tools and information needed to incorporate green building practices into construction projects. The course provided examples of successful strategies for earning LEED credits and achieving project certification.
After taking the class, Lee had to take a complex test proving his competency in the process. Lee joins only approximately 22,000 LEED Accredited Professionals in the country, according to U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) records.
LEED Accredited Professionals support and encourage integrated design and help project teams streamline the LEED Green Building Rating System Application and certification process. The LEED AP program was designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated the skills and expertise necessary to participate in the green building design process.
The LEED Green Building Rating System was developed by the USGBC in 2000 as a green building tool and guideline. In the past five years, more than 2,000 projects have registered with USGBC, declaring their intent to seek LEED certification of their building.
Elkins is currently constructing a LEED-registered building at The University of North Florida. According to the USGBC’s Director of LEED Certification Matt Huber, the Social Sciences Building at UNF is the first and only LEED-registered building in Jacksonville.