Branches of DVGBC

The Lehigh Valley Branch

A few years ago a group of professionals from the Lehigh Valley reached out to the staff and board members of the DVGBC at various events and began to discuss bringing sustainable events and educational seminars to the Lehigh Valley. In September 2007, this group organized a kick-off event to create a branch which drew more than 100 professionals and interested people. The success of the event showed how much local representation of the DVGBC was needed in the Lehigh Valley. A month later the Steering Committee was formed, which organized committees for different tasks.

In May 2008, the DVGBC approved the Lehigh Valley branch, which has been actively involved in bringing informative networking events to local communities such as Bethlehem, Allentown and Easton within the Valley.

The Lehigh Valley branch is committed to supporting the chapter’s mission on a regional basis. It enhances the green building sector in the Lehigh Valley and educates professionals as well as interested people in sustainability. The branch seeks relationships with other equal minded groups and enforces networking within the branch, chapter and beyond.

Branch Supervisory Committee Chair: Christa Duelberg-Kraftician, Spillman Farmer Architects

Advocacy Chair: Christine Mildner, Barry Isett & Associates
Education Chair:Scott Ziegenfus, Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
Emerging Professionals: John Pozzetta, The Stone House Group
Marketing Chair: Lucienne DiBiase-Dooley, Artefact
Membership Chair: Michael Jouaneh, Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
Sponsorship Chair: Bud Hackett, Ondra-Huyett Associates

The Delaware Branch

Reflecting the growing support among government, business and civic leaders for green initiatives of all kinds, Delawarians are moving forward to support sustainable practices with the launch of a new Branch of DVGBC. A Steering Committee of thirty plus members met in January and elected Linda Schultz, a senior broker with the international real estate firm of Colliers, as Chair and Mark Purcell, of Nason Construction as Vice President. Other Steering Committee members include representatives from business, education, health care, legal, banking, property owners and developers as well as DNREC. The Board of Directors of DVGBC unanimously approved the Branch formation on January 21, 2010.

This broad cross-section of professionals recognized the need for a branch to represent the entire State of Delaware and reflects the expanding reach of Green Initiatives throughout the State. With a Governor who is a strong supporter of environmental programs, and a proactive administration at the state and county levels, the timing is perfect.

The Steering Committees established Educational Programs and Membership committees, and their work is moving forward quickly. Advocacy, Marketing and Sponsorship committees will branch out from the two founding committees as membership expands.

The first Delaware Branch Meet & Mingle was held March 11, 2010 at Big Fish in Wilmington, sponsored by Fox Rothschild. Future events and educational programming will be developed to embrace the State, Counties and local programs. Please contact Delaware@dvgbc.org to get involved!

Branch Steering Committee Chair:Linda Schultz, Colliers International

Education & Advocacy Chair: Kim Ilardi, Whiting Turner
Membership & Marketing Co-chairs: Robert MacIntosh, MacIntosh Engineering & Bob Ruggio, The Commonwealth Group

The Bucks - Montgomery Branch

Reflecting the growing support among government, business and civic leaders for green initiatives of all kinds, residents of Bucks and Montgomery Counties are moving forward to support sustainable practices with the launch of a new Bucks-Montgomery Branch of the Delaware Valley Green Building Council. The Bucks County Sustainable Business Alliance has merged with DVGBC to form the branch and will surely be the number one green building resource in the counties. The Board of Directors of DVGBC unanimously approved the Branch formation on Thursday, May 20, 2010.

“The grass-roots demand for green building education and services is the driver for our new branch in Bucks and Montgomery Counties, as well as our recent launch in the state of Delaware,” said Janet Milkman, Executive Director of DVGBC. “We’re excited to build on the energy and leadership in sustainability in this region.”

The broad cross-section of professionals, formerly members of the Bucks County Sustainable Business Alliance, recognized the need for a branch to represent Bucks and Montgomery Counties and reflect the expanding reach of green Initiatives throughout the area.

“The sustainability community is pleased to join with the best-known voice for green building in the region – DVGBC and its parent, the US Green Building Council. It’s a great opportunity to leverage local, regional and national resources to support our communities, “said Dave Hahn, Director of Construction & Corporate Operations at Columbus Property Management & Development, Inc., and Chair of the Bucks-Mont Branch.

Contact Bucks-Mont@dvgbc.org to get involved!

Branch Steering Committee Chair: David Hahn, Columbus Property Management & Development, Inc

Education and Programs Committee: Holly Richter, Haworth, Inc
Membership and Sponsorship Committee: Terri Swain, Keller Williams Real Estate
Communications and Marketing Committee: Jill Kowalski, Lexicon:green
Emerging Professionals Committee: Bill Stevens, Ethos Sustainable Finishes
Advocacy Committee: Tom Bath, Eco Millennia