Chapter Leadership
The growth and success that the USGBCSF has enjoyed in recent years is very much tied to the dedication, talents and judgments of our successive Boards of Directors, all of whom are volunteers and all of whom serve at the pleasure of our membership and without recompense. The quality, depth and comprehensiveness of Board members’ vision and advice is impressive, as is the amount of time that is demanded of individuals serving in this leadership capacity. Team players all, their contributions -- of time, business acumen, green expertise, industry contacts, and monies -- have been off-the-charts remarkable since the formation of the South Florida Chapter in 2003, and its with gratitude and thanks that we list the current Board members below.
Board Members
To learn more about our Chapter's elected volunteer leadership, please review Board members' bios here.
Officers
President -- Kyle Abney, Abney + Abney Green Solutions
Vice-President -- Robert Cannellos, The Spinnaker Group
Secretary/Treasurer -- Carlos Duarte, Turner Construction
Immediate Past President -- Rob Hink, The Spinnaker Group
Chair, Broward Branch -- Jill Cohen, JBC Planning & Design
Chair, Miami-Dade and the Keys Branch -- Carole Schafmeister, D&B Tile Distributors
Chair, Treasure Coast and Palm Beach Branch -- John Szerdi, LDG Florida Architects
Directors
Paul Carty, State Contracting & Engineering Corporation
Matt Greer, Carlisle Development Group
Nick Gunia, Alterna Corporation
Donna Hagerott, Trammel Crow Residential
Sandra Lee, Calvin, Giordano & Associates
Brian Lomel, TLC Engineering for Architecture
Gary Pirtle, Pirtle Government Contracting
Elsi Rose, City of Miramar
Hector Samario, Florida Power & Light
Lou Zaccone, Trane
Board members are eligible to serve two successive, elected two-year terms. Elections to Board seats are covered in our Bylaws. Board members are required to conduct their service to the Chapter in accordance not only with the Bylaws, but also via signed agreements tied to Conflict of Interest and Code of Conduct policies.
In general, each August our three Branches (during their respective Annual Meetings), elect their Officers. Branch Chairs and Immediate Past Chairs also serve on the Chapter Board of Directors. Each September, a communication is disseminated to the entire membership soliciting nominations to serve as Chapter Board members. Each October, the Chapter’s Nominating Committee reviews applications and assesses the quality of the proposed candidates, narrowing the field to the most highly qualified individuals to fill open Board member positions. Nominees are then posted on the national USGBC website and elections ensue. New and reappointed Board members commence their respective terms toward the end of October. At the conclusion of this activity, the Chapter hosts its own Annual Meeting, during which the new slate of Officers and Directors are introduced to the membership. This members-only meeting also features general information-sharing with attendees.
To contact individual Board members, direct your requests to Lee Cooke, our Executive Director, at 561-373-7367.
Chapter Advisory Council
The following individuals have been recognized by our Board of Directors for their special contributions of time, talent, expertise and sponsorship tied to our Chapter. As members of the Chapter Advisory Council, their wealth of knowledge and experience have set them apart as distinctive contributors to the Chapter, and they are tapped by the current Board for special assignments and counsel. Chapter Advisory Council membership is an honorary appointment and a non-voting position in relation to the Board of Directors. We honor and thank the following Chapter ambassadors for their ongoing contributions to the USGBCSF:
Patti Hamilton, Southern Waste Systems / Sun Recycling
Carolyn Mitchell, Carolyn Mitchell Landscape Architecture / Urban Design
Miguel Perez, Stiles Construction
Dave Vernon, Resource 4 Floors
Chapter Past Presidents
Anyone who has served in the chief executive officer role of a business or volunteer organization appreciates the commitment of time that is put in to figuratively steer the ship safely into port. To that end, it's with thanks that we note the outstanding contributions of the past Presidents of the USGBCSF:
Carolyn Mitchell -- 2006-07
Rob Hink -- 2007-08
Olga Alvarez -- 2008-2009