Coral Gables, FL (October 2, 2019) — U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) South Florida has announced the Finalist Nominees for the nonprofit organization’s upcoming GalaVerde, its 2019 LEEDership and Green Awards Program.
The 10th annual GalaVerde will recognize and honor those outstanding projects, inspirational businesses, dedicated individuals, and instrumental individual change agents who are leading the way to a more sustainably built environment in our South Florida community. A couple of hundred attendees are expected at the awards ceremony on October 12, 2019, at the University of Miami Shalala Student Center in Coral Gables, FL where the winners will be announced. The evening will raise funds to support the nonprofit organization’s educational activities and initiatives such as it Green Schools programs.
GalaVerde 2019 will include a pre- and post-event cocktail hours, dinner, a silent auction, superlative networking (we call it “GREENworking”), and an abundance of anticipation for the awards presentations and keynote address.
Carol Coletta, CEO of Memphis River Parks will serve as the special keynote speaker for the evening. Carol has a deep implementation background with efforts such as the Reimagining the Civic Commons initiative, a national collaboration of foundations, nonprofits and governments to more fully use and democratize civic assets – such as parks, libraries, and other public spaces – to yield increased and more widely shared prosperity for cities and neighborhoods. Throughout her career, Coletta has focused on efforts to transform cities and public places. Her keynote will address social justice and equity, sustainability and community. Colletta will highlight an evening of recognition and appreciation for the South Florida green-building community during which the Community will recognize over 16 individuals and projects in the region.
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USGBC / 2
2019 GalaVerde
Awards finalists are:
PROJECTS
Community Champion
- Broward Addiction Recover Center
- OB Johnson Park
Commercial Interiors
- HKS Miami Office
- PortMiami Terminal E
Existing Buildings
- 701 Brickell
- Miami Business School, University of Miami
Green Schools
- Alexander Montessori School – Ludham Road
Neighborhood Development
- Northwest Gardens
New Construction
- Center for Intelligent Buildings
- City of Doral Police Department
- Four Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club
Residential
- Lynn University Residence Hall
- Midtown 29
Project of the Year
- Announced at the event
PEOPLE
Community Rockstar
- Pandwe Gibson, EcoTech Visions
- Caroline Lewis, CLEO Institute
Green Government Official
- Danielle Levine Cava
Green Dealmaker
- Cynthia McGuire, Greener Globe Realty
- Melanie Dawn Molina Wood, Coldwell Banker
Green Schools Advocate
- Barbara Martinez-Guerrero, Dream in Green
- Lisa Toy, Palm Beach County Schools
Rising Star – Student
- Nicole Gazo, Miami Palmetto Sr. High
- Natalie Lipsey, University of Miami
Rising Star – Emerging Professional
- Diego Cancel, City of North Miami
- Matthew Ferrer, United Franchise Group
- Samantha Varela, SEQUIL Systems
Sustainability Legend
- Kyle Abney, Abney & Abney Green Solutions
- Howard Tonkin, Urban Habitat
Volunteer of the Year
- Announced at the event
GalaVerde awards finalists (as well as eventual winners) were selected by a panel of industry experts from around the country. Submissions were sent to the judges “blind,” without any identification of project or team or LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) achievement. Submissions were judged purely on specific criteria and merits.
Sponsors for the evening include:
- Calvin, Giordano & Associates, Inc. — Lanyard Sponsor
- Advanced Green Technologies – Cocktail Sponsor
- PGAL — Photo Booth Sponsor
- State Contracting & Engineering Corporatoin – Green Schools Awards Sponsor
- Johnson, Levinson, Ragan, Davila, Inc. – Project of the Year Awards Sponsor
- N2 Architecture & Design – Centerpiece Sponsor
- Lutron – Lighting Sponsor
The LEED Green Building Rating System, overseen by the U.S. Green Building Council, is a voluntary, consensus-based national rating system for developing high-performance, sustainable buildings. LEED addresses all building types and emphasizes state-of-the-art “green” strategies in five areas: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials and resources selection, and indoor environmental quality. LEED Accredited Professionals (LEED APs) have demonstrated a thorough understanding of green building techniques and the LEED Green Building Rating System.
To learn more about GalaVerde and the USGBC Florida, visit www.usgbc.org/usgbc-florida.
Media: To arrange for interviews with the keynote, Carol Coletta or USGBC leadership, contact Sarah Boren, Director, USGBC Florida, 904-535-0055, sboren@usgbc.org
Attached with release: GalaVerde logo (jpeg)
The U.S. Green Building Council Florida, a nonprofit (501[c][3]) organization, embraces the adoption of innovative building practices that conserve land, energy, water, resources and materials. Its Mission is to transform the way buildings and communities are designed, built and operated, enabling a sustainable and socially responsible, healthy and prosperous environment for people to live, work, learn and play. The volunteer-governed USGBC Community has more than 5,000 members and friends providing educational programs and services to the South Florida region from its Treasure Coast, Palm Beach, Broward, Miami and Keys Branches. To learn more: Sarah Boren, Director, USGBC Florida, 904-535-0055, sboren@usgbc.org www.usgbc.org/usgbc-florida.
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