ORLANDO, Fla (December 8, 2020) – The Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC), the state’s leading certifier of green residential and commercial construction and local governments, has elected Bill Kachman, U.S. Army Major (Ret.), DeLand, as President; Ralph Locke, Environmental Construction & Consulting, Inc, Deland, as President-Elect and Mary Tappouni, Breaking Ground Contracting, Jacksonville, as Treasurer. Barry Faske, Faske Enterprises, Hollywood, will serve as Immediate Past President.
FGBC just passed the 24,000 mark in “Florida Green” certifications of single-family homes, commercial buildings, high-rises, land developments and local governments.
“Our board and senior leadership increase our ability to meet the challenges of today’s ‘new normal’ environment. They bring unique perspective and unparalleled industry expertise that allow us to navigate the Florida Green landscape and help us continue to lead the green building industry in our state.” noted FGBC Executive Director C.J. Davila.
Current FGBC board members include Jane Conn, ES Green & Company LLC, Tallahassee; Jim Barnes, Village of Wellington, Wellington; Mike Bonts, Mike Bonts PR, Jacksonville; Peggy Christ, Bee Green Realty LLC, Bradenton; C.J. Davila, Florida Green Building Coalition, Orlando; Cindy Hall, Eco Solutions Marketing, Jensen Beach; Deirdre Irwin, St. John River Water Management District; Claire Lewis, University of Florida – IFAS, Gainesville; Ric Lightner, Global Sustainability Certifying Consultant, Key West; Jeannette Moore, Green Florida Properties, St. Augustine; Lisa Pearcy, 15 lightyears, Longwood; Mike Rogers, Southern Advocacy Group, Tallahassee and Kristin Triolo, Sarasota Homes International, Sarasota.
“We have some amazing and dedicated members and leaders in FGBC. Our collective knowledge and expertise across the industry can drive growth, increase FGBC’s certifications and advance our mission. I’m looking forward to working with them to help grow and continue to be the preeminent green building organization in Florida,” added Kachman, an FGBC Certifying Agent and chair of the Homes Committee.
Kachman worked for 12 years in the education field as a teacher, served as a registered lobbyist for Correctional Education, and as a distance education developer for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
In 2004 he joined Environmental Construction & Consulting and got involved with green building. For the next nine years he helped manage the construction and consulting side of the company, working with builders, local governments, and communities to further green building practices in Volusia and Lake Counties.
Locke is a Florida native and military combat veteran. He has over 30 years of experience as a building professional and is one of the early pioneers in the green building field.
The president of Environmental Construction & Consulting has been a member of FGBC since 2003. He is also an FGBC Certifying Agent and chairs the Education Committee. He works with home building associations, contractors, developers, local governments, homeowners, and high school students to promote green building practices
Locke holds licenses as a State Certified Contractor, Certified Roofing and Solar Contractor, and Certified Home inspector as well as a Florida Water Star Commercial and Residential Certifier.
Tappouni serves as president of Breaking Ground Contracting where she is senior estimator, senior project manager and sustainability consultant. Over her more than 25 years in the construction industry she has managed projects ranging from small park projects to multimillion dollar facilities that include medical and professional office buildings, historic preservation, retail, schools, university, health, and fitness facilities, recreational and military.
She currently serves as Board Chair for the North Florida Green Chamber of Commerce. She actively represents the construction industry. She has served as Chair of the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) of Florida Board, as past Chair of the Board of the ABC First Coast Chapter and past Chair of its Women’s Council.
Faske has been an active member of FGBC for 10 years, on the Board of Directors since 2016,elected FGBC President for 2019 and again in 2020, and has been instrumental in revitalizing the FGBC Legislative Committee to work on issues of importance to this organization.
In addition to his work with the FGBC he was elected to the Board of Directors of the Hollywood (FL) Chamber of Commerce, elected to the Chamber’s Governmental Affairs Committee, has chaired Leadership Hollywood’s Environmental Day for the past eight years, and received the 2019 Leadership Hollywood Award for his dedication to the Community.
Two decades ago, FGBC brought together industry professionals from the construction, government, academic and research communities to create green standards tailored specifically to Florida.
Beyond third party certifications, FGBC is also a resource for the builders, developers, contractors, architects, and municipalities when considering going green.
“Florida Green” standards take a scientific approach and are developed with state-specific criteria. They address Florida’s hot-humid environment, climate, distinctive topography, unique geology, resiliency, and natural disasters.
Going Green? In Florida you have a choice.
For more information call (407) 777-4920, email info@floridagreenbuilding.org or visit www.floridagreenbuilding.org.