The Shades of Green Leadership Awards, presented by the Green Building Alliance, were awarded recently to highlight the efforts of distinctive persons in Western Pennsylvania who have contributed to the region’s environmental transformation through green leadership within the built environment.

The four winners of this year’s Awards are:

· Business – Jim Lampl, director of conservation, Giant Eagle

· Government – William Peduto, Pittsburgh City Councilman

· Nonprofit – Richard Piacentini, executive director, Phipps Conservatory and Jane Werner, executive director, Pittsburgh’s Children’s Museum

The awards are not for individual “brick and mortar” projects, but for the people driving programs, policies, initiatives and/or efforts that are leading our region toward a “greener” economy.

It is understood that no one person brings about this kind of change on their own, but rather that it is the result of many combined efforts throughout our community. By recognizing some of those who have inspired the actions of others, however, we hope many more local green leaders will evolve.

When the nonprofit category came down to two very worthy individuals, Jane Werner and Richard Piacentini, it was nearly impossible for the jurors to choose one clear winner. Both of their projects, the Children’s Museum expansion and the new welcome center at Phipps Conservancy, clearly exhibited the strong dedication of their leaders to green building practices. Such extremely visible projects also “set the bar at a high level,” said Mr. Bates, and greatly influence their respective industries and peers nationwide. Subsequently, all of this activity adds to Pittsburgh’s growing reputation as a green building leader, with impacts far beyond our own region.

Giant Eagle’s Jim Lampl has many notable environmental achievements. He has overseen the Energy Star energy efficiency certifications of over 100 of the corporation’s stores and spearheaded the effort to make the Brunswick Giant Eagle location the first supermarket in the country to be certified by the LEED green building rating system. “jim has been charging forward in the green building arena for quite some time and is definitely not a newcomer,” commented Mr. Bates. “Within the typically inflexible confines of a corporate context, he has demonstrated durability and stamina for the principles to which he adheres.”

Josh Knauer, another jury member and the director of advanced development for MAYA Design, has nothing but praise for Councilman Bill Peduto, the winner in the government category. “The Councilman has been a huge proponent of environmental concerns in the community and green building specifically. I feel he is a champion among our elected officials and well deserving of the Shades of Green award.”

For more information, visit the Shades of Green Leadership Awards webpage.

4/28/2006