USGBC South Florida Chapter
Board of Directors Bios

 

Paul Carty -- President
Executive Committee / Officer
Paul Carty, LEED AP BD+C, is an accomplished builder with more than 23 years of experience in the South Florida construction management industry.  Paul is Vice-President and Principal at State Contracting and Engineering Corporation, a commercial and civil construction management firm based in Hollywood.

A licensed Florida General Contractor, Paul has overseen numerous projects in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties.  His building portfolio includes dozens of educational facilities, as well as roadways, bridges, libraries, parks and recreational facilities, toll plazas, and office buildings.  Paul graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor’s Degree in Building Construction.

The Chief Spokesperson of the Chapter, Paul's interest in green building was sparked when he became project executive of the first LEED building in Broward County, leading the construction team on the South Regional/Broward College Library in Pembroke Pines.  This pioneer project achieved Silver Certification in 2007.  Paul has since been involved in numerous other green projects, most recently the LEED Gold Pine Crest Central Chiller Plant at the Fort Lauderdale campus of Pine Crest Preparatory School.  The project was the city’s first LEED NC Certification.

Paul has served on the Chapter's Board of Directors since 2007.  In addition to his duties as President of the Chapter, Paul is also Chair of the Chapter’s Sponsorship, Executive and Nominating Committees.

Paul is Green Advantage Certified and a national faculty member of the Green Advantage Environmental Certification Program.  He also serves on the Construction Management Program Advisory Committee at Everglades University.

Born and raised in Trinidad, Paul came to the USA for college.  He resides with his three children in Davie.

Hector Samario -- Vice-President
Executive Committee / Officer

Hector Samario, LEED AP, a Senior Project Executive with Siemens Industries, Inc., works with municipalities, counties and school districts to develop energy and water conservation strategies aimed at reducing utility consumption, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and the overall cost of operations. Moreover, the strategies developed have the additional focus of creating and/or maintaining "green" jobs in the local economies.

 

Hector has worked in the energy market since retiring from the U.S. Navy in 2003.  Before joining the Siemens team, Hector worked with FPL Services and Honeywell, two Energy Services Companies (ESCOs) focused on energy conservation.  Hector also worked as an Economic Systems Analyst with Booz Allen Hamilton, where he conducted research and analysis of the global oil markets on behalf of the US Southern Command, one of nine unified Combatant Commands that make up the Department of Defense.  Hector was one of three founding members of the US Southern Command’s "Standing Joint Forces Headquarters", an organization and initiative created under then-Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld aimed at improving our nation’s war-fighting techniques.

 

After graduating from California Polytechnic University at Pomona with a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering, Hector spent 20 years as a pilot in the US Navy, where tours of duty provided various opportunities: Advisor to the Royal Saudi Naval Aviation Command in Saudi Arabia; Officer in Charge for Middle East Detachment; Exercise Director for Latin America and the Caribbean; Flight Officer aboard the aircraft carrier USS America; and Flight Instructor at the Navy’s Flight School in Pensacola.  Hector received his Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Florida in 1999 while still serving in the US Navy. 

Hector is involved in multiple activities with the USGBC South Florida Chapter.  He is the founding Chair of the Broward Branch of the Chapter (2008/09) and served as the Chapter’s Green Schools Advocate through September 2010.  In addition to his responsibilities on the Board of Directors, Hector stays true to his "green" focus -- as Vice Chair of the Broward League of Cities' Sustainability Committee, and member of the Broward County Climate Change Task Force.

 

Hector and his wife, Lisa, live in Pembroke Pines.  They have two beautiful children, Natalie and Harrison.

Missy Strauss -- Treasurer 

Executive Committee / Officer
Missy Tancredi-Strauss is President of TangibleGreen, Inc., a consulting firm specializing in green business, buildings and sustainability.  Missy has more than 14 years of experience in business operations, marketing, technical writing and engineering project administration.  She is a LEED AP and holds a Certification in Sustainable Business Leadership.  Her passion is working on existing buildings and businesses to change operational, behavioral and procedural applications to cultivate reduced impacts on the environment and improve overall performance.

 

Missy is also a co-creator and host of Radio Green Earth, South Florida ’s first all-environmental talk show.  The show first aired live on a local AM station in February 2009 with the goal of educating the public on issues surrounding sustainability and the environment.  Today, the show is broadcast every Thursday from Broward County north to Indian River County.  Missy is also an adjunct faculty member at Palm Beach State College (PBSC) on green subjects, helped launch their Green Institute for Trade and Industry Continuing Education, and is currently a member of the Green Institute’s Business Development Board.

 

Missy’s college career began at San Diego State University, CA, where she became ensconced in a more holistic, natural way of living and reducing one’s footprint on the earth.  After taking the wife and mother detour and migrating to Florida , she graduated from FAU with a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature.  She later attended a Masters Program at Green Mountain College in Vermont to become a certified Sustainable Business Leader in an effort to assist her clients with strategic green-business planning.

Missy was born in Connecticut and currently lives and plays in Jupiter with her husband, Paul, and her two wonderful daughters, Sabrina and Gabrielle.

Sandra Lee -- Secretary

Executive Committee / Officer

Sandra Lee, LEED AP BD+C, AICP, directs the Environmental Planning Department at Calvin, Giordano & Associates (CGA) -- a multi-disciplinary consulting firm in operation since 1938 providing services to the public and the private sector throughout southeast Florida. Sandra works out of the firm's Fort Lauderdale office, coordinating their regulatory permitting, environmental planning, site assessment, resource management and environmental technical support services and staff.  Prior to joining CGA, Sandra was with the Growth Management Division of Monroe County.  A resident of the Florida Keys for nearly 10 years, Sandra became very familiar with the environmental sensitivities and government programs protecting the Keys, a designated area of critical State concern.

Sandra is the immediate-past Chair of the Broward Branch.  She is also a Board member to the South Florida Association of Environmental Professionals.

 

Sandra obtained a Bachelors degree in Biology with a special emphasis in Botany, and a Masters degree in Ecological Systems from St. Cloud State University, located in St. Cloud, Minnesota , near where she grew up.  She lives in Oakland Park.  Sandra has one adult son, Erik, who is currently living in South Florida. 

Anthony Alfonso, Broward Branch Chair

Executive Committee / Officer

Anthony Alfonso, LEED AP, is a Senior Counsel with the internationally respected law firm of Holland & Knight.  "Tony" is a member of H&K's Real Estate practice group with a focus on commercial real estate.  He is experienced in representing owners, lenders and borrowers in a variety of commercial real estate transactions.  As a LEED AP, he is also involved with sustainable development and green-building issues.

Tony received his BA (summa cum laude) in Political Science from Florida International University, and his JD (magna cum laude) from Florida State University College of Law.  While in law school, he was a member of the FSU Law Review, where he served as the Administrative Editor.  Upon graduation Tony was elected to the Order of the Coif.

In addition to his role on the USGBC South Florida Chapter Board of Directors and as an Officer of the nonprofit organization, Tony is also the Chair of the Chapter's Broward Branch.  A popular speaker and frequent writer concerning Real Estate and green-building issues, Tony enjoys spending time with his family and reading in what little free time he gets.  Originally from Miami, Tony and his wife, Alissa, and their children, Grey, Ash and Goldie, live in Hollywood.  Alissa is a local artist who creates fabric collage pieces using sustainable materials. 

Jonathan Burgess, Palm Beach Branch Chair

Executive Committee / Officer

Jonathan Burgess, LEED AP ND & BD+C, is a Project Manager at Land Design South -- a land planning and landscape architecture firm in West Palm Beach.  Jonathan's professional experience includes site/ landscape design and land planning for major civic, commercial, institutional, industrial, residential, recreational and mixed-use developments.  He is responsible for taking projects from conceptual planning and design through design development and the land entitlement process.  Jonathan has worked on a wide variety of project scopes, from small-scale domestic commercial properties (1-5 acres) to large-scale international mixed-use developments (300-10,000 acres).  He works closely on a regular basis with architects, engineers, surveyors, biologists, ecologists, sustainability consultants, and contractors.

In addition to serving on the Board of Directors of the US Green Building Council's South Florida Chapter, Jonathan is also the Chair of the Palm Beach Branch, and Communications Chair of the eight USGBC Chapters in the Florida-Caribbean Region.  Jonathan also serves as Chair of the Sustainability Advisory Committee for the City of West Palm Beach, and is a Director of the South Florida Fair; a Sustainability Advisor to PB State College's Green Institute; a member of the Construction Committee for Habitat of Humanity of PBC; and President of the Poinciana Park Neighborhood Association.

Jonathan was the first person in South Florida to acheive the LEED for Neighborhood Development specialty accreditation.

Jonathan lives and works in West Palm Beach with his dog, Faith, and spends his free time either "greening" his 1935 Old Florida home or traveling to Coconut Creek to visit his one-year old niece. 

Robert Cannellos -- Immediate-Past President
Executive Committee / Officer

Robert Cannellos is a LEED AP BD+C design consultant and LEED certifying agent in South Florida.  Robert's experience includes 20 years in the architecture and construction industries.  He majored in Architecture, earning a Bachelor’s degree at Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona, and he has extensive experience in sustainable planning and design of high-performance green buildings with numerous architectural and consulting firms in Arizona and Florida.  For the past five years, Robert has been Branch Chair, Board Member and currently serves as Immediate Past-President of the US Green Building Council South Florida Chapter.  Robert has been active in the growth and development of the Chapter's five Branches; and continues to focus on the evolution and quality of the Chapter's educational programs; leadership, community involvement and social equity.

Well known and respected in the South Florida green building community for more than 10 years, Robert has been cited as passionate, thoughtful, creative and tireless.  Robert’s extensive experience in ecological planning, development, and construction fosters intelligent and responsible design collaborations culminating in socially responsible building design and community planning.  Robert has been known to take the leadership role, or "jump in" and roll up his sleeves to volunteer at any level of service in the nonprofit community.  Dedicated to socially conscious design with a focus on raising the awareness of our environmental responsibility, Robert often serves as an inspiration and a mentor to those who get to know him.  This along with a steadfast respect to our environment creates a tangible palette of experience and skills that are extremely pertinent to our social condition.  Robert will no doubt continue on this path with utmost respect for our future generations, while incorporating the most pertinent aspects of integrated design and community planning.  His critical thinking and innovation in the built environment will craft dynamic solutions to our current challenges that are without a doubt, the most critical topics faced by our generation.

Raised in upstate New York, Robert also enjoys painting, attending art showings and events, spending time with his family (including his cat Maynard), restoring his vintage 1950s home in Delray Beach, and can even be found drumming with a local (rock and roll) band.

Stephen Chang, Miami-Dade Branch Chair
Stephen Chang, LEED AP BD+C, is an accomplished builder with more than 10 years of experience in the South Florida construction management industry.  Stephen is a Project Manager at Moss & Associates, a privately held construction company that is ranked among the nation’s top 100 building contractors and the seventh largest in Florida.

A licensed General Contractor in Florida, Alabama and Mississippi, Stephen has overseen numerous projects and continues his work in South Florida.  Stephen is responsible for managing multi-million dollar projects from preconstruction through project completion.  He works closely with developers, owners, architects, engineers and sustainability consultants.  His building portfolio includes landmark mixed-use developments, luxury high-rise residential facilities, commercial office buildings, educational and higher learning institutions, and biotechnology and healthcare complexes.

Stephen graduated from the University of Florida with an undergraduate degree in Building Construction and has been a LEED AP since 2007.  He enjoys working on LEED projects and helping the South Florida community become a greener, more sustainable place to work and live.

Born in Jamaica and raised in South Florida, Stephen lives with his wife and two children in Pembroke Pines.


Doug Coward
Doug Coward has two decades of professional experience in Florida as a planner and political architect, including 12 years as a St. Lucie County Commissioner (1998-2010).  Doug attended Florida State University, where he earned a Master's Degree in Urban and Regional Planning, with an emphasis on economics and the environment. In addition to more than a decade of public service, Doug has worked as a Senior Environmental Planner with St. Lucie County, an Environmental Specialist and Clean Energy Executive in the private sector, and as a Community Planner with 1000 Friends of Florida.  Doug is currently Chairman and CEO of Clean Energy Strategies, LLC.

Doug has spearheaded numerous projects and programs, including St. Lucie County's voter-approved $20 million environmental lands preservation program; the first green public building in St. Lucie County; innovative and award-winning land-use strategies; a national award-winning Solar and Energy Loan Fund; a national award-winning green jobs training facility, and, an international award-winning economic recovery initiative.

Doug has been the recipient of numerous awards, including: "Most Outstanding Green Elected Official" from the South Florida Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council; the "Public Official of the Year" from the Florida Chapter of the American Planning Association; "Conservation Leader" from the Florida Chapter of the Nature Conservancy; "Distinguished Public Official" and "Environmental Guardian" from the Treasure Coast Chapter of the American Institute of Architects; "Community Steward" from 1000 Friends of Florida; and "Outstanding Public Service" from the Marine Resources Council.

Doug has been described by the Florida media as one of the "best commissioners in the history of St. Lucie County,"  and, "an usual combination of environmentalist, smart growth proponent and business advocate."

A member of the Board of the Directors for the USGBC South Florida Chapter, Doug and his wife, Tara, and their son, Ty, live in Port St. Lucie.

Michael Enderlin
Michael Enderlin, LEED AP, is the Equipment Sales Manager for South Florida Trane with more than 13 years of experience with the company in multiple roles.  Trane supports local architects and engineers in their efforts to design buildings to the highest efficiency standards while maintaining the lowest emission criteria.  The optimization of both the mechanical and ventilation systems help minimize energy consumption and maximize comfort.  Prior to his management role, he spent 10 years as a Sales Engineer, where he provided design support for engineers and selection and sales support to contractors and building owners.

Michael received his BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Arkansas.  While in school, he was President of the Booster Club, on the Board of the Order of Omega, and a member of the Golden Key Honor Society.

Residing in the downtown Fort Lauderdale area, Michael is a supporter of the Young Professionals and the Boys and Girls Club of Broward County.  He is a recreational pilot, and spends much of his free time outdoors, mainly boating on the beautiful waters of South Florida.

 

Thorn Grafton

Thorn Grafton, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, is the Director of Sustainable Initiatives for Zyscovich Architects, a 100-person Architecture and Planning firm with offices in Miami, Orlando and New York.  Thorn coordinates sustainable design efforts on the firm’s many sustainable projects, assisted by the firm’s 23 other LEED APs. 

 

An Architect for 30 years, Thorn's projects have ranged from historic preservation, community development, environmental education, and neighborhood planning to sustainable design and construction. Thorn served as project manager and LEED coordinator for both the FAU / Pine Jog Environmental Education Center (LEED Gold), and the Pine Jog Elementary School in West Palm Beach, Florida ’s first public school campus LEED Certified at the Gold level.  He is the firm’s Preservation Architect for the historic rehabilitation and expansion of Miami Senior High School , a National Register Historic Landmark, and was a planning coordinator for Zyscovich’s post-Katrina New Orleans Neighborhood Rebuilding Plans, encompassing five historic neighborhoods, including Treme and the 7th Ward, in 2006.  Other sustainable LEED projects in progress include work on several public and private schools; a multi-purpose classroom building at the Wolfson Campus of Miami-Dade College; Galaxy Elementary School in Boynton Beach, registered for LEED Platinum level; a Fitness Center for the US Marines at Camp Lejeune, NC; and airport facilities.  Thorn received the 2011 Green Visionary Award from the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce.

Thorn received a Master of Architecture from Tulane University, and counts the City of New Orleans among his primary influences, along with two summers working at Arcosanti, Arizona, with visionary architect Paolo Soleri, and collaborating with Barbara Capitman on the early preservation initiatives for South Beach and Opa-locka.

Thorn was a founding member of the USGBC South Florida Chapter in 2003; a member of the City of Miami Historic and Environmental Preservation Board from 2007-2010; and is on the Board of Trustees (and former President) of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Biscayne Nature Center on Key Biscayne.

A third generation South Florida architect (grandson of Russell T. Pancoast and great-great grandson of Miami Beach pioneer John S. Collins), Thorn brings a historical perspective to his work on the built environment in a hot and humid subtropical climate.  He has been a part-time professor at the University of Miami School of Architecture, and has made presentations on the relevance of green, sustainable design at UM, FIU, FAU, Miami-Dade College and Tulane.

Glen Hadwen

Glen Hadwen has been working professionally on environmental issues for nearly two decades.  He is also currently a member of the Urban Sustainability Director’s Network, co-chair of the USGBC South Florida Chapter's Advocacy Committee, and the Chair of Government Education Committee for the Chapter's Miami-Dade Branch. As the Environmental Programs Manager for the City of Miami Office of Sustainable Initiatives (MSI), he helps develop and implement programs in areas such as green buildings, energy efficiency, renewable energy, tree planting, recycling, and green transportation, amongst many others.  Glen was the project manager for MiPlan, the City of Miami Climate Action Plan, which set targets for citywide reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, emphasizing reductions in the areas of buildings, energy generation, transportation, and land use.  He is currently working to implement the many recommendations of MiPlan to reduce the carbon footprint of the City of Miami. 

 

In 2009, Glen was appointed to the Energy and Climate Technical Advisory Committee for the STAR Community Index, which is being developed jointly by ICLEI -- Local Government for Sustainability; the US Green Building Council; and the Center for American Progress.  He is also currently a member of the Urban Sustainability Director’s Network, and the Chair of Government Education Committee of the Miami-Dade Branch of the US Green Building Council South Florida Chapter.

 

In 1993, Glen received a Master’s of Science in Environmental Health Sciences from the Harvard School of Public Health.  For the next 14 years, he worked as an environmental consultant, primarily evaluating indoor environmental quality and the impact of pollutants on the built environment.  He is co-author of several papers with the US EPA, documenting typical levels of indoor pollutants in US office buildings.  Glen is a Certified Industrial Hygienist accredited by the American Board of Industrial Hygiene since 1998, and a LEED Accredited Professional since 2009.

 

Glen lives in Doral with his wife and two daughters, who have started their own green club.

 

 

John Hardman

John Hardman specializes in training leaders and facilitating the shift of their organizations toward sustainability and regenerative practice in business, community and education.  He is the founder of Regenerative Organizations, a process consulting firm that brings together a network of experts in sustainability leadership, legislation, construction, engineering, energy efficiency, and community and business development.  In addition to his studies and work in leadership and sustainability, John is a licensed facilitator of the AtKisson Group’s ISIS Accelerator for sustainability strategic planning.  He is also licensed
as a sustainability business professional in S-CORE (Sustainability – Competency, Opportunity & Rating Evaluation), and he has undergone further training in Sustainable Community Development with the Homes and Communities Academy, UK.

 

John is the author of the recently published Leading for Regeneration: Going beyond Sustainability in Business, Education, and Community, which is based on his ongoing research and process consulting work with organizations.

 

In addition to his full time commitment with the Department of Educational Leadership & Research Methodology in the College of Education at Florida Atlantic University, John teaches Sustainability Leadership for Entrepreneurs in the College of Business, and for Engineers in the College of Engineering. The latter is part of a recently launched graduate level certificate program in sustainability and renewable energy funded by a grant from Florida Power & Light.

 

Prior to coming to the United States to pursue doctoral studies and work in the field of sustainability and leadership, John was an international school teacher and principal in South America for 20 years.

Allen Messer 

Allen Messer, P.E., LEED AP BD+C, AVS, is Director of Pre-Construction with SKANSKA USA, one of the world's leading project development and construction groups, employing 52,000 employees in selected home markets in the USA, Europe and Latin America.  Working out of the SKANSKA Ft. Lauderdale office, Allen directs and manages the pre-construction team and process.  

Allen has overseen numerous projects throughout the State of Florida.  His building portfolio includes Florida International University's College of Nursing and Health Sciences ($40 million, 101,000 sf) and Marine Biology Building ($9.7 million, 57,000 sf); Florida State University's College of Medicine ($49.6 million, 54,000 sf facility); Florida Atlantic University's Scripps Laboratory ($12 million, 40,000 sf) and the Charles E. Schmidt Biomedical Science Center ($15.2 million, 92,900 sf); Palm Beach Community College's Bioscience Building ($18.1 million, 91,000 sf); Miami Senior High School (additions, renovations and historical restoration, $100 million, 217,000 sf, multi-phased project on a 3,229 student station, five-building high school); Palm Beach International Airport security upgrade ($36 million); Miami International Airport Terminal J ($75.6 million); Jacksonville International Airport Terminal Expansion ($40 million stage 1) ... and more.

Following two years at the US Air Force Academy, Allen received his BS in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Florida.  He earned his MBA from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.  Today, Allen continues to embrace education as an Adjunct Professor teaching Estimating and Advanced Estimating courses at Florida Atlantic University.  This former Eagle Scout also gives back to his community as a Board member of the Boy Scouts of America, as well as for the USGBC South Florida Chapter.  

Originally from _____, Allen and his wife, ______, and their ___ children live in Southwest Ranches.  

Neyda Otero

Neyda Otero is an architect, LEED AP, and the Director of Project Management and Construction for
Pine Crest School, a private all-faith college preparatory school with campuses in Ft. Lauderdale and Boca Raton, Florida.  For the last 10 years, her department has been responsible for the planning, management and development of all aspects of new buildings and infrastructure construction, facilities renovations, capital improvement planning, budgeting and the construction oversight of all facilities projects at both Pine Crest School Campuses.  Neyda has created new policies and procedures for facilities planning and for the management of the bond program projects that have resulted in numerous projects that were delivered on time and under budget.

Neyda has led the school in the management of a facilities structure to effectively undertake an initial five-year, $30 million capital improvement bond program consisting of several projects at both campuses.  The bond program was so successful that the school undertook another $55 million capital improvement bond program in 2008 that is currently underway.  This resulted in the construction of the first Pine Crest School LEED academic building -- the new Lower School Replacement Building at the Boca Raton Campus achieving LEED Gold Certification for Schools from the USGBC -- and secondly the City of Fort Lauderdale’s first LEED Gold Certification for New Construction from the USGBC for the Chiller Plant Building Project at the Ft. Lauderdale Campus. 

Prior to joining Pine Crest School, Neyda was Director of Physical Plant for the Broward Campuses of Florida Atlantic University; Director of Design for the Broward County School Board; and project architect for various architectural firms in the South Florida area during her 28-year career in the construction industry.

Originally from Cuba, this new USGBC South Florida Chapter Board member graduated from the University of Miami, grew up in Palm Beach County, and currently lives in Pompano Beach.  Neyda has two daughters who are presently at Harvard College, Classes of 2012 and 2015.  In her free time, Neyda enjoys running, exercising, relaxing and spending time with her 11-year-old Jack Russell terrier.

David Phillips, Treasure Coast Branch Chair

David Phillips, P.E. LEED AP BD+C, is the president at Sustainable Engineering & Design, LLC -- a civil engineering firm located in Vero Beach offering consulting Civil Engineering services for a large variety of public and private sector clients in the Treasure Coast and throughout the State of Florida.  With more than two decades of extensive land development experience with total construction costs amassing nearly $800 million dollars, David is skilled in securing federal, state, and local regulatory permits and approvals.  He has an extensive background in residential, commercial, institutional, industrial, and municipal projects.  David’s sought-after design expertise has led him to participate in projects as far as Madrid, Spain and the Netherland Antilles.  

David specializes in sustainable land development and innovative storm water management systems.  In addition to being a proud member of the USGBC South Florida Chapter's Board of Directors, David is also the Chair of the Chapter's Treasure Coast Branch, following tenure as both Branch Vice-Chair and as the Sponsorship Committee Chair.  He is also actively involved with the Florida Engineering Society and Florida Green Building Coalition, and is a Building Committee member for the local St. Lucie County Harvest Food & Outreach Center.  As a member of the School Board of St. Lucie County’s Energy Advisory Team, David provided valuable input to help assist the School Board in saving nearly $2 million in energy costs from 2009 through 2011.

David received his Associate in Science degree, in Civil Engineering, at Indian River State College, and his Bachelor of Science, in Civil Engineering, at Florida Tech.  He currently lives with his lovely wife Kandi in Vero Beach.  They have two grown children -- son J.T. with two grandkids Jayden and Janiyah, and daughter Jada, all living in Vero Beach.  David enjoys listening to Reggae, Jimmy Buffet and Kenny Chesney while hanging out with friends in sunny Florida.

 

Gary Pirtle

Gary Pirtle is currently a Vice President at Pirtle Construction Company.  Gary is a Civil Engineer, LEED AP BD+C, a Florida-licensed General Contractor, and a Professional Engineer.

Over the course of the past 10 years as Vice President at Pirtle Construction Company, Gary has been responsible for the construction of more than 25 major projects in Palm Beach and  Martin Counties .  Notable projects include the FAU Pine Jog Environmental Education Center and Pine Jog Elementary School, both LEED Gold Certified projects in West Palm Beach.  The Pine Jog Elementary School was the first LEED Gold Certified K-12 facility in Florida.  As a LEED AP, Gary ensures that all of the firm's LEED projects are on track to meet or exceed the targeted certification level.

Gary has more than 30 years of construction management experience.  After completing 20-plus years with the U.S. Navy Civil Engineer Corps where he served as a Navy Civil Engineer Corps Officer, Gary retired with the rank of Commander.  While serving in the Navy, Gary worked on numerous MILCON and Navy Special Projects including Housing, Barracks, Jet Aviation Fueling Facilities, Runway Repairs and Extensions, and Pier Construction.  His experience for the U.S. Navy Civil Engineer Corps also gave him construction management skills in interdisciplinary engineering, construction contracting, and utilities management.

Gary holds a Bachelors and Masters degree in Civil Engineering, from the Univer sity of Alabama and the Georgia Institute of Technology, respectfully.  In addition to his responsibilities as a Director of the USGBC South Florida Chapter, Gary is highly involved in other civic organizations, including the U.S. Navy League – Fort Lauderdale Chapter (Board member) and the South Florida ACE Mentor Program (Board member).

Originally from Tennessee, Gary and his fiancé, Vickie, now live in Fort Lauderdale .  Gary is a proud father of two grown children -- his daughter Heather, living in Seattle, Washington, and his son Chris, who lives in California with Gary 's three grandchildren. 

Joseph Sanches
Joseph Sanches is an accomplished construction and facilities management professional with more than
25 years of progressive experience managing capital programs of over $1 billion.  Joe is recognized as an innovative leader who has created and implemented several processes and strategies that have resulted
in substantial savings and significant improvements in facility design, construction, maintenance and operations.  

Joe is currently Chief of the Support Operations Division of the School District of Palm Beach County (SDPBC), the 11th largest school district in the country enrolling more than 174,000 students in 187 schools.  Overseeing an annual budget of over $374 million and a staff of 3,000 employees, Joe is the senior executive responsible for the district’s 28 million square feet of facilities, as well as the transporting over 60,000 students per day, and the serving of an average of 143,472 meals per day. 

Joe led the effort to build the first Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) Gold-Certified k-12 school in Florida (Pine Jog Elementary School).  He also has championed the adoption of several policies covering a range of sustainability issues such as green cleaning, water and energy conservation, and recycling.  He was also a key player in the successful passage of a countywide referendum that raised more than $560 million to construct, repair and add technology to schools.   

Before coming to the SDPBC in 2002, Joe spent 20 years in the private sector managing the construction of schools, malls, prisons, hotels and other buildings throughout New York, New Jersey, Atlanta and the U.S. Virgin Islands.  Joe has an Associate in Applied Science degree in Construction Technology from New York City College of Technology; a Bachelor in Professional Studies degree in Construction Management from the Pratt Institute; and a Master in Business Administration in Management from Baruch College.

In addition to being a very proud member of the USGBC South Florida Chapter and its leadership team, Joe serves on the Board of the Pine Jog Environmental Education Center and the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts.  Joe lives in Wellington with his wife, Marie.  They have three wonderful children.

Carole Schafmeister

Carole Schafmeister, FCSI, is an Architectural Representative for D&B Tile Distributors, a 45-year-old company with nine branches and showrooms throughout South Florida.  D&B Tile distributes marble, stone, glass, porcelain tile products, setting materials and equipment to the architectural, design and construction communities. 

Carole previously owned her own tile installation business -- That Woman’s Tile Company.  She has been working within the construction industry for more than 35 years -- from South Florida to the Bahamas to Atlantic City (NJ) -- assisting various construction firms in the building of hotels, casinos, power plants, golf courses, shopping centers, theaters, office buildings, public service plant facilities, laboratories and residential.  Her work has included construction job superintendence, office administration, contract management, negotiation and purchasing.

Carole earned her M.B.A. from SE Louisiana University.  She served as Programs Chair of the Miami-Dade and the Keys Branch and just completed serving her second term as Chair of the Branch.  She is also Chair of the Greenbuilding Committee of the Ceramic Tile Distributors Association.  Carole is a past National Vice President and Secretary of the Construction Specifications Institute, which honored her by naming her a Fellow ... "in recognition of her devotion, service and leadership at all Institute levels and her exemplary talent in organization, motivation and communication that inspires others to their full potential."

Carole's other member-association involvements include the International Interior Design Association; the Hospitality Industry Network; and the Miami and Ft. Lauderdale Chapters of CSI.  She is also a past national Vice-President/Director and member of the National Association of Women in Construction. 

A prominent advocate for and author concerning sustainability, Carole has penned articles for CSI, CTDA, NAWIC and D&B Tile Distributors.  She was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, and currently lives in Pembroke Pines.  She enjoys traveling, fishing, reading, all types of performing arts, designing and fabricating jewelry.