USGBC North Texas Chapter
Meet the Chapter

Back in 2002, a dozen individuals decided to join forces in order to pursue more strongly sustainable building in our region. Thus, the USGBC North Texas Chapter was born! Jump to 2008 where we are now 850+ members strong and with a distribution list of over 3,700 individuals, all interested in sustainable design.

We would like to take this opportunity to introduce you to the people behind the scenes at the Chapter, our 2008 Board of Directors.

David Rodriguez, LEED AP - Chair

David Rodriguez, LEED AP is serving his 4th year on the Board of Directors for the North Texas US Green Building Council as Chairman. The organization covers 16 counties that include both Greater Fort Worth and Dallas and surrounding areas.

Mr. Rodriguez is actively involved on several fronts.  He is a liaison to the Education and Events Committee, a group tasked with planning and selecting events and presentations that promote the never-ending education of its membership to sustainable, green design methodologies as well as the LEED rating system.  He is constantly recruiting new members from every sector of the architectural, engineering, construction and manufacturing community that are involved in the design and construction of the built environment.  He provides public talks and presentations whenever possible to members of these communities as well as to concerned citizens groups wanting information on green, sustainable practices.

Mr. Rodriguez seeks out companies to invest as annual sponsors for the North Texas chapter, a non-profit organization and volunteer based group for the past several years.  Fundraising efforts are crucial to supporting the chapter's program expenses and helping it to secure an Executive Director position in the near future. With more buildings being programmed for LEED Certification, the need to prepare individuals to become a LEED Accredited Professional has become paramount.  Mr. Rodriguez has been involved with LEED exam prep presentations and study groups while also providing LEED charrettes for projects considering LEED Certification.

Mr. Rodriguez received his Bachelors of Architecture Degree in 1975 ("the last century" he likes to say) from the University of Texas at Austin.

Mr. Rodriguez is Vice President / Associate Principal of Ware Architecture. The firm specializes in green, sustainable, high performance design on commercial, mix-use and unique residential projects and also provides LEED facilitation and consulting.

You may contact David directly at david@warearchitecture.com

Ken Sidebottom, CEM, LEED AP - Vice Chair

Ken Sidebottom is responsible for Development of Sustainable Building Solutions for the Building Efficiency Business of Johnson Controls Inc.

Ken is well versed in the various Design & Construction processes available for delivering New Buildings and the Renovation for Existing Buildings including Performance Contracting. He is well versed in applying the EPA ENERGY STAR Building Label Program and LEED Green Building Certification programs. His current responsibilities include managing the development and deployment of sustainable building programs for all JCI clients.

 

Specifically, Ken provides support in facility assessment, program development and implementation planning for Green Building projects and LEED® Certified projects developed by Johnson Controls globally. Additionally, he has been instrumental in Software Development, Management and Implementation of the JCI “Green Compass” Tool, which automates the process of LEED NC & EB Assessment, Process Management and Certification. Prior to and during his six years with Johnson Controls, Ken has been instrumental in developing dozens of new and existing building projects. He is personally responsible for many LEED Certified projects.

 

Ken belongs to several industry organizations, including the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) and the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE). He has published articles in various industry Publications and is quoted on the benefits of Greening Existing Buildings and the benefits of Building Green. 

 

Ken has a B.S. in Architectural Engineering from Milwaukee School of Engineering. He is a Certified Energy Manager and a LEED Accredited Professional. He previously served in business development management roles with JCI and held similar positions with two major Utility Companies and was employed by both Consulting Engineering and Construction Management firms for 16 years prior to joining JCI in 2001.

 

Jackson Murphy - Treasurer
Jackson Murphy is Owner/President of Green Bean Analysis, a company which focuses on making the financial business case for Green Building.  He is a current Board member and Treasurer for the US Green Building Council North Texas Chapter and Chair of the Chapter Finance Committee  Jackson holds an MBA in Real Estate and Finance, plus Graduate Certificate in Environmental Policy.  He is a former President of International Textile Sales company and former VP of Investment Management responsible for advising or directly managing over $100 Million in investment portfolios.

You may contact Jackson directly at jacksonmurphy8@yahoo.com

Jane Ahrens - Secretary
 
Jane Ahrens is a project architect with the aviation division of Gresham, Smith and Partners in Dallas, TX.  She continues to hold a part-time faculty position at The University of Texas at Arlington where she has taught design studios and sustainability in the School of Architecture.  Jane is a member of the Board of Directors of the North Texas Chapter of the US Green Building Council and the Dallas Architectural Foundation, and serves on the City of Dallas Green Building Task Force.  She is a Green Advantage Certified Professional and also serves as a trainer for the program.  Jane’s expertise in high efficiency building and environmental issues is integrated into her own projects as well as shared with the community with frequent lectures and workshops.
 
You may contact Jane directly at jane_ahrens@gspnet.com
 
Dale Ball, P.E.,C.E.M., LEED AP - Director

 

Mr. Ball is a Project Development Engineer with TAC involved with the design and construction of energy use reduction projects in various types of facilities.   Project involvement ranges from preliminary project analysis, and design to building commissioning and operating schedules.   As a LEED Accredited Professional, and a member of the USGBC North Texas Board of Directors, he deals with Green Building issues regularly. 

Laboratory buildings and facilities requiring special environments constitute the majority of Mr. Ball’s work.  Issues concerning minimizing water and fuel use as well as maintaining a safe and healthy environment are regularly addressed.  As a building modeler Mr. Ball must have a broad knowledge of the Architectural, Mechanical, and Electrical aspects of a project. 

Mr. Ball has been active at the Society level of ASHRAE for twenty five years, and has served as the Chairman of Technical Committee 1.4 dealing with control theory and applications.  He has been involved in the revisi0on of the ASHRAE handbooks.  Currently a member of Technical Committee 6.1 he has organized symposiums and been a presenter at Society Meetings.

 
Zaida Basora, AIA - Director
Zaida is a registered architect with over 24 years of experience in design, construction and contracting.  She holds a Master of Architecture degree from the University of Texas at Arlington and a Bachelor of Environmental Design from the University of Puerto Rico.  She has been with the City of Dallas for the past 12 years, where she has been Program Manager of Design and Construction, Purchasing Agent and is now Assistant Director of Administration and Architectural Services with the Department of Public Works and Transportation.  She implemented an electric energy procurement program in 2001, began the LEED green building program implementation for Equipment and Building Services in 2003; negotiated the City’s first energy services contract in December of 2003, and participated in the environmental advisory task force that resulted in the implementation of the building inspection expedited review process for LEED and Energy Star private developments in 2004.  She represents the City of Dallas as a member of the Antron Sustainability Advisory Council and as a member of the board of directors of the North Texas Chapter of the US Green Building Council and the South Central Regional Council of the US Green Building Council.  She just completed a three-year term as a national USGBC Board Director.  On March 3, 2004, Ms. Basora received a special recognition from the Dallas City Council for her contributions to the City of Dallas.
 
Denise Bates - Director

Ms. Bates is an interior designer with 13 years of experience on projects ranging from corporate offices and retail showrooms to restaurants and multi-family. After receiving a Bachelors in Environmental Design from Texas A&M University, she worked in Houston, and Shreveport before coming to Dallas. Denise leads interior design efforts at a local architecture firm. Besides membership in USGBC North Texas Chapter, Denise is involved in the professional community through membership in IIDA.

You may contact Denise directly at dbates@usgbcnorthtexas.org

Rachael Green, LEED AP - Director
Rachael Green is the LEED Services Director at Komatsu Architecture. Mrs. Green is also a Licensed Interior Designer in the State of Texas with over 15 years of design and construction experience. Mrs. Green has been involved with several LEED projects in the metroplex as well as consulting with local municipalities for creating and implementing ordinances that incorporate sustainability. Mrs. Green is actively involved in community outreach and education of the LEED Rating System as well as its impacts within the construction industry. Mrs. Green believes that fundamental training and education are necessary in order to make sustainable design and construction mainstream and not something out of the normal.
 
 
Gary Gene Olp, AIA, NCARB - Director
 

Gary Gene Olp directs a successful environmentally focused private architectural practice in Dallas, Texas.  It is a general practice established in 1987 to effect a fundamental change in the application of the craft of Architecture based on an understanding of environmental stewardship.  His efforts reflect an enterprising approach to energy efficiency, passive solar techniques, natural day lighting, enhanced fresh air systems with an emphasis on reducing construction waste and the use of natural, non-toxic building materials. 

His firm has secured the USGBC Gold LEED certification for the Northwest Service Center and Silver LEED certification for the McCommas Bluff Eco-Training Center.  They are currently seeking Platinum level LEED certification for: City of Plano’s Environmental Education Center; Hilton Renaissance Hotel renovation & Conference Center.  Gold level LEED certification for: City of Dallas projects; Hampton-Illinois Library; City of Waco Chamber of Commerce; McClenndon County Community College, new Classroom Building, Science Building, and Advanced Technical Training Center

GGO Architects is working with the City of Frisco on their Conference Center, City Hall, Police Courts & Holding, and Public Works Facility to certify these facilities as Silver.

Two of his residential buildings have also received significant achievement awards: Heather's Home was awarded the IBO's EVHA Gold Award, Custom Category for Hot Humid Climate, in addition to being the first USGBC LEED Platinum certified home in Texas, third in the nation, and was also granted the American Lung Association Health House award. Mr. Olp's own home was awarded IBO's EVHA Silver Award, Custom Category for Hot Humid Climate in 2005. All of his residential designs meet the Energy Star standard.

Mr. Olp’s civic involvement in the City of Dallas reflects his commitment to a broader vision as a practicing professional.  He has served as a board member on various cultural, educational and civic boards, committees and task forces.   Mr. Olp is actively involved with the Boy Scouts of America and is one of the originators and Co-Chairs of the Committee on the Environment, Dallas Chapter AIA and the non-profit Sustainable Dallas organization, dedicated to promoting sustainable business practices.

 
Donna Powell - Director

Ms. Powell is a Senior Sales Associate with Knoll, Inc. and a twenty year veteran of the furniture industry with experience in the commercial interior field.  She brings a comprehensive knowledge at multiple levels of both the manufacturing and the distribution side, including project management, business development and sales management.  Her role with Knoll, Inc. brings her into partnerships with corporate clients, the real estate community, as well as architects and designers in the market. 

Ms. Powell worked on one of the first USGBC Silver LEED Certified projects in the country.  She also helped to develop manufacturer programs providing benefits to clients seeking sustainable building goals.  As one of the founding members of the North Texas Chapter she is entering her second term on the Board of Directors. 

Ms. Powell shares Knoll’s belief that the workplace needs change, and being dedicated to listening carefully to those needs.  Knoll is thinking about the emergence of a new workplace climate, the meaning of new workplace planning models and how ecological principles inform product design. 

You may contact Donna directly at dpowell@knoll.com.

Terry Russell - Director

Terry Russell is a Registered Architect and LEED AP with HDR Architecture, Inc. who specializes in the healthcare sector and works on many national accounts.  Much of his experience has been dedicated to sustainable design with recent projects pursuing LEED certification in Washington state, Michigan, Kansas, Iowa, New Mexico, and Texas. 

Terry has been on the Board of Directors for several organizations including the Paul Sawyer Library (Frankfort, Kentucky) and the Frankfort Arts Council; he has also served as Co-Chairman of the Senator John Pope House Restoration project in Lexington, Kentucky.  He is now directing his energies toward furthering the USGBC’s goal of sustainable design with a special interest in “greening” healthcare applications. 

Terry looks forward to assisting in the education of the general public and the professional community regarding sustainable issues and the tools necessary for sustainable design and construction. 

Robert Smouse - Director

Robert Smouse is the City of Plano's current Green Building Committee Chair, and has coordinated developing LEED APs with 5 staff members successfully passing the LEED AP exam. He also assisted with developing the City's LEED Certification Building Policy - adopted in 2006. He currently leads a Collaborative Green Building Roundtable that has incorporated dialogue across 15 North Texas municipalities working toward implementing a similar green building program instead of various different municipality based programs.

You may contact Robert directly at roberts@plano.gov

Robert van Buren - Director

Mr. van Buren is a registered architect in Texas and New York, with over 20 years experience in planning, design and construction administration. He holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree from the University of Texas at Austin and an MBA from the University of Dallas. Since 1996, Mr. Van Buren has been a project manager with the City of Dallas, supervising development of new public facilities. Recent projects include the American Airlines Center (2001) and the Jack Evans Police Headquarters (2003). He was instrumental in development of the City's initiative to adopt LEED silver certification for new construction and has been actively involved with the North Texas Chapter since its formation in 2002.

You may contact Robert directly at robert.vanburen@dallascityhall.com

B. Kirk Teske, AIA, LEED AP - Chair Emeritus

Kirk Teske, AIA, LEED® AP is a Senior Vice President and director of sustainable design services at HKS Inc., a top ten architectural firm headquartered in Dallas, Texas.  He directs the firm’s sustainable design initiatives as well as actively manages some of the firm’s highest profile design projects.  Kirk has been with HKS for twenty three years, and has spent the majority of his career in the design and management of large corporate office facilities.  He managed the Sabre Corporate Campus Project, the first LEED Silver Certified project in Texas, and the new 900,000 square foot corporate headquarters for Radio Shack, one of the largest LEED Silver Certified Projects. 

Kirk is the founding Chairperson of the U.S. Green Building Council North Texas Chapter and a former Chairperson for the AIA Dallas Chapter’s Sustainable Design Committee.  He is a LEEDTM Accredited Professional and has spoken on numerous occasions on the implementation of the LEEDTM Green Building Rating System including a presentation at the first annual U.S. Green Building Conference in Austin. 

Kirk can be reached at (214) 969-5599 or via e-mail at kteske@hksinc.com

Janna Connor - Chair Emeritus

 

Betsy del Monte - Chair Emeritus

Ms. del Monte was the 2006 Chair of this Board, and was the 2007 President of AIA Dallas, where sustainability was the year’s top priority. She is an architect with 27 years of experience and leads the sustainability effort at Beck, an integrated architecture and construction firm, where she serves as a principal.

 

Ms del Monte has spoken at local and national conferences and written articles for publications concerning green buildings and sustainable design. She has taught seminars in introductory and advanced sustainability to numerous commercial and educational groups. She has focused specifically on the business case for sustainability and in effective technologies and project delivery systems for truly sustainable developments and buildings.

 

After receiving a B.S. in Architecture from the University of Virginia and a Master of Architecture from Rice University, she worked in Atlanta and Houston, and spent nine years with the Philip Johnson office in New York. In 1993, she moved to Dallas and joined Urban Architecture, where she became a partner. Urban Architecture merged with Beck in 1999 to create an alternative method of producing projects.

 

Besides membership in USGBC North Texas Chapter, she is involved in the professional community through membership in AIA, Texas Society of Architects, and has previously serves on the Boards of Directors of Commercial Real Estate Women and the Dallas Business Committee for the Arts.

Michael Kawecki, LEED AP, GA - Chair Emeritus

With nine years of experience in design and construction, Michael Kawecki has represented various roles through the building industry, including architect, owner, contractor, and consultant. He received a Master of Architecture from Texas Tech University , and is an Associate Member of the AIA. He is also a LEED Accredited Professional, Green Advantage Faculty and the 2007 Chair of the North Texas Chapter of the US Green Building Council. Previously as a Project Manager for the City of Dallas , Michael had the opportunity to pursue sustainable building projects for the City. He wrote the selection requirements for LEED consultants and Design/Builders for the Division, and managed the Division’s first LEED Major Renovation project. This project was the renovation of an 80,000 s.f. facility into a vehicular maintenance center for the City, and was the first LEED certified project in the City of Dallas , achieving Gold status. With the success of the Hensley Field Operations Center , he also pursued several other LEED projects from a Contractor’s perspective with the design/build contractor Harrison, Walker & Harper. He is currently with O’Brien & Associates, focusing on sustainable municipal/government design and retail/mixed-use.  

You may contact Michael directly at michael.kawecki@obrienarch.com