2011 June: The Transformation to Sustainable Schools
Margarita H. Colmenares
Margarita has over 30 years of leadership experience in the public, private and non-profit sectors. As a public servant, she has served twice as a political appointee in two Presidential administrations in Washington DC. She is an advocate for energy efficiencies and renewables, distributed generation and networked storage, smart grids and transitions to a low carbon society. Margarita is also the founder of Think Verde, a consulting firm and has directed sustainability initiatives for Sacramento City Unified School District. She is a board member of the Environmental Council of Sacramento (ECOS). She graduated from the School of Engineering at Stanford University.
Jordan Knighton
Jordan Knighton, AIA, is a partner with NTD Architecture, an award-winning design firm recognized for employing innovative ideas and sensitive design solutions to educattion facilities. Jordan has over 30 years experience in architecture and construction involving programming, design, production and construction administration for education facilities ranging from primary and secondary schools to colleges and universities. Jordan has extensive background in 21st century learning environments and campus transformation design. His knowledge of learning patterns in education, sustainable design and community-based planning have led to numerous visionary designs and regenerative campus transformations, receiving significant recognition of client success and architectural awards.
Derek Labrecque
Derek is a licensed architect and LEED Accredited Professional with demonstrated experience in the planning, design and project management of educational projects. His approach to design and management of projects is in alignment with the sustainable criteria of both CHPS and LEED standards. The standards have led to innovative and cost effective design solutions for his new construction, modernized and transformed projects. Derek understands the unique challenges of working on existing sites and how to effectively plan and phase the sequence of work to minimize the impact to the students and the educational curriculum.
Ryan Connally
Ryan is a professor, and the lead faculty in the Construction Technology Program, and the Building Performance and Energy Assessment Program, at Cosumnes River College (CRC). He is the Department Chair for the Architecture, Construction Management, Building Inspection, Architectural Design, and Construction Programs, and has over 18 years of experience in the industry. Ryan is a Certified Green Building Professional, Advanced CGBP I & II, a Building Performance Institute certified "Building Analyst", and is a BPI written and field test proctor, as well as an authorized OSHA trainer. Ryan and his students have significantly contributed to the construction of 11 LEED certified homes with the Sacramento Habitat for Humanity in the last few years, and plans on assisting them with weatherizing 80 more homes in the coming months.
Ryan has led the charge for CRC in developing new green building and energy efficiency curriculum. The CRC programs are training local professionals and new comers alike, for regional jobs in green building and energy efficiency programs, including SMUD's Home Performance Program. Ryan will also discuss the other Green Force Programs across the Los Rios Community College District.