Saturday Keynote Speaker: Bill Reed

An internationally recognized proponent and practitioner of sustainability and an architect, Bill is president of the Integrative Design Collaborative - a consulting organization working to lift green building design practice into one that is fully integrated with living systems. He is also a principal in the regenerative planning firm Regenesis and an associate of the strategic environmental planning firm Natural Logic. His work centers on creating the framework for and managing the integrative, whole-systems design process; emphasizing building evolutionary capability in design, construction, and engagement with our environment. The objective: to improve the overall quality of the physical, social and spiritual life of our living places.

He served as co-chair of the LEED Technical Committee from its inception in 1994 through 2003; is a member of the LEED Advanced faculty and one of the first of twelve USGBC trainers of the LEED Rating System; a founding Board Member of the US Green Building Council; and served on the national executive committee of the AIA Committee On The Environment. He currently serves on the Board of the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association, as an advisor to Environmental Building News, and on the board of CitiLog.

For more information on Bill's impressive accomplishments, please click here >>>

Friday Keynote Speaker: Michael Chandler

MICHAEL CHANDLER, president of Chandler Design-Build, has been designing and building high-performance homes since 1978. He volunteered with the NAHB National Association of Home Builders, which awards a Model Green Home Certification. Michael helped to create the new NAHB-ICC National Green Building Standard and also worked with his local HBA to establish their Green Building Council and implement a credible third-party certification process.

Chandler is a North Carolina licensed builder and plumber, building three to six homes per year, all green, Energy Star Labeling system sponsored by the Environmental Protection Agency and the US Department of Energy for labeling the most energy-efficient products on the market. Michael was a 2006 & 2007 National Green Building Awards Finalist for Custom Home of the Year, received the Custom Home Pacesetter Award in 2006 from the Custom Builder's Symposium, was awarded the 2005 National Aging-in-Place Design winner from the IBS Seniors Housing Council and was titled one of the 50 Best Builders to Work for in America in 2002 and 2003 by the Professional Builder Magazine.

Mark A. Robertson, Principal MESA Landscape Architects

Mark A. Robertson is a Landscape Architect, Sustainability Consultant and Horticulturist. He is the Principal of MESA Landscape Architects based in Little Rock, Arkansas. MESA specializes in projects related to conservation, education, recreation or interpretation. Mr. Robertson seeks inspiration from nature and strives to find an appropriate balance between the needs of the built environment and the context in which these projects are located.  Project types include considerable experience in zoological and botanical master planning and exhibit design, recreational planning and design, horticulture, campus and institutional master planning, sustainability consulting and project management.

Throughout his career he has been an advocate to incorporate issues of sustainability and responsible design in all projects in which he has undertaken. Mr. Robertson is recognized nationally for his efforts related to sustainable design and advocacy efforts in this arena.

Ben Leigh, Programs Manager, The Sustainability Institute

Ben received his Master's in Environmental Studies from the College of Charleston. Ben is a Certified Home Energy Rater and Manages the Institute's energy audit and consultation services that aim to increase the use of sustainable practices and techniques through a series of workshops; organizes and performs weatherizations; provides trainings for building professionals and works with homeowners to help them make sustainable decisions.

Dave Sailor, V.P., Business Development Charleston & Coastal Carolina Region, Argand Energy

Dave combines past sales and business development experience with a passion for green building and restoration.  He holds a South Carolina Residential Builders License, has participated in EarthCraft Builder training and is working towards LEED-NC AP credentials.  Dave earned a BBA from Baylor University with a double major in International Business and Real Estate. He manages the Charleston office and is responsible for the Coastal Carolina Region.

Elias Deeb, LEED AP, The Noisette Company

Elias L. Deeb is a Project Manager with The Noisette Company, in North Charleston SC. He leads a team of architects, engineers and construction managers responsible for the implementation of projects using sustainable development priniciples. Mr. Deeb also provides turnkey amangement services for the City of North Charleston's 55-acre sustainable neighborhood, Oak Terrace Preserve. He is a U.S. Green Building Council LEED Accredited Professional and a member of the Urban Land Institute. He earned an undergraduate degree in psychology from Florida State University and a Master's degree in Business from The Citidel Graduate College.

Jeff Baxter, LEED AP, The Noisette Company

Jeff Baxter is the Director of Development with The Noisette Company, a development company whose focus is the redevelopment of the Navy Yard at Noisette in North Charleston.  In this role, Jeff oversees various planning and development projects within the Navy Yard including the recently completed 10 Storehouse Row project.  He is a LEED accredited professional with the US Green Building Council, a registered landscape architect, and is involved with the South Carolina District Council of the Urban Land Institute. Jeff graduated from the University of Georgia with a Bachelors degree in Landscape Architecture and Harvard University with a Master’s of Landscape Architecture.

Joel McKellar, LEED AP, LS3P

Charleston native and graduate of the architecture program at Clemson University, Joel McKellar, LEED AP has been a researcher at LS3P ASSOCIATES LTD. since 2005.  Focusing on a broad array of topics ranging from the antimicrobial properties of copper surfaces to the impact of lighting control on health and productivity, McKellar quickly realized the need for substantial education in sustainable design and construction practices.  Since earning his LEED accreditation in 2006, he is now the chairman of the Lowcountry Branch of the US Green Building Council and teaches LEED training courses both within LS3P and for USGBC Lowcountry.  In 2008 he founded the website RealLifeLEED.com, a website devoted to practicing LEED professionals syndicated by publications such as Architectural Record and Greensource and reaches over 10,000 visitors monthly.

Emilio Ancaya, Living Roofs Inc.

Emilio Ancaya, founder of Living Roofs, Inc., is influenced greatly by his training in ecology. Emilio received his B.S. in Biology from Lees-McRae College and followed with a M.S. in Biology from Wake Forest University. His studies were based in Plant Ecology; the relationship between plants and their environment. His work at Living Roofs, Inc. is centered on merging ecological principles with the built environment and balancing the relationship between culture and nature.

David Hill, The Verdi Company

David Hill is the Co-Owner and Director of Design and Construction for The Verdi Company, a Charleston SC Design/Build firm focused entirely on Green Building.  He is an Architect, a General Contractor, an Interior Designer, and a US Green Building Council LEEP AP with almost 25 years in the field of sustainable design, development, and construction.

Rebecca O'Brien, Sustainable Deconstruction

Rebecca is the Executive Director and Founding Chair of Sustainable Warehouse, a nonprofit 501(c) 3 organization. Rebecca is certified in deconstruction from the Reused Building Materials Association. She has served on USGBC Lowcountry Steering Committee as the Programs Chair and currently sits on Mayor Riley’s Charleston Green Committee and participates in the Recycling Waste Management Sub-Committee. The Sustainable Warehouse works specifically in deconstruction services and used building materials for all types of buildings.

Becky Fenno, Meadors Construction

Becky Fenno is the leading architect in the architectural design group at Meadors Construction. A native of Charleston, Becky has always had a passion for both new architectural design and for the preservation of historic buildings. Early in her career, she alternately pursued paths in both areas. Following her undergraduate work in architecture at Princeton, she received a degree in historic preservation at Columbia University. While there, she won a fellowship to go to India for a year as part of a U.S. National Park Service team responsible for the site planning and conservation analysis for the Ajanta and Ellora Caves, two World Heritage Sites.

Gary Harwyn

Gary Harwyn is the founder and president of Daniel Island Mortgage, a residential and commercial mortgage broker serving South Carolina. A 1994 graduate of UNC-Greensboro, he holds a Bachelor's degree with a Major in Geography and a concentration in Urban Planning and Environmental Science. Prior to entering into the Real Estate and Mortgage industry in 2001, Mr. Harwyn worked with Law Engineering and Environmental Services, Inc, an international engineering firm, where he served as an Environmental Consultant and Scientist for 6 years. He specialized in commercial property assessments, indoor air quality analysis, and environmental inspections and remediation for major industrial facilities.

Nancy St Hilaire, Home Energy Group

Nancy St. Hilaire is a HERS Analyst for Home Energy Group. Nancy has a B.A. in English, and a M.S. in Occupational Safety and Health. Nancy became a HERS Rater in 2006 after attending training with South Face out of Atlanta, Georgia. She also holds a real estate sales license for the State of South Carolina.

Jim Clark, Environmental Solutions & Service

 Jim Clark, CIEC, is the Owner of Environmental Solutions & Service, a South Carolina based company specializing in air quality control and solving A/C moisture related problems. A well-respected Certified Indoor Environmental Consultant with over eighteen years experience, Jim is also degreed in Mechanical Engineering, HERS rater, and Certified Green Professional.Jim works closely with builders and architects for Earth Craft and LEED certifications to create homes that are environmentally sound and energy efficient. His desire is to grow and build a successful company that allows him to give back to the community.