The USGBC SC Chapter, Upstate Branch presented its Annual Environmental Stewardship Awards on December 17 at Zen in West end Greenville, which just received an AIA Design Award for building reuse.  These Awards recognize outstanding individuals and organizations that have shown vision, leadership and commitment to the advancement of green building and Environmental Stewardship in the upstate.

The Organizational Environmental Stewardship Award was presented to Hubbell Lighting and the Individual Environmental Stewardship Award was presented to Brad Wyche.

Hubbell Lighting, a leading manufacturer of energy-efficient lighting demonstrated its dedication to green building when it built its $41 million USGBC LEED Silver certified headquarters in Greenville.  Hubbell Lighting LEED They challenged McMillan Pazdan Smith Architects to design a four-story; 185,000 SF building facility that was as easy on the environment as it was to view from its majestic hilltop location overlooking Interstate 85.

Hubbell Lighting embraces its responsibility of stewardship and continually strives to reduce its environmental impact in its products and services in several key areas: Carbon Footprint Reduction, Materials and Production, Eco-Efficiency, Recycling, Health, Comfort and Convenience, Training, Hubbell Lighting Solutions Center, Community, Professional Involvement, Economic Development and Partnerships. See Hubbell Stewardship

Brad Wyche founded Upstate Forever, who has just received certification of its LEED Platinum Headquarters (Upstate Forever Office, Existing Building Renovation).  Wyche has personally made over 250 speeches and presentations on a wide variety of topics, many related to green building and design.  He hosted a conference in 2001 on “Green Development:  New Directions in Land Use and Design” and supported the recently approved Greenville County Comprehensive Plan that encourages smart growth.

In 2007, Wyche was appointed by Governor Sanford to serve on the SC Climate, Energy and Commerce Advisory Committee, which released a report in July, 2008 with a comprehensive set of policy recommendations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and address energy and climate change issues in South Carolina.  See Climate, Energy and Commerce Advisory Committee Report.

Wyche received an Honorary Doctorate from Furman University in 2006 for his work in sustainable development and environmental conservation.  See Furman Awards Honorary Degree

Dan Gerst was also honored with a Distinguished Service Award for his work as Communications Chair in supporting the Chapter in selecting a more user friendly email system – Constant Contact, for publishing about 20 USGBC-SC Chapter articles on the Swamp Fox Innovation Network and for arranging an NPR radio interview with the USGBC-SC Chapter, Sustain SC 2009 Conference Chair.

Judges were sustainability professionals who had played a major role in the USGBC formation.  Heather Hardman, the Upstate Branch Chair, said the judges were impressed with the caliber of green building and sustainability in the Upstate and had very favorable comments about all nominees.