Florida Green Building Coalition Announces Board of Directors for 2024

ST. PETERSBURG (November 14, 2023)- The Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC), the state’s leading certifier of green residential and commercial construction, land developments and local governments, has announced their board of directors for 2024 including six first time board members.

“Our members bring years of valuable knowledge and dedication to our board. We thank them for their service, different perspectives, and unique expertise to enhance the mission and strengthen our commitment to green building,” noted FGBC President Kyle Abney.

Returning board members include Kyle Abney, Abney + Abney Green Solutions, Palm City; Jim Barnes, Village of Wellington, Wellington; Mike Bonts, Mike Bonts Public Relations, Jacksonville; Ron Carpenter, Carpenter Homes, Tampa; Peggy Christ, Bee Green Realty LLC, Bradenton; C.J. Davila, Florida Green Building Coalition, St. Petersburg; Arturo Griego, G3 AEC, Miami; Cindy Hall, Future Builders of America, Jensen Beach; Deirdre Irwin, St. John River Water Management District; Bill Kachman, Retired Major, US Army, DeLand; Ralph Locke, EC&CI, Deland; Tony Morgan, State of Florida Office on Energy, Tallahassee; Mike Rogers, Southern Advocacy Group, Tallahassee.

2024 Incoming FGBC board members include:

Steve Armstrong (Tampa) is a Realtor, Certified Building Contractor, a FGBC Certifying Agent and a LEED AP BD+C who is passionate about real estate, construction, and Green Building.  Over the past 17 years, he has followed his passion in real estate and construction to focus on Green Building. He has been doing Green Building Certifications for over 10 years and certified approximately 100 homes. His personal passion extends to personal life with a Board leadership position at the Sustany Foundation. He is interested in finding ways to escalate FGBC and Green Building.

Julie Christesen (Tallahassee) is Chief Administrative Officer Energy/Green Rating ES Green & Co. Julie is an FGBC Green Certifier and HERS rater and has been working in sustainability for many years. She came over to the Green Certification/Energy rating field in mid-2022 but was deeply involved in sustainable transportation planning prior to that jump. Since joining ES Green & Co., she has worked on many kinds of certifications, including high end residential, Habitat for Humanity houses, general residential development, and disaster recovery rebuild homes. She was also selected as a RESNET emerging fellow for 2024.

Daniel J. Denis (West Palm Beach) joined RunBrook in 2012. He uses his 20-plus years of uniquely diverse design and construction experience to help clients reach their sustainability goals effectively and efficiently. With an education in construction management and he also had experience on the design consultant, contracting, and third-party inspection sides of the building design and construction process. Daniel holds various professional credentials including LEED AP with Building Design & Construction Specialty, FGBC Certifying Agent, NGBS Verifier, RESNET HERS Rater, and ENERGY STAR Verifier.

Juliette Desfeux (West Palm Beach) is a Sustainability Consultant and Advisor for Spinnaker Group, a division of Scotec. She possesses three LEED certifications, is an EcoDistricts AP as well as being a Florida Green Building Coalition Designated Professional. She is passionate about coral reef protection and sea-level rise. She has worked as a sustainability consultant helping local governments and architects in Tahiti promote and develop green construction is a remote-island context. As a consultant she has worked on certifications for corporate and educational projects as well as working as an urban planner.

Hjalmar Pachas (Bradenton) is a mechanical engineer who graduated from the University of Carabobo in Valencia, Venezuela in 2003. In 2021, Hjalmar achieved a certification as an Energy Manager. In 2018, Hjalmar became an integral part of Manatee County’s Energy and Sustainability division. This role holds special significance for Hjalmar as it allowed him to contribute to the community and our country. Hjalmar believes his work plays a vital role in ensuring the resilience and sustainability of our nation for future generations. He led a multidisciplinary team in the re-certification of Manatee County through the FGBC certification process.

Dustin Stephany (Gainesville) Sustainable Building Coordinator at the University of Florida has a wide range of experience in engineering and construction management, as well as building operations and maintenance for a multitude of building types, including corporate office headquarters, hospitals, military detention facilities, luxury residential homes, sports facilities, and university buildings. He currently guides building professionals in the development and execution of sustainable projects on campus. The University of Florida prides itself on having more green building certifications than any other public higher education institution.

“Our new board members are strong, qualified leaders who support green building in our state and FGBC. I am deeply proud of all that we have accomplished and energized to work with them to drive progress on promoting and increasing sustainability in the built environment,” added FGBC Executive Director C.J. Davila.

FGBC recently passed 35,000 “Florida Green” certifications of single-family homes, commercial buildings, high-rises, land developments and local governments.

Over two decades ago, FGBC brought together industry professionals from the construction, government, academic and research communities to create green standards tailored specifically to Florida. Beyond third party certifications, FGBC is also a resource for the builders, developers, contractors, architects, and municipalities when considering going green.

Unlike other green certifications, FGBC “Florida Green” standards take a scientific approach and are developed with state-specific criteria. They address Florida’s hot-humid environment, climate, distinctive topography, unique geology, resiliency, and natural disasters.

Going Green? In Florida you have a choice. Contact the Florida Green Building Coalition at info@floridagreenbuilding.org, visit www.floridagreenbuilding.org or call (407) 777-4914.