Steven L. Willobee, LEED AP, Community Development Manager at Soil and Materials Engineers, Inc. (SME), was elected Vice Chair. He has served on the USGBC West Michigan Board since 2007 and is the Chapter’s Advocacy Chair. He is also a member of the Heart of Michigan Branch (HOMB) Steering Committee, and Chair of the Advocacy, Education and Resources Subcommittee for the USGBC Mid-Michigan Branch. At SME, he helps governmental and private clients secure financial incentives and address federal, state and local requirements associated with redevelopment projects. With over 10 years of experience, Steve specializes in packaging and negotiating financial incentives (federal, state, local) for mixed-use, commercial, industrial, alternative energy, downtown revitalization and residential developments throughout the Midwest. 

 

The 2010 USGBC West Michigan Chapter Board also includes:
Officers:

·         Chair - Renae Hesselink - Nichols Paper and Supply

·         Treasurer - Earl Eddy - Elzinga and Volkers

·         Secretary - Nick Carlson - Goodwill Industries of Grand Rapids

Board Members:

·         Scott Whisler - Grand Valley State University

·         James Russell - F.C. Moran

·         Kris Ford - Owens Ames Kimball

·         James McCarty - Fishbeck, Thompson Carr & Huber

·         Heather DeKorte - Cornerstone Architects

·         Steve Price, Sr. - Steelcase Corporation

·         Brian Schultz - Grand Rapids Community College

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is a Washington, D.C.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to a prosperous and sustainable future for our nation through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings. USGBC works toward its mission of market transformation through its LEED green building certification program, robust educational offerings, a nationwide network of chapters and affiliates, the annual Greenbuild International Conference & Expo, and advocacy in support of public policy that encourages and enables green buildings and communities. The USGBC – West Michigan Chapter was organized in 2004 and is one of 78 local USGBC affiliates. For more information, visit, www.usgbcwm.org .

 

SME supports clients at every stage of development and ownership, from site acquisition, design and construction, to maintenance, restoration and redevelopment. We’ve guided clients through the complex financial maze to take advantage of available brownfield and other development financing programs to help them achieve their goals. SME has secured over $85,000,000 in state/federal grants, loans, tax credits, and tax increment financing for municipal and private brownfield redevelopment projects valued at over $900,000,000. Since 1964, our mission has been to add significant value to our clients’ projects and become a trusted member of their project team. Our staff of over 200 professionals operates from nine offices in Michigan, Indiana and Ohio. We assist our clients locally and across the world by providing practical, sustainable solutions to the most challenging site and building related problems. From land use and brownfield redevelopment to green buildings and alternative energy sources, we are committed to helping our clients achieve a sustainable future. Our geosciences, materials and environmental capabilities serve many markets in the built and natural environment, covering Commercial, Development/ Redevelopment, Education, Energy, Healthcare, Industrial, Retail, State/Local Government, Telecommunications, Transportation, and Agriculture.