USGBC Long Island names 2013 board of directors, Chu elected chair

The Long Island Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC-LI), has elected its new board of directors for 2013. The new USGBC-LI leaders bring many years of experience and industry knowledge to the organization. Officers: * Chairman: Sammy Chu (commissioner of labor, Suffolk County) * Vice chairman: Victor DaCosta (partner, Alternative Solutions of New York) * Treasurer: Tammy Cunha (project manager, PW Grosser Consulting Engineers) * Secretary: Nate Green (sales manager, Humanscale) Trustees: * Megan Bové (LEED project manager, Racanelli Construction Co., Inc.) * John Franceschina (director, commercial programs, Long Island Power Authority) * Kevin Harvey (business manager, I.B.E.W. Local 25) * John Maiolo (account executive, Tandus) * Rich Manning (president, Energy Master) * Brian Sahn (partner, Forchelli, Curto, Deegan, Schwartz, Mineo, Cohn and Terrana, LLP) * Richard Wiedersum (partner, Wiedersum Associates Architects) * Andrew Zucaro (managing member, Zucaro Construction). "...We can no longer afford to be dismissive of the fact that how we build today will determine how we fare tomorrow" said Chu, incoming chairman. "I know that the Long Island chapter of the USGBC is equipped to do its part in addressing the short term and long term challenges of our region. I look forward to moving forward with all of you this year as we help to steer Long Island toward a brighter, greener, and more sustainable future." The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to sustainable building design and construction. USGBC developed the LEED building rating system, which is an internationally recognized green building certification system, providing building owners and operators a concise framework for identifying and implementing practical and measurable green building design, construction, operations and maintenance solutions. USGBC's core purpose is to transform the way buildings and communities are designed, built and operated, enabling an environmentally and socially responsible, healthy, and prosperous environment that improves the quality of life. The USGBC-Long Island Chapter works to bring these values to the communities of Long Island.