Tonna named executive director of the Long Island chapter of USGBC

Hon. Paul Tonna is the new executive director of the Long Island chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC-LI). Tonna is a former health care executive, elected official and university adjunct professor. He currently serves as executive director of Molloy College's leadership academy The Energeia Partnership, Suffolk County Village Officials Association (SCVOA), and the USGBC-LI. He serves on a number of boards and commissions, including: chairman, South Huntington Water District; founding director, Empire National Bank; trustee; both the LI Index & Erase Racism's advisory boards; former chairman, Suffolk County Industrial Development Agency (IDA), Long Island Parks & Recreation Commission, and the former vice-chair, LI Regional Planning Commission. Tonna earned a bachelor's degree in Philosophy from New York University, a master's degree in Theology from Immaculate Conception Seminary and conducted doctoral studies in Systematic Theology at Fordham University. He has received numerous awards and honors, including: Molloy College's Caritas Medal; St. John's University St. Vincent DePaul Medal; Suffolk County Human Rights Commission Legislator of the Year Award; Networking Magazine's David Award; and the rank of Eagle Scout. Tonna resides in West Hills with his wife and eight children. "I am honored to be a part of this great organization. Through the efforts of our executive board and our chapter's committees, each of which is dedicated to a specific aspect of chapter activities and advocacy of green building, we are working toward transforming the design, composition and operation of the buildings and communities on Long Island. Through education we can change our world and among our most important activities are a variety of educational programs the chapter offers to local municipalities, contractors, engineers, and other building industry professionals that give them the resources they need to incorporate green practices into their projects and work toward LEED certification," said Tonna. "All of us at the USGBC-LI are engaged and ready to strengthen the foundation needed here on Long Island to meet the challenges ahead," he said. "I look forward to the most exciting and productive year yet for USGBC-LI and the green building community!" The USGBC is one of the nation's foremost coalitions of leaders from every sector of the building industry working to promote buildings that are environmentally responsible, profitable and healthy places to live and work. 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. USGBC-LI works to bring these values to the communities of Long Island. The chapter provides educational and outreach programs, reaching local municipalities and code officials while providing local contractors, engineers, and other building industry professionals with the resources they need to incorporate green practices in their projects and work toward LEED certification.