USGBC-LI to honor Kessel and Kulka at 4th AnnualGala

The L.I. Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC-LI) will hold its 4th annual Green Building Gala on May 24 at the L.I. Marriott and Conference Center. The USGBC-LI will honor Richard Kessel, president and CEO of the New York Power Authority (NYPA) and Jack Kulka, P.E., LEED AP and president of Kulka Construction. Gala ceremonies will be hosted by News12 - Long Island morning anchor Elizabeth Hashagen. Green building is not a fad. It is an important focus of many developers, architects and construction firms. The USGGBC-LI Chapter brings together these firms and government leaders with hundreds of local business who share the goal of constructing healthy residential and commercial buildings which use technology and materials which conserve natural resources and conserve energy. The Green Building Gala is a salute to innovators and leaders in the green building sector and a celebration of the success of the USGBC on Long Island. "The Long Island Chapter of the USGBC has grown from a small group of dedicated individuals into the region's leading green building organization. The growth of the organization is closely linked to the increasing awareness of builders and the public of the need to build in an environmentally responsible manner. Our 2011 honorees Richard Kessel and Jack Kulka have been strong proponents and leaders in green construction and conservation," said Vince Capogna, executive director USGBC - LI. USGBC-LI will honor, Kessel, head of the NYPA and former chairman of LIPA at this year's gala. Kessel has been steadfast in his promotion and development of energy efficiency and sustainable building practices throughout Long Island and NYS. Honoree Kulka, of Kulka Construction, has been at the forefront of green building and is a USGBC LEED Accredited Professional. Kulka encourages all his clients to seek LEED certification to ensure energy-efficient, quality building on Long Island. "I am pleased to be recognized by USGBC-LI. If we want our Long Island and statewide economies to flourish in the decades ahead, we must use our energy resources more efficiently. The USGBC-LI understands the challenges and has demonstrated excellent leadership in the areas of energy efficiency and sustainable building," said Kessel. "I'm also pleased that NYPA is leading by example with its LEED-certified Gold Existing Building administrative headquarters in White Plains." "The USGBC-LI is the recognized leader in promoting green building. I thank the group for recognizing my leadership role in the construction field. It's important to build green because we are living on a finite planet, and if we use up all our resources, future generations will not have the lifestyle that we have," said Kulka. The Building Green Long Island Gala is an annual fund-raising event that supports the USGBC-LI's mission to enhance our quality of life by improving the quality of the structures we build and of the environment in which we all live, work and play by engaging businesses, developers, municipalities and individuals to be part of the process. The organization funds academic scholarships and provides educational programs and events that encourage environmentally sound building practices, products and efficiencies. Gala sponsorships and raffle donation opportunities are available. Sponsors will receive recognition at the event, online and in Long Island print publications throughout 2011. The deadline for sponsorships is Friday, May 13. For information about the USGBC-LI Green Gala, sponsorships and raffles or to purchase tickets, contact (631) Green LI (473-3654) or visit www.usgbc-li.org.