Sustainability Leadership

Sustainability Leadership Awards

Honoring people, organizations & companies transforming the built environment in Louisiana.

Congratulations to the 2019 Honorees

Community Champion - Amber Beezley, Tulane University

At Tulane, Amber has lead the charge for capital project LEED certification, pushed forward initiatives related energy management best practices, education and stormwater management. She has been the Project Administrator for Tulane’s 12 LEED certified projects, the majority achieving Gold status, and an additional four projects in process of LEED documentation. These certified projects amass to over 287,000 gsf square feet of sustainable new construction and renovations, totaling just under $225 million in capital investment at the University. During each project certification process Amber has worked to educate the architectural and construction communities on the processes and best practices for LEED compliance, documentation and sustainable design. With each of the 12 certified projects she has helped contractor teams learn the certification process so that they can use these skills on other projects in the community and region. Outside of Tulane, Amber Mays Beezley has lead the Louisiana chapter of the USGBC, worked with local schools to develop sustainable projects and educational tools to teach children how they can care for their planet and create a better environment to live and play in as well as worked with architectural teams on sustainable development approaches throughout the city.

Community Championship Teams - St. John the Baptist Parish Planning and Zoning Department                 

In just one year, the St. John the Baptsit Parish Planning and Zoning Department has successfully moved forward with adoption and implementation of major policies and projects which foster a comprehensively sustainable built environment. Collectively, the work accomplishe serves as a model for communities throughout Louisiana to address environmental sustainability in the face of climate change and sea level rise. Further, the team continues to develop new projects and ideas that expand the capacity of local government to address pressing, modern issues and promote their importance to citizens. 

René Pastorek and Devin Foil

Innovation Champion - Southeastern Louisiana University - Hybrid Geotherman Dorms

Southeastern founded its Sustainability Center several years ago in an effort to save operating
expenses and reduce waste going into landfills. To date, the Sustainability Center’s largest
initiative is their hybrid geothermal system for the University’s two residence halls, Ascension
Hall and Twelve Oaks Hall. With 220 wells at 300' underground, the University’s geothermal
dorms are the first of this kind in the State of Louisiana. This innovative, sustainable system has
provided significant cost and energy savings. It is projected to save over 50 percent on energy
expenses compared to a traditional system and build.

Alejandro Martinez and Gina Howell

2018 honorees

Community Champion: Camille Pollan, City of New Orleans

Community Championship Team: Louisiana’s Strategic Adaptations for Future Environments (LA SAFE)

Innovation Champion: Kevin Sing, Louisiana Tech University

Operational Excellence Champion: Lorey Flick, Flick Engineering Professionals, LLC

2017 Honorees

Community Champion: Z Smith, Eskew+Dumez+Ripple

Community Championship Team: City of Baton Rouge, Bayou Vermillion District

Innovation Champion: Edible Schoolyard New Orleans

Operational Excellence Champion: Iberville Parish School System Building & Grounds Team

2016 Honorees

Community Champion: Cynthia Lee-Sheng, Jefferson Parish Council

Community Championship Team: Sterling University Housing

Innovation Champion: Trash to Treasure, Tulane University

Operational Excellence Champion: Bryon Patterson, Southeastern Louisiana University

2014 Honorees

Community Champion: Eryn Ryerson, CBRE, New Orleans

Championship Team: ULL School of Architecture & Design, Lafayette

Innovation Champion: Roy O Martin Companies, Alexandria

Operational Excellence Champion: Green Coast Enterprises, New Orleans

2013 Honorees

Community Champion: Julie Wexford, Harry Hurst Middle School, Destrahan

Community Champion: Davis Rhorer, Downtown Development District, Baton Rouge

Championship Team: Elizabeth Brooks and Save the Farm, Lafayette

Innovation Champion: Greater New Orleans Foundation & Urban Water Institute, New Orleans

2012 Honorees

Community Champion: Eddie Cazayoux, EnvironMental Design, Lafayette

Community Championship Team: Moses Engineers, New Orleans

Innovation Champion: Global Green, USA, New Orleans

Operational Excellence Champions: Tulane Green Machine and Webster Parish School Board & Storer Building Services, Shreveport