Flashings

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GBCI conducts testing for candidates pursuing new LEED credentials

The Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI) has begun testing candidates who are pursuing the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design® (LEED) Green Associate credential or the LEED-Accredited Professional (AP) Operations and Maintenance (O+M) credential.

The LEED Green Associate credential is for individuals in professional fields seeking to become more involved with the green building industry. It represents the demonstrable knowledge and skills needed in the allied professions and nontechnical fields related to green building design, construction and operations. It also is the first step for professionals who want to become a LEED AP.

Attaining the LEED AP O+M credential is a two-part process requiring a candidate to pass the LEED Green Associate exam and an operations and maintenance specialty exam.

"This highly specialized credential brings with it tremendous value at a time when retrofitting our existing building stock is critical to addressing energy dependence and climate change," says Peter Templeton, GBCI's president. "It signifies practical knowledge and deep expertise regarding how to save energy, water and money for the owners and operators of the 5.1 million existing commercial buildings in the U.S., virtually all of which can benefit from the operational efficiencies LEED promotes."

Prepare employees before delivering bad news

Keeping employees informed—even when the information is upsetting—will help gain employees' trust and let them know they are valued. Following are two steps you can take to ensure bad news is delivered compassionately and effectively to employees:

• Keep employees updated—this will make it easier for them to accept bad news. Allowing employees to believe everything is fine and then surprising them with bad news will make it more shocking and difficult to accept.
• Let them speak—this may lead to constructive suggestions. Gather employees together, and explain the news clearly and concisely before allowing them to provide feedback. Let them ask questions and vent frustrations. This also will let them know their opinions matter.

Source: Adapted from The Motivational Manager, April issue

Small-business lending remains positive

According to the latest edition of the U.S. Small Business Administration's Office of Advocacy's annual study of lending to small firms, the growth of small-business and microbusiness lending remained positive during the first half of 2008; however, the expansion was slower than during the previous year.

According to the study, for the fiscal year ending June 2008, the total value of small-business loans outstanding increased 4 percent and the value of microbusiness loans outstanding increased 6.8 percent. Microbusiness loans—business loans for less than $100,000—experienced the largest increase of 15.7 percent. According to the Office of Advocacy, this may indicate more loans are being made through business credit cards. The number of midsized loans—loans of $100,000 to $1 million—decreased 23.3 percent.

Additionally, the report shows which financial institutions made the most small-business and microbusiness loans in each state and Washington, D.C.

"In the current financial climate, it's especially critical for small firms to know which banks and financial institutions have been the most likely to make small-business and microbusiness loans," says Advocacy Economist Victoria Williams, who co-authored the study with Senior Economist Charles Ou.

Vegetative roof installations increase in North America

According to a recent survey conducted by Green Roofs for Healthy Cities, more than 3.1 million square feet of vegetative roof systems were installed during 2008. This is a 35 percent increase from the previous year.

There were 534,507 square feet of vegetative roof systems installed in Chicago during 2008, making it the leading city for the year. There were 501,042 square feet installed in Washington, D.C.; 358,986 square feet in New York; 320,000 square feet in Vancouver; 196,820 square feet in Philadelphia; 150,032 square feet in Baltimore; 75,700 square feet in Montreal; 74,784 square feet in Grand Rapids, Mich.; 56,250 square feet in Princeton, N.J.; and 48,130 square feet in Newton Square, Pa.

More information is available at www.greenroofs.org.

Details

Jim Brosseau

What is your position within your company?
I am president of Bennett & Brosseau Roofing Inc., Romeoville, Ill.

What is the most unusual roofing project you've performed? Our company was the roofing and general contractor for Chicago City Hall's vegetative roofing project.

Why did you become a roofing contractor?
I succeeded my father in the family business.

What was your first roofing experience?
Along with the hazing I took as the boss's kid, it only took a couple days to figure out that an 18-year-old needs more than four hours of sleep per night. Hanging out with my friends late into the night conflicted with the early morning start of a roof mechanic's day.

If you weren't a roofing contractor, what do you think you would be?
I would be in the resort and hospitality business.

What is a motto that you live by?
I do not believe in coincidences.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
New Zealand and Vatican City

What is the most high-tech thing in your house?
My entertainment system

What's your favorite television show?
The Unit

If you could invite any three people to dinner (dead or alive), whom would you invite and why?
Leonardo da Vinci to learn from one of history's most interesting and intelligent men; Babe Ruth to listen to his colorful stories while enjoying a few beers; and the most experienced guy in our government who has the highest security clearance, knows all our country's secrets, and can confirm or deny all the conspiracy theories.

Name one indulgence you allow yourself.
Football on weekends from September to February

What is your roofing industry involvement?
I'm a past president of the Chicago Roofing Contractors Association and Midwest Roofing Contractors Association (MRCA). I'm also an NRCA director and member of MRCA's Technical & Research Committee and the Center for Environmental Innovation in Roofing's Technical Committee.

People would be surprised to know …
I read a lot.

Regain composure under pressure

Small-business owners are dealing with particularly difficult times, and sometimes the pressure can be overwhelming. Following are some stress-management techniques to help reduce anxiety:

• Find quiet moments. Leave your workplace during breaks. Take a walk, or simply sit outside and relax for a moment.
• Focus on breathing. Taking slow, deep breaths helps relax your chest muscles, allowing greater oxygen intake. Try breathing in through your nose and out through your mouth.
• Review your priorities. Consider what needs to be accomplished first, take time to make a schedule and maintain deadlines.
• Keep your normal routine. Make sure you don't stray entirely from your normal routine-returning to life's typical activities can give you time to think clearly and rebuild your confidence.

Source: Adapted from The Manager's Intelligence Report, June issue

Green building materials market will increase significantly

According to "Green Building Materials: Making Cement, Insulation and Wood Products Increasingly Environmentally Friendly," a recent report released by Oyster Bay, N.Y.-based NextGen Research, the worldwide green building materials market, which was valued at $455.3 billion in 2008, will reach $571 billion by 2013.

According to the report, commercial office buildings will be the largest nonresidential target sector for green building products during the forecast period. The report also indicates new residential building and home improvement sectors present significant opportunities for green building products manufacturers.

"The construction industry has an immense effect on the environment, so green building products are a key market within the global environmental movement," says Larry Fisher, NextGen Research's research director. "Buildings are one of the heaviest consumers of natural resources and account for a significant portion of the greenhouse gas emissions that affect climate change."