Industry News
A.O. Smith Names Sam Carver Senior Vice President of Global Operations
MILWAUKEE
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A.O. Smith Corp. announced that Paul Dana, senior vice president — global operations, will retire April 1, and Sam Carver, vice president — North American manufacturing, has been named his successor.
In his new role, Carver will help expand global operations and build on the strong foundation Dana and his team have established. Carver joined A.O. Smith in 2006 as plant manager at the McBee, South Carolina, facility and has served in various roles throughout his tenure. He was promoted to vice president — North American manufacturing in 2011.
Johnson Controls Vows to Achieve Net-Zero Carbon Emissions By 2040
CORK, Ireland
Johnson Controls announced new environmental, social, and governance (ESG) commitments, science-based targets, and a net-zero carbon pledge to support a healthy, more sustainable planet over the next two decades. The emissions reductions will be driven by Johnson Controls’ OpenBlue technologies and innovations, which leverage big data and artificial intelligence to optimize building sustainability.
"Sustainability is at the heart of our business and fundamental to everything that we do as a company,” said George Oliver, chairman and CEO, Johnson Controls. “Today’s announcement reinforces our continued commitment to developing best-in-class climate solutions, and OpenBlue will empower our customers to streamline building operations and uncover energy efficiencies that will help meet their environmental goals. We continue to make sustainability a top priority for the company, our customers, and our suppliers and have set ambitious goals that will drive significant improvements in carbon emissions.”
ASHRAE Provides Testimony at Congressional Hearing on COVID-19 Safety
ATLANTA
ASHRAE provided witness testimony in a congressional hearing on COVID-19 risks and response in transportation systems held by the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on Feb. 4. The full hearing can be viewed on the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure website.
The hearing, titled “Protecting Transportation Workers and Passengers from COVID: Gaps in Safety, Lessons Learned, and Next Steps,” examined COVID-19 safety gaps in the protection of transportation workers and passengers.
“Protecting the transportation workforce and passengers, many of whom are essential workers, is critical for all of us, as those traveling can rapidly spread the coronavirus over large distances,” said 2020-2021 ASHRAE President Charles E. Gulledge III, P.E. “I am delighted that you have called upon the chair of ASHRAE’s Epidemic Task Force, who is one of the leading experts in this field. On behalf of the entire ASHRAE organization, we offer continued technical support to this congressional committee as it works on policies and legislation to make transportation systems safer and healthier.”
Sepi Inc. Names Nick Ellis President
RALEIGH, N.C.
Sepi Inc. announced the promotion of Nick Ellis to president. Ellis joined the firm in December 2019 as the senior vice president, business manager. He will lead the firm’s operations and finance teams.
Founder and CEO, Sepi Saidi, will continue guiding the firm into its 20th year and is committed to working toward a common goal of growing a profitable enterprise and building lasting relationships with clients as well as the internal team while enhancing a commitment to a culture of belonging.
Dr. Charles Kibert Elected Chair of the Green Building Initiative’s Board of Directors
PORTLAND, Ore.
The Green Building Initiative (GBI) is pleased to announce the election of Dr. Charles Kibert, professor and director of the Powell Center for Construction and Environment at the University of Florida, as chair of its board of directors. GBI’s membership also elected three new directors, Sara Greenwood, GGP, principal of the Greenwood Consulting Group; Tehmina Husain, GGP, GPCP, and senior sustainability consultant of Merrick and Co.; and Andrea Rutledge, CAE, CEO of the Construction Management Association of America, to the board with terms through December 2023.
Kibert is taking the reins at a time when GBI is poised for significant expansion. Having certified more than 2,000 properties in the U.S. and Canada that cover more than 378 million square feet of commercial and multifamily spaces, GBI’s future initiatives include an increased focus on promoting net-zero solutions; resilience strategies; and facilitating cooperation on environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) goals for corporations and real estate investment trusts (REITs). Additionally, GBI’s leadership envisions incremental global expansion for the organization over the next several years.
Dewberry Promotes Troy Hunter to Associate
FAIRFAX, Va.
Dewberry announced the promotion of nearly 50 employees nationwide, including Troy Hunter, P.E., LEED AP BD+C, who has been promoted to associate.
