NEW YORK — Sofia Berger has been named executive leader of the transportation national business line at WSP USA, one of the nation’s largest engineering and professional services consultancies. Berger, who currently is deputy director of the advisory national business line, assumed her new role leading the company’s largest business line on Sept. 20.
       Berger will succeed Joseph G. Pulicare, P.E., who will retire at the end of 2021 after more than four decades of distinguished leadership in the private and public sectors. Pulicare has led transportation since 2016 and served on the WSP USA executive leadership team.
       As senior vice president and deputy director of advisory since January, Berger has helped drive project performance and strategic growth for the national business line. She also is a key member of the WSP team evaluating the U.S. infrastructure bill and preparing for its passage, which will set the stage for the nation’s transportation future.

       WASHINGTON — The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) board of directors announced that Mahesh Ramanujam will be stepping down as president and CEO of USGBC, Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI), and Arc Skoru, effective Nov. 1. This announcement comes as a part of the organization’s review of its structure, go-to-market strategy, and leadership to optimize its support of the green building community; expand the green building marketplace; increase access to sustainable, healthy, and resilient places; and ensure organizational excellence.
       “Mahesh Ramanujam has a deep dedication to the green building movement and has worked tirelessly to advance the goals of sustainability and health in the past decade,” said Dr. Aaron Bernstein, interim director, Center for Climate, Health, and the Global Environment at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and USGBC board chair. “The USGBC board thanks him for his leadership and knows he will bring his immense energies and talents to bear upon actions that will make our world better for all.”
    The board appointed Peter Templeton, the current president and CEO of Cradle-to-Cradle Products Innovation Institute, to serve as USGBC’s interim president and CEO while it conducts a formal CEO search. Templeton previously served as the first president of GBCI from 2009-2012 and as senior vice president of USGBC.

       COLUMBUS, Ohio — Vertiv Holdings Co., a global provider of critical digital infrastructure and continuity solutions, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire E&I Engineering Ireland Limited and its affiliate Powerbar Gulf LLC for approximately $1.8 billion in upfront consideration plus the potential for up to $200 million in cash, based on achieving certain 2022 profit milestones. The upfront consideration consists of $1.17 billion in cash and approximately $630 million of Vertiv common stock. The transaction has been unanimously approved by Vertiv’s board of directors and is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2021, subject to customary closing conditions.
       Founded in 1986 by Philip O’Doherty, E&I is an independent provider of electrical switchgear and power distribution systems, pioneering unique in-house integrated power solution designs and technology tailored to individual client project needs. With annual sales of approximately $460 million and 2,100 employees, E&I has a long heritage in the power distribution market and deep relationships with a blue-chip customer base in more than 30 countries. E&I’s products represent a critical system of the data center power infrastructure and compete in an addressable market of about $7 billion, which is expected to grow 5% annually through 2025.

       WASHINGTON — The Energy Management Association (EMA) signed a memorandum of understanding with the Association of Energy Services Professionals (AESP) to facilitate collaboration, education, training, and information sharing.
       “EMA is excited to announce a new partnership with the Association of Energy Service Professionals,” said Chris Smith, CxA, EMP, Jacobs Engineering, and president of the EMA. “We believe that combining our resources can better drive both of our missions of advancing and supporting professionals who provide energy services.”
       As part of this agreement, AESP members receive a discount on EMA’s training offerings, such as Energy Management Professional Seminars, which explain EMA’s commissioning-based approach to energy management that maximizes energy savings and optimizes building performance and; O&M training courses, which instruct building and facility managers in basic principles aimed at improving energy efficiency and system performance.
       Being a part of the larger alliance — the Authorities in Building Performance — EMA offers AESP members relationship-building opportunities with members of the AABC Commissioning Group (ACG) and the Associated Air Balance Council (AABC). Together, this network consists of more than 600 member companies and 2,500 certified professionals in the testing, adjusting, and balancing; commissioning; and energy management industries.

       SACRAMENTO — The California Energy Commission (CEC) adopted its 2022 Building Energy Efficiency Standards (energy code) for newly constructed and renovated buildings that will produce benefits to support the state’s public health, climate, and clean energy goals.
       As the state's primary energy policy and planning agency, the CEC adopts standards every three years to cost-effectively increase the energy efficiency and lower the carbon footprint of buildings. Homes and businesses use nearly 70% of California’s electricity and are responsible for a quarter of the state’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
       The 2022 update will be submitted to the California Building Standards Commission (CBSC), which is scheduled to consider it in December. If approved by the CBSC, it would go into effect on Jan., 1, 2023, giving builders, contractors, and other interested parties a year to gear up for the changes.

       READING, United Kingdom — The recently formed Thermal Management Solutions Group, an automotive thermal management systems provider, has appointed Dirk Becker as vice president - sales, marketing, and engineering.
       His appointment spearheads the company’s transition to a supplier focused on the next generation of electrified vehicles as well as internal combustion engine thermostats. Bringing more than 25 years of global automotive experience to the role, Becker’s combined strategic management of the group’s sales and engineering operations will see the continued development of current and future opportunities for customer collaboration.
       Becker joins the business from Johnson Electric International AG, where he spent 10 years as the vice president of sales and marketing for Europe, working with Daimler, BMW, VW, ZF, Conti, Brose, and Bosch. Previous roles have included European sales manager for fuel handling at Delphi Automotive, gaining responsibility for accounts with VW Group, BMW, and Daimler and as global customer manager at BMW Group. Previous to his sales roles, Becker also has significant engineering experience and studied applied science at Aachen University in Germany.
       Becker replaces Paddy Lange, who will soon leave the group to pursue new opportunities. Lange will continue to work closely with the company until his departure at the end of October to ensure a seamless transition and complete business continuity.