California State University, Bakersfield's Extended Education and Global Outreach Division will be hosting its first Why Green Construction? Why Now? virtual conference on Thursday, Feb. 16.
The free virtual conference will appeal to architects, engineers, designers, policymakers, government officials and those interested in entering the field that want to learn more about emerging trends and issues in green construction. The conference, delivered online via Zoom, begins at 8 a.m. and will conclude by noon.
“Buildings are responsible for almost 40 percent of global energy-related carbon emissions,” noted Dean of EEGO Dr. Mark Novak. “This important conference explores developments in green construction that can help slow and reverse global warming.”
The conference will feature keynote speaker Jimmy Mitchell, senior director of business development at Skanska, a worldwide leading green construction company.
Based in Atlanta, Ga., Mitchell’s project credits include The Kendeda Building for Innovative Sustainable Design at Georgia Tech University, a building officially designated in 2021 as the first Living Building in Georgia (a sustainable building designation awarded by the International Living Future Institute).
“Thinking about what the next step in sustainable construction is has always been an important way to innovate and differentiate within the industry,” said Mitchell. “The stakes will always be high as the impact of our unintended consequences can be catastrophically negative or inspirationally positive.”
Newly appointed California Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Stewart Knox will participate as a panelist to discuss green construction’s impact on the labor force. Secretary Knox, a California native and graduate of Chico State, brings more than 28 years of statewide experience in workforce and economic development.
Additional speakers and panelists for the event include:
- Kevin Donaghey, principal and project manager for HGA, Santa Monica.
- Chris Gatlin, service and special projects manager for A-C Electric, Bakersfield.
- Ariane Laxo, director of sustainability for HGA, Santa Monica.
- Dr. Nyakundi Michieka, associate professor of economics at CSUB.
- Danny Ordiz, principal at Ordiz-Melby Architects, Bakersfield.
- Tim Rainey, executive director of the California Workforce Development Board, Sacramento.
Registration for the conference is now open at extended.csub.edu/greenconstruction. While this event caters to individuals in construction-related fields, it is open to anyone with an interest in the subject.
The Why Green Construction? Why Now? conference is fully funded by a grant from California Climate Investments, a statewide program that puts billions of cap-and-trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment, particularly in disadvantaged communities.
Additional collaborative partners include the Fresno Regional Workforce Development Board and Valley Build.
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