FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Florida Green Building Coalition Announces Boad of Directors for 2022
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (February 25, 2022) – The Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC), the state’s leading certifier of green residential and commercial construction, land developments and local governments has announced its 2022 Board of Directors.

Senior officers are Ralph Locke, Environmental Construction and Consulting, Inc, Deland, as President, Kyle Abney, Abney + Abney Green Solutions, Palm City, as President-Elect and, Mary Tappouni, Breaking Ground Contracting, Jacksonville, as Treasurer. Bill Kachman, U.S. Army Major (Ret.), DeLand, will serve as Immediate-Past President.

2022 FGBC board members include:

  • Jim Barnes, Village of Wellington, Wellington
  • Mike Bonts, Mike Bonts PR, Jacksonville
  • Ron Carpenter, Carpenter Homes, Tampa
  • Peggy Christ, Bee Green Realty LLC, Bradenton
  • Jane Conn, ES Green & Company LLC, Tallahassee
  • C.J. Davila, Florida Green Building Coalition, St. Petersburg
  • Barry Faske, Faske Enterprises, Hollywood
  • Arturo Griego, G3 AEC, Miami
  • Cindy Hall, Eco Solutions Marketing, Jensen Beach
  • Deirdre Irwin, St. John River Water Management District
  • Lara Kuleshova, City of Tallahassee, FHBA Liaison
  • Ric Lightner, Global Sustainability Certifying Consultant, Key West
  • Katrina Locke, Volusia County Sustainability and Natural Resources, DeLand
  • Jeannette Moore, Green Florida Properties, St. Augustine
  • Mike Rogers, Southern Advocacy Group, Tallahassee
  • Kristin Triolo, Re/Max Platinum Realty, Sarasota

FGBC recently passed 27,000 “Florida Green” certifications of single-family homes, commercial buildings, high-rises, land developments and local governments.

"We welcome such an exceptional board. Their combined expertise, diverse perspectives, and proven leadership make them a great fit for our leadership team. They increase our ability to meet a challenging environment and bring unique perspective and unparalleled industry expertise that allows us to continue to lead the green building industry in our state,” noted Locke

Over two decades ago, FGBC brought together industry professionals from the construction, government, academic and research communities to create green standards tailored specifically to Florida. Beyond third party certifications, FGBC is also a resource for the builders, developers, contractors, architects, and municipalities when considering going green.

Unlike other green certifications, FGBC "Florida Green" standards take a scientific approach and are developed with state-specific criteria. They address Florida's hot-humid environment, climate, distinctive topography, unique geology, resiliency, and natural disasters.

Going Green? In Florida you have a choice. Contact the Florida Green Building Coalition at info@floridagreenbuilding.org, visit www.floridagreenbuilding.org or call (407) 777-4914.
Ralph Locke
President
Kyle Abney
President-Elect
Mary Tappouni
Treasurer
Bill Kachman
Immediate-Past President
Senior Officer Bios

The president of Environmental Construction & Consulting Locke has been a member of FGBC since 2003. He is also an FGBC Certifying Agent and chairs the Education Committee. He works with home building associations, contractors, developers, local governments, homeowners, and high school students to promote green building practices. A Florida native and military combat vet, he has over 30 years of experience as a building professional and is one of the early pioneers in the green building field.

As a principal with Abney+Abney Green Solutions, Abney is one of the most highly respected "built-environment" experts in the southeast, having been chosen by myriad of owners, developers, architects and contractors to provide guidance in all aspects of the green building process. A long list of satisfied customers and referrals are evidence that the firm delivers peace of mind and reliability. Headquartered in Treasure Coast, the firm has completed award winning green certified projects throughout the state.

Tappouni serves as president of Breaking Ground Contracting where she is senior estimator, senior project manager and sustainability consultant. Over her more than 25 years in the construction industry she has managed projects ranging from small park projects to multimillion dollar facilities that include medical and professional office buildings, historic preservation, retail, schools, university, health, and fitness facilities, recreational and military. She recently served as Board Chair for the North Florida Green Chamber of Commerce.

Kachman worked for a dozen years in the education field as a teacher, served as a registered lobbyist for Correctional Education, and as a distance education developer for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. In 2004 he joined Environmental Construction & Consulting and got involved with green building. He helped manage the construction and consulting side of the company, working with builders, local governments, and communities to further green building practices in Volusia and Lake counties.
The Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC)
Promoting a State of Sustainability Since 2000, the non-profit Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC) is the state’s leading certifier of green homes, buildings, communities, and local governments. Over two decades ago FGBC brought together industry professionals from the construction, government, academic and research communities to create green standards tailored specifically to Florida. To date it has certified over 27,000 residential, commercial, high-rise, land developments and local governments participating in its certification programs. FGBC certification programs are the only standards developed with state specific criteria to address Florida’s hot-humid environment, climate, distinctive topography, unique geology, resiliency, and natural disasters. Visit www.floridagreenbuilding.org.

Media Contact:
Mike Bonts Public Relations
(904) 424-6641