2008 EVHA Keynote Speakers
BOB JONES
Bob Jones, president of
Robert R. Jones Homes, was elected Vice President/Secretary of the
235,000-member NAHB in early 2007. As the NAHB senior officer with oversight of
the association's green building activities, Jones has made substantial
advances in raising awareness and heightening interest in green building and
energy efficiency among NAHB members, policy makers, associated trade groups,
and the public. During his 35-year career in home building, Jones has earned a
reputation for excellence and made a continuing commitment to the industry at
the local, state, and national levels.
Throughout his five-year tenure as an NAHB senior officer, Bob Jones will continue to steer the association's green building efforts, including its ongoing work with the NAHB Research Center and the International Code Council (ICC) to develop the National Green Building Standard - the first and only national green building standard for residential construction. While concerns over energy resources and the environment continue to make recent news headlines, an increasing number of home builders have shifted their focus to developing affordable, energy-efficient, and environmentally-responsible construction techniques. Jones has noted that this movement toward environmentally-sensitive construction will be hastened by the arrival of the standard.
"Bob Jones is a respected NAHB senior officer who believes whole-heartedly in the work we're doing through the EVHA program to elevate the standards for energy-efficient construction," said Michael Luzier, NAHB Research Center President. "It is fitting that such an esteemed builder who is leading the green cause for our industry will join us to honor some of the best and brightest for their outstanding achievement and commitment to improving the performance of American homes."
Since 2002, Jones has made an even greater commitment to helping lead his national association forward, serving as chairman of two major committees as well as a specially appointed working group; serving as vice chairman of the National Council of the Housing Industry in 2004; and participating as a member of five major committees and task forces, including two positions on NAHB's powerful Budget and Finance Committee. Realizing the value of involvement in his local, state, and national builder associations, he was elected Michigan's national representative to NAHB in 1998-99 and was named "National Representative of the Year" for his efforts. Jones also led the 12,000-member Michigan Association of Home Builders as its president in 1999 and previously served as president of his local association, the Building Industry Association of Southeastern Michigan, as well. His local BIA inducted him into its hall of fame in 2000.
JOHN MIZROCH
John F. Mizroch was
appointed by President George W. Bush to serve as Principal Deputy Assistant
Secretary of the Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy (EERE). In this capacity, Mizroch is responsible managing the
programs, staff and policies of EERE and interfacing with constituent groups in
the efficiency and renewable energy sectors. With a $1.17 billion budget, EERE
invests in a diverse portfolio of energy technologies to provide efficient,
clean and renewable energy leading toward a stronger economy, a cleaner
environment, and greater energy independence for America.
Mizroch joined the Department of Energy from his previous position as President and CEO of the World Environment Center (WEC). At the WEC, he worked to advance sustainable development by encouraging environmental leadership, helping improve health and safety practices worldwide, and fostering the efficient use of natural resources to protect the global environment.
Prior to leading the WEC, Mizroch promoted environmental technology transfer and investment in the developing world including Latin America, Asia, and Eastern Europe.
Mizroch has also been a member of the Trade and Environmental Policy Advisory Committee at the U.S. Trade Representative’s Office and also served on the Cleaner Fossil Fuel Systems Advisory Committee of the World Energy Council.
Mizroch, an attorney, has served as a Foreign Service officer in South Africa, a senior official at the U.S. Department of Commerce in the Reagan and Bush administrations, and as a senior advisor to the Joint Economic Committee of the U.S. Congress.
He received undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Virginia and a law degree from The College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia.
2007 EVHA Keynote Speaker
LORRAINE BOLSINGER
Lorraine Bolsinger leads ecomagination, GE's company-wide initiative to address global environmental challenges such as the need for cleaner, more efficient sources of energy, reduced emissions and abundant sources of clean water. Ms. Bolsinger manages the entire program across GE, uniting marketing, sales, and environment, health and safety leaders to meet the goals of the initiative, and of the company.
"Lorraine Bolsinger brings a perfect background to GE's ecomagination initiative, as a 25-year veteran of GE, a former head of marketing, sales and product management, for one of our most important businesses, and a corporate officer who understands how research, innovation, and meeting global customer demand are key to GE's future growth," says GE Chairman and CEO, Jeffrey R. Immelt.
Ms. Bolsinger extends relationships with strategic customers by expanding partnership programs focused on new technology, enterprise selling, and promotion; works with GE's expansive Global Research organization to assess advanced technology projects for commercialization opportunities; coordinates with the company's network of senior country executives to develop Ecomagination platforms tailored to meet their country's unique needs; and liaises with government officials and non-governmental organizations around the world to address the interests of the company and the communities where it operates.
Ms. Bolsinger joined the company in 1981, serving at GE Energy, GE Aerospace and GE Aviation for more than 20 years with experience in the power generation, oil and gas, defense, marine, and aviation transport industries. In 1999 she was named a GE Officer. Ms. Bolsinger graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a B.S. in Biomechanical Engineering.
2006 EVHA Keynote Speaker
SARAH SUSANKA, FAIA
Author, architect, speaker and cultural visionary, Sarah Susanka is leading a movement that is redefining the American home. Her "build better, not bigger" approach to residential architecture has been embraced by homeowners, architects and builders across the country and her Not So Big philosophy has sparked an international dialogue. As a leading advocate for the re-popularization of residential architecture, Ms. Susanka has improved the quality of home design while countering the elitist image of architects so commonly held by the public.
Sarah Susanka is a sought-after resource by industry groups and members of the media. Professional organizations, including the American Institute of Architects and the National Association of Home Builders, regularly ask her to address local and national conferences. She has shared her insights on big ideas for small spaces with The Oprah Winfrey Show, USA Today, the Wall Street Journal, and Charlie Rose. "In February 2001, Fast Company named her to their debut list of "Fast 50" innovators whose achievements have helped to change society - an honor preceded by her selection as a "top newsmaker" for 2000 by Newsweek magazine and an "innovator in American culture" in 1998 by U.S. News & World Report. She ranked number 14 out of 50 in Builder Magazine's "Power Brokers" -- the most influential people in the building industry." Anything more current? Became an AIA Fellow; anything like that?
Susanka has earned similar accolades for her books. Her first, The Not So Big House (1998)spent two years among the top five best sellers on Amazon.com's Home and Garden list. Creating The Not So Big House (2000) ranked among the top 15 books in the New York Times "Advice & How To" best-seller list. Through her columns in Fine Homebuilding and Inspired House magazine, Sarah explored issues commonly encountered in new home design and remodeling. Not So Big Solutions for Your Home (2002) is a compilation of the best columns, and provides everyday design solutions for people of all skill levels and budgets. In 2004, Sarah produced Home By Design, along with a companion demonstration Showhouse at the NAHB International Builders Show. Both the book and the Showhouse illustrate principles that govern how we experience space, light and order in our homes, and reveal the tricks used by architects and designers to make their creations comfortable and engaging. Sarah Susanka believes that by giving names to the key ingredients of good design and explaining how they can be applied in any home, builders, designers, and homeowners will be able to dramatically improve the quality of house design. Her current book, Inside the Not So Big House (September, 2005) explores details that bring a home to life and will be followed by Outside the Not So Big House in January, 2006.
In 2007, Random House will publish The Not So Big Life, where Sarah will adapt the same revolutionary principles to how we experience our lives. She will offer guidelines for easing our chaotic and overcommitted lifestyles, slowing down and eliminating less fulfilling activities to make time for those things that give our lives a personal signature and deep satisfaction.
Prior to her work as an author and public speaker, Sarah Susanka was a principal and founding partner of Mulfinger, Susanka, Mahady & Partners, Inc., a firm specializing in residential architecture in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She spent 16 years at the company, which was selected to design the 1999 Life Dream House. Susanka is a registered architect, a member of the American Institute of Architects and is a certified interior designer.