: : LEED Certification : :

According to the USGBC website, "the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Green Building Rating System is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high performance green buildings." 

LEED® certification involves meeting certain prerequisites and benchmarks in five key areas of human and environmental health.

• Sustainable site development
• Water savings
• Energy efficiency
• Materials selection
• Indoor environmental quality

Individuals can also earn LEED® accreditation by becoming LEED® Accredited Professionals.  Individuals earn this distiction by completing a comprehensive exam demonstrating their LEED® awareness and aptitude.

Ruth Pletcher, Project Manager Assistant, passed the LEED Certification Exam to become a LEED Accredited Professional in August 2008.  As a LEED AP, she is be involved in the preparation of required documentation for LEED certified projects and assists in identifying sustainable design opportunities for all DJ's clients and their building projects. 

When asked why she decided to pursue LEED accreditation, Pletcher responds, "I think LEED and sustainable building practices will become common in the construction industry and will require some level of knowledge from everyone in this field.  I wanted to be ahead of the curve in order to offer the best possible service to DJ Construction and our clients."

Estimators Pat Gross (left) and Adam Tohulka (right) passed the LEED Certification Exam in January 2009.  Their accreditation expands DJ Construction's ability to remain on the cutting edge of sustainable design and construction by offering knowledge and expertise during the design and estimating process to clients interested in green building.