NAME TITLE EMPLOYER URL CITY/STATE USGBC CHAPTER CANDIDATE BIOGRAPHY Jonathan (John) Toppe President Toppe Consultants, Inc. www.toppearchitects.com St. Petersburg, FL Florida Gulf Coast Chapter John Toppe is president of Florida s first chapter of the US Green Building Council, the Florida Gulf Coast Chapter. The chapter awarded him their first Lifetime Achievement Award and established a scholarship in his honor in 2007. He was the founding chair of the USGBC Florida-Caribbean Regional Council. He is a member of the USGBC Chapter Steering Committee where he currently co-chairs the USGBC Collaboration Working Group. He is also member of the USGBC Emerging Professionals National Committee as the CSC representative. He had chaired or participated in a number of CSC working groups including: LEED for Schools Advocacy Training (chair), Emerging Green Builders Program restructuring and National Board Representation (chair). He is a registered architect in Florida and other states and is a LEED Accredited Professional. He is President of Toppe Consultants, Inc., a St. Petersburg firm that specializes in the programming and design of libraries and theatres and sustainability consulting nationwide. John s experience includes master planning, programming and design of institutional and public projects for universities, state and local governments throughout Florida. He has directed LEED consulting teams that have been awarded LEED certification for public schools and retail outlets. He is a member of the University of Florida s School of Architecture Professional Liaison Committee and the University of Florida Hall of Fame. He has spoken nationally and throughout the Florida-Caribbean region on topics relating to sustainable design, LEED and the USGBC, project management and conflict resolution. He created, co-authored and presented Risk Management and LEED at Greenbuild-2009. GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CANDIDATE Why do you wish to serve on the USGBC Board of Directors? I joined the USGBC is 2003 and by Greenbuild, I was hooked. The USGBC is unlike any other professional or community organization that I have experienced. Its members and leaders are united by a passion to foster change within a generation. This is a daunting task and its urgent scope, combined with unprecedented growth, creates tremendous opportunities for leadership and service at every level from the smallest branch to the largest chapter to the headquarters team. Education and leadership development have been my passions and I have been able to work in these two areas with dedicated chapter members and national leaders representing different professions, with their own perspectives and from many generations. I have been blessed with the opportunity to move up the ranks from chapter to region to national service. These experiences have prepared me for the next level of contribution to this organization and its members. My experience on the ground begins with a 25-year history of developing and leading seminars and educational programs at the national and local level relating to architectural, planning and construction issues. Seven years ago I began working at the USGBC chapter level as a programmer, developer and presenter of LEED courses and during the past year I have become involved at the national level with the Chapter Delivery Partners program. The USGBC faces great challenges in meeting the educational needs of its members, prospective members, LEED users and members of the public of all ages. My experiences as an education leader and provider, a user of LEED, a participant in the GBCI Credentialing Maintenance Program and as a USGBC advocate will bring a valuable education perspective to the USGBC Board. I am ready to serve and help us move forward together. Summarize your professional qualifications, knowledge, and experience of most relevance to USGBC's activities. Describe your senior management and executive-level experience. I have been privileged to be a leader at all levels of the USGBC, from being an original member of the Florida chapters Organizing Group, to serving as founding President of the FGC chapter, the founding co-chair of the Florida-Caribbean Regional Council, a member of the Chapter Steering Committee and the Emerging Professionals National Committee.
Prior to forming Toppe Consultants, Inc. in 2004, I was a principal and Executive Vice President of a major Florida architectural firm and worked over the course of 25 years with my partners to build it from a single office with about a dozen employees to an 85 person team with 5 offices. Specify and describe your participation and leadership experience in any civic, environmental, and other organizations, as well as any of your affiliations, memberships, and accreditations, that may be pertinent to your leadership at USGBC. In the non-profit arena, I was the founding vice president of Leadership Tampa Bay and I am a founding board member of the Suncoast Performing Arts Foundation. I served on the Board of Governors of the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce and was elected Vice President of Public Affairs. I have served as Chairman of Leadership St. Petersburg Class of 1985, President of the LSP Alumni Association and many other Boards that deal with leadership development and social issues. I am a member of the American Institute of Architects and I am NCARB Certified.. What resources could you bring to help further participation in USGBC by diverse sectors? My experience in community leadership programs and through our own Emerging Professionals has made me profoundly aware of the USGBC s need to become more intentional about diversity and inclusiveness. I will make diversity and inclusiveness a personal priority in line with USGBC s social equity platform. RELEVANT EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS FOR GREEN BUILDING EDUCATOR How can you help further the USGBC strategic goals of Green Building Marketplace and Organizational Excellence? I have been an advocate for sustainable building and LEED for the past seven years, and many business and governmental adoptions of LEED have resulted from my chapter s advocacy efforts as well as my personal work in the private sector. My hands-on experience as a leader/member of USGBC working groups specifically involve key issues relating to how we work together to build capacity and enhance organizational excellence. My work with the Chapter Delivery Partners provides insight into issues and team-building approaches that will enhance our performance as one united USGBC. Although I am very active through the USGBC and FGC chapter in teaching, public speaking and advocacy, Toppe Consultants, Inc. is not in the education provider business. Thus I do not anticipate any conflicts of interest between the goals and objectives of the USGBC and my own self-interest. What are your local, national, and global experiences and skills in each of the following USGBC core competencies (as described in the USGBC 2009-2013 Strategic Plan): Education, Outreach, and Collaboration? EDUCATION I have authored, co-authored and presented many programs related to the USGBC, LEED, and specific topics such as LEED for Schools and Risk Management and LEED. I have spoken at national and state conventions as well as at the local chapter level through formal speeches, panel presentations and webinars. Recent national convention speaking engagements include the Loss Executives Association (Green Building Risk Management-2009), Subway Franchisees (Introduction to Green Building-2007 and Green Stores-2008), International Association of Assembly Managers Performing Arts Administrators National Conference (Conservatory Design-2006), International Economic Development Council (If You Build It Will They Come?-2004). Prior national engagements include Consulting Engineers Council CE Expo (A/E Relationships-1986) and Associated General Contractors (Conflict Resolution-1985). I have presented to virtually all of Florida s USGBC Chapters and to regional and local owners, public agencies and users of the LEED Green Building Rating System. OUTREACH Through the Florida Gulf Coast chapter, I have created many relationships with like-minded organizations. Several years ago we brought a number of our local groups together under the banner of the Green Ribbon Coalition to address common issues. Through the Florida Caribbean Regional Council I originated the Legislative Day program, which has successfully made our presence felt at the three past legislative sessions. Personally, I have made numerous presentations to civic groups, industry associations and professional societies representing the value of the USGBC and the triple bottom line benefits of LEED.
COLLABORATION I am committed to collaboration and have created a culture of team work within our chapter that allows us to work collaboratively with our sister regional chapters on education delivery. Our big umbrella offers an opportunity for integration of individuals from many businesses and professions, and from all walks of life to be included in our mission. Do you have at least three years of professional experience in the development, administration, or instruction of green building education? If yes, please describe. COURSES DEVELOPED AND TAUGHT Risk Management and LEED: 2008-current, conceived and outlined the program, co-author and co-presenter at Caribbean Green Expo, Greenbuild (GBCI 1.5 credits), Smart Sustainable Tampa Bay and other regional chapter events. LEED for Schools Case Study: 2007-current, conceived and outlined the program, co-author and co-presenter at Florida State University Campus & Community program, 2006 and at numerous chapters and user programs. EDUCATION ADMINISTRATION Chapter Delivery Partner program: I led our Board, in consultation with our Regional Council, to become a CDP and have directed our participation through our Executive Director with the CDP working group. I facilitated the final contract negotiations among the CDPs and USGBC and participated in the 2011 CDP Planning Meeting as the Chapter Steering Committee s representative. Do you have at least two years of experience as a leader in the education programs of a USGBC Chapter? If yes, please describe. If you are a LEED Faculty member, which course(s) have you taught and for how long? As in this application, I have been involved from day one of our chapter as an instructor and decision maker with regard to our overall educational objectives, the creation of our annual Smart Sustainable Conference (celebrating its fifth anniversary) and our participation in the Chapter Education Delivery Partnership program. Our chapter has been the leader in successful LEED Workshop presentations. With which USGBC chapters have you collaborated in delivering green building education and how? CHAPTER DELIVERY PARTNER As of this writing, we have presented LEED Workshops with Florida Capital, Heart of Florida and South Florida. PERSONAL PRESENTATIONS TO CHAPTERS Caribbean Chapter: 2008 LEED for Schools Case Study; Risk Management and LEED Florida Capital Region Chapter: 2009 LEED for Schools webinar Florida Gulf Coast Chapter: 2006 LEED Study Group instructor; 2010-Risk Management FGC South West Florida Branch: 2008 Edison College: Planning for Future Sustainable Development program Heart of Florida: 2008: University of Florida Campus & Community symposium: Green Building Update panel Northern Gulf Coast: 2008 Risk Management and LEED North Florida Chapter: 2007 LEED for Schools NGC Panama City Branch: 2008 Green Expo: Introduction to LEED; Gulf Coast Community College: LEED for Schools
Which LEED Professional Credential(s) do you hold, and for how long? LEED AP, August 3, 2004 LEED AP: BD+C, November 11, 2009 GENERAL CRITERIA FOR USGBC BOARD How have you demonstrated a material role in championing sustainability or green building within your organization? Toppe Consultants, Inc. is a one person organization with an inherently small carbon footprint. We have trained our clients and consultants to meet, share data and work electronically via the Internet in order to minimize travel and printing. This has allowed us to serve as LEED, sustainability and planning consultants for projects throughout Florida as well as California, Louisiana, Maryland and Oregon with minimal travel and virtually no paper documents shipped from place to place. Have you served on a USGBC National committee or working group within the past three years? If yes, please describe your role, participation, leadership experience, and dates of service on all of the USGBC National committees and working groups on which you have served. USGBC NATIONAL COMMITTEES AND WORKING GROUPS Haiti working group-current CHAPTER STEERING COMMITTEE 2006-current Collaboration working group, co-chair-current Governance working group-current Board Leadership working group, 2009-10 Board Representative working group, chair-2008 Emerging Green Builders working group, co-chair, 2007-08 Regionalization working group, 2007-08 LEED for Schools Advocacy working group, chair, 2007 EMERGING PROFESSIONALS NATIONAL COMMITTEE 2008-current Leadership Development working group-current Organizational Excellence working group-2009 Have you served on a USGBC Chapter board or committee within the past three years? If yes, please describe your role, participation, leadership experience, and dates of service on all of the USGBC Chapter boards and committees on which you have served. FLORIDA GULF COAST CHAPTER 2003-current President, 2010 Executive Committee, 2004-current Founding President, 2004-06 LEED for Schools Advocate, 2007-current Membership Committee, 2007-08 Green Ribbon Coalition, chair-2006 LEED Study Group committee, co-author/instructor-2006 Education Committee, 2005-07 Smart Sustainable Tampa Bay committee, 2005-08 FGC Chapter Organizing Group, chair-2003 Florida Chapters joint organizing group, co-chair-2003 FLORIDA-CARIBBEAN REGIONAL COUNCIL 2006-current Co-chair, 2006-09 Sustainable Rebirth of Haiti Charrette, co-chair-2010 Advocacy Day at State Capital working group, 2008 Chapter Growth Consultant Personnel Team, 2007-08
Have you served for at least two years within the past five years as an officer or a board member 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization? If yes, please describe. USGBC FLORIDA GULF COAST CHAPTER, INC. President, 2006-09 and 2010 Founding Board Member, 2003-current SUNCOAST PERFORMING ARTS FOUNDATION, INC. President, 2001-03 Founding Board Member, 1999 Have you served for at least two years within the past five years as a committee member of a national 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that had at least 5,000 members or was in operation for more than ten years or had a total annual budget of at least $1 million? If yes, please describe. U.S. GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL Chapter Steering Committee, 2006-current Emerging Professionals National Committee, 2008-current Have you been employed for at least two years within the past five years as an executive for a non-profit or forprofit corporation, institution, or government agency with a total annual budget of at least $5 million? If yes, please describe. No. In which USGBC membership category is your organization registered? Professional Firms To which USGBC chapters, interest groups, or organizing groups do you belong, and for how long? Florida Gulf Coast Chapter: Member of Florida Chapters Organizing Group-2003 and Founding Chair-2004