Pepper Construction proudly announces that Susan Heinking, Director of High Performance and Sustainable Construction, has been named a 2016 LEED Fellow by Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI). This year’s 24 LEED Fellows exemplify a diverse array of achievements and contributions to the green building community.

“Every story about LEED is a story about leadership and a story about people,” Mahesh Ramanujam, president, GBCI, and COO, U.S. Green Building Council. “Susan’s commitment to our shared mission and innovative work to advance the green building industry is at the heart of our movement and is helping to drive our progress of a creating a sustainable built environment.”

"Susan has demonstrated a remarkable ability to impact the world around her through her dedication, expertise and genuine passion for sustainability," said Stan Pepper, CEO of Pepper Construction. "Susan is a recognized leader on sustainability in Chicago's AEC industry, heading sustainability initiatives for several top-tier global architecture firms such as HOK and VOA Associates, to achieving more than $1million in energy incentives for projects. Susan’s understanding of the design process and the intention of the design helps Pepper to better serve their clients. Susan’s expertise brings life cycle costs to the estimating table, allowing them to discuss first cost along with long-term operating costs, and facilitate a holistic conversation."

Pepper is committed to making a positive impact on the environment. Their green building program originated by providing best-in-class traditional construction services: documentation, waste management and recycling. With more than $1 billion in LEED®-certified projects, Pepper has expanded its understanding about our environment and how we interact with it. Today, Pepper's high performance and sustainability program is designed to address the life of the building and the lives of those who occupy it.

The LEED Fellow program was established in 2011 to honor LEED professionals who have demonstrated exceptional achievement in key mastery elements of LEED certification and significant contributions in teaching, mentoring or research with other industry professionals. LEED Fellows also have a strong history of highly impactful commitment, service and advocacy for green building and sustainability.

LEED Fellows are nominated by their peers and must have at least 10 years experience in the green building industry and hold a LEED AP with specialty credential, among other requirements. The evaluation process includes extensive portfolio review and is carried out by the LEED Fellow Evaluation Committee and supported by GBCI.