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Central: The Confluence Tour & Networking Social
Tuesday, May 20, 2025
3:30PM to 6:00PM
Location: Waterloo Greenway- The Confluence
Meeting Point: Jay-Rese construction trailer in Palm Park
3rd Street & S I-35 Frontage Road
Networking Happy Hour immediately following the Tour:
Central District Brewing
417 Red River Street, Austin, TX 78701
About the Tour
Join the USGBC Texas Central Region for an exclusive guided tour of The Confluence, the transformative second phase of the Waterloo Greenway project. This 13-acre urban green space revitalizes the Waller Creek corridor between 4th Street and Lady Bird Lake, showcasing innovative approaches to ecological restoration, flood mitigation, and sustainable urban design.
Participants will gain insights into the project's sustainable features, including native landscaping, water quality enhancements, community-focused design elements, and pursuit of SITES Gold certification. The tour will be led by members of the project team, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the challenges and successes of urban ecological restoration.
Following the tour, attendees are invited to a networking social at Central District Brewing, providing an opportunity to connect with professionals in architecture, engineering, sustainability, and environmental governance.
What to Bring/Wear:
- Sturdy, closed-toe shoes
- Long pants (no shorts)
- Reusable Water Bottle
- PPE including hard hat, reflective vest, and safety glasses. A limited number of hard hats and vests will be available for attendees to borrow if they do not have their own.
Don't miss this opportunity to explore one of Austin's most ambitious green infrastructure projects and engage with the local sustainability community!
Webinar:
Property Risk Assessment - Building Resilience and Green Lending
Property Risk Assessment -
Building Resilience and Green Lending
Wednesday, May 21, 20254
Virtual Session 12:00 - 1:00 PM
About the Presentation:
This 60-minute webinar will guide property owners, managers, and investors through comprehensive risk assessment methodologies and mitigation strategies for protecting their assets.
Participants will learn effective assessment methodologies, practical mitigation strategies, and emergency preparedness techniques. The session covers crucial insurance considerations and explores green lending opportunities that support sustainable property improvements while reducing long-term operational costs and risks.
Industry experts will share actionable case studies that attendees can immediately apply to their portfolios.
Speakers:
Ryan McCormick is a founding member of Lone Star PACE, where he helped launch the firm in 2017. As a Program Administrator, he plays a key role in expanding Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy, or C-PACE, financing across Texas. Ryan holds a Series 50 License as a Registered Municipal Advisor and works with property owners, developers, and local governments to move projects forward that support utility conservation, sustainability, and economic development without utilizing taxpayer dollars.
He has a strong background in finance and mortgage lending and holds a degree in Marketing and Nonprofit Management from the University of North Texas. Through his work, Ryan helps channel private investment into property improvements that deliver long-term public benefit for communities across the state.
David Rubin, Vice President at AEI Consultants, specializes in working with a broad spectrum of commercial real estate stakeholders. With his knowledge across diverse areas such as environmental energy green building certifications, environmental and building condition due diligence, green building certifications and energy benchmarking, he creates common sense solutions for his clients.
David serves on the ASTM Climate Resilience Guideline Task Force, which developed an umbrella guide outlining the process for multi-hazard evaluations of risk and resilience. David also serves as a Regional Council Member of the USGBC Texas' North Region, and is a Supervisor to the Belmont Fresh Water Supply District No. 1 of Denton County.
Josh Wood serves as a Commercial Risk Advisor for Swingle Collins & Associates. Utilizing a holistic approach, his goal is to work closely with business owners and executives to identify, mitigate, and transfer risk via traditional and alternative methods.
Josh is a Commercial Lines Coverage Specialist (CLCS) focused on implementing coverage-driven programs within the Habitational, Hospitality and Moving & Storage industries. In addition to placing specialty Commercial Auto, Property, Workers’ Compensation, Pollution Liability, and other key coverages, he prides himself on serving as a steward to his clients year-round. His view of stewardship includes helping clients implement or improve their Safety and Loss Control programs, regularly reviewing losses with clients, offering complementary lease and contract reviews, and more.
Prior experiences include roles with top-tier brands like Mercedes-Benz, Fogo de Chão Brazilian Steakhouse, and Walt Disney World. His passion for service and entrepreneurship perfectly align with his role as a Risk Advisor.
Tour of Zahner Manufacturing Grand Prairie Wednesday, May 28, 2025 3:30 - 5:00 PM (tour)
2860 Alouette Dr. Grand Prairie, Tx
Happy hour to follow at The Tipsy Oak. The Tipsy Oak 301 Front St. Arlington, Tx
About the Event: Zahner is dedicated to building the incredible through innovation and collaboration.
With more than 125 years of expertise, Zahner is a world-renowned architectural metals company specializes in fabrication, engineering, and innovation for iconic structures globally.
Their mission is to transform visionary ideas into magnificent realities, collaborating with architects, owners, and contractors to push the boundaries of design and craftsmanship.
What to Expect
You'll witness their state-of-the-art processes for working with exotic sheet metal, including:
Hazards Awareness
The facility contains various hazards typical of metal fabrication, including sharp edges, heavy materials, cutting tools, electrical equipment, overhead lifting, welding processes, and chemical usage. Our employees are well-trained to manage these risks, and your Zahner tour guide will ensure your safety throughout the visit.
After the tour you’re invited to gather at the The Tipsy Oak for a networking happy hour.
Gulf Coast: Downtown Public Art Bike Ride
POST Houston
401 Franklin St.
Houston, Tx 77201
Saturday, May 31, 2025
10:00 - 11:30 AM
Register soon, capacity is limited!
Join USGBC Texas Gulf Coast Regional Council and the Citizens' Environmental Coalition for a Downtown Public Art Bike Ride on Saturday, May 31, 2025.
Meet at POST Houston with your bike and helmet, and enjoy a bike tour of the Big Art Bigger Change murals around downtown Houston. Each mural is inspired by the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, reflecting the diversity of the local community and the efforts of individuals and organizations making a difference in Houston and around the world.
Optional meet-up for coffee or brunch after the ride will take place at POST Houston.
GREEN COFFEE HOUR
Thursday, June 5th at 8:30 AM-9:30 AM
Easy Tiger North
6406 N I-35 Frontage, Suite1100 Austin, TX 78752
About the Event
The Central Regional Council of USGBC-Texas hosts Green Coffee Hours each month, open to the public. This FREE event offers the opportunity to meet and network with people in green careers: architecture, engineering, sustainability, environmental governance professions, and more. For updates and additional information, please be sure to RSVP.
Join the USGBC Texas Central Region Council during its Monthly Meetings. During these meetings, members will be encouraged to engage with the Regional Council and State leadership, learn about current and upcoming (local, state, and national) events, provide input, and ask questions.
For more information on the regional council go here. To view upcoming events go here, and to learn how to get involved go here.
For any questions, email Central Region Chair Ashley Besic at abesic@buildingdecarb.org or Chapter Executive Director Jonathan Kraatz at jonathan@usgbctexas.org.
Series runs February 7, 2025 to January 9, 2026.
The USGBC First Friday series is back by popular demand, but this year – with a twist! We’ll still gather online over midday on the First Friday of each month for leading-edge education, but in 2025, we'll alternate live education sessions with highly rated, previously recorded sessions from past USGBC programming.
Take a look at our lineup below, then follow the registration link to sign up for our entire series!
As always, our First Friday education series is free for USGBC members and USGBC Texas members (code provided via email) and $10 per session for nonmembers. Not a member? Learn more about becoming a member here.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to earn education hours and keep up with the latest at USGBC and in green building. Follow the registration prompt below, and be sure to register using the email address that is linked to your usgbc.org member account.
Tour: Colleyville Vision Associates
5205 Heritage Ave. Colleyville, Tx Thursday, June 12, 2025
5:30 PM - 7:00 PM
Happy Hour (immediately following the tour)
About the Event:
Learn how the team conceived and delivered the first LEED certified building in Colleyville. Then tour the facility to see these concepts in action!
LEED GREEN ASSOCIATE EXAM PREP COURSE
Saturday, June 14th, 2025
Gensler Houston
Virtual Training
8:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Free Class
About this Event
For more than 20 years, Gensler has welcomed in thousands of clients, college students, community leaders, building owners and designers to take its free LEED Green Associate Exam Prep Course.
Conveniently scheduled on a Saturday morning, the four-hour class is administered by Gensler employees who are passionate about sustainability in practice and have previously achieved their LEED GA credentials. The course is open to anyone in the community who is planning to take the LEED Green Associate Version 4 exam and is interested in attaining basic knowledge of green design, construction and operations.
From this course, you will learn how to address fundamental principles of green building, attain a basic knowledge of LEED rating systems and will receive recommended study material to aid in passing the exam. Feel free to also bring any general or specific questions regarding the exam you may have.
Gensler’s LEED GA prep course is offered five times annually, with an additional BD+C and ID+C course option offered during the year also. There is no class attendance limit and anyone 18 or older is able to register for the course. Four AIA Continuing Education Credits are available for session attendees.
In the event of below average registration, Gensler reserves the right to cancel the prep course up to 48 hours in advance. Please RSVP or email any questions to Gensler using the link below.
Instructors:
RIVES TAYLOR, FAIA, LEED Fellow
ALFONSO HERNANDEZ, AIA, LEED AP BD+C
Adopt a Shoreline Saturday, June 14, 20259:00 AM-11:00 AM
White Rock Lake
(see map below) Dallas, TX
Come volunteer with USGBC Texas at White Rock Lake Park and help keep it litter-free!
The Adopt-A-Shoreline program is a Dallas Park and Recreation Department program administered by For the Love of the Lake.
USGBC Texas has been assigned shoreline #6. FTLOTL will provide materials that support our cleaning needs (trash bags, gloves, etc.) that will be replenished as necessary.
Meet in the parking area for the Winfrey Point Baseball Fields.
Summer Webinar Series Session 1:
Sites & Water
Tuesday, June 24, 2025
Join leading professionals in the built environment for a focused discussion on how the Sites and Water categories are addressed across key sustainability rating systems, including LEED, SITES, LBC and Envision. This webinar will examine the underlying principles, performance goals, and evaluation criteria that guide responsible site development and effective water management within these frameworks. Attendees will gain valuable insights into the synergies and unique strengths of each system, equipping them to make informed decisions in sustainable planning, design, construction, and certification efforts.
Learning Objectives
Presenters:
Anthony Kane is President & CEO of the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure in Washington, DC where he oversees the organization’s overall operations and leads the development of the Envision framework for sustainable infrastructure. He is also a commissioner on the Washington DC Commission on Climate Change and Resiliency. He was formerly a research director at the Zofnass Program for Sustainable Infrastructure at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design, a research associate with the Materials, Processes, and Systems Group at Harvard University, and an instructor at the Boston Architectural College. He is a co-author of Ceramic Material Systems in Architecture and Interior Design and a contributing author of Infrastructure Sustainability and Design.
Lindsey Machamer, PE, LEED AP BD+C, SITES AP is the Division Manager for the Park Development Division at the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department. She leads the team that delivers capital improvement projects in parks, trails, and urban spaces with a focus on designing the park spaces to be accessible, diverse, inclusive, sustainable, and resilient. Lindsey find great joy in being a part of increasing access to nature and being a part of market transformation about how parks are designed and constructed.
Her background is civil engineering with experience in site development, stormwater design, municipal vulnerability preparedness planning, and more. She has a BS in Civil Engineering and a BA in Environmental Studies and a MS in Engineering Management. Lindsey is also LEED Faculty.
Lisa Storer is a sustainability advocate working on large multi-disciplinary projects that transform the public realm. She is the Vice President of Architecture, Urban Design and Sustainability at Austin Transit Partnership, which will bring much-needed transit improvements, including light rail, to Austin. Previously, she was at the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department focused primarily on the Waterloo Greenway program, which is transforming 35 acres of downtown Austin with new public parks, accessible trails, and a restored Waller Creek to connect people to nature in the center of the city.
Lisa has more than twenty years working in the built environment and enjoys collaborating on integrated projects with strong ecological and community goals that bridge architecture, engineering and landscape architecture. She previously worked at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center developing the SITES Rating System for sustainable land design and development, now administered internationally by GBCI. She currently serves as the Vice Chair of the Location, Transportation, and Planning Technical Advisory Group (LP TAG) for LEED, on the Board of Directors of AIA Austin and the US Green Building Council’s Texas Chapter, and as part of ULI Austin’s Local Climate Council.
Thursday, July 3rd at 8:30 AM-9:30 AM
Adopt a Shoreline Saturday, July 12, 20259:00 AM-11:00 AM
Thursday, August 7th at 8:30 AM-9:30 AM
Save the date for the statewide Women in Green (WIG) luncheon on Friday, August 8, featuring a conversation with Gail Vittori, former Chair of the United States Green Building Council and Green Building Certification Institute.
This year, our Women in Green (WIG) event will take place simultaneously across all five USGBC Texas Regions, connected via webcast to create one large Texas event. In-person gatherings will occur in the following Regions (exact locations and registration details will be announced soon):
Any person who supports and promotes women's leadership in the sustainability field is welcome to attend the Women in Green luncheon.
Keynote Speaker:
Gail Vittori, LEED Fellow, is the Co-Director of the Center for Maximum Potential Building Systems in Austin, TX, specializing in sustainable design and human health. In 1989, she established the initial conceptual framework for Austin Energy Green Building, recognized as the first green building program in the U.S. In the early 2000s, she led the integration of health considerations into green building practices, resulting in the creation of the Green Guide for Health Care. Alongside Robin Guenther, she co-authored "Sustainable Healthcare Architecture". As a former Chair of the U.S. Green Building Council and Green Business Certification Inc., she has significantly influenced health, climate, and equity on both national and global levels. A Founding Board Member of the Health Product Declaration Collaborative, she currently holds various advisory roles, including that of an Emeritus Board member.
Her leadership positions on the Boards of Directors of the U.S. Green Building Council and Green Business Certification Inc., where she served as Chair for both organizations, enabled her to expand her health-, climate-, and equity-focused influence both nationally and globally. In 2015, Gail received the Hanley Award for Vision and Leadership in Sustainability and, in 2020, the Kate Hurst Leadership Award.
Event Sponsors:
Sponsorships are still available for each location! Please let us know if you want to support this great event. Sponsorship Opportunities
Saturday, August 9th, 2025
Adopt a Shoreline Saturday, August 9, 20259:00 AM-11:00 AM
Thursday, September 4th at 8:30 AM-9:30 AM
Adopt a Shoreline Saturday, Sept. 13, 20259:00 AM-11:00 AM
Thursday, October 2nd at 8:30 AM-9:30 AM
Adopt a Shoreline Saturday, Oct. 11, 20259:00 AM-11:00 AM
Saturday, October 18th, 2025
Thursday, November 6th at 8:30 AM-9:30 AM
Adopt a Shoreline Saturday, Nov. 8, 20259:00 AM-11:00 AM
Thursday, December 4th at 8:30 AM-9:30 AM
Saturday, December 13th, 2025
Adopt a Shoreline Saturday, Dec. 13, 20259:00 AM-11:00 AM
USGBC Texas Chapter is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. 1801 Royal Lane, Suite 400, Dallas, TX 75229
Contact us at chapter@usgbctexas.org or at 214-571-9244
