Brittin Witzenburg, a sustainability coordinator at the Oregon Convention Center, was recognized for her practical experience in identifying and implementing sustainable practices that reduce the environmental impact of the center over its functional life cycle.
Oregon Convention Center sustainability coordinator Brittin Witzenburg was recently designated by the U.S. Green Building Council as a LEED Accredited Professional with an Operations & Maintenance specialty.
By earning this designation, the Green Building Certification Institute recognizes her practical experience in identifying and implementing sustainable practices that reduce the environmental impact of the center over its functional life cycle.
"Brittin has played an instrumental role in making the Oregon Convention Center the sustainability leader it is. This accreditation confirms her professional acumen in the world of LEED certification," said Scott Cruickshank, the executive director of the convention center. "After achieving LEED certification and LEED Silver re-certification, our goal is LEED Gold re-certification in 2013. That is no easy task for an existing building totaling one million square feet, but I have every confidence in our ability to accomplish it."
According to the Green Building Certification Institute, LEED-accredited professionals with a specialty in operations and management demonstrate the exceptional expertise of green building professionals implementing sustainability practices, improving performance, heightening efficiency and reducing environmental impact in existing buildings through enhanced operations and maintenance.
Those who hold the LEED AP O+M credentials are considered the vanguards in their industry, transforming the built environment and possessing thorough knowledge of the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating systems and their implementation.
The Oregon Convention Center will seek LEED Gold certification in 2013 and has invested in a number of efficiency measures in recent years to count towards the necessary points, including major light fixture upgrades, water facility retrofits, and improvements in waste reduction efforts.
The OCC is owned and operated by Metro and managed through the Metropolitan Exposition Recreation Commission.