District Staff Pass LEED Exam With Flying Colors

Dave Orner and Mark LeytzeDave Orner, District facilities and construction project administrator, and Mark Leytze, District facilities and construction service manager, recently completed the LEED professional accreditation program.

Two of the District’s General Services Department staff members, Mark Leytze and Dave Orner, recently became professionally accredited in Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED).

The LEED professional accreditation program, administered through the Green Building Certification Institute, requires that professionals demonstrate a thorough understanding of green building practices and the LEED rating system.

“In a recent LEED accreditation workshop, we learned that less than half of the people who take the exam are able to pass the first time,” said Lloyd Roberts, District general services director. “Mark and Dave put forth the effort to ensure they passed the exam on their first attempt, and they should be extremely proud of their accomplishment.”

Leytze, District facilities and construction services manager, oversees all projects involving construction, modification and renovation of District facilities. He is also responsible for the maintenance and repair of District facilities, grounds, landscaping, roads and parking lots.

Orner, District facilities and construction project administrator, develops the plans and specifications for construction projects at the District. In doing so, he coordinates with contractors and monitors the projects’ progress, safety and quality.

To earn LEED professional accreditation, Leytze and Orner were required to pass an 80-question exam that measured their expertise in the principles of green building design, construction and operation.

Both Leytze and Orner’s understanding of the LEED certification process will be used to facilitate the successful design, development and certification of high-performance green building projects at the District.