PBS&J is pleased to announce the establishment of a new Sustainable Building Design group headquartered in the firm’s Orlando, Fla., office. The group is a national practice providing a dedicated project management team to guide clients through the process of building for U.S. Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification, energy modeling and building commissioning.
The Sustainable Building Design group is made up of individuals carefully selected for their experience, skills and passion for sustainable urban development and energy-efficient building practices that protect the environment.
Leading the initiative is Vince Briones, P.E., LEED AP, senior group manager. Vince has more than 13 years of experience as a professional engineer and has an expert understanding of the design and construction process. He has diverse experience on more than 30 LEED projects, including two of Florida’s first LEED-certified buildings.
Other members of the group include:
Rachel N. Cook, P.E., LEED AP, senior engineer. Cook has more than five years of experience in mechanical building systems design, energy analysis, commissioning and green building consulting for a wide range of building types, including offices, mixed-use developments, educational facilities, laboratories, hotels/resorts and military facilities. Her repeat clients have included the University of Florida; Florida State University; University of Central Florida; Orange County, Fla.;, the city of Orlando; and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Kellie Watson, EI, LEED AP, engineer. A University of Florida honor graduate with a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, Watson has experience working as a sustainability consultant specializing in energy modeling analysis. Watson’s expertise as an energy engineer helps project teams pursue an integrated design approach for high-performance building designs. She is experienced in reviewing construction documents to determine LEED certification eligibility and assisting with building commissioning tasks. She has experience with a variety of project types, including health care, education, entertainment and commercial buildings.
Kimberly Walton, EI, LEED AP, engineer. Walton is committed to a holistic approach to building design, construction and operation. She directs the LEED certification process, including managing credit templates, reviewing energy models, performing water-savings calculations and documenting sustainable construction practices.
The group focuses on three core services: LEED project management, energy modeling and commissioning.
