New Buildings Institute (NBI) named Ralph DiNola the organization's new executive director. The nonprofit NBI acts as a technical resource working to improve energy performance in commercial buildings, including promoting advanced design practices and technologies as well as development of public policies and program strategies that reduce energy use.
"Ralph DiNola is well known to our industry and brings over 20 years of experience as an innovator and leader in sustainability in the built environment," said David Goldstein of Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and NBI board president. Goldstein added that DiNola's strengths as a strategist, collaborator and communicator impressed him and other NBI board members.
"NBI has been an outstanding advocate and convener in the commercial building and energy industries," DiNola said. "The organization's staff has conducted ground-breaking research and delivered program and policy resources that have significantly improved energy efficiency in the commercial building stock. I am thrilled to now be part of this innovative group of technical and policy thought leaders," he said.
DiNola, a LEED Fellow and immediate-past board chair of the International Living Future Institute, comes to NBI from Green Building Services (GBS) in Portland, Ore. where he was a founder and partner at the firm. GBS is one of the nation's first green building consulting companies with a portfolio of international milestones in sustainable best practices and more than 435 LEED-certified buildings. DiNola will continue working with GBS as a strategic advisor.
"GBS gave me the opportunity to work on some phenomenal projects and I'm pleased to remain involved with a preeminent company that's carving new inroads in sustainable design and organizational culture," said DiNola.
GBS Founding Principal, Elaine Aye, IIDA, LEED Fellow, sees the prospect is a win-win. "GBS is expanding our leadership position in sustainability and this move allows us to leverage the relationship to the benefit of both firms." explained Aye. "It's an exciting time for GBS and NBI as our organizations embark on new directions to further sustainable practices."
The search for new leadership at NBI began earlier this year when Dave Hewitt, NBI's current executive director since 2005, announced he would be stepping down. Hewitt will move to a new role in the organization focused on project development and strategic planning.