This is another in a series of occasional ASHA Executive Director updates. These updates are intended to provide ASHA members with a more in-depth view of ASHA’s National Office, key member services, and the names and roles of ASHA staff in National Office units. Information about staff changes and ASHA National Office recognitions/awards is also included.
Many thanks to those of you who have provided feedback regarding the previous updates (posted on the ASHA Web site), or suggestions for future ED updates.
This update focuses on the Gold LEED Certification of the new ASHA National Office building.
The United States Green Building Council (USGBC), is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization committed to expanding sustainable building practices. It is composed of more than 12,000 organizations across the building industry working to advance structures that are environmentally sustainable, profitable, and healthy places to live and work. USGBD members includes building owners, real estate developers, facility managers, architects, designers, engineers, general contractors, subcontractors, product and building system manufacturers, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations.
LEED – Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design – the Green Building Rating System® is a voluntary, national rating system created by the USGBC to:
- Define "green building" by establishing a common standard of measurement
- Promote integrated, whole-building design practices
- Recognize environmental leadership in the building industry
- Stimulate green competition
- Raise consumer awareness of green building benefits
- Transform the building market
On September 24, 2008, ASHA’s Gold LEED Certification plaque was unveiled in the lobby of the new National Office building at 2200 Research Boulevard in Rockville, Maryland. ASHA is the first 501(c)(6) organization in the state of Maryland to receive a Gold LEED designation and one of only nine organizations with similar building types at the Gold LEED certification level according to the USGBC.
From design through construction, ASHA committed itself to producing an environmentally responsible National Office in key areas such as sustainability, water efficiency, energy usage, and materials and resources as well as indoor environmental quality, innovation, and design. Specific examples include:
Recycled Content Products
- Terrazzo flooring, located in the main lobby and countertops throughout the building, is “green” in its durability, composition and recycled content
- Carpeting (35% postindustrial, 10% postconsumer recycle content)
- Linoleum flooring (50% postindustrial), a rapidly renewable material manufactured from cork, wood flour, and linseed oil
- Quarry tile (17% postindustrial and 17% postconsumer recycled content) used in the restrooms and locker rooms
- Structural building materials that include structural steel (80% postconsumer), steel joists (79% postconsumer), metal decking (43% postindustrial), and cast-in-place concrete (75% postconsumer)
- Finish materials that include gypsum board (95% postindustrial) and millwork/wood panels (100% postindustrial)
- Building accessories such as bicycle racks (50% postconsumer), restroom partitions, and mirrors (20% postindustrial)
- Acoustical ceiling tile manufactured from cornstarch made of U.S. grown corn and recycled content materials
Wood Products
- Plywood, millwork, doors, lockers, and benches made of materials certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), which encourages environmentally responsible harvested products
- Paneling and doors manufactured regionally
- Architectural millwork and cabinetry constructed of bamboo (a rapidly renewable, fast-growing grass that can be harvested in 3 – 5 years)
- Cork flooring (a rapidly renewable product harvested from the bark of the cork tree)
Irrigation
- Condensate water from the HVAC system is used for all irrigation (no potable water is used)
- Local drought-resistant vegetation is planted throughout the grounds
Energy Savings
- The HVAC system, coupled with higher efficiency glass and lower energy light fixtures, yields a 23% energy savings for the building
- White-colored roof reduces cooling costs by more than 11% as compared with a black roof
- Occupancy sensors turn the lights off when space is unoccupied, reducing electricity consumption
Water Efficiency
- The use of water-efficient shower heads, lower flow sink fixtures, and dual-flush and low-flow toilet fixtures and urinals yields a 42% water reduction.
Indoor Environment Quality
- The facility is smoke-free
- HVAC system utilizes MERV-13 filters
- The copy center has a dedicated exhaust system, isolating any fumes from the rest of the building
- Walk-off mats (up to 35% recycled content) help to prohibit pollutant contamination of the building
- The building has a carbon dioxide monitoring system
Daylighting and Views
- Over 70% of the regularly occupied spaces have natural light
- 90% of the regularly occupied spaces have direct outside views
The new National Office also serves as a learning environment … signs are posted throughout the interior and exterior of the office to remind and educate individuals about the benefits of a green building.
Please consider this your standing invitation to come visit the new National Office building anytime you are “in the neighborhood” … or do so virtually.
National Office Staff Updates
The following individuals are new to the ASHA staff since August 2008:
- Jaumeiko (JC) Brown – Associate Director, N-CEP
- R’Chelle Mullins – Accreditation Coordinator
- Martin Rome – Chief Staff Officer for Communications
- Jillian Stitely – Account Manager, Membership and Sales
- Venkatram Sunkara – Web Developer
- Jodi York – Administrative Assistant
The following individuals have left ASHA to pursue other opportunities:
- Jessica Bowen Nunez, Research Program Manager
- Julia Casselle, Manager, CE Registry
Recent ASHA and ASHA National Office/Staff Awards
ASHA was recently recognized as one of the top ten business entities in the state of Maryland by The Gazette of Politics and Business “Exceptional 53 Awards” program. The Association ranked sixth out of 53 businesses across the state of Maryland that were recognized for their growth, innovation, community services and employee satisfaction.
The Next Executive Director Update: Speech-Language Pathology Health Care Services unit