Sample Owner Quotes: Pre-Certification
“LEED certification allows us to provide students an optimal learning atmosphere, while still
remaining fiscally and environmentally responsible,” stated Randy Rutherford, Superintendent of
Bryant Schools. “We’ve found that our green schools help us keep our kids healthy and
engaged and ultimately save our district and community thousands in utility and cleaning costs.
We’re proud to partner with Viridian once again as we continue this tradition at Hill Farm
Elementary.”
"As a business owner, building “green” was a social and bottom line decision,” said Lisa
Rossmeyer Wade, owner of Southern Thunder Harley-Davidson. “We strive to provide
exceptional customer service, and I saw the LEED process as an extension of this goal. This
LEED project will allow us to offer our staff customers a unique, safe and comfortable
environment in which to do business, lower our carbon footprint and achieve cost savings
benefiting our bottom line.
“Building a LEED-certified or green building is just another way for us demonstrate our social
justice commitment and, in this case, to increase campus awareness of issues of environmental
justice,” said Philander Smith College President, Dr. Walter Kimbrough. “With our growing
enrollment, our new campus master plan expands our focus on topics consistent with our
mission.”
Sample Owner Quotes: Post-Certification
“Pursuing LEED Certification is simply the right thing to do and we as a community should be
tremendously proud of this achievement,” said Little Rock Mayor, Mark Stodola. “The
commitment to the principles of sustainability and energy efficiency moves us forward. Little
Rock hopes to be able to provide an increasing number of environmental, economic, and
healthy buildings in the future.”
“We are proud to receive the Silver designation,” said Chip Dickinson, CEO of Ritter
Communications. “It is truly rewarding to have our efforts acknowledged this way by the
USGBC. The Ritter family values pursuing environmentally and economically sound business
practices. We are very appreciative of the efforts of every member of the building team.”
"It is important for us to begin setting the standard for change in our environment by actively
promoting, educating and encouraging the grassroots community to create a sustainable and
energy efficient world," said Deborah Bell, director of community development for BCD. "The
LEED certification of BCD’s EmPowerment Center is further proof of our commitment towards
these goals.”
“The North Little Rock Electric Department campus buildings are the City’s first buildings to
receive LEED certification for New Construction,” said Mayor Smith. “This is important because
it demonstrates the City of North Little Rock’s desire to lead by example and how it is taking
steps in City’s operations and in the community to promote environmental and economic
stewardship.”
“We are proud to share this great distinction and lead our community and state in this effort.
Achieving the Silver level of LEED certification demonstrates Bryant School District’s long-term
commitment to our environmental stewardship and social responsibility. Additionally, it is
important for us to set the standard for change in our community not only through education
but also by example," said Bryant School District Superintendent Randy Rutherford.
Sample Project Manager Quotes: Pre-Certification
“We all know that green building is taking hold, but when a dealership of an iconic brand such
as Harley-Davidson decides to pursue LEED certification, that is really saying something,” said
Viridian Sustainability Coordinator, April Ambrose. “They are providing the extraordinary
leadership for more companies to leave such a positive legacy.”
“This project is another great testament to the vision of the Bryant School District to become a
responsible leader in the educational field and in their community,” says April Ambrose,
Viridian’s Senior Project Manager responsible for guiding the design and construction of the
project to meet LEED certification requirements. “The District is making a commitment to
creating a positive and healthy atmosphere for its students.”
“This facility will be an example of how sustainability represents much more than just being
green,” said Viridian Partner Matt Bell. “New and visually pleasing architecture can obviously
help a neighborhood, but having a facility that demonstrates the benefits of incorporating
sustainable elements such as energy efficiency into buildings is what can really uplift the
community and empower individuals.”
Sample Project Manager Quotes: Post-Certification
“This high distinction is a direct result of the extraordinary commitment of Ritter
Communications,” said Matt Bell, Partner at Viridian. “The Ritter facility reflects to the future of
sustainable development and construction for the entire Northeast Arkansas area.”
“Bryant High School has made a huge commitment to the community by applying sustainability
though a rigorous third-party verified green building certification,” said April Ambrose, Viridian’s
Senior Project Manager responsible for guiding the design and construction of the project to
meet LEED documentation and certification requirements. “This is more than a feather in the
cap of the school district leadership. This is validation of a commitment the district has made to
the community and its current and future students to protect their health, investments, and
environment.”
“The City of North Little Rock has made a huge commitment to the community by applying
sustainability though a rigorous third-party verified green building certification for even the least
of its facilities,” said April Ambrose, Viridian’s Senior Project Manager responsible for guiding the
design and construction of the project to meet LEED documentation and certification
requirements. “There are many design aspects that qualified this facility for LEED certification,
but many of these are behind-the-scenes that most people will never see. That’s the way it
should be. You don’t have to think about it, but you are able to see better, hear better, breathe
better and ultimately to think and work better. That is what we were going for and that is what
the city should be commended for.”
“The LEED certification of Dorm A builds on Philander Smith College’s mission ‘to graduate
academically accomplished students who are grounded as advocates for Social Justice,
determined to change the world for the better,’” says April Ambrose, Viridian’s Senior Project
Manager responsible for guiding the design and construction of the project to meet LEED
certification requirements. “This project is meant to teach sustainability as well as to embody it
by ensuring students have the opportunity to experience and understand sustainability in living
and learning spaces.”
“Viridian is delighted to have helped National Wallcovering/colour and design cross the finish
line, and hopeful that projects like this will signal a new era in sustainable design, one that
reflects a truly integrated approach to creating built environments that are in alignment with the
economy and the natural world,” said Chris Ladner, founding partner at Viridian. “This approach
helped them to become the first mixed use LEED EB certified project in the state. Third-party
verification through LEED confirms that the measures taken have a positive impact.”
“This is a great testament to the vision of National Wallcovering/colour and design to become a
responsible leader in their industry and their community,’” says April Ambrose, Viridian’s Senior
Project Manager responsible for guiding the design and construction of the project to meet
LEED certification requirements. “LEED Gold certification for an existing building is quite an
achievement particularly in a combined warehouse and office business building. The only other
LEED for Existing Buildings certified project in the state is the Clinton Library. So National
Wallcovering/colour and design’s achieving LEED EB Gold certification in North Little Rock,
Arkansas really raises the bar for not only for the rest of the wall covering industry, but also for
the rest of central Arkansas’ businesses.”