Outgoing US Green Building Council chief executive Rick Fedrizzi has announced he will become chair and chief executive of the International WELL Building Institute, which administers the WELL Building Standard.
Mr Fedrizzi, who co-founded the USGBC in 1993 and has been chief executive since 2003, announced his retirement in June last year, which kicked off a hunt for a replacement that ended with chief operating officer Mahesh Ramanujam.
Mr Fedrizzi said he had already successfully transitioned the vast majority of his responsibilities to Mr Ramanujam, and as such, would leave the USGBC earlier than expected to become chief executive of IWBI on 4 November.
He will immediately begin the volunteer position of chair.
“I’m very excited about the opportunity to take on a leadership role with IWBI and build upon the work we’ve been doing at USGBC,” Mr Fedrizzi said. “Our buildings and communities should help humans thrive. Sustainability plus health is a powerful lens through which to view the world, and WELL has approached this goal in a similar way to how we developed the LEED green building program.”
He said both tools would work well together.
“Leveraging the strengths of both USGBC and IWBI will advance a much needed change in the improvement of the wellness and quality of life of our families, friends and colleagues through a healthier, more sustainable built environment.”
IWBI founder Paul Scialla said he couldn’t think of better person to lead WELL’s expansion plans than Mr Fedrizzi.
“His management experience and global vision will be huge assets to IWBI, and we couldn’t be more excited to have him,” Mr Scialla said.
The WELL Building Standard has now registered and certified more than 200 developments in 21 countries covering over 4.2 million square metres.