Upstate Builder Todd Usher Wins Green Building Leadership Award

The South Carolina Chapter of the US Green Building Council has honored Upstate builder Todd Usher with a 2014 Duke Energy Leadership in Green Building Award.

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Todd Usher, winner of the 2014 Leadership in Green Building Award, with (from L-R) Douglas Rackley and Bachman Smith IV of USGBC-SC and Jason Martin of Duke Energy.

This award — presented during the organization’s annual meeting Oct. 1 – recognizes Usher’s “above and beyond” efforts to further the cause of green building in South Carolina.

As president of Greenville-based Addison Homes, Usher focuses exclusively on sustainable construction, certifying 100% of his homes to environmental standards such as Energy Star, LEED for Homes, the National Green Building Standard and/or DOE Zero Energy Ready Home. In addition to leading the industry by example, Usher promotes the benefits of green building to the mainstream market via community education and outreach.

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Upstate builders Todd and Michelle Usher show off the 2014 Duke Energy Leadership in Green Building Award from the South Carolina Chapter-US Green Building Council.

“There is established value in green building,” Usher says. “Consumers enjoy significantly lower utility bills along with enhanced comfort and healthier indoor air. The environment benefits from reduced energy consumption and fewer greenhouse emissions. When consumers become educated regarding the value equation for Healthy, HighPerformance Homes, their decision to build becomes logical.”

Now in its eighth year, the South Carolina Chapter-USGBC Leadership in Green Building awards program recognizes outstanding individuals and organizations that show vision, leadership and commitment to the advancement of green building and construction in the state. Other 2014 recipients include: the USC Darla Moore School of Business, Exemplary Project Award; A.J. Whittenberg Elementary School, Green School Award; and Hiren Shah, Keith Sanders Service Award.

“Addison Homes is honored to receive the Duke Energy Green Building Leadership Award and we congratulate our fellow recipients as well,” says Usher. “It is a privilege – and a responsibility – to build increasing awareness of eco-friendly construction.”

Past South Carolina Chapter-USGBC award recipients include:

2006 — University of South Carolina, Furman University, Clemson University, John Knott (Noisette)

2007 — S.C. Energy Office, Craig Gaulden Davis, Coastal Carolina University, Sen. James Ritchie

2008 — Mayor Keith Summey, City of North Charleston, Upstate Forever, 7th Grade Teachers of Georgetown Middle School, Dennis Knight

2010 — James Meadors/Charleston Green Committee, Tony Bakker, Frank Powell (Furman University), Beezer Molten/Halfmoon Outfitters

2011 — Don Cameron, Housing Authority of Charleston, YMCA of Coastal Carolina, Jackson School, Kershaw County School District, Holiday Inn Hotel, W. Columbia

2012 — Bryan Cordell, SC Sustainability Institute, Wofford College Goodall Environmental Studies Center

2013 — Boeing, Edens, USC Patterson Hall, MUSC Bioengineering Building

Keith Sanders Service Award, for outstanding service to the Chapter — Denise Sherman, Allen Taylor, John Hansen, Dan Gerst, Jude Peck.