Page 38 - Green Builder July-August 2018 Issue

continued from page 35 As vice president of Innovation and Sustainability
appointed (and confirmed by the state Senate) for Meritage Homes, Herro has worked closely with
to the Board of the Minnesota Pollution Control CEO Steve Hilton to incorporate energy efficiency,
Agency (MPCA), where he helped develop policy water conservation, healthy indoor air quality, smart
that protected the state’s water, air and land home automation and renewables into the company’s
resources. portfolio of communities throughout the country.
At Emerson, Morgan is most proud of the Top of mind these days for Herro? Tackling the
company’s Grind2Energy initiative, which business case for zero-energy homes. “On a total cost
transforms food waste from an environmental basis, zero energy is a great solution for the average Marketing maverick.
challenge into renewable energy. “It’s a sustainable homebuyer,” Herro says. “But, we need to figure out Meritage Homes Vice
Clean power king. game changer for food retailers and services,
Emerson Commercial & and a great alternative to landfills and traditional how to evolve the processes for [real estate agents], President of Innovation
Residential Solutions compost programs,” he says. He is also active in appraisers and underwriters, so that they can properly and Sustainability C.R.
Business Development the development of the award-winning Sensi Wi- value zero energy at the time of a transaction.” Herro has made the
and Sales Excellence Fi Thermostat, Copeland Scroll Compressors, and Herro also believes that dramatic changes need to marketing of green
Director Earnest ceiling fans that provide homebuilders a path to be made in the energy sector to avoid wasting trillions homes his No. 1
Morgan throws his zero-energy-ready homes. of dollars in outdated infrastructure. He is endeavoring priority.
personal energy behind What’s next for Morgan? Leveraging smart devices to crack the code on load management by leveraging
development of… to address predictive maintenance that changes how thermal storage (oversized water heaters, thermal mass, pre-cooling and pre-
green energy. heating) and behavioral incentives based on time-of-use price models.
we think about home repairs. To take a break from the brainy work of solving the world’s building science
problems, Herro hangs out with his American Bulldog Penelope and Blue Nose
FRANK O’BRIENBERNINI, Vice President and Chief Pitbull Bessie.
Sustainability Officer, Owens Corning
If you’ve been in the building industry for any length of time, it’s likely you’ve GENE MYERS, Founder/CEO, Thrive Home Builders
come across the drum-playing, solar-installing, bike-riding head of sustainability When it comes to innovation in housing, Gene Myers is the Pied Piper. As a
for Owens Corning. long-time green builder, founder and CEO of Thrive Home Builders, and board
After 35 years with Owens Corning, Frank O’Brien-Bernini is more excited chairman for the Energy and Environmental Building Alliance (EEBA), Myers has
than ever about his work. His genuine interest in solved the riddle of building high-performance, healthy homes.
making a positive difference in the world permeates The Colorado-based six-time winner of the Department of Energy’s Grand
everything he does, and his supportive, “human in Award for Innovation, Thrive (previously known as
scale” approach has resulted in his development of New Town Builders) was the first production builder
comprehensive corporate sustainability strategies to deliver “solar standard” homes, build net-zero
for the company. communities, and use Colorado beetle-kill lumber in
In support of the company’s ambitious 50 percent the construction of its homes.
greenhouse gas reduction goal, O’Brien-Bernini has According to Myers, the secret to Thrive’s success
led Owens Corning to becoming one of the largest its culture. “Anyone can build net-zero communities,”
Staying in rhythm. industrial purchasers of renewable energy, with a mix of says Myers, “but not everyone can cultivate the culture
Owens Corning Vice on-site solar and 250 MW PPAs of new wind capacity. that we have at Thrive. Our people are committed to
President and Chief When not focusing on enhancing Owens Corning’s continuous improvement. Change is generally hard for Master of evolution.
Sustainability Officer sustainability efforts and high-performance products, most people, but we have a culture of innovation.” Myers Thrive Home Builders
Frank O’Brien goes O’Brien-Bernini dreams of time travel. “I’m fascinated by asserts that the company’s collaborative atmosphere CEO Gene Myers
from keeping in step the ingenuity of past inventors, and even more intrigued creates a highly desirable work environment, which is believes embracing
with the company’s by what’s to come,” he says. essential in an industry plagued by labor shortages. change is the key to a
sustainability efforts, To get on his good side, host him and his lovely Next on the to-do list for Myers? He is currently stronger, more
to keeping the beat wife, Mary Rose, to a dinner of eggplant parmesan focused on evolving Thrive from a homebuilder into a eco-friendly future.
during his down time.
and Chianti. land developer, so that the company can design its own
communities with the goal of optimizing orientation, resource use, renewables and
THE BUILDERS other key infrastructure elements. He is also dedicated to delivering affordable,
efficient and healthy housing solutions to markets along the Front Range.
Water is a key area of concern for Myers. “In a West that is on fire and
C.R. HERRO, Vice President of Innovation and experiencing extreme drought, surely we can be better stewards of water,” he says.
Sustainability, Meritage Homes Myers has a unique perspective on the role that builders should play in the
It’s impossible to be in the building industry and not know C.R. Herro. His deep marketplace. “All builders are environmentalists,” he claims. “We just happen
grasp of building science makes him one of the most visible—and credible— to deal in the human environment. We want the species to thrive and prosper.
professionals in our sector. It’s not just about the environment and climate—it’s about people in the
Herro prides himself on being a disruptor. With a 25-year history of leading environment. If we can keep that in mind, we’ll be better builders for it.”
new business development for multi-billion-dollar construction companies, To take a break from enhancing the culture at Thrive, Myers heads to the
Herro has proven his expertise in successfully piloting uncharted waters. slopes for some backpacking or downhill skiing.

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