LAI membership consists of industry leaders and experts in the many facets impacting land economics. Members are often recognized in the media and as honors | awards recipients and invited to speak at prominent events. The following details LAI Atlanta Chapter members recognized for their contributions within land economics arenas.
Atlanta: sustainabilty is a strong economic driver
Tim Trefzer is instrumental Atlanta’s impressive sustainability accomplishments
Home to one of the densest (if not the densest) district of LEED-certified event space in the world, Atlanta is the greenest convention, sports, and entertainment destination in the world. Atlanta’s stellar sustainability commitment is one of the city’s strongest economic drivers.
Atlanta LAI member Tim Trefzer, recently promoted to GWCCA Director of Sustainability and CSR, is instrumental to Atlanta’s impressive sustainability accomplishments. As the Atlanta Super Bowl Host Committee’s Sustainability Committee Chair, Tim orchestrated the most sustainable Super Bowl ever with extensive pre-game events and stellar game-day practices.
The IMPACT Magazine article, Atlanta: sustainability is a strong economic driver, details the GWCCA ‘s prominent role in establishing industry-sustainability standards, showcases the GWCCA impressive sustainability commitment, and explains why the 2019 Super Bowl was the most sustainable ever under Tim’s leadership.
Remembering Joan Herron
June 7, 1950 – February 2, 2019
On Saturday, February 2, 2019, LAI Atlanta Chapter Founding President Joan H. Herron peacefully passed away after a prolonged illness. Joan left behind a LAI family who mourns the loss of a dear friend, a loyal fellow LAI member, and an astute professional held in high esteem. LAI Atlanta Chapter member Ron Thomas, who knew Joan from their Ely Chapter days, wrote a lovely tribute to Joan’s profound life, Remembering Joan.
The LAI Remembers & Mourns Joan Herron document includes comments made by the LAI family commemorating Joan’s life and spirit.
Park over I-75 | I-85 Connector Feasibility Study
Paul Morris selected to spearhead new park study
LAI Atlanta Chapter member Paul Morris was selected to spearhead the feasibility study to build a park over the I-75 | I-85 downtown Atlanta connector. The effort is lead by Chick-fil-A CEO Dan Cathy and strongly supported by the Georgia Institute of Technology. The Atlanta Chapter is thrilled Paul continues to reside in Atlanta where he is an active chapter member.
The LAI Atlanta Blog post, LAI member spearheads feasibility study for a park over downtown Atlanta connector, reprints the Atlanta Business Chronicle article announcing Paul’s impressive new professional adventure.
2018 WorldChefs Expo in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Holly Elmore presents on The Profitability of Waste: the business case for food waste reduction
WorldChefs hosts the biannual four-day Worldchefs Congress & Expo as the premier showcase for culinary innovation. In mid-July, over 1,000 chef delegates and competitors from 80 countries converged on Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for the Worldchefs Congress & Expo 2018.
Feed the Planet is a WorldChefs initiative designed to inspire sustainable food consumption among communities and professionals. In addition, Feed the Planet supports people in need through emergency relief, food poverty alleviation, and education. On day three of the 2018 Congress, the educational plenary program was dedicated to Feed the Planet.
During the Feed the Planet session, Elemental Impact (Ei) Founder & LAI Chapter Board Member Holly Elmore presented on The Profitability of Waste: the business case for food waste reduction.
The LAI Atlanta Blog post, WorldChefs Congress & Expo, gives an overview of the Feed the Planet session as well as The Profitability of Waste presentation; the Regeneration in ACTION (RiA) Blog article, Feed the Planet: an empowering WorldChefs Initiative, gives an overview of WorldChefs and a recap of the Feed the Planet session. and The Profitability of Waste: the business case for food waste reduction, published with an overview of Holly’s presentation highlighting the four case studies.
A comprehensive Feed the Planet PPT presentation, as well as the solo The Profitability of Waste: the business case for food waste reduction presentation, are available for download on the Ei Speaking Engagements page.
GWCC LEED Gold Certified
Tim Trefzer spearheads GWCC LEED recertification
Recertifying two years early, the Georgia World Congress Center (GWCCA) was awarded LEED Gold certification, the second highest level in the rating system. In the recertification, the GWCC was thirteen points higher than the 2014 application and five points higher than the minimum requirement. The majority of the additional points related to the energy-saving performance contract referenced below. The GWCC is the world’s largest LEED-certified conference center.
As GWCCA Director of Sustainability, LAI Atlanta Chapter member Tim Trefzer spearheaded the GWCCA team responsible for the LEED Gold certification.
The IMPACT Blog article, Atlanta: the greenest convention, sports, and entertainment destination in the world, gives details on the GWCC’s impressive sustainability achievements under Tim’s leadership.
Congrats to Tim on the monumental achievement!
Wall Street Journal
Jim Viviano featured in WSJ article
On Friday, January 19, 2018, LAI Atlanta President Jim Viviano was featured in the Wall Street Journal article, Why Some Small-Business Owners Will Miss Out on a Big Tax Break; The article showcased Jim’s leadership role in lobbying on behalf of the architecture/engineering industry sector on provisions within the new tax bill. Jim’s photo anchored the article visuals.
Jim Viviano, an Atlanta-based partner in the architecture firm 5G Studio Collaborative, is among those benefiting, thanks to a last-minute change in the law that exempted architects and engineers from the restrictions. Architecture and engineering groups argued it wasn’t fair to lump them in with other service businesses and that they were losing other tax breaks or face higher capital costs than other professionals such as lawyers and consultants. “We are right in the sweet spot,” said Mr. Viviano, who lobbied his senators for favorable tax treatment. “For architects, the big thing is this means more money in our pockets.”
Congrats to Jim for recognition on your industry leadership role related to the new tax bill.
Cox Conserve Hero Award
Park Pride and Stephen Causby receive $10,000 for Mattie Freeland Park
On November 15, 2017 Channel 2 WSB-TV and The Trust for Public Land named Stephen Causby as Atlanta’s 2017 Cox Conserves Hero. Park Pride, Causby’s nonprofit beneficiary, will receive $10,000. Causby was among the three finalists who were nominated by the public then chosen by local judging panels to compete in an online vote for the title of Atlanta’s Cox Conserves Hero. Park Pride Executive Director Michael Halicki and Stephen jointly accepted the $10,000 grant for future improvements at Mattie Freeland Park.
Stephen led the grassroots transformation of an overgrown lot on English Ave. The lot is now boasting picnic areas, garden beds, a mural, a playground, newly sodded play fields and a brand-new community center. Stephen led every phase of the development, managing cleanups, executing programming, grant writing and soliciting community support. Stephen and his team created a space for neighbors to gather, as well as a safe area for children to play. By engaging residents to participate in the park’s improvement, he developed a team of neighborhood leaders who help with maintenance and programming.
The 2017 Cox Heroes Award video gives a visual overview of Mattie Freeland Park, from vision to development to future plans.
Michael and Stephen are new LAI Atlanta members, with formal member induction slated for December 1, 2017.
Metro Chamber E3 Awards
Park Pride and Tim Trefzer honored at E3 Awards
At the October 4 Metro Atlanta Chamber 2017 E3 Awards, Park Pride and Tim Trefzer were recognized for their exceptional contributions to Atlanta’s economy and the environment.
Georgia World Congress Center (GWCCA) Sustainability Director Tim Trefzer was the E3 2017 Trident Award recipient. An award designated for an individual, versus an organization, the Trident Award recognizes visionary leaders advancing sustainability in Atlanta.
Park Pride Executive Director Michael Halicki accepted the E3 Community Strong award on behalf of the Proctor Creek North Avenue Study (PNA Study) The Community Strong Award recognizes a nonprofit or university program that promotes collaboration and community involvement in making metro Atlanta more sustainable.
The IMPACT Blog article, Ei Leadership Recognized for their Contributions to Atlanta’s Economy & Environment, gives details on the impressive awards.
Michael and Tim are new LAI Atlanta members, with formal member induction slated for December 1, 2017.
Soil Regeneration
Southern Farm & Garden feature article
Southern Farm & Garden’s fall issue includes a seven-page, multiple-article An Icon in Sustainability and Hickory Grove Farm: Regenerative Agriculture Revives Soils & Local Ecosystems showcasing Kennesaw State University’s (KSU) sustainability commitment and Hickory Grove Farm soil regeneration.
The story and photography are by LAI Atlanta Chapter Board member Holly Elmore. A KSU farm tour with new Atlanta Chapter member Tim Trefzer, Georgia World Congress Center director of sustainability, is featured in a sidebar and photo.
Urban Retail
Essential Planning, Design, and Management Practices
On July 13th, LAI Atlanta Chapter Board Member Bill De St. Aubin, CEO of Sizemore Group, gave a guest lecture as part of a seminar at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design in order to present and discuss his most recent research on the experiential economy. The seminar, titled “Urban Retail: Essential Planning, Design, & Management Practices,” was comprised of senior executives and accomplished entrepreneurs in real estate or related industries in the Executive Education program.
Download the Mall Retrofits and the Experiential Economy white paper.
5G Studio Collaborative Designs $58 Million Cinema South Studios
24-acre Six-Stage Complex to Serve Georgia’s Thriving Major Film Production Industry
In early July 2017, the Atlanta Business Chronicle featured the extraordinary Cinema South studio project in a front-page article, The second big film studio set for Fayette County. LAI Atlanta Chapter Vice-President Jim Viviano leads the Cinema South team that developed the program and site plan for the entire 25-acre campus, including all of the architectural designs of the studio and support buildings. The LAI Atlanta Blog post, 5G Studio Collaborative Designs $58 Million Cinema South Studios, gives an overview of the impressive Cinema South Studios.
Atlanta Beltline Receives National ASLA Award
2017 Olmstead Medal Recipient
Congratulations to the Atlanta BeltLine and the Atlanta BeltLine Partnership: the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) named the Atlanta BeltLine the prestigious 2017 Olmsted Medal recipient. Atlanta BeltLine CEO Paul Morris is an Atlanta LAI Chapter member. The annual ASLA Olmsted Medal recognizes individuals and organizations outside the profession of landscape architecture for environmental leadership, vision, and stewardship. On October 23, Paul will formally accept the award at the ASLA President’s dinner in Los Angeles. The LAI Atlanta Blog post, Atlanta Beltline Receives National ASLA Award, details the award significance and includes relevant links.