National Leadership in Sustainability and
Energy Efficiency Award
The National Leadership in Sustainability and Energy Efficiency Award recognizes outstanding contributions to the growth and enhancement of codes or public policy espousing the principles of the Code Council Sustainability Membership Council. The awards honor states, cities, towns and individuals who go above and beyond to raise compliance with building energy codes – and by doing so, help unlock billions in savings and improve the efficiency of America’s new and existing buildings and homes using cost-effective, practical, and innovative strategies.
The National Leadership in Sustainability and Energy Efficiency Award 2024 recipient is Hope Medina, Energy and Sustainability Plans Examiner, Inspector, Instructor, and Consultant for Shums Codes Associates.
Previous Sustainability and Energy Efficiency Award Recipients
2023
Gayathri Vijayakumar, Principal Mechanical Engineer, Steven Winter Associates, Inc.
2022
Kimberly Cheslak, Director of Codes with the New Buildings Institute
2021
Anna Salgueiro, Building Official, City of Miami Beach
Urban Sustainability Directors Network (USDN), Washington, D.C.
2020
City of Santa Monica, CA
Brad Smith, Energy Code Compliance Specialist, Ft. Collins, CO
2019
John Umphress, Senior Green Building and Sustainability Consultant for
the Austin Energy Green Building Program
The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID)
2018
Ron Flax, chief building official for Boulder County, Colorado.
2017
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) and
Osama Younan, Executive Officer, Los Angeles Department of Building Safety.
2016 Standard Bearers Award Winners
State Jurisdiction Winner
Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs, Energy Division
Local Jurisdiction Winner
City of Chula Vista, Calif.
Energy Code Leader
Darren Meyers of Tinley Park, Ill.
2015 Standard Bearers Award Winners
State Jurisdiction Winner
Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity,
Illinois Energy & Recycling Office
Local Jurisdiction Winner
Washington, D.C.
Energy Code Leader
Steven E. Rinehart, Harker Heights, Texas
2014 Standard Bearers Award Winners
State Jurisdiction Winner
Mississippi Development Authority, Energy and Natural Resources Division
Local Jurisdiction Winner
Astoria, Oregon
Energy Code Leader
Shaunna Mozingo, Parker, Colorado
2014 Sustainability and Energy Efficiency Award Winners
Brenda Thompson, Clark County, NV
2013 Sustainability and Energy Efficiency Award Winners
Don Plass, Hoffman Estates, Illinois
*2014 was the first year that the Code Council was involved with the Standard Bearers Award. From 2015 – 2017 the award was jointly presented by ICC/SMC and IMT. This award is no longer an active Institute for Market Transformation recognition program. The award is now solely managed by the Code Council and has been renamed the National Leadership in Sustainability and Energy Efficiency Award.
See Code Council Awards Program page for nomination information and deadlines.