Jim LaRue - HouseMender, Inc /Cleveland Green Building Coalition

Nominated by: Michael W. Challender - Lorain County Chamber of Commerce

Jim LaRue, Residential Green Building Consultant, Cleveland Green Building Coalition, deserves to receive the Champion of Sustainability award in the Healthy, High Performance Building category. Jim conducts numerous brown bag discussions regarding green building topics at the CGBC. In addition, Jim takes an active position and makes his time available for projects throughout Northeast Ohio. His desire to share his knowledge regarding green building techniques is important in expanding the use of green materials and techniques in the building industry, which is a very difficult industry to make changes.

Jim spent many hours working with the Dream, a partnership of the North coast Building Industries Association (NCBIA), the Lorain County Joint Vocational School (JVS), the Lorain County Commissioners Solid Waste District, the Lorain County Chamber of Commerce, and the Lorain County Metro Parks. This multi-partner, residential project centered around educating JVS students, the local building industry, and county residents on how to design and build a green home. In fact, JVS students designed and built, with the assistance of NCBIA members, this project home. Jim was instrumental in assuring proper materials were selected in the design, purchased locally, and installed correctly.

Hugely successful, the Dream project went much smoother because of Jims` input and direction. In fact several builders are now constructing homes to Energy Star standards; using recycled carpet, bamboo flooring, low VOC adhesives, and zero VOC paint; and insulating the entire basement wall. As a result, many more new homeowners will benefit from having low energy bills and improved indoor air quality and comfort. In addition, builders learned how to make their homes better than the competition while increasing margins.

Jim LaRue does not receive much recognition for the work he does, however, without his assistance our region would be much less knowledgeable of green building materials and techniques. Therefore, I think Jim LaRue should receive the Healthy, High Performance Building award.

Nominated by: Nancy King Smith - Nature Center at Shaker Lakes

Jim LaRue has helped guide the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes through its green building process. Long before we started he volunteered to talk with us about ideas and to present at one of our monthly Environmental Town Halls. During the planning and construction phases we consulted with him about many issues and elements. He painstakingly took nails out of 2X4`s to reuse in this building and other projects. He helped organize the educational plan for our Grand Opening in April 2003 by assisting with the signage throughout the building (which we are still using), leading green building tours and training others to lead them, and helping with our "A Home in Nature: a Guide to Our Green Building" brochure. Post-opening, he has continued to advise and help problem solve with many issues, among them acoustics problems, roof ice jams, rain barrels, lighting, etc.

Jim is totally committed to sustainable building practices and has been selfless in giving of his time and expertise to the Nature Center and many other projects. He is unassuming but is one of Cleveland`s true Sustainability Champions.

Nominated by: Brian Schneiderman - Self-Help Credit Union

Jim LaRue is one of Cleveland`s truest Sustainability Champions. His tireless work through the years has paved the way for both personal and systemic changes, particularly as it relates to Healthy and High Performance Buildings. Having worked in the community and economic development field for many years, Jim has earned a reputation in Northeast Ohio for being a technical expert. Thus, when he combines his personal passion and knowledge of how to build smarter, he helps articulate the discussion in a way that drives forward both policy and hands on design. Jim has, for example, led an important effort with the city to incorporate green building design into city code as well as trained the inspectors. Work such as this helps build not just the spirit of healthy and high performance buildings but an institutional base.
At the heart of the matter though, Jim is a "get your hands dirty" type of leader. On a regular basis Jim can be spotted in Cleveland`s neighborhoods working voluntarily with individual homeowners to help them take on both small and large projects that move from theory to action, making families` homes healthier and more efficient. Furthermore, as the Residential Green Building Consultant at the Cleveland Green Building Coalition, Jim shares his also knowledge through a series of workshops to both the converted and, after because of working with Jim, the soon-to-be converted.

And where does he get most of his knowledge? As an entrepreneur, he`s self-made. Jim is President of HouseMender, Inc., a home improvement advisory service that specializes in troubleshooting residential structures for homeowners, contractors, and community development corporations. Most of all though, Jim is a stalwart in the sustainability community whose actions and commitment inspire others to get our hands dirty and make things happen.

Nominated by: Gary Cole - Wiring Services

Most people know Jim as the leader of green building in the area. But he is not driven in his life`s work by buildings, but by people.
Jim`s overriding driving force is concern for the ability of people, especially people of lesser means, to have the affordable opportunity of a living space that provides value and comfort and a healthy environment. He dedicates most of his time to learning the latest green building methods and technologies and then passing that information to others in forums such as his GBC `Greening Your Home` series. It is conveyed not as gospel, but for information for evaluation. I have seen him continually reject the high praise that frequently is directed his way. Jim`s selfless way of living is an inspiration to me and many others. At the end of a good life, I would say I will feel the ultimate success if I come close to accomplishing what Jim has given back to the human race in his life. He is an example to what can be.

Nominated by: Deirdre McDonnell - Atlas Architectural Services/Small Planet Design

Jim LaRue, or "LaRue" as he is better known, is indeed a champion in many respects. How best to describe Jim than through the building specifications that he has worked so hard to transform:
Division 1 General Requirements - In Cleveland, Jim is THE Champion of Sustainable Green Building.
Division 2 Sitework - Jim is older then dirt. (Just kidding.)
Division 3 Concrete - Jim is the foundation that the rest of us are to build upon.
Division 4 Masonry - Jim, like a stone arch, is of the most honest form.
Division 5 Metals - Let`s face it, Jim is a stud.
Division 6 Woods and Plastics - Jim is FSC, "Forever Sustainable Champion".
Division 7 Thermal and Moisture Protection - Jim`s humor is dry, though at times makes one hard to breathe.
Division 8 Doors and Windows - Jim so clearly explains information one is able to see for oneself.
Division 9 Finishes - Jim, no he is far from finished.
Division 10 Specialties - Jim is definitely one of a kind.
Division 11 Equipment - Jim is equipped to handle whatever challenge comes his way.
Division 12 Furnishings - Jim is happy to sit down with anyone at anytime to talk the talk.
Division 13 Special Construction - Jim was born and then Mother Nature broke the mold.
Division 14 Conveying Systems - Jim raises everything and everyone he works with to new levels.
Division 15 Mechanical/Plumbing - Jim is often full of hot air. (Again, just kidding.)
Division 16 Electrical/Energy - Jim brings new energy to every situation, every project.
In short, I think Jim LaRue should receive the Healthy, High Performance Building award.