USGBC’s Chief Operating Officer Mahesh Ramanujam. (www.usgbc.org)

Mahesh Ramanujam has been named the new CEO of the prestigious U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), a non-profit organization that promotes sustainability in how buildings are designed, built, and operated, writes Lalit K. Jha.

Mahesh Ramanujam, who hails from Chennai, would replace Rick Fedrizzi, the co-founder of USGBC and current CEO after he steps down at the end of 2016.

“Mahesh has a highly impressive track record of success in both his role as USGBC’s COO and as President of Green Business Certification Inc,” said USGBC board chair Marge Anderson.

“He is a proven leader who has exhaustive knowledge of the organization, respect from its volunteer leadership and strong support from its team. He has extensive global experience and broad business acumen. He is the perfect choice to lead the organization into the future,” he added.

“As a founder, I could not be happier, and as a CEO, I could not be more satisfied that I’ll be able to leave USGBC in the best hands possible,” said Fedrizzi.

Ramanujam said he was deeply honored that the board have placed their trust in him.

“I will serve the organization and our movement with a long-term vision – keeping innovation as a top priority,” said Ramanujam.

“As USGBC’s CEO, I pledge to continually modernize and enhance our capabilities and performance to ensure we deliver the future that our founders envisioned,” he said.

Ramanujam joined USGBC in 2009 as senior vice president, technology, before being named COO in September of 2011.

In December, 2012, he was also named president of the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI) where he broadened offerings to better serve a wider client base, leading the organization to change its name to Green Business Certification Inc earlier this year.

Prior to joining USGBC, Ramanujam was COO for Emergys, a business transformation consulting firm in North Carolina.