White, manager of the general contractor's Denver division joins senior estimator Greg Borst and 15 other Swinerton employees across the country with the certification. More than 200 employees have taken Green-training courses.

"Swinerton recognizes Green Building as an important and worthwhile component of our corporate citizenship by protecting the environment and supporting public and community activities," White says. "We have seen a steady increase in the demand for sustainable design and environmentally friendly building materials and practices."

Green building is a comprehensive approach to development and construction that involves all aspects of a project from site selection through facility operation and maintenance. Swinerton has developed an extensive library of the research conducted on numerous systems, materials, and products that have optimal environmental and energy performance.

Swinerton's new corporate and regional headquarters in San Francisco, for example, has been selected by the U.S. Green Building Council to participate in its LEED pilot program for existing buildings.

The LEED accreditation exam test, which White passed, measures the understanding of green building practices and principles, and familiarity with LEED requirements, resources, and processes. The accreditation program recognizes expertise in green building and LEED to help meet the growing demand within the industry.