EPISODE368 - Norton Kravetz Zarker -Green & Healthy Building Initiative

This week in IAQ Radio we welcome the The Green & Healthy Homes Initiative (GHHI) President/CEO Ruth Ann Norton and The GHHI Director of Maryland Program Services Mark Kravatz. In addition during the second half of our show we welcome Building Performance Institute (BPI) CEO Larry Zarker. The Green & Healthy Homes Initiative (GHHI) is dedicated to breaking the link between unhealthy housing and unhealthy children. GHHI replaces stand-alone housing intervention programs with an integrated, whole-house approach that produces sustainable green, healthy and safe homes. As a result, they are improving health, economic and social outcomes for families across the country. BPI is an important partner in this effort, this year GHII was selected by EPA to receive the prestigious Environmental Leadership Award in Asthma Management. Ruth Ann Norton serves as President & CEO of GHHI, a national nonprofit founded in 1986. A dedicated advocate for healthy housing, she broadened the mission of the organization, formerly the Coalition to End Childhood Lead Poisoning, by designing a groundbreaking national program built on a framework of cross-sector collaboration to efficiently deliver green, healthy and safe homes in communities throughout the United States. Mark Kravatz is the Director of Maryland Program Services for Green & Healthy Homes Initiative (GHHI). In this role, he collaborates with public and private sector partners to optimize and expand resources for GHHI and is responsible for program planning and supervision, contracts and grants management and partner relationship management. He also oversees production of bid proposals, grant applications and reports and integration of data capture throughout program implementation. Larry Zarker is CEO of the Building Performance Institute (BPI) a partner organization to GHHI. With over 30 years of experience in the residential buildings sector, Larry has managed the national expansion of BPI's standards, credentialing and quality assurance programs. Mr. Zarker has been BPI's CEO since 2006 and under his leadership active certifications have increased from 1,000 to more than 25,000 nationwide. He has also led the expansion of BPI's network of independent testing organizations that deliver BPI exams from 40 organizations in 2008 to more than 200 organizations today. LEARN MORE about the award winning program and the partnership between the Green and Healthy Homes Initiative and the Building Performance Institute this week on IAQ Radio!