Masters of Their Domains: Home Innovation Announces First Group of Accredited NGBS Green Master Verifiers

After launching its new accreditation program this past summer, Home Innovation Research Labs has now accredited the first crop of NGBS Green Master Verifiers. This exclusive, master-level accreditation, open to existing NGBS Green Verifiers, recognizes building industry professionals with significant green building knowledge and applied experience verifying compliance to the National Green Building Standard (NGBS). The first NGBS Green Master Verifiers are Carl Seville of Atlanta, GA; Chris Schwarzkopf of Valparaiso, IN; and Rachel Della Valle of Raleigh, NC.

• In addition to being an NGBS Green Verifier since 2008, Carl Seville is a green builder, educator, writer, and consultant with over 30 years of experience in construction and more than a decade focusing on sustainability issues. He is a principal with SK Collaborative, which applies proven green building techniques to real-life situations building professionals and homeowners. Carl is also well-known for the Green Building Curmudgeon column he writes for Green Building Advisor.

• Chris Schwarzkopf is the Green Program Coordinator for Energy Diagnostics, Inc. In recent years, Chris has cultivated a niche market for his verification services among affordable housing developers, so he keeps vigilant of the Low Income Housing Tax Credits available across the Midwest. As a result, he’s been able to help Home Innovation educate local jurisdictions on the merit and equivalency of NGBS for tax credit eligibility. Chris has been an NGBS Green Verifier since 2008, and was recognized as a 2015 NGBS Green Partner of Excellence.

• Rachel Della Valle is Multifamily Project Manager for Southern Energy Management, and has been an NGBS Green Verifier, specializing in multifamily green projects, since 2008. She is also an active Green Home Builders of the Triangle member, and serves on GHBT’s Green Home Tour Committee. She is a strong advocate for NGBS Green Certification, earning recognition as a Rising Star among this year’s NGBS Green Partners of Excellence.

Through their experience with the NGBS Green Certification program, Master Verifiers have demonstrated proficiency in verifying NGBS Green projects and in the program’s policies and procedures. To be eligible in terms of their experience, Master Verifier candidates must meet at least one of the following criteria:

• Successful verification of at least 100 single-family homes within a recent three-year period
• Successful verification of at least 25 multifamily buildings or 750 multifamily units within a recent three-year period
• Combination of single- and multifamily verification experience comparable to the specifications above (counting each single-family home as 0.25 multifamily buildings

Each prospective candidate must also submit written recommendations from NGBS Green verification clients; must have a history of providing complete and accurate verification reports; must be free of any outstanding program or policy disputes; and must complete the Master Verifier training and pass an accreditation exam. As recognized leaders within the NGBS Green program, NGBS Green Master Verifiers may be selected to share insights through participation on Task Groups, pilot programs, or Advisory Committees.

Master Maintenance

Accredited NGBS Green Master Verifiers retain their designation provided they keep current all requirements for accreditation, including fees and updated insurance information, and remain free of issues, disputes, and/or policy/program failings. In addition, NGBS Green Master Verifiers must complete a minimum of 8 hours of green building education annually. Home Innovation encourages a wide range of training and education, including credible training on high performance building science, sustainable land development practices, green building rating systems, and indoor environmental quality.

Several additional NGBS Green Verifiers are currently in the process of training and seeking Master Verifier accreditation by the end of this year. All NGBS Green Verifiers are listed on Home Innovation’s website; Master Verifiers are indicated with the NGBS Green Master Verifier logo next to their names. For more information on having your homes NGBS Green Certified, or becoming an NGBS Green Verifier, contact Home Innovation.

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ABOUT: Home Innovation Research Labs, located in Upper Marlboro, Md., is a full-service research, testing, and consulting firm determined to improve the quality, durability, affordability, and environmental performance of single- and multifamily homes and home building products – in short, we aim to perfect the home. Founded in 1964 as a subsidiary of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), our team has been integral in solving many of our client’s most difficult product and technology issues, and helping to introduce some of the most groundbreaking innovations in construction. Through an interdisciplinary research approach – including market research, building science analysis, laboratory testing, and standards development – we help to find a home for innovation in the construction industry.

NOTE TO EDITORS ON STYLE USAGE: To identify this company and its work correctly, first reference should be "Home Innovation Research Labs." In subsequent mentions, “Home Innovation” should be used; we are not identified by an acronym. Prior to February 12, 2013, the company was known as the NAHB Research Center.