Green Building Super Heroes Gala

The Gala features awards to green building pioneers: David Gottfried - founder of USGBC and President of the World Green Building Council. Mr. Gottfried is the Senior Vice President-Sustainable Development for Thomas Properties Group; Mrs. S.C. Huang - the owner of The Orchard Hotel, a LEED Certified green hotel and the city's only boutique hotel built new from the ground up; Ella Baker Center for Human Rights/Van Jones - Mr. Jones and the Ella Baker Center's Green-Collar Jobs Campaign create opportunities in the green economy for poor people through the Green Jobs Corps; and Fireman's Fund Insurance Company, which offers special Certified Green Building Replacement and Green Upgrade coverages, specifically for green commercial buildings. As part of the product, Fireman's Fund will pay for the application process for the building to become LEED certified.

Paul Hawken, green thought leader and author of Blessed Unrest, Natural Capitalism and many other books, will be a featured speaker. Mayor Gavin Newsom is the event's Honorary Host.

The Gala features a Super Heroes theme, with costumed super heroes, gift bags with lots of green goodies, and opportunities to win great gifts like dinner for two at Chez Panisse. A special prize will be awarded to the most creative green building super hero costume!

Tickets are $75 in advance or $100 at the door.

The reception begins at 5:30 and the program starts at 6:30. Music is by the Lee Bloom Jazz Quartet, and a festive and fun atmosphere will prevail. The Gala benefits the U.S. Green Building Council - Northern California Chapter, a non-profit organization that educates, motivates, provides resources and advocates for industry transformation to build and maintain sustainable communities. USGBC is nationally recognized for its LEED green building certification program.