Environmental Management & Great Plains Sustainability Consulting
by Al Herbel, LEED AP		 TM
Biographical Information - Al Herbel:
 
Business Card / certificates, etc   Goals and Objectives
Resume (short)
(detailed-Word doc  or  html   or txt)		 Sustainability Activities
Sustainability & Safety Activities (Word doc)
 		 Training / Conferences
  Al's photo  
 

Business Card, certificates, etc   (CLICK to Enlarge)
 

        

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Goals and Objectives

Objective:
         To promote sustainable operations with fiscal, social and ecological responsibilities:  My objective is to utilize my background and training from the past 8 years to focus upon the high performance facilities in the built environment, minimize consumption of natural resources, reduce waste and extend the financial resources by adhering to sound conservational practices.

Philosophy:
         My personal and professional philosophy in sustainability is to do everything I can to be a good environmental steward.  When energy consumption is reduced and resource conservation is practiced, an increase of financial resources is available for use in other areas while meeting the needs people and the planet.  As a lifelong learner, I realize education is essential to keep abreast of changing technologies, products and design applications.  A focus of people, profit and the planet is the triple bottom line and has become my life's work.
         The industrial revolution spurred a philosophy of "take, make, waste”.  We must replace that mantra with a sustainable evolution and philosophy of "borrow, use, return" for more sustainable ways of doing business for both now and the future.

Ref: AlHerbelObjectives.doc

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Resume (Short)   (Word doc)

2305 Silver Spur Court

Gering NE 69341

(308)  436-2328

al @ alherbel . com

Alvin Herbel, LEED AP

Qualification Summary

Abilities to develop team approach to environmental sustainability.  Sustainable goals are attained with planning functions of an environmental team coordinated through strategic plan or policy.

Ability to facilitate education of fellow employees, customers, and the public through sustainable activities and practices that promote sound ecological practices, social acceptance of environmental stewardship, while demonstrating the financial benefits for supporting sound environmental programs.
 

Experience

Owner, consultant, Great Plains Sustainability Consulting, Gering, Nebr.   2008-present

 §   Accredited Professional, LEED AP (by US Green Building Council, May 2008)

 §   Co-Chair for the Tri-City Sustainability Plan development team for our 3 communities

 §   State and Federal entities(2), LEED construction projects

 §   Local entities(2), LEED construction planned projects

 §   School citizen groups(2), LEED for Schools focus

 §   Private building projects

 §   Home Energy Auditor (by Energy Audit Institute)

 

Environmental Management and Safety Director, Western Nebr.Comm.College (WNCC)  2002-2008

 §   Promoting Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) building focus for new or remodeling projects

 §   Development of an Environmental Management System (EMS) to improve EPA compliance

 §   Developed Job Safety Analysis & Environmental Responsibilities Profile

 §   Assist all staff in environmental compliance issues (local, St. & Fed. levels)

 §   Initiated Spill Prevention Control Countermeasures plan development

 §   Develop & maintain Environmental & Safety Records, Forms, etc. (web based)

 §   Track Environmental Compliance by person/departments (EPA & NDEQ)

 §   Plan, develop and promote Sustainable symposiums (Great Plains Sustainability Network – CO / KS / NE / SD / WY)

 §   Worked with Campus Sustainability Intern on projects including energy reduction

 §   Promoted Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) building focus for new or remodeling projects

 §   Enhanced the Environmental Management System (EMS) to a Sustainable Management System (SMS) with focus on environmental sustainability, and resource conservation efforts

 §   Instrumental in Campus Sustainability Internship from University of Wyoming to encourage a cultural change for WNCC, increasing the importance of sustainability to our public both locally and regionally through measurable means  (2005 - 2007)

 §   Instrumental in 2005 Nebraska Arboretum Grant for Xeriscaping grant

 §   Received a North Platte Natural Resources District grant of $5,000

 §   Attend EPA, NDEQ, Homeland Security, and related environmental seminars (2002 - 2008)

 §   Duties include continuation of all activities from 1999
 

Safety Director  (2000-2002) – Safety Coordinator  (1999-2000)

 §      Coordinate safety training for all staff

 §      40 hour Hazwoper Certificate  (2000 - 2008)

 §      Manage budget, work load, operation of department

 §      Develop and Revise Plans (Safety Plans; Emergency Action, Fire Prevention, Tornado, Chemical Hygiene)

 §      Develop safety site on the web (www.wnccsafety.net)

 §      Attend safety and related seminars

 §      Utilizing sources in reference to OSHA, EPA & NDEQ compliance

 

Home Inspector, First Inspections, Gering, Nebr.   2000-Present

 § Home Energy Auditor (by Energy Audit Institute, Nov 2009)

 §    Home Inspector (by Harcourt Learning Direct, Nov 2000) performing most aspects of inspections from foundation to roof, construction reviews, most equipment, and system operation.   Inspections performed on existing home or new home construction for safety and building code requirements.  See website for complete details www.firstinspections.com
  Computer Specialist  (1996-1999)   (Transferred into Safety in 1999)

 

Programmer Analyst  (1991-1996)

 

Programmer/Operator  (1985-1991)

Extra Activity, Presentations

 § Co-Chair for the Tri-City Sustainability Plan development team for communities of Gering, Scottsbluff and Terrytown.

 § LEED-Neighborhood Development regional advising team for LEED-ND standards 2010

 § LEED AP consultant for a number of projects, private, public, State and Federal levels.

 § Promote annual symposiums on Sustainability see www.alherbel.com for details.

 § Great Plains Sustainability Consulting is a member of U.S. Green Building Council(USGBC

 § Member of 2 Chapters of USGBC; Colorado Chapter and the Nebraska Flatwater Chapter.

 § Promoted and organized Earth Day events from 2006 – 2008 for the college.

 § Presented, “An EMS Metamorphosing into Campus Sustainability” – for the Environmental Management for Sustainable Universities  (EMSU is an International conference, presented in WI, 2006).

 § Have designed and built three (3) homes for our family, each more energy efficient than the previous.  Energy and natural resource conservation are my life's focus.

Education

 §       Home Energy Auditor (certified by testing, Energy Audit Institute, Nov 2009)

 §       Accredited Professional, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED AP) (accredited by testing, US Green Building Council, May 2008)

 §       Home Inspector (diploma by testing, Harcourt Learning Direct, Nov 2000)

 §       Endorsement of Bachelor of Arts, in Business Administration and Data Processing - Chadron State College, Chadron, NE 1980–1984

 §      Graduated with Bachelor of Arts, major in Biology with minor in Psychology - Chadron State College, Chadron, NE. 1972–1974 

Awards

 §      Administrator Emeritus honorary status from WNCC, June 2008

 §       Nominated for Employee of the Year, 2006

 §       Recognized by the Nebraska Industrial Council on the Environment with the 2005 Environmental Leadership Excellence Award in 2005

 §       Employee of the Year for WNCC in 1991

Interests

Environmental sustainability and economic development in region; involvement with community committees in Scottsbluff and Gering to promote LEED development for new and existing school buildings; environmental focus on renewable energy and resource conservation efforts in our region and State; promoting “Green Building” concepts; designed and operate www.alherbel.com for environmental awareness; home inspections www.firstinspections.com, safety in building construction; general carpentry and wood working; water gardening; Scotts Bluff County Co-coordinator for Bluebirds Across Nebraska; volunteer webmaster of www.farmandranchmuseum.com for Farm And Ranch Museum; computers; travel throughout US to National Parks with family; appreciate wildlife in nature; attend sustainable conferences and fairs on vacation; etc.

References

Will be furnished upon request.

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Sustainability Activities (Word doc)

·         Working on developing Tri-City Sustainability Plan (Gering, Scottsbluff, and Terrytown)

·         Plan, prepare and conduct all annual environmental Sustainable Symposiums (now 7 states, in 4th yr)

·         Construction project consulting with private persons, schools, State and Federal agencies

·         Consulting with businesses on sustainable operations

·         Assisted in community education about CFL disposal for cities of Gering and Scottsbluff

·         Developed and maintained webpage for environmental management, www.alherbel.com

·         Attended trainings and cultivated working relationships on local, state, regional and national levels which kept my office up to date, giving theory and legal basis for policy and environmental developments made or suggested for Western Nebraska Community College

·         Created numerous environmental and reporting forms, and placing them on the web for easy access

·         Educated the public on environmental issues as requested  (Lions Club, Gering Business Club, etc)

·         Promoted CFL / florescent light bulb recycling that was directly instrumental in City of Scottsbluff Recycling getting bulb recycling started for their service area

·         Developed the Great Plains Sustainability Network

·         Conducted the Environmental Management Team meetings on a quarterly basis (2002-2007), consultant had Administrative restructure of EMS team leadership for more institutional ownership and responsibility in 2007

·         Instrumental in promoting of the “Alliance for Sustainable Nebraska”

·         Developed and placed needed environmental policy signage at various locations on all campuses

·         Assisted in providing a sustainable session for an Alternative Energy conference

·         Environment Leadership Awarded from the Nebraska Industrial Council on the Environment, in 2005

·         Brought to WNCC the information and prospect of an environmental science curriculum

·         Brought to WNCC a two (2) year certification program on Wind Turbine Technologies

·         Assisted in collaboration on an opportunity to obtain a wind turbine for educational instruction

·         Obtained and supervised two Campus Sustainable Internships (2005-2006, & 2006-2007)

·         Monitored energy and water audits for WNCC over a four (4) year period

·         Suggested water saving devices (low flow, waterless urinals, etc) implementation

·         Promoted motion sensing for lighting, T-8 lighting where T-12 exist, Compact Fluorescent Lighting conversions from incandescent lighting, etc

·         Provided a Scottsbluff/Gering Keep America Beautiful internship opportunity for WNCC

·         Annually planned and prepared Earth Day activities with local agencies, in 2006, 2007 and 2008

·         Instrumental in writing and successfully obtaining two (2) grants for outdoor classrooms at the Scottsbluff campus, and one (1) grant for outdoor classrooms at the Sidney campus

·         Developed the recycling program and supervision of part-time help for the recycling program

·         Provided Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) building construction information to WNCC in 2004 and 2005

·         Presented a session on EMS Development for a Community College at the Environmental Management for Sustainable Universities (International Conference in Stevens Point, Wisconsin) in 2006

·         Educated staff on procedures and regulations on topics such as disposing of chemicals, florescent light bulbs, spray cans, wearing safety glasses, pesticide training, etc.  Results were reduced aerosol can use (regulated waste) and developed hand squeezed and environmentally friendly cleaners for housekeeping, less toxic solvent use in gym floor maintenance, etc.  Proposed LED exit light replacements where/when possible, etc.

·         Eliminated multiple chemical hazardous waste streams from the Applied Technologies Center (main campus) through promotion of chemical free, bio-mediating parts washers

·         Aided in having the environmental management vision statement for the college developed in 2005

·         Obtained and worked closely with a consultant from The Forrester Group to support and continue the growth of WNCC’s Environmental Management System

·         Brought to WNCC contacts for Credit / Non-credit classes for LEED classes, along with service area High Schools and Educational Service Unit involvements

·         Promoted WNCC as a testing site for Aurora Laboratories digital lightning, to be highlighted in a national campaign for parking lot lighting

·         Instrumental in work towards development of the Western Branch of the Flatwater Chapter of the United States Green Building Council, for western Nebraska

·         Support efforts to incorporate environmental training requirements into all WNCC job descriptions based upon job needs as supported by job related environmental analyses completed in 2005

·         Conducted talks with Chadron State College on regional environmental workshops and classes

·         Sustainable Building symposium directly impacted newly signed commercial building contracts, and new construction developments to western Nebraska for LEED housing (3 to date)

Ref:ActivitiesSustainabilityShortList.doc

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Photo of Al  (CLICK on to Enlarge)

photo by Downey Photography

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