Ronald Witt Sr. of Sweetwater Construction Corp. Achieves LEED AP Designation

Part of Firm-Wide “Green” Initiative

CRANBURY, N.J. (May 2009) – Ronald Witt Sr., founder and president of Sweetwater Construction Corp. has achieved the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) accredited professional (AP) designation from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)/Green Building Certification Institute.

As a LEED AP, Mr. Witt joins the owners of construction management and general contracting firms nationwide who have recognized the significance of “green” building trends to the future of the building industry. He is the first member of Sweetwater’s executive team to receive the LEED AP designation,

The LEED AP designation was launched in February 2001 by the USGBC, the non-profit organization devoted to green building that also developed the LEED rating system for buildings. The designation distinguishes building professionals with the knowledge and skills to successfully steward the LEED certification process. LEED APs must have demonstrated a thorough understanding of green building practices and principles.

“It is important for Sweetwater to be involved in the green building movement through our ability to manage green building technologies for our clients,” Witt said. “Our firm-wide initiative is to have more of our project executives and project managers achieve the LEED AP designation. This will strengthen our formal credentials in green building.”

The LEED rating system is a voluntary, consensus-based national rating system for developing high-performance sustainable buildings. The system addresses all building types and emphasizes state-of-the art strategies in five areas: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, material and resources selection and indoor environmental quality, according to the USGBC.

Mr. Witt achieved LEED AP designation in the New Construction (NC) category, which provides a standard for professionals participating in the design and construction phases of high-performance, healthful, durable, affordable and environmentally sound commercial, institutional and high-rise residential buildings.  Sweetwater is in preconstruction on a new acute care and rehab center that is striving for a LEED Green Building Certification.

Sweetwater specializes in the science and technology, hospitality, multi-family and institutional sectors, but in recent years has made a particular specialty of healthcare and surgery centers. Over the last five years, Sweetwater has built 15 surgery centers in New Jersey. The firm is now working on a healthcare project that will feature geothermal heating and cooling, a state-of-the-art alternative energy system. 
 
“With increased emphasis on tax credits and rebates from the state and federal governments, alternative energy systems are becoming more economically feasible. There is going to be a bigger demand, and Sweetwater is pleased to be involved in the construction of highly sophisticated green geothermal energy systems,” Witt said. “With the green movement gathering momentum nationwide, we expect the energy piece to become a bigger part of our business over the next 10 years.”
 
About Sweetwater Construction Corp.

Established in 1974 and headquartered in Cranbury, N.J., Sweetwater Construction is guided by a proven management team and a client-centric business philosophy. Sweetwater provides clients with expert preconstruction and construction services backed by professional commitment and personal accountability. Sweetwater’s project teams possess proven track records in the corporate, healthcare, science and technology, hospitality, multi-family and institutional sectors. Sweetwater’s notable project methodology delivers expertise in budgeting, estimating, constructability, lifecycle reviews and project control methodology; all of these coming together to help ensure a successful project. For more information please visit http://www.sweetwatercorp.com.