David Blackwell of Sweetwater Construction Corp. Achieves LEED AP Designation

Part of Firm-Wide "Green" Initiative

CRANBURY, N.J. David Blackwell, chief estimator for 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.

Blackwell is the third member of Sweetwater’s executive team to have achieved the LEED AP designation, after Ronald Witt Sr., president, and Gary Coopersmith, vice president of marketing. They join the leaders of construction management and general contracting firms nationwide who have recognized the significance of “green” building trends to the future of the building industry.

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.

"Sweetwater has launched an initiative to have more members of our executive team achieve the LEED AP designation,” Witt said. “Our ability to manage sophisticated green building technologies is important to the many new clients who are involved in the green building movement or are considering it. The LEED AP designation is a means of strengthening our credentials."

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.

Blackwell achieved LEED AP designation in the New Construction (NC) and Major Renovations 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, which is headquartered in Cranbury, N. J., is a recognized leader in New Jersey construction management and general contracting, serving clients in the corporate, healthcare, science and technology, hospitality, multi-family and institutional sectors. Recently Sweetwater has made a particular specialty of healthcare and surgery centers, having built 15 such centers in New Jersey over the past five years.

Blackwell has more than 25 years of experience in the construction field. His responsibilities for Sweetwater include estimating and procurement activities. Prior to joining Sweetwater, he was a project manager for a major pharmaceutical company, as well as a prominent local design-build firm. He holds a bachelor’s degree in architecture from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.

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 which contribute to a successful project. For more information please visit http://www.sweetwatercorp.com.