People

Chris R. Ladner

Partner

Chris has a BS in engineering from Iowa State and is a LEED Accredited Professional and a Certified Energy Manager (CEM). Through his previous experience Chris has expertise in building HVAC systems, performance contracting, controls as well as knowledge of industrial controls.

In 2008, Chris was a Commissioner on the Arkansas Governor’s Commission on Global Warming. Through this commission greenhouse gas reduction policies will be developed for the Governor and Arkansas Legislators.

As a consultant to the Clinton Climate Initiative, Chris works with cities and other institutions to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.

Chris currently serves as Chair of the U.S. Green Building Council National Chapter Steering Committee and holds positions on various USGBC sub-committees. He is an Arkansas delegate to the USGBC Southeast Regional Council and the regional Co-Chair. His past positions with the Arkansas Chapter of the USGBC include Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, and coordinator of the annual Sustainable Arkansas conference.

Chris has participated in various types of LEED projects including: LEED-Neighborhood Development, LEED-Commercial Interiors, LEED-New Construction, LEED for Existing Buildings, and LEED-Homes.

As the team leader of a volunteer design team Chris is helping the Argenta Community Development Center in North Little Rock, Arkansas with their Green Homes project. The project is an effort to demonstrate the financial, environmental, and occupant benefits of the LEED-Homes sustainable standard inan affordable home project.

Chris has presented on sustainable design and construction to various groups including Master Speaker at the USGBC Greenbuild Conference, American Planning Association, National Environmental Balancing Bureau (NEBB), the American Society of Heating Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), graduate architecture programs, and various sustainability conferences.

Matthew Bell

Partner

He is a LEED AP with a BS in Business Administration from University of Arkansas. His previous experience brings expertise in construction estimation and project management.

Previously, Matt was an executive in the construction industry as co-founder of Bell-Corley Construction, a commercial general contracting firm located in Little Rock. While at BCC, Matt Bell and Boyd Corley were recognized locally by Arkansas Business Magazine and nominated for Business of the Year in both 2005 and 2006. Nationally BCC was recognized by Entrepreneur Magazine as a member of the HOT 100 fastest growing businesses ranking 26th and the Inc Magazine Inc. 500 as the 44th fastest growing company in 2006. In 2005, Arkansas Business Publishing recognized Matt as business leader and he was selected to the "40 under 40" list of upcoming business and political leaders in Arkansas under 40 years of age.

Matt was also a development partner in the Vertical Lofts residential real estate development located in Little Rock, AR. Vertical Lofts was the first town-home project in the state or Arkansas that achieved a LEED Platinum Certification.

Matt recently served as the Chair of the Green Schools Advocacy Committee through the USGBC Arkansas Chapter and currently serves as a chair member on the committee.

Current responsibilities include providing sustainable design and construction assistance to owners, architects, engineers, and contractors to enhance their ability to budget, plan, design, and finance a facility that respects occupant needs, financial responsibilities, and the environment. Primarily responsible for the project management of all LEED new construction projects and coordination of all project team member responsibilities.

Former responsibilities as a commercial general contractor included job cost estimating, project management, financial management, and sales and marketing.

April Ambrose

Sustainability Consultant/Senior Project Manager

April received her BS in a self-designed Environmental Education major, which included an Arkansas high school teaching certificate, from Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas. April is a LEED Accredited Professional in Building Design and Construction.

April is the first Chair of the Little Rock Sustainability Commission, first Chair of the educational non-profit Elevate, and the founder of Arkansas Earth Day Foundation.

April is a graduate of the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension LeadAR Class 13, member of the Arkansas Chapter of USGBC, past board member of the Arkansas Environmental Education Association, and past PEW/National Environmental Trust organizer. She has received the 2011 Outstanding Young Alumna Award by the Hendrix College Alumni Association, 2011 Eco-Hero designation by the “Arkansas Green Guide” from the Ark. Business Publishing Group, featured in iCon Magazine’s Vol. 1, Issue 2, 2011, and nominated as the Sierra Club’s “AR Conservationist of the Year”.

She has presented on sustainability to various groups including: National Women’s Leadership Summit, American Society of Interior Designers, RePower America, LeadAR, Arkansas Municipal League, Arkansas Business Publishing Group's Green Guide, US Green Building Council's Sustainable Arkansas Expo, Little Rock Sustainability Summit, Little Rock Racial & Cultural Diversity Commission and National Guard Women’s Speaker Series, Arkansas Earth Day Festival, Natural State Expo, Arkansas Festival Association Conference, Arkansas Green Restaurant Alliance, LifeQuest, Sierra Club, Arkansas Governor's School, Rotary Clubs, Hendrix College, UALR, UCA, Pulaski Technical College, and media outlets.

Her previous experience brings expertise in lifestyle greening, education, advocacy, organizing, outreach, coalition building, and project management.

April’s current responsibilities include managing the Viridian office as well as coordinating LEED and sustainability consulting projects and providing assistance to owners, architects, engineers, and contractors to enhance their ability to budget, plan, design, and finance a facility that respects occupant needs, financial responsibilities, and the environment. Specific areas of expertise include networking, team building, project management, and expertise of LEED standards in these subject areas: site and community, water, materials, indoor air quality, pilot credits, and innovation credits.

She has been involved with the design and implementation of over 30 LEED® projects. She has been the LEED® certification project coordinator for LEED®-CI, LEED®-EB, LEED®-NC, LEED®-CS, LEED®-ND, LEED®-Schools, and LEED®-Homes projects.

Chad Oppenhuizen

Sustainability Consultant/Project Manager

Chad holds a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from Iowa State University, and is an Arkansas Registered Landscape Architect. Chad is a LEED Green Associate.

Chad served as a Landscape Architect and Project Manager for MESA Landscape Architects. Here he worked on a wide range of project types including broad based master planning and constructed projects with a focus on recreational, zoological, and botanical projects for public and private clients.

Chad has multiple years of experience working on large multi-disciplinary projects where he was responsible for the coordination between architects, engineers, planners, designers, contractors, government agencies, and clients. As the point of contact for the daily management of multiple projects, Chad ensured each project met individual design benchmarks on time. As such, he was responsible for the creation and maintenance of cost estimates, schedules, and construction documents. Additionally, he directed submittals, change orders, RFIs, pay requests, and various other details required to successfully manage construction projects and maintain client satisfaction.

Rick Vance

Energy Services/Senior Project Manager

Through his previous experience, Rick has expertise in sustainable development and LEED certification for a range of large scale, international projects including hotels, high-rise residential and commercial buildings, and community developments. In addition, Rick has worked with global companies to develop organizational energy and carbon management policies, including low carbon product development and connected real estate services. Rick has participated in various types of LEED projects including: LEED-Neighborhood Development, LEED-Commercial Interiors, LEED-New Construction and LEED for Existing Buildings.

In 2009, Rick was a Team Advisor for the Greenland Quest, an unsupported vertical crossing of the Greenland icecap to raise awareness of global warming issues and the need for sustainability. Through his participation, Rick advised team members and supporters on sustainable building practices.

Rick has presented on sustainable development and energy management to various groups including the Dubai Environment, Health, and Safety (EHS) regulating authority, RealComm and BOMA, Dubai International Business Women Group, and the Global Project and Process Management Association.

Current responsibilities including fundamental and enhanced commissioning, building electrical and mechanical design reviews, sustainable construction consulting, and project stakeholder education.

Commissioning services provided to private, governmental agencies, K-12 and higher education schools, non-profit organizations. In addition, commissioning services are provided as on-call commissioning provider for the University of Arkansas and University of Arkansas Medical School.

Former responsibilities include: Business development for an energy management services company, sustainability consulting, project director, and training provider.

Jesse Eisenhart

Energy Services/Project Manager

Jesse’s professional experience has allowed him to develop a technical expertise in energy analysis. Currently focused on optimizing facilities for peak energy performance, Jesse is adept at current state facility analysis that allows for energy savings projections.

In 2004 Jesse completed his studies in Mechanical Engineering at Arkansas State University. During the same period he received his certification as an Engineer Intern after successfully completing the Fundamentals of Engineering exam. Continuing his education, Jesse went on to attain a Master of Business Administration in 2006 at Arkansas State University.

Current responsibilities include sustainable building energy services including fundamental and enhanced commissioning, functional performance testing, building electrical and mechanical design review, sustainable construction consulting, and project stakeholder education.

Kevin Perri

Energy Services/Project Manager

After studying Mechanical Engineering at Valparaiso University, Kevin worked as an energy auditor for a national and state funded project to reduce carbon emissions. It was during this time Kevin wanted to expand his knowledge to a bigger projects and he did so by completing an internship with Viridian.

With his background and education of energy efficiency and building
envelopes, Kevin has the experience and knowledge to ensure important
details are addressed during the construction process to optimize energy performance.

Current responsibilities include sustainable building energy services, including fundamental and enhanced commissioning, functional performance testing, and building envelope testing.