SBA Course Testimonials

Alumni Success Stories - You could be next!

Watch our Alumni Testimonial Video (Windows Media Player) and hear from five different graduates now putting their SBA skills to work in diverse industries. Plus, read on for testimonials from alumni and the different career paths and opportunities resulting from the course, and see what instructors, and course providers and the USGBC and USGBC Chapters say about the course.

What do Alumni Say about the SBA Course?

It's Simply the Best!

"Having taken the classes and exam for 5 different Green Building Certifications, I can assure you that the SBA Program is hands down the most important. Students can expect to leave the course with the ability to fully comprehend all aspects of sustainability through the eyes of the built environment as well as empowered with the desire to share their newly found understanding." Matt Macko, CSBA, LEED AP, HERS, CGBP, Environmental Building Strategies, San Francisco, CA

Taught by the 'Best of the Best'

"I found the guest speakers a great source of leading-edge information about what is happening in the green building industry in their particular areas of expertise." Paul Kilpatrick, CSBA, Vancouver BC

"I have taken many continuing education courses and seminars, but never have I experienced an instructor and guest speakers with such dedication and passion for the subject!"Robert I. Hoshide, AIA, Hoshide Williams Architects, Seattle, WA

Appealing to all professions

"When I first heard about the course I thought the curriculum would be tailored to Architects and Engineers... As a Realtor I didn"t have that background in building, but as I went through the course I saw that anybody - in any field " would find the program beneficial." Andre Doss, CSBA, CGBP, LEED AP, Realtor - Prudential, CA

"The SBA course is essential for government employees who create green building programs for their customers. Public sector employees who permit building developments in their jurisdictions will surely gain a wide-ranging knowledge of green building practices through taking this course. An SBA certification for government employees will also allow them to educate their co-workers - to help build their own green building programs within their jurisdictions." Cynthia Moffit, Project Manager, King County GreenTools, Seattle, WA

"I"m amazed and inspired by the outpouring of talent, creativity and forward thinking everyone on our team has contributed to this project….I will say that the class should be mandatory for anyone in the building design profession." Russ Hamlet, Architect, CSBA, Studio Hamlet, Seattle, WA

"The program teaches and remind us that there are many ways to contribute to our society, so that we can all live better. The principles learned are applicable to any field. No matter where you live." Tyson Krumholz, CSBA, LEED AP, Senior Project Manager, Webcor

Builds incredible connections and a lasting network

"What was especially valuable was the lens of sustainable critical thinking that the course enabled me to look through. Even more valuable since graduating has been the connections and friendships that I made during the nine month program. Both my classmates and the instructors have been available to provide a variety of insights, information, feedback, and additional questions." Joseph A. Fullerton, Green Building and Environmental Specialist City of Santa Cruz, CA Planning and Community Development

"It was great to meet other professionals in the field through the class members and guest lecturers…The other piece that surprised me was how meaningful it became to have a class project that involved community partners. Early on, our group decided that we wanted to use our research, no matter how basic, to help a non-profit. In our desire to "do good" in the community, we received some great feedback and met some very interesting people." Julie Krieg, J.Krieg Architects, Bainbridge Island, WA

"I"m amazed and honored that I was in class with these folks. They are really green leaders and I see them in the press in the DJC, in Oregon Business Magazine, and more." Heather McNeil, Sustainable Building Advisor, Greener by Design, Portland, OR

Opens doors to new opportunities

"Since taking this course, I have been asked to take leadership roles in my firm that I never expected at this point in my professional career. The principal of our firm says this is the best investment he"s ever made." Lisa Rosenow, ME, CDi Engineers (Hear more from Lisa on our video!)

"Having the CSBA designation has afforded me some interesting and unexpected opportunities, and I have found that it consistently piques interest when seen on my business card or resume." Paul Kilpatrick, CSBA, Vancouver BC

" [Through the course] I was able to realize my strengths and weaknesses in green building and improve in each area. I"ve had at least one person say when reviewing my resume that it"s very evident that I am interested in continually growing my green building education, a fact which made that person approach me over someone else for a contracting opportunity."
Rebecca Anderson, CSBA, LEED AP, O&M Environmental Specialist, University of California, Berkeley

What are SBA Graduates Doing Now?

Finding a new career direction...

"I have been hired as the Sustainable Building Specialist for Habitat for Humanity of WA State...My professional standing as a CSBA was, no doubt, an important factor in helping me gain the appointment. It gave me the qualifications to be seriously considered for a position in the field. I was able to approach my interview with confidence and knowledge of the relevant topics. I had been a builder for many years but knew that I needed a more comprehensive understanding of sustainability issues... I can say that the SBA class has been very important in preparing me to more fully understand the current environmental, economic, and social challenges we all face. The course work gave me framework to develop my knowledge, and more accurately, a foundation from which to build on that knowledge. Most importantly, the NaSBAP course work has prepared me to, hopefully, make a difference." Ed Brown, Sustainable Building Specialist, CSBA, Habitat for Humanity of Washington State, Tacoma, WA (Hear more from Ed on our video!)

"Not only am I still running my own green building consultation and project management business, but I am also working for the City of Santa Cruz as a specialist in the green building and environmental programs field. It is the knowledge and connections that I made during my SBA course that I credit for enabling me to expand my business and have an immediate effect in my role here at the City of Santa Cruz." Joseph A. Fullerton, Green Building and Environmental Specialist City of Santa Cruz, CA Planning and Community Development

"I’m currently working in the semiconductor industry but my family owns both energy service and construction company in Taiwan/China. With the CSBA certificate, it will definitely be a great help building up my career towards sustainable building." Ryan Wu, San Francisco

Combining advocacy and passion to make a difference...

"This course has enabled me to start Sustainable Contra Costa and Citizens for a Sustainable Walnut Creek... My personal goal is to see that a self supporting Sustainability Commission is added to the Walnut Creek group of Commissions. With the education gained from the SBA Course along with the national certification, I feel armed and ready to work with the city in order to make this happen." Robert Joe, CSBA, LEED AP, San Francisco, CA

Attaining prestige in the industry...

"Since taking the course, I"ve been able to advise my colleagues at work on sustainable building issues much more effectively. I"ve also been able to build a demonstration home using a whole systems design that has gotten the attention of the construction industry and the press. I wouldn"t have been able to do this without the course." Keith Peterson, Senior Research Scientist, Battelle Research Labs

Creating growth in current position...

"As a CSBA, I look for opportunities to inform and nudge our affiliate forward, and my "fluency" relative to terms, resources, etc., as a result of the course comes into play in my position as grant writer and as an on-site volunteer as we look for progressively better ways to make our houses affordable, maintainable and sustainable. It"s a less formal application of those skills than in a job earmarked specifically for that, and at the same time, the knowledge is being used, and I am considered an in-house asset/resource for meeting Evergreen Sustainable Building Standards and looking at achieving Energy Star ratings for our homes. Small simple steps, all good." Sheila Marie, Development Associate, Habitat for Humanity Kitsap County, WA

Setting the stage for continued learning...

"Since graduating from the program in June 2008 I decided to continue my education and get my masters in environmental planning at the University of Hawaii. As a sustainable building advisor I acquired the knowledge needed to fuel my passion for the environment. I feel much more prepared to engage in any discussion on "going green" and as the youngest student in my class I was given the opportunity to interact with my peers, many of whom are professionals themselves. The course material is an invaluable resource that I will use forever. I am extremely proud to be a CSBA and know it will help me achieve my future career goals in the field of environmental planning." Katie Ersback, CSBA, Santa Monica, CA

Hear from more graduates about what they are doing on our testimonial video!

What do Instructors and SBA Providers Say About the Course?

Produces high quality graduates

"I am always impressed with the caliber of the graduates of the National Sustainable Building Advisor Program. They enter the green building field exposed to a wide array of viewpoints and a depth of information, ready to change the world." Eric Corey Freed, Principal, OrganicARCHITECT, Author, "Green Building & Remodeling for Dummies"

"I was so happy that I attended the final presentations and graduation for our SBA students. They were an impressive group from various backgrounds, which made for a rich set of final projects. I learned a lot! Although I knew before that the SBA program was excellent, I now can speak to potential students and other interested parties with a better understanding of the program." Wendy Miles, M.A., Director Military & Continuing Education, Olympic College

Creates change agents in a changing industry

"The growth has been truly impressive and speaks volumes about the quality of the course. For my part, participating in the program and earning the CSBA credential has been life changing. Comments I hear from my students reflect my own " that they are re-energized and engaged, on a personal and professional level, and that their minds are open to the possibilities and opportunities that exist for changing the face of the industry and their careers." Theresa Mangrum, Community Colleges of Spokane

An inspiring network

"It's great to be on board with such a talented and enthusiastic group of people & the students are great " very inspiring!" Jessica Rose, Business Sector Coordinator, Mt. Hood Community College

What do the USGBC and Chapters Say?

"The Sustainable Building Advisor Program offers a tremendous opportunity to build community while also providing a broad base for green building knowledge. Throughout the term, students learn from regional experts and benefit from one another's experience - creating a camaraderie that long outlasts the program." Eden Brukman CSBA, LEED AP
Research Director, Cascadia Region Green Building Council

"Courses approved by USGBC"s Education Provider Program have met stringent review criteria for instructional design and technical subject matter. The National Sustainable Building Advisor Program (NaSBAP) exceeded the requirements of the review and has proven to be a valuable resources to the green building community for its high-quality education curriculum." Ryan Snow, Manager of Professional Development, U.S. Green Building Council