Please join us in offering a warm welcome to Alvin Changco and Chris Klehm, 7group’s new partners.

Alvin Changco has been working closely with 7group for nearly 15 years as President of West Main Consultants, LLC, a sustainable materials consulting firm and a 7group member company. He manages client projects pursuing LEED^® certification and reviews certification submissions under USGBC’s LEED green building rating system. Alvin also provides intellectual property and corporate legal services with a particular focus on developing property right issues in international carbon emissions programs and policies. He earned a Juris Doctorate degree from Villanova School of Law, a Master’s of Science degree from Case Western Reserve University in the Department of Biochemistry, and a BS degree in biochemistry from Albright College.

When asked why he joined 7group as a partner, Alvin replied:
“I originally hesitated becoming a partner because, among other things, I was fearful of the responsibilities entailed in the position. However, I came to the realization that this occurrence of disruption has the potential to positively develop my consciousness through the struggles of co-evolving with 7group, as a whole. For me, a strengthened commitment to 7group is a commitment to myself and to the communities 7group serves.”

Chris Klehm also has been closely associated with 7group partners for nearly 20 years, and he had this to say about becoming a 7group partner:
“I have been active with the USGBC since 1998. I first met members of 7group early on in my association and they impressed me as thoughtful, insightful leaders who saw a bigger picture. As I continued my activity, leading to becoming LEED Faculty in 2003, I spent more and more time associating with 7group members, who became colleagues and friends. We taught together, planned together and thought together over many years, my admiration ever growing. When the opportunity developed to become a 7group partner, I was humbled and, after much thought, concluded that I could be a valuable member of this amazing team, bringing my own essence to bear and a skill-set complimentary to the group.”

With over 35 years of experience in green building, consulting and construction, Chris has gained an international reputation as a thought leader, trusted consultant, LEED Fellow and educator on sustainable building techniques. He has contributed to over 100 LEED projects and over 46 million square feet of green development, providing every level of customized consulting and support to owners, architects and contractors. With expertise in the integrative design process, building construction and forensics, his experience ranges from the first green and LEED pilot projects to the world’s largest LEED development (CityCenter Las Vegas, 2009). Chris authored USGBC’s LEED for General Contractors and Construction Managers program and has served as presenter and teacher for thousands of professionals around the world on designing and constructing cost-effective, high performance green buildings, Commissioning, Energy Auditing and Building Performance and Analysis. Chris also serves as Vice President of Sustainability and Director of Business Development for JENDOCO Construction Corporation in Pittsburgh.

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