WASHINGTON, DC - Nigel Howard, an internationally known green building expert, has been named the new vice president for programs and operations with the US Green Building Council (USGBC). Howard will be supervising development of the council's LEEDT Green Building Guide and Rating System.

"This is an exciting development for the council and the green building industry," said USGBC president and CEO Christine Ervin. "Nigel brings superb technical expertise and international credentials for expanding LEED products and services to meet market demands here and with an eye towards market trends overseas."

Howard was formerly director of the Center for Sustainable Construction at the British Research Establishment (BRE). At the BRE, Howard helped develop a wide range of sustainable building tools and assessment methods for materials, buildings and different market segments under the BRE Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) and "EcoHomes" systems.