Rick Fedrizzi, president, chief executive officer (CEO), and founding chair of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), has been elected chair of the World Green Building Council (WorldGBC), a coalition of green-building councils from 89 countries around the world.

Part of Fedrizzi's plan as WorldGBC chair is to raise the global awareness of the WorldGBC while advancing the voice of each country and region.

"We will invite diverse multinational stakeholders to support WorldGBC and to have a voice in its development," Fedrizzi, a founding officer of the WorldGBC, said.

"The WorldGBC has reached a critical mass, demonstrating that industry leadership in collaboration with government provides a very positive and progressive method of change," Jane Henley, CEO, WorldGBC, said. "Rick has been empowering leaders to start GBCs in their own countries since the beginning."

Founded in 1999, the WorldGBC fosters and supports new and emerging green-building councils by providing them with tools and strategies.

Since 2004, when Fedrizzi was appointed president and CEO following a 25-year career as a Fortune 500 executive, the USGBC has tripled its membership and broadened its influence through efforts such as the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green-building certification program, the annual Greenbuild International Conference and Expo, and the LEED professional-credential program.

"During my chairmanship, I hope to build on the strong work of my predecessor, Tony Arnel, by establishing a mentorship program, helping newly founded councils get off the ground, and expanding and strengthening the current committee structure," Fedrizzi, who will take the reins from Arnel in January, said.