Sustainable Engineering Practices

After training and testing, Bill Ruck and Wes Mittlesteadt have earned the Envision Sustainability Professional Credential from the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure (ISI). Ruck is the first person in Arkansas to reach this milestone, and Mittlesteadt is one of two from Tennessee. Their training in the Envision software certifies them to manage and rate infrastructure projects on sustainability, much the same way as architects score buildings on the LEED system. The ISI is a partnership created and founded by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), the American Public Works Association (APWA), and the American Consulting Engineers Council (ACEC). The Envision software used for project scoring was developed by the Zofnass Program at the Graduate School of Design at Harvard University. The ISI is managed by six permanent committees, and Ruck serves on the Intergovernmental, Nonprofit, and Global Affairs Committee. This committee has subdivided, and his subcommittee focuses on requests from other countries to utilize the Envision software. He hopes to draw from the experience of the National Council of Examiners of Engineers and Surveyors (NCEES) in presenting its engineering/surveying exams to professionals in other countries. Ruck has participated in sustainable efforts in North Little Rock for over four years as an original member of its Green Agenda Committee created by the city council in 2008. Ruck has served continuously as its vice-chairman and led North Little Rock to become a charter member of ISI. The ISI has recently announced the next opportunity for professional training – Project Verifiers. Following training and examination, the verifiers will judge project rating submittals and issue final project ratings on behalf of ISI.