Great Lakes News and Notices

GSA's Great Lakes Region Public Affairs Office, located in Chicago, issues media releases and advisories to provide the public with important information on GSA projects and activities within the six states of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin.

Great Lakes Region Media Releases

Hurley named Federal Employee of Year in Detroit
Three Michigan Service Center employees recently competed for the Federal Employee of the Year Award sponsored by the Detroit Federal Executive Board. GSA's Mark Hurley won the 2012 contest, with Steve Byker and Ben Warren named as runners-up. Hurley, a Building Services Specialist, won top honors for providing support to advanced metering projects and pushing energy, LEED®, and building automation projects. Byker, an Engineering Technician, was recognized as a runner-up for doing extensive work on the Chamberlain U.S. Courthouse bollards project in Lansing, Mich., while Warren, a Mechanical Engineer, was recognized for serving as Recovery Act project manager of the Levin Courthouse building automation system project in Detroit.

Photo features (left to right) Jim Harvey, Michigan Service Center supervisor, Ben Warren, and Mark Hurley.

Kalayil speaks at Valparaiso University leadership program
Great Lakes Regional Administrator Ann P. Kalayil addressed students in the Global Leadership Program at Valparaiso University in July. The three-week summer program brought together nearly 75 students from around the world, focusing on one of five tracks – “Technology and Society,” “Environmental Sustainability,” “Leadership Development,” “Entrepreneurship and Innovation,” and “Communications in the 21st Century.” Kalayil began the conversation by recalling her leadership journey to becoming GSA’s regional administrator and sharing her passion for public service. She also spoke about the role of GSA in the President’s agenda on government reduction of its carbon footprint. Many of the students asked questions about GSA and the federal government’s commitment to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. The event allowed the regional administrator to further promote GSA’s mission, vision, and goals, as well as discuss the Administration’s policies on building a skilled workforce for an America built to last. 

Ford U.S. Courthouse Wins Energy Award  
The Gerald R. Ford Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse in Grand Rapids, Mich., was selected as a Federal Energy and Water Management Award winner in August. The building was recognized for two 2011 projects that reduced energy and water consumption by 26% and 29% respectively and saved $90,000. The first installed a state-of-the-art magnetic chiller and high-efficiency pumps into the water system. The second installed a white roof, cooling tower, high-efficiency condenser pumps, new insulation, and upgrades to the building automation system. The Department of Energy gives the award annually to individuals, groups, and agencies for outstanding contributions in energy efficiency, water conservation, and using renewable energy technology at federal facilities. GSA's Brian Bomgaars, Viri Chavez, Greg Fudala, Mark McCready, William Vanderjagt, and Michael Virgilio participated in the projects.

Four Great Lakes Buildings receive LEED® certifications
The Hammond U.S. Courthouse (Hammond, Ind.) recently achieved LEED® Silver certification for Existing Buildings in Operations and Maintenance (EBOM) from the U.S. Green Building Council. The Theodore Levin U.S. Courthouse (Detroit, Mich.), Paul Simon Federal Building (Carbondale, Ill.), and Howard M. Metzenbaum U.S. Courthouse (Cleveland, Ohio), recently received LEED Certified status as part of GSA’s LEED EBOM Volume program. High ENERGY STAR® scores helped each building gain points. In addition, the Metzenbaum Courthouse was selected as one of GSA's "top three," demonstrating that the building showcases the best of the agency's submissions.
 

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Media Releases

No recent media releases are available at this time.

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