BOMA Attendees Learn to Go Green for Healthy, Productive Employees

LONG BEACH, Calif., June 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Going green can increase worker productivity -- and may even help employees reduce sick time -- according to a recent study by the University of San Diego and CB Richard Ellis.

At the upcoming 2010 Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International Conference, study author Norman Miller, vice president of analytics at the CoStar Group, and Pat Garibay, LEED AP, business development director for contracting solutions at Trane, will discuss the study and show attendees how they can effectively design and build high performance buildings.

The research examined the productivity of over 500 tenants who have moved into Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)-certified or Energy Star-labeled buildings. The study found that, compared to non-green buildings, healthier buildings reduce sick time and increase employee productivity. The presentation will:

• Summarize the research findings,
• Explain how commercial office building owners and facility managers can design and build LEED-certified or Energy Star-labeled buildings, and
• Address how the study's findings can be used to market green buildings to prospective and existing tenants and owners.

At the conference, Miller, who recently joined the CoStar Group, will outline the key findings of the research and the methodology used. While conducting the study, Miller served as professor and director of academic programs for the Burnham-Moores Center for Real Estate at the University of San Diego. Miller remains affiliated with the university.

Garibay will discuss how building owners and property managers can retrofit existing buildings to obtain LEED-certified or Energy Star-labeled buildings. Additionally, he will focus on strategies and technologies available to improve building efficiency while increasing worker productivity and reducing sick time. Miller will also explain how to use the study's findings to market green buildings to tenants.

About the BOMA International Conference and The Every Building Show^®

The Building Owners and Managers Association International's 2010 BOMA International Conference and The Every Building Show, June 27-29 at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach, Calif., is the premier event for commercial real estate professionals to learn strategies and build relationships that are vital for achieving operational excellence and sustaining their business through this difficult market cycle. Conference website: www.bomaconvention.org. Visit Trane at the conference at booth # 342. Trane is a Cornerstone Partner of BOMA International.

About Garibay

Pat Garibay, business development director for contracting solutions for Trane, has 25 years of experience assisting building owners and operators in creating healthy, productive indoor environments while improving the effectiveness of their operational and capital budgets. He has held leadership positions with several companies, including a multinational building controls organization, an energy service company (ESCO), and a national mechanical contractor.

In his current role, Garibay works closely with marketing, product development and the field organization to organize around and develop programs for commercial and institutional buildings that decrease energy consumption, reduce operational expenditures, and create healthy and productive work environments.

He received a bachelor's degree from Ohio State University and a master's degree in business administration from Xavier University.

About Trane

Trane, a business of Ingersoll Rand -- the world leader in creating and sustaining safe, comfortable and energy efficient environments -- improves the performance of homes and buildings around the world. Trane solutions optimize indoor environments with a broad portfolio of energy efficient heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems, building and contracting services, parts support and advanced controls for homes and commercial buildings.  For more information, visit www.Trane.com.

About Ingersoll Rand

Ingersoll Rand (NYSE: IR) is a world leader in creating and sustaining safe, comfortable and efficient environments in commercial, residential and industrial markets. Our people and our family of brands -- including Club Car®, Hussmann®, Ingersoll Rand®, Schlage®, Thermo King® and Trane®  -- work together to enhance the quality and comfort of air in homes and buildings, transport and protect food and perishables, secure homes and commercial properties, and increase industrial productivity and efficiency. We are a $13 billion global business committed to sustainable business practices within our company and for our customers.  For more information, visit www.ingersollrand.com.

SOURCE Trane