Vegetative Roofs are complex systems; they require quality products from the underlying roof structure
through the plant material. Being the most comprehensive vegetative roof system on the market, AVRS®
Tray and Multilayer Systems require the highest quality underlying waterproofing, which is why we primarily
sell through the following partners. This allows for optional full-system warranties with overburden coverage,
from the waterproofing up.
Green buildings and green roofs are increasingly being looked at as ways to mitigate the threats and concerns surrounding climate change, water quality and the expanding gap that exists in energy supply and demand. The application of a green roof can help to reduce energy costs related to heating and cooling through their insulating effects, providing the building owner with year round energy savings. Green roofs that are combined with solar panels have also been shown to produce even greater energy benefits due to increased panel efficacy that help contribute to lower a building’s overall energy consumption and environmental footprint.
The buildup of greenhouse gases (GHG) which include: Carbon dioxide (CO2), Methane (CH4), and Nitrous Oxide (N2O), can cause the earth’s temperature to increase. This occurs when such gases become trapped and buildup within the atmosphere, creating an insulating effect on the earth. These warming effects can be heightened within urban areas, due to dense populations and increased emissions of fossil fuels, most commonly stemming from CO2. Without human influence, Carbon dioxide levels naturally fluctuate with seasonal changes. In the northern hemisphere, during spring and summer month’s plants intake CO2, removing excess amounts of it from the atmosphere produced by human-caused actions. In the fall and winter months plants release this CO2 back into the atmosphere. Green roofs are beneficial in urban areas and help mitigate urban heat island affect because of the plants natural ability to absorb pollutants; such as GHG, and they intake carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, a process known as carbon sequestration.
The concept of urban heat island effect is gaining more attention throughout the U.S. and as a result there is more pressure to more directly address this issue and mitigate its effects. Generally, urban heat island describes a buildup of atmospheric gases, usually in a metropolitan area, that is hotter than the surrounding rural areas. This occurrence can affect communities and cities by increasing energy demands in summer months: increasing air conditioning costs, and heightening the occurrence of heat-related illness and fatalities. Green roofs can play an integral role in mitigating those negative effects through the ability to lessen the amount of gases that warm the atmosphere and therefore cool the surrounding environment.
Private Developers and Design Professionals:
Developers and design professionals are also increasingly looking to green roofs for the benefits they provide as a way to create more sustainable green buildings, with lower carbon footprints and a greater ability to manage stormwater runoff. These benefits also extend to the building owner through increased building aesthetics and a potentially higher LEED Certification rating. The application of a green roof helps to contribute from 6 to 14 LEED points for sustainable building structures, while buildings with white membranes alone, qualify for only 1 to 2 LEED points. Buildings with green roofs also help to extend the life of the roofing membrane; up to 2 times in many cases. This lowers replacement and repair cost to a building owner, thus reducing direct capital investments.
The green roof industry is continually growing and further benefits continue to develop as groups within the green building community push the envelope as to what this technology can provide.
Green Jobs and Government Support:
Growing interest and acceptance of green building solutions, such as green roofs, along with increasing popularity in the green building sector will help boost the economy and the construction market, which has seen a decrease in past years. The green building market is projected to grow dramatically in the next 5 to 10 years, both in the United States and globally. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) currently cites green roofs as one of the strategies that can be taken to help combat these issues. The EPA shows the growing support from government groups to promote green roofs and other sustainable industries.
Green roofs are also seeing support from governments across the globe. Governments worldwide have begun to adopt strategies of incentivizing green initiatives and enforcing minimum standards that support the development of green buildings. Some incentives available for installing a green roof system include: tax incentives, zoning expansions and direct public utility rebates/monthly billing reductions.
Columbia Green and Green Roofs – “Blue is the New Green”:
The potentially largest impact that green roofs have is on stormwater management. Continued expansion of urban development throughout the world results in increased amounts of impervious surfaces. These impervious surfaces decrease both infiltration and evaporative water loss from soils and plant surfaces (evapotranspiration – Et) due to the removal of native vegetation and natural ecosystems. In addition, pollutants deposited on these surfaces are transported into our surface waters; further degrading water quality and surrounding natural habitats. Columbia Green’s products help filter and clean the water as it makes its way to aquatic environments while also creating more energy efficient and sustainable buildings.
Columbia Green is an American made product that supports local economies and helps to ensure U.S. jobs. Columbia Green recognizes that now and in the future water will play a dramatic role in the way we live our lives and therefore we strive to be on the forefront of helping to develop effective ways to address new and arising challenges.
Columbia Green entered the green roof market by recognizing that the current available product was failing to most effectively and efficiently supply a green roof system that managed stormwater runoff. Our team has gained experience through past lessons learned in developing a system that provides a green roof that is easy to install, uniquely designed, horticulturally correct, aesthetically pleasing and that dynamically manages stormwater runoff.
The green roof products provided by Columbia Green were developed by roofers and environmental engineers, for both new and existing structures, to meet stringent roofing requirements while providing a high degree of environmental benefits. Our turnkey solutions meet or exceed the current guidelines for green roofs. Along with easy, low cost installation and maintenance, Columbia Green’s Advanced Vegetated Roof System (AVRS®) is the market’s best choice.
Columbia Green’s AVRS® Tray and Multi-layer systems are engineered to more efficiently manage and meter stormwater runoff. The system was devised to slow the flow of water coming off of roof surfaces, which reduces the likelihood of combined sewer overflows (CSO’s). Our systems can detain up to 70% of the water that hits the roof surface. However, the benefits of a green roof reach far beyond these attributes; as previously aforementioned.
A unique feature that Columbia Green offers is a hybrid system that incorporates both systems into your roof design – eliminating the need to have to choose between systems while still allowing for the ability to create a dynamic green roof and addressing the highest concerns in regards to viability and stormwater management.
Environmental Features and Benefits of AVRS®:
Vanessa has a dynamic 9-year global career reflecting optimal performance in the public and private sector in the area of business development, marketing and sales. Vanessa has served in numerous executive positions in business development roles, where she has managed rapid growth; both domestically and internationally. She has been responsible for triple digit increase within the companies she has worked for where she has played a leading role in the sales groups.
Vanessa is currently President & CEO of Columbia Green, whose core technologies in eco-roofs are based on sustainable functions that help manage the quality and quantity of storm water, energy use, as well as air and water pollution. Vanessa purchased the company along with local investors in 2009 and Columbia Green is currently experiencing significant growth under her leadership.
Ms. Keitges graduated from Oregon State University earning a B.A. in Philosophy. Her personal interests include: riding horses, traveling and meeting new people. She has an affinity toward kids and animals and sits on the Oregon Zoo Wild Life Board. Her true passion is helping others within her community.
Vanessa has a dynamic 9-year global career reflecting optimal performance in the public and private sector in the area of business development, marketing and sales. Vanessa has served in numerous executive positions in business development roles, where she has managed rapid growth; both domestically and internationally. She has been responsible for triple digit increase within the companies she has worked for where she has played a leading role in the sales groups.
Vanessa is currently President & CEO of Columbia Green, whose core technologies in eco-roofs are based on sustainable functions that help manage the quality and quantity of storm water, energy use, as well as air and water pollution. Vanessa purchased the company along with local investors in 2009 and Columbia Green is currently experiencing significant growth under her leadership.
Ms. Keitges graduated from Oregon State University earning a B.A. in Philosophy. Her personal interests include: riding horses, traveling and meeting new people. She has an affinity toward kids and animals and sits on the Oregon Zoo Wild Life Board. Her true passion is helping others within her community.
Email: VanK@columbia-green.com
Greg Love joined Columbia Green in 2010 to assist in the rapid growth and expansion of the firm. As COO, he is responsible for scaling the sales channels, operations, finance and marketing along with assisting the rest the CG team.
Greg has over 25 years of experience in leading and growing both private and public high-tech manufacturing companies. Under his leadership and direction these various companies have significantly increased profits and sales. He has done this by implementing various sales and marketing programs and processes. He also developed and hired both executive and mid-management teams along with streamlining their manufacturing processes. To fuel this growth, Greg has raised over $100 million in private funding with both venture and PE firms. Greg’s Northwest experience includes companies such as Micro Power, FLIR and Microscan.
Mr. Love earned both a MBA and a Bachelor’s of Science in engineering from Drexel University. Mr. Love is also currently working with a number of early and later stage companies acting as a mentor for the founding CEO.
Email: gregl@columbia-green.com
Kevin Bower joins Columbia Green with more than a decade of horticulture and business management experience. As Program Manager, Kevin brings multi-disciplinary teams together to successfully implement eco-roofs in the Pacific northwest and nationally. His understanding of environmental impact, site conditions, and extensive plant knowledge provides superior value to our clients by ensuring quality project delivery and installation of eco-roofs.
In his previous work at Teufel Landscaping Company, a Northwest leading company in green roofs, Kevin played a key role in supply chain, logistics management, and purchase negotiations. He oversaw award winning projects which included: Swedish Hospital in Seattle, The Tacoma Green Wall, and Iris Campus.
Kevin is a graduate of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and holds a B.S in Horticulture, with a concentration in Business Management. Kevin sits on the GRIT (Green Roof Information Think-tank) business development sub-committee, which helps to advance sustainability practices and technology of eco-roofs. His professional and educational background makes him a strong addition to the team.
Email: Kevinb@columbia-green.com
Tim Nash brings over eleven years of landscape architectural, eco-roof design and project management knowledge to Columbia Green. The diverse range of award winning projects Tim has worked on and seamlessly delivered to clients worldwide make him an invaluable member of the Columbia Green team.
As Director of Technical Sales and Programs at Columbia Green, Tim relies heavily on his extensive project management and design experience in overseeing operations and project delivery of the company’s AVRS® green roof systems. Passionate about design and the environment, Tim and his team provide an unparalleled level of customer support from initial project conception and budgeting to project delivery and installation oversight.
Prior to joining Columbia Green in the fall of 2010, Tim served as Senior Associate at Koch Landscape Architecture, and worked under the titles of project manager/landscape designer at Murase Associates and Walker Macy. He earned his B.A. in Landscape Architecture from the University of Idaho
Email: timn@columbia-green.com
Brittany Reichard joined Columbia Green in 2011 as a key player in the Sales and Marketing Department. Her career objective was to work at a firm that promotes sustainable and ecological practices. Prior to working with Columbia Green, Brittany served in sales and marketing roles for various Business to Customer organizations. She held a leadership role as a Resident Advisor for three years at Linfield College, facilitating student growth and developing a community to support a positive living-learning environment.
For Columbia Green, Brittany provides assistance in the various stages of project commencement and development by compiling project information and tracking progress and follow-up with clients. Her responsibilities include investigating future marketing programs and opportunities while developing current relationships within the customer base. Brittany is also responsible for the set-up and implementation of various national marketing programs, that include seminars and off site training.
She is an avid hiker and enjoys being outdoors, traveling and working with animals. One of her greatest experiences includes the opportunity to participate in a foreign study program in Australia that focused on Aboriginal and Environmental Economics. Brittany earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Studies with a Science Focus in Biology from Linfield College.
Email: BrittanyR@columbia-green.com
Susan Reynoldson is the Controller at Columbia Green and brings years of valuable experience in business and finance, including financial reporting, financial and operational auditing, establishing financial models, projecting and monitoring revenues and costs, and establishing accounting policies and procedures in accordance with GAAP.
She began her career as an auditor for Price Waterhouse in San Francisco and has since held audit and finance positions with Neiman Marcus Group and American College Testing, Inc. Most recently she has been an accounting consultant in the Portland area, helping venture-capital backed companies such as Urban Airship and Janrain. Susan obtained CPA certification and earned a Bachelor’s of Business Administration from the University of Iowa, where she majored in accounting and graduated with High Distinction.
Email: Susanr@columbia-green.com
Kelly Ferguson joins Columbia Green as Sales Director for the Eastern and Central regions. She brings 10 years of sales and management experience to the team. Having spent the last 7 years in the technology industry where she developed new markets and grew distribution through strategic National Partnerships, she is well positioned to take on the new Director role at Columbia Green.
Ms. Ferguson is headquartered in the Boston office and responsible for working closely with Columbia Green’s major partners and driving sales through their independent sales groups. Her extensive experience in management and marketing and proven sales track record is invaluable in connecting with our customers and building strong relationship with our partners as she grows revenue in the Eastern and Central regions.
Kelly graduated from Oregon State University with a degree in Business and Entrepreneurship and a minor in Horticulture. Her personal interests include: traveling, dance and Acroyoga. Kelly grew up in the Nursery industry with a family owned business in the NW. She is passionate about giving back to her community through mentorship and is a member of Big Sisters of Greater Boston.
Email: kellyf@columbia-green.com
