Greed to Green: The Transformation of an Industry and a Life [Paperback]

David Gottfried (Author), Paul Hawken (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2004

The U.S. and World Green Building Councils have transformed the world more than any other environmental organizations. David Gottfried describes the personal story of his creation of these pioneering industry coalitions, while portraying how he transformed himself from a greedy real estate developer during the 80s to his pioneering role as a founder of the global green building movement.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

A business organization's obligations to its shareholders create a bottom-line mentality that often seems at odds with social responsibility, but this author argues that conscientious companies actually fare better over the long haul. Gottfried has struggled with the difficulties of creating a profitable business that utilizes sustainable resources and provides healthy products to consumers. He was a successful commercial real estate developer in the 1980s who took on the building and construction industry to become the leading proponent of energy efficiency in large buildings. His U.S. Green Building Council implements innovative real-world solutions for environmentally responsible and healthy workplaces. David Siegfried
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

A business organization's obligations to its shareholders create a bottom-line mentality that often seems at odds with social responsibility, but this author argues that conscientious companies actually fare better over the long haul. Gottfried has struggled with the difficulties of creating a profitable business that utilizes sustainable resources and provides healthy products to consumers. He was a successful commercial real estate developer in the 1980s who took on the building and construction industry to become the leading proponent of energy efficiency in large buildings. His U.S. Green Building Council implements innovative real-world solutions for environmentally responsible and healthy workplaces. --David Siegfried, Booklist Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

A remarkable story of a remarkable transformation. David Gottfried's efforts transform[ed] the building industry and himself. Amory Lovins, Cofounder and CEO Rocky Mountain Institute, coauthor of Natural Capitalism Gottfried led the way into the uncharted territory of environmentally responsible construction. Be inspired to create your own legacy. Ray Anderson, Founder and Chair, Interface, Inc., author Mid-Course Correction. In sharing a life well-directed, we know that everything is possible if we love the world as David has. --Paul Hawken, Author of Ecology of Commerce and Growing a Business, coauthor of Natural Capitalism

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Product Details

• Paperback: 243 pages
• Publisher: WorldBuild Publishing (January 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0974432601
• ISBN-13: 978-0974432601
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #256,068 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

David Gottfried Bio

David Gottfried is the Managing Partner of Regenerative Ventures. The firm serves as the holding company for the Regenerative Network and Regenerative Consulting. In addition, Gottfried serves as an Advisory Board member to seven venture‐funded greentech start‐ups, helping them to expand their business and profit in the high growth green building marketplace.

Alongside Regenerative Ventures, Gottfried is the Founder & CEO of the U.S. Regenerative Network. The start‐up company is creating a uniquely vetted collaborative green building marketplace, featuring the best green building technologies. Network staff will screen building industry product segments for the best green‐tech solutions, using a proprietary triple‐bottom‐line screening guideline. Leading green portfolio real estate owners and product specifiers will attend two forums a year - to meet Network product manufacturer members. The Network will also provide an intranet commons to share best practices in green companies and products with its members.

In 1994, Gottfried founded Regenerative Consulting, formerly WorldBuild, and has advised many of the U.S.'s leading green building organizations and their projects across the many sectors of the built environment. The entity provides strategic green management consulting services, treating each client as an exclusive "partner" and one of its portfolio companies. Its specialty is the greening of companies, products and real estate portfolios - through invention of creative programs and initiatives. The company has worked with hundreds of leading organizations that strive to lessen their reliance on limited natural resources and wasteful practices, while boosting lifecycle based economics and quality of life.

Gottfried has over 25 years of multidisciplinary real estate, consulting and non‐profit experience in the building industry: as a "green" management consultant, Cleantech strategic advisor, real estate investment fund manager and developer, construction manager and founder of the U.S. and World Green Building Councils - the foremost green building organizations in the world.

He received his degree in Engineering and Resource Management from Stanford University, and is a regular lecturer for the University and a member of its Sustainable Built Environment Advisory Board. His personal residence is the highest rated LEED® Platinum renovated home to date.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome!!, April 14, 2004

By 

Rahul Young (Berkeley, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Greed to Green: The Transformation of an Industry and a Life (Paperback)

Mr. Gottfried's book finds the perfect mix of anecdotal inspiration and real-world pragmatic knowledge as he recounts the formation of an organization that wants to improve the world. It's easy to feel his personal struggle as he tries to reconcile his drive to succeed with his passion for environmental change. It's not always easy, and it's not always pretty, but it's incredibly inspiring. For all of us who are trying hard to figure out how to make money and make the earth a better place, this book tells us: we are not alone.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Transformational!, April 15, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Greed to Green: The Transformation of an Industry and a Life (Paperback)

What a fantastic, inspirational tale of a personal and professional journey of real change for the better -- especially within an industry that has such profound implications to our earth's resources. The writing is simple and understandable, yet it is David Gottfried's story that stands out and brings hope for all of us. His vision is remarkable and we all should learn from what he has to offer.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring and Motivating!, April 15, 2004

By 

Michelle Mondazzi (Medford, MA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Greed to Green: The Transformation of an Industry and a Life (Paperback)

This book is wonderful! I learned so much about the story of the USGBC and the people who brought it to fruition. I love that it is written to let the reader into the story of David's life and the 'family' of the green building industry. It's inspiring and motivating to anyone who wishes to make a change in their personal or professional lives!