SSOE Announces Three More Staff Members Have Earned LEED Accreditation

TOLEDO, OH March 5, 2009- SSOE, Inc., one of the nation's largest architecture and engineering firms, announces three architectural staff members have recently earned LEED^®(Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) accreditation from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) by passing the LEED for New Construction Exam. The LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP) credential designates that the individual has the knowledge and skills to facilitate the LEED certification process.Lee Smykowski,Nick Hogrefe, andCraig Pickerelhave all become accredited and will help SSOE meet the growing demand for green design.

Lee Smykowski, ASLA, LEED AP, Senior Landscape Architect, has nearly 30 years of experience performing landscape architecture and site design services. His project expertise includes site analysis, master planning, site planning, landscape design, and site engineering for clients such as The University of Toledo and ProMedica Health System. Smykowski received his Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from Michigan State University.

Nick Hogrefe, LEED AP, Intern Architect, has 6 years of experience performing design services. His project experience includes schematics, design / development, and construction documentation for clients such as Hershey and the Community Hospitals and Wellness Centers (Bryan and Archbold, Ohio). Hogrefe received his Master of Architecture from the Savannah College of Art and Design and his Bachelor of Science and Technology from Bowling Green State University.

Craig Pickerel, LEED AP, Intern Architect, has 5 years of experience performing design services. His project experience includes schematics, design / development, and construction documentation for clients such as the Community Hospitals and Wellness Centers (Bryan, Ohio) and Toledo Public Schools (Toledo, Ohio). Pickerel received his Master of Architecture from the University of Michigan and his Bachelor of Architectural and Environmental Design from Bowling Green State University.

About SSOE
Founded in 1948, SSOE, Inc. is an international design firm and is ranked 8th among the nation's largest engineering and architecture firms (Building Design + Construction, 2008). Demonstrating fast and consistent growth since 2004, SSOE has doubled in size and revenue. SSOE has also been named one of the Best AEC Firms to Work For (Building Design + Construction) and as one of the fastest-growing US architecture, engineering, and environmental consulting firms by ZweigWhite, Hot List 2008.

With 1,000 employees and multi-disciplined LEED^®Accredited Professionals employed in 19 offices around the world the company has earned a solid reputation in facility design for the healthcare, automotive and science and technology markets as well as process engineering for the alternative energy, biofuels, chemical, food and beverage, glass and personal care industries. SSOE has completed projects in 48 states and 32 countries, and has achieved more than 60 years of excellence in engineering and architectural design. Visit www.ssoe.com for additional information and career opportunities.

About LEED
A LEED AP is an individual who has taken and passed the LEED exam and possesses the knowledge and skills necessary to participate in the design process supporting sustainability and to propel the building design through the certification process. The LEED green building rating system promotes the practices of sustainable design, addressing all building types, and focusing on sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials and resource selection, and indoor environmental quality. Visit www.usgbc.org for additional information.

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Contact:
Jenni Roder
SSOE, Inc.
Office: 419.255.3830
jroder@ssoe.com