SSOE's CEO and President, Tony Damon, LEED's the Way to Greener Future

TOLEDO, Ohio - May 19, 2009- Tony Damon, CEO and President of SSOE, practices what he preaches. As the leader of one of the nation's largest architecture and engineering firms, he is committed to continue expanding the company's green building portfolio. Now, Damon can count himself among a growing group of LEED Accredited Professionals (LEED AP) in the design industry.

Damon earned his LEED accreditation this spring. "As architects and engineers, we have a professional responsibility to our clients, and society at-large, to design energy efficient and environmentally responsible buildings and processes," Damon said. "For SSOE to continue to be recognized as a leader in our industry, we must add value to our clients' projects by giving them the opportunity to implement alternative energy solutions and green building options. Because LEED is the recognized standard for environmental and energy efficiency in the U.S., it's critical that SSOE's professionals become increasingly aware of the LEED certification requirements, process, and best practices in the industry." To that end,during the lastsix monthsmore than35 SSOE professionals have also earned their LEED accreditation.

Chris Ewald, AIA, Principal and Vice-President, is one of those who recently earned his LEED accreditation. He has put that knowledge to work on the recently completed University of Toledo's Savage Arena which is currently seeking Silver certification. "Knowing that LEED is an additional way to help clients motivated me to pursue the accreditation. It's an important piece of SSOE's philosophy to give the client total added value. As a LEED AP, I now have a comprehensive understanding of key sustainable initiatives that add value to our clients' projects in the short and long-term even if they aren't seeking LEED certification." Ewald said.

The growing number of LEED accredited professionals is in addition to a number of other sustainable projects at SSOE. In fact, SSOE was responsible for the design of the first Gold LEED certified central utility plant in the United States. More recently, SSOE created a sustainable and renewable solutions group that is solely dedicated to helping clients implement strategies that minimize energy costs and reduce their carbon footprint.

About Tony Damon, AIA, PS, LEED AP
Damon's career at SSOE began in 1977 as a designer. Since that time he has served in many leadership positions including Chairman of the Board and Senior Vice-President of the Automotive Division. In those roles he was responsible for the growth and establishment of multiple office locations, as well as spearheading projects with clients such as Honda, Toyota, Ford, Nissan and General Motors. In 2002, he became the seventh CEO of SSOE. Under his direction, the firm has grown to 19 offices including the company's second largest office in Shanghai, China.

Damon is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and is a registered architect and licensed professional surveyor. He is a member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and American Council of Engineering Companies. He served on the Toledo Chamber of Commerce Board of Trustees (2001 - 2006) and chaired the Chamber's "New Schools, New Neighborhoods" Coalition (NSNN) for four years (2004-2007). In addition, since 2005 he has chaired the Dean's Advisory Board for The University of Toledo College of Engineering.

About SSOE
SSOE, Inc. is an international EPCM firm 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 byZweigWhite, Hot List 2008.

With 19 offices around the world, SSOE 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 all 50 states and 32 countries, and has achieved more than 60 years of excellence in engineering and architectural design. Visitwww.ssoe.comfor 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. Visitwww.usgbc.orgfor additional information.

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Contact:
Jenni Roder
jroder@ssoe.com
419.255.3830