Meet Paul Bertram, Jr., FCSI, CDT -- 2010 CSI President-elect Nominee

• By: admin
• On: 02/10/2010 16:58:43
• In: CSI News & Views
• Comments: 0

PRB Design was sold in 2005 in order to pursue my passion of developing “sustainable” design strategies. Shortly after forming PRB Connect, I was hired by the NAIMA – the North American Insulation Manufacturers Association as Director of Environment & Sustainability. This experience was invaluable as I worked with top company executives of large companies laying out vision, strategies, budgets and measurable results of the programs I developed. My responsibilities also included interfacing with other associations, code agencies and standards development groups. This experience also brought heightened awareness and experience to issues such as climate change, energy efficiency, carbon reduction, net zero energy, and climate neutral that are all relevant to CSI. My current position, with Kingspan Insulated Panels brings a global perspective in design and construction with 26 worldwide operations and a focus on envelope first energy efficiency.

I have served on many chapter leadership positions including president of the Greater Orlando Chapter, my home chapter. As president I initiated a chapter public/private community service project that was awarded $1.2 million dollars by the State of Florida to build an 11,000 sq.ft. drug and alcohol rehabilitation center for adolescents.

Q: When and how did you get involved with CSI? What was your first assignment and what were some of the guideposts from then to now?

PB: In 1990, after writing a technical manual for a building product manufacturer, it was recommended to me that I seek CSI membership and CSI’s CDT. After achieving that advice, my mentor Don Thompson, took me to school. I spent time with Don in his office learning how to write specifications, going to job sites to review project specifications and to design firms to understand how concepts become reality. That is what CSI is really all about the mentoring attitude of members.

My first assignment was writing and producing Division 17 the Greater Orlando newsletter. Other CSI positions include Southeast Region Director, and Institute Vice President where I brought forward the concept of GreenFormat. I was part of the Construction Specifier magazine’s Advisory Board and currently Chair of the GreenFormat Program Management Task Team. I am a charter member of the Pennsylvania Railroad Chapter and have assisted as program chair for the DC Metro Chapter where I am also a member. I continue to assist in the advancement of the CSI’s BPMA – the Building Product Manufacturers Council. Most recently I was asked to represent CSI at the EPA 10th District for a meeting on developing PCRs (Product Category Rules) andt are considering utilization of CSI classification systems such as Uniformat, MasterFormat and Omniclass.

: What interested you most or what event had an effect or contributed to your CSI career?

PB: As a visitor to a CSI chapter meeting I was networked to a mentor who made the difference. Active participation is the key to belonging to any group. The return on investment of my time and money has provided the basis for a successful career on a pathway that you could not plan.

: As a President-elect nominee, what would you like to contribute or focus on, CSI wise?

PB: As technology tools advance in the industry, the integration and adaption of CSI core organizational structures including Uniformat, MasterFormat, GreenFormat and OmniClass are critical in BIM models for management of project information.

Expanding CSI’s role to include greater understanding of how climate change issues such as energy efficiency, net zero energy, carbon reduction, climate neutral, cap & trade and environmental assessment affect the management of construction documentation and communication is an opportunity. There are information gaps in these new areas of consideration and the industry is looking to CSI for knowledge based programs and clarity in this growing confusion.

Government services and Federal Facilities are also opportunities for CSI regarding the structure in organizing and managing their projects. I recently heard a key GSA official challenge CSI’s BPMA (Building Product Manufacturers Alliance) to take on an issue to advance the built environment. This challenge was accepted at the BPMA meeting with the possibility of creation of a Green Building Products Coalition to help reduce “greenwashing” and that ties into GreenFormat.

: The economy has affected the construction industry, which has a definite impact on CSI’s resources -- membership and financial. What, in your opinion, should we be doing?

PB: As challenging as the times are for our industry, I believe CSI membership and participation are key to staying informed and relevant in today’s building market. I am a firm believer that CSI’s delivery of knowledge-based programs, networking, and certification programs greatly help improve our projects and careers.

CSI must concentrate on delivering knowledge-based initiatives, tools and services that are relevant to today’s project challenges as related to CSI’s core values in communicating, organizing and managing project information for the life cycle of the built environment. This direction will lead to the possibility of new education programs, productivity tools and/or certifications, new members and new revenues.

: This interview will be distributed to all CSI chapter editors for their newsletter, would you like to take this opportunity to share your views or other comments with the membership?

PB: Leadership is all about building a team that can help advance the stated goals and objectives of the Institute. As I work to define those goals and objectives, I would like to ask for support from all members. Please let me know areas of your interest and expertise so I can find places for you to help make CSI more relevant in our changing market conditions.

I hope to see you soon at a Chapter, Region or Institute meeting, and at CONSTRUCT2010 in Philadelphia.

Thank you for this opportunity to share my thoughts on CSI.

: Thank you Mr. President-elect.