As the green movement grows increasingly mainstream, many customers and clients fall prey to ‘greenwashing’ – deceptive campaigns by companies claiming environmentally-friendly practices or products, when all that is really being helped is their bottom-line. The construction industry is no stranger to this kind of spin, unfortunately, which is why a run-in with Willis A. Smith Construction leaves clients with a breath of fresh air.

Willis A. Smith Construction has been operating in the Southwest Florida region for almost four decades. Founded in 1972, the firm and its reputation grew steadily while preserving a commitment to serving both their customers and their community. This legacy carries over today under the guidance of President David Sessions, who joined the company in the 1980’s. As a construction management firm, Smith focuses on commercial building, education (K-12, colleges and universities), performing arts, non-profits, museums, and other community projects.

Experienced Sustainability

Care for the environment and the communities they operate in have always been primary concerns for Smith, and the company was one of the pioneers of the green movement within the construction management industry. “Sustainable construction has become a major endeavor for us over the last five years,” adds Sessions, who directed his company to adopt the latest technologies and certification processes, well before they became industry standards – including the now universal LEED certification system.

After decades of growth led the firm to expand and renovate their existing facilities more than six times over the years, Sessions and his team decided it was time to invest in a new facility – while bringing the firm an unprecedented learning opportunity. “We spent our own money putting ourselves in the client’s position, while simultaneously being the builder,” says Sessions. The firm engaged its employees, encouraging staff to choose areas in sustainability they were passionate about incorporating into the design and construction of the new headquarters. The result was a beautiful complex with LEED Gold certification – an achievement that only one or two other Florida contractors had accomplished. “This experience gave us insight that our competitors simply don’t have – no one has made that kind of investment.”

The facility’s tremendous Gold rating was achieved largely because of its incredibly efficient water systems. “In Florida, one of our biggest impediments for future growth is our water resources,” says Sessions. “We achieved every green point available for water management, and even an innovation point for exceeding the highest existing standard.” Three water systems – reclaimed water for landscaping, potable water for consumption and washing, and harvested (rain) water for wastewater – helped lower potable water consumption by over 85 percent. “If every business adopted these kinds of practices, I’m confident Florida would not have the severe water issues it’s currently experiencing,” adds Sessions.

The building of their headquarters, finished in 2008, gave Willis A. Smith Construction a unique vantage point to help better serve their clients. Throughout the process and beyond, the firm trained its staff on the latest sustainable practices and certified many of the staff as LEED Accredited Professionals (AP). This knowledge-base helps the company better navigate the delicate line between their customers’ desires to incorporate sustainable elements into their projects and the need to stay within budget, helping them win the 2010 Think Green Business of the Year Award from the Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, as well as the Green Project Achievement Award from Southeast Construction Magazine, among many others.

A Part of the Community

Willis A. Smith Construction found most of its talent at the University of Florida – President David Session’s own alma mater. Over a decade after recruiting exceptional graduates from the University’s College of Building Construction, these loyal and experienced employees now fill crucial roles within the organization. A thriving internship program assures a ready and constant influx of young ability into the firm.

Once a part of the Smith family, employees receive complimentary educational assistance to help further their vocational skills and prepare them for the future. This team building is a vital part of the company’s strong reputation for integrity and competency in the field of construction management, as the firm values its people as its greatest asset.

This reputation hasn’t gone unnoticed by the areas notable businesses and other organizations. Over the years the firm has been chosen by Ringling College, Florida State University, the Sarasota and Manatee County School Districts, Tidewell Hospice, and a number of other prominent institutions to take the lead on projects in the area. “We are in the business of building landmarks in the region, and we want to provide our communities with projects they can be proud of,” says Sessions.

A commitment to customer satisfaction and a culture of community involvement have guided the firm since its inception. The firm will be celebrating its 40th anniversary on June 1st, 2012 – and given its growing reputation for delivering sustainable, quality projects on time and under budget, Willis A. Smith Construction will be greening the building industry in Southeast Florida for decades to come.