Michael Opitz

P.E., CEM, PMP, LEED AP

Director of Sustainability

Iconergy

BIO

Mike Opitz directs Iconergy's Sustainability division, supporting our efforts to investigate, assess, improve, and validate the performance of our clients’ buildings and portfolios.

Mr. Opitz has specialized in saving energy throughout his career, beginning with the development of a model energy standard in Russia during the 1990s, originating from research he performed for his M.S. thesis. That model standard has since been customized and adopted by 75 percent of the country. Following, he spent several years at Lockheed Martin supporting a $200 million energy savings performance contract (ESPC), covering fifteen separate energy savings measures within 600 buildings for the U.S. Army.

He then spent six years at the U.S. Green Building Council, including three years as Vice President of LEED Implementation, where he was instrumental in the development and public launch of both the LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance (LEED-EB: O&M) program and the LEED Volume Certification Program, which streamlines the LEED process for owners of large building portfolios. He also led the development and launch of the inaugural certification guidance for buildings using district or campus-based energy systems, plus similar guidance on the LEED minimum program requirements and rating system selector. Finally, he managed the internal LEED certification team and established the volunteer LEED Implementation Committee.

Most recently, during his four years at Cadmus, Mr. Opitz shepherded the establishment and growth of a new business unit aimed at assisting owners of individual buildings and portfolios to improve their performance quickly, reliably, and with minimal effort. His multiple responsibilities included development and execution of strategic vision and direction, business development, managing major client and subcontractor relationships, coaching junior staff, and recruitment of new staff. Within that role he was program manager of a $5 million contract supporting LEED-EB: O&M Volume certification for 100+ buildings for the U.S. General Services Administration.

Mr. Opitz holds dual M.S. degrees in Mechanical Engineering and in Technology & Policy from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).