Linda Gerber has been a tireless advocate for recreating the PCC Sylvania Campus as an institution that infuses sustainability skills and knowledge throughout the curriculum and is an exemplary model of green building operations. Through her leadership, PCC adopted a Climate Action Plan in 2008 achieving significant reductions in energy use, built the first award winning Path to Net Zero college building in the U.S., and is developing a course of study in sustainability. She serves on a number of state and national councils and non-profit boards working for a sustainable future, including the American Association of Community College's SEED Council, the Oregon Governor's Green Jobs Council, and the Northwest Earth Institute. She is a fifth generation Oregonian whose original homestead she and her husband still farm and is a life-long environmental advocate.
Linda said of her joining the Earth Advantage board, “The social, political, and economic consequences of climate change constitutes by far the greatest challenge of our day, and we must address it through collective and concerted action. Clearly, educational institutions at all levels have a crucial role to play in this effort through educating our students about climate change and developing the thought leaders, innovators and technicians of the future who will be part of the solution and by modeling sustainable buildings and operations. In these efforts, Earth Advantage is an important provider of knowledge to building professionals and information to consumers that will accelerate the immediate creation of better buildings."
The current Earth Advantage Board of Directors is comprised of 7 members. Linda will fill the seat soon to be vacated by Jim Chapman, president of Legend Homes who has served for many years. Steve Vincent, chairman of the board commented on Linda’s addition to the Earth Advantage board, “Recruiting Linda strategically expands and enhances the depth of expertise on our board. We’ve been very fortunate to have a board comprised of people with diverse backgrounds and fundamental wisdom that every board hopes to have. Given her leadership in sustainability we are looking forward to her participation and contribution in setting long-term strategic direction and governance of the nonprofit.”