Dr. Luisa Amelia Dempere is the Director of the Major Analytical Instrumentation Center and the current Chair of the Sustainability Committee at the University of Florida. As a faculty member in UF’s Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Amelia has been teaching the undergraduate course "Engineering for a Sustainable Future" for freshman in the College of Engineering since Fall 2006, and she teaches sustainability in engineering through the course "Analysis of the Structure of Materials." Amelia is also an approved instructor for the Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB) of the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulations, and a member of the Florida Green Building Coalition.
Liberty Phoenix-Lord has been a resident of Gainesville, FL since 1989. She has 3 beautiful children is married and currently lives in Gainesville. She has served on the board of directors and taught at the Florida School of Traditional Midwifery. She has been a Realtor since 2005 working in Alachua County. She currently owns and runs INDIGO a Green Building supply store.
INDIGO is going on its third year in business. The mission of INDIGO is based on Liberty's commitment to the environment and the health of our planet. Her commitment started at birth, she was raised vegan and with the knowledge that every action she takes affects the next 7 generations. With this knowledge, everyday is a day that she chooses to make a difference. By working through INDIGO she is responsibly providing communities with state of the art sustainable solutions. Liberty is impacting our world through an innovative multi-faceted business that places people and planet alongside growth and prosperity.
Mr. Claussen is a Project Electrical Engineer with 12 years of experience in design and engineering. He has a broad background in design of electrical systems for healthcare, higher education, and commercial facilities, as well as several other industries. Mr. Claussen’s experience includes power and systems plans involving power distribution, general power, mechanical HVAC and plumbing connections, fire alarm, data, telephone, and other low voltage controls. In addition, he has experience in lighting plans, lighting control systems and lightning protection.
As a member of the USGBC Heart of Florida chapter, the University of Florida sub-lighting committee, and the Santa Fe College energy efficiency committee, Mr. Claussen has been involved in discussing and implementing energy efficient and sustainable practices throughout the state of Florida. Mr. Claussen has been Lead electrical engineer and electrical engineer of record on a number of LEED certified and soon to be certified buildings ranging from Silver to Platinum certification. He is committed to the movement of sustainable building construction and has become a leader in innovative design of lighting, lighting controls, and photovoltaic systems.
USGBC Heart of Florida Chapter Founding Members: