Russell Unger Executive Director US Green Building Council
Russell Unger is the Executive Director of the New York Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC-NY). Prior to joining USGBC-NY, he worked in the New York City Mayor's Office of Contract Services as Assistant Director and Special Counsel for Environmental Procurement, responsible for implementing a new environmentally preferable purchasing program. Previously, he served as Special Advisor on Sustainable Development to then-Speaker Miller of the New York City Council and as Legislative Counsel for three City Council committees. During his four years at the City Council, Russell drafted and led negotiations on many environmental laws, including the City's green building law (Local Law 86) and the environmental purchasing laws he later implemented. Before working at the City Council, he was as an Associate at the law firm Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pitman. He received his law degree from New York University School of Law, cum laude, and his undergraduate degree from McGill University, first class honors. In 2001, Russell was awarded the Arthur T. Vanderbilt Medal, the highest honor that is bestowed upon an NYU School of Law graduate, in recognition of his contribution to the law school. In the same year, he was awarded the President's Service Award for Leadership from New York University. Russell served on the Board of Directors of the New York Chapter from 2006 until his appointment as Executive Director in April 2007.