LEED Consultant

J. Mark West, a Nashville architect and a LEED Accredited Professional, serves as a consultant for The Acropolis venture, providing guidance and expertise for the project to meet the highest standards in terms of sustainable and renewable energy and resources. West, principal of eXoterra Sustainable Solutions, has been retained by The Acropolis to help the venture obtain a platinum level certification – the highest – in the U. S. Green Council’s LEED program. West received his Bachelor of Architecture degree from Virginia Tech with a minor in urban planning. He was the project architect and LEED project administrator for the first U. S. Green Building Council LEED Silver project in the state of Virginia. His work on the Langston High School Continuation-Langston/Brown Community Center in Virginia won several awards: the 2004 Northern Virginia AIA Award of Merit for Sustainable Design; the 2004 Project of Outstanding Distinction from the Council of Educational Facilities Planners International Northeast Chapter; the 2004 Gold Award Learning By Design of the National School Board Association, the 2004 Citation - Architectural Exhibition National School Board Association; and the 2003 Architectural Excellence Award of Virginia School Board Association.He is a member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and  the U. S. Green Building Council. Contact: jmarkwest@bellsouth.net, 615-428-0515.

Partners

Stephen Nestor, a member of the U.S. Green Building Council, brings 22 years of construction accounting experience to the venture. Nestor serves as chief financial officer and general partner for JBS Enterprises, builders for the Acropolis and a number of other projects in Middle Tennessee.Nestor, 47, serves as president of the CPA firm of Nestor and Co. and as president of Northbound Train Equipment Leasing, Inc.He received his BS in Business Administration and graduated cum laude from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He is a member of AICPA; TSCPA; as well as, the United States Green Building Council. Contact: steve@custombuilders.com, 615-383-3302

Jay Ellis brings mortgage expertise to the venture.  A general partner in JBS Enterprises, he also serves as president of First Mortgage Funding Group, Inc. Ellis, 43, received a BA in Economics from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Contact: jay@jbscustombuilders.com, 615-383-3302.

Brian Glasser is a general partner of JBS Enterprises. Glasser, 43, attended Tennessee State University. He is a member of the Business Advisory Board of Cumberland University. Contact: Brian@jbscustomerbuilders.com, 615-383-3302.

U. Grant Browning has guided property acquisition for the project and serves as a design consultant. Browning has been developing quality apartment and condominiums throughout the mid-south for more than 45 years. He helped pioneer the use of individual private elevators, rooftop elevators and open spaces on the roofs of Nashville developments, features that are key to The Acropolis. He is also known for his landscaping designs and for creating unusual fountains reminiscent of ancient Greek and Roman fountains. He has been active in charitable efforts to assist funding not-for-profit and affordable housing for more than 35 years. Contact: 615-351-6869.