Greg Johnson Wins 2025 National Leadership in Sustainability and Energy Efficiency Award

Individuals, states, cities and towns that go above and beyond to raise compliance with building energy codes are considered for the International Code Council’s (ICC) National Leadership in Sustainability and Energy Efficiency Award.  

Greg Johnson, owner of Minnesota’s Johnson & Associates Consulting Services, received the 2025 honor, which recognizes outstanding contributions to the growth and enhancement of codes or public policy promoting the principles of ICC’s Sustainability Membership Council (SMC).  

“I am tremendously flattered that the professionals I highly regard believe that my sustainability contributions in the built environment merit recognition,” said Johnson. 

“Greg Johnson has been instrumental in developing and promoting sustainable building codes and standards that have been adopted internationally,” said Joshua Harmon, Education Manager at Shums Coda Associates. “In his work with the ASHRAE standards, Johnson has consistently demonstrated his natural, and often unique, leadership skills while seeking consensus and public safety. He has played a pivotal role in other aspects of codes and standards development in both advancing building safety and community resilience.” 

Experienced Government Inspector Becomes Sought-After Code Consultant 

Johnson, a construction industry veteran since 1982, worked as a Saint Paul, Minnesota, building inspector starting in 1994, and served on ICC’s Board of Directors from 2002 to 2009. He was proud to sit on ICC’s inaugural board when the three legacy code organizations merged.  

He retired from government service at the end of 2010, and started his consulting practice in 2011, where he advocates for clients in model codes and standards development processes and interacts with local government. He also provides expert witness testimony. 

“Energy conservation is a multi-faceted concept, and Greg Johnson is a multi-faceted person,” Harmon continued. “His experience and awareness of construction best practice have led to the development of model codes that improve energy efficiency, green building practices and community resilience through high-performance construction and design.” 

Johnson’s contributions also touch on water conservation, as sustainable building practices often integrate efficient water usage strategies.  

“However, his most notable influence is shaping the model policies and standards that drive energy efficiency and sustainable construction at a global level,” Harmon said. “The resiliency and efficiency initiatives that Johnson supports ensure that structures are built to withstand environmental challenges while maintaining sustainability.”  

An Ever-Changing Industry Landscape

Addressing sustainability from the pre-computer age showcases Johnson’s flexibility and perseverance. 

“I started in this field in the last century, so a lot has changed,” noted Johnson. “Back then, nobody owned a high visibility vest. Inspectors were issued pagers, not phones, and we recorded inspections on paper because we didn’t have computers, which also made research quite difficult.”  

Before AI-assisted writing became common, Johnson recommended that tradespeople should acquire basic business writing and communication skills to move into code administration positions.  

“Now, I guess I advise acquiring AI prompting skills,” he said. “Being well-versed in technical and administrative skills, as well as interpersonal communications acumen, will always position a person for success regardless of industry.”  

Johnson embraces AI’s opportunities for research and communication.  

“Everyone should be using Digital Codes Premium because it’s an amazing tool,” said Johnson. “Remote inspection practices can also expose inspectors to fewer potential physical hazards.” 

He’s also pleased that the code regulatory workforce continues to diversify.  

“I believe in equity and inclusiveness,” Johnson added. “We’re all in this together.” 

Mentorship and ICC Certifications Support a Building Trades Career 

Johnson is grateful to now be a mentor himself, after a career shepherded by his own teachers. 

“They taught me that you can disagree without being disagreeable,” said Johnson. “So if I am being disagreeable, it is on purpose, for fun or effect.”   

He also encourages tradespeople to pursue ICC certifications.  

“They make people more attractive to more employers,” he said. “Also, if at first you don’t succeed…really, there is no shame in taking a certification test more than once. It’s complicated technical content and the person who passes the test on the second try has probably studied twice as much. Whatever makes a learner get into the code, and read about it, is a good thing.”  

By receiving this award, Johnson has taken the time to reflect on his long and meaningful building construction career. Looking forward, he hopes to see the International Green Construction Code® broadly adopted.  

“When you work on model code development, that evokes the adage that you should plant a seed now for someone else to sit under that future tree,” he said. “Much of model code work is completed with the hope that in the future, it will protect economic well-being, as well as people’s health, safety and welfare.”  

View all 2025 ICC award recipients here.    

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