2020 40 Under 40: Johnathan Woodside, PE, LEED AP O+M, CxA, CEM, GGP, GBE, 37
Senior Mechanical Engineer, Gresham Smith, Nashville; BS Mechanical Engineering, Tennessee State University; MBA, Tennessee Technological University
Woodside had originally considered a career in manufacturing until an HVAC class made him realize his real passion was in mechanical engineering. His initial assignments in U.S. Green Building Council LEED projects put him on the path to becoming a sustainability expert. His keen understanding of sustainability and his business development and management skills quickly made him an authority on energy modeling, code compliance and green building ratings. In addition to being a commissioning leader and a driving force for the company, he is a sustainability leader and helps integrate sustainability into the firm’s culture, processes and outcomes by using a framework to identify, measure and communicate progress. Woodside helps teams track data and analyze building performance from design through construction and into operations to prove energy performance. Woodside also educates employees on energy code updates, sharing how to make design decisions that will improve building performance even when codes don’t require it yet. Woodside is an active member of ASHRAE and serves on the Metro Nashville Fire & Building Code Appeals Board. He’s also a board member and the building operations chair at Rockettown, a youth outreach facility in the heart of downtown Nashville that provides afterschool academic enrichment, creative arts programs, live music, a skate park and gathering spaces. Outside of work, Woodside enjoys spending time with his wife and their two children. He’s a skilled guitar player and for many years was the frontman for Nashville-based band Alan’s Folly. He still enjoys writing music in his free time, as well as building furniture and toys for his family.
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