Professional Builder 40 Under 40: C.J. Herro

C.R. Herro, 40* VP, environmental affairs Meritage Homes, Scottsdale, Ariz. EDUCATION BS, Physical and Life Science, Arizona State University; MS, Environmental Policy, Governors State University; PhD, Environmental Engineering, Illinois Institute of Technology ACCOMPLISHMENTS Leads firm’s Energy Efficiency and Sustainability program, which aims to advance energy-efficiency benchmarks for production home building Established Meritage Green program to improve function, operating efficiency, health, and safety of company’s homes at no additional cost to consumers Helped launch multiple communities that exceed Energy Star and Building America energy-efficiency goals EXTRACURRICULAR RESNET Strategic Positioning Task Force Board member, Energy and Environmental Building Alliance Technical committee, Leading Builders of America, Best Practices Research Alliance OFF THE CLOCK Stress relief: swimming Biggest food craving: Tom Yum Gai soup Fave hobby: Sailing (grandfather taught him on 16-foot catamaran) On the nightstand: “Jonathan Livingston Seagull” SECRET LIFE Once caused a rush-hour traffic jam on I-25 in Denver while saving a stray Chihuahua *was under age 40 when entry form was submitted