WASHINGTON—Tim Cole, director of environmental initiatives and product development for Forbo Flooring Systems, has been selected as chair-elect of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).

“This is a crucial time in history for the sustainable movement due to the global momentum,” Cole said, which includes President Obama’s “urgency to stop climate change [before it becomes too late]. Though we live in a country that hasn’t set the greatest of examples— we are 5% of the world population and consume 25% of all resources—it’s now time for us to turn that around and lead by example.”

He added if the development in China and India follow the past example of the U.S., “then in the coming years there’s a good possibility this planet will not be able to meet the resource demand placed on it. The flooring industry, as well as all industries, have the responsibility to re-evaluate their manufacturing processes and products in order to make the lowest environmental impact possible and to ensure that future generations are able to have what we have today.”

Cole becomes the second person from the flooring industry in the USGBC’s 15-year history to hold the organization’s top position. James Hartzfeld of Interface Americas, who served from 2004 to 2006, was the first. Chair-elect is a three-year term, which includes one year as president-elect, one year as chair, and one year as immediate past chair.