Implementing the latest green building practices to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED™) certification, DPR Construction, Inc., a forward-thinking national contractor/construction manager, kicks off construction of its new 52,300-sq.-ft., high-performance office building in Sacramento. Owned by DPR and ABD Insurance and Financial Services Inc. through a limited liability corporation, the ground-up facility has been designated the first privately owned LEED™ project in California’s Central Valley and is designed to increase energy efficiency, enhance water conservation, and provide a higher quality indoor environment for DPR and ABD employees.

According to DPR’s Neal Cordeiro, who serves as co-manager with ABD’s Sam Jones of DPR/ABD’s limited liability corporation, analysis and studies have show that green buildings not only reduce long-term operational costs but also help boost productivity among employees. For example, energy savings between 25 and 50 percent are typically experienced and absenteeism reduced by 15 to 40 percent in green/LEED-certified facilities. For their new building, DPR and ABD anticipate a return on their HVAC system investment in two and a half years.

“Once you review all of the benefits of building a green facility, it makes perfect business sense, especially when it comes to providing a safe and healthy environment for the approximately 200 employees in the building,” said Cordeiro.

Designed by LPA Sacramento, Inc. to accommodate both DPR and ABD’s recent growth—providing a central location for employees and allowing for future expansion—the facility includes design elements that provide individuals in the office with access to fresh air and natural light, as well as offer a connection to the outdoors. Cordeiro said that these features were added based on research by the Green Building Alliance that found that people who work in green buildings tend to be more productive, call in sick less and stay with a company longer.

Managing the LEED™-certification process with its own customized green building tools, DPR is utilizing a variety of environmentally sensitive programs during the construction process, including recycling, reduction of construction debris, and selecting wood products certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, as well as numerous earth friendly materials, selected for their high-recycled content, durability, low-maintenance and non-toxicity. DPR will also install a frictionless, turbo-core compressor, utilizing magnets rather than oil.

An active member of the U.S. Green Building Council since 1999, DPR has LEED™-trained professionals in its offices across the nation and has constructed green/LEED™-certified projects for such customers as Aspect Communications, Lewis & Clark College, CarrAmerica, The Evergreen State College, and the Lower Colorado River Authority.

Joining DPR, ABD and LPA Sacramento, on the project team are structural engineer, Culp & Tanner, Inc.; mechanical engineer, Airco Mechanical Inc.; electrical engineer, Placer Electric Incorporated; civil engineer, Psomas & Associates; and fire protection engineer, Systems Tech. With construction currently underway, the project is scheduled for completion in September 2003.

About DPR Construction, Inc.

A forward-thinking national commercial contactor and construction manager, DPR Construction, Inc., has been “building great things,” since it was founded in 1990 by Doug Woods, Peter Nosler and Ron Davidowski (a.k.a. the initials or D, P and R), including:

• Great project teams in 17 offices across the nation, including Northern California offices in Sacramento, Pleasanton, Redwood City, San Francisco and San Jose.
• Great relationships with customers, such as Apple Computer, Bayer Corp., Blue Shield of California, HCA, Kaiser Permanente, Oracle, NBA/WNBA Sacramento Kings and Monarchs, Sun Microsystems and University of the Pacific.
• Great results in 2001 with annual revenue of $1.8 billion and recognition for its collaborative approach, safety program, use of technology and green building practices, and its ability to meet customers’ smaller scale needs, including projects ranging from $1,000 to $5 million, through its Special Services Group.

Specializing in technically demanding and environmentally sound projects, DPR serves the healthcare, corporate, biotech/pharmaceutical, education, mission critical (data/telecom), broadcast, entertainment, semiconductor, and warehouse and distribution industries. The privately held, employee-owned company employs more than 2,200 professional staff and union crafts persons. For more information, please visit DPR’s Website at http://www.dprinc.com.

About ABD Insurance and Financial Services Inc.:

One of the nation's largest privately held insurance brokerages, global risk management and employee benefits consulting firms, ABD merged with Greater Bay Bancorp (Nasdaq: GBBK) in March 2002 and is now part of one of the country's fastest growing family of financial services firms ($8.5 billion in assets). ABD offers complete insurance and financial services protection, including employee benefits, property & casualty, international and retirement consulting services. At present, ABD has nearly 600 employees, nine offices across California, and more than $100 million in annual revenues. For additional information on ABD and its products and services, visit the company’s award winning Web site at http://www.cybersure.com.