An engineer and journalist, Russell Fortmeyer leads the consulting practice, as well as the sustainable design group, for ARUP's Los Angeles office. Since 2011, Fortmeyer has been a faculty member at the Souther California Institute of Architecture, where his classes focus on environmental systems, design for climate change, and facades. From 2012 to 2018, he served on the board of the U.S. Green Building Council's LA chapter. He is currently working with the City of Los Angeles to update its sustainability and climate action plans. His projects include the LEED-Platinum-rated Treepeople Center for Community Forestry, LEED-Platinum Kaiser Permanente San Diego Medical Center, and the Zero Net Energy-designed Beirut Embassy.