Ben Stapleton has spent more than two decades working at the intersection of real estate, sustainability, and innovation. As CEO of USGBC California, he leads one of the country's largest green building organizations, helping train thousands of industry professionals each year while advancing climate resilience, sustainable development, and low-carbon building solutions across the state.
In this episode of In The Mix, Ben joins Adam live from the California Masonry Council Design & Expo to discuss the future of resilient construction, rebuilding after natural disasters, and the role masonry can play in creating stronger, more sustainable communities.
Drawing from his work supporting wildfire recovery efforts across California, Ben shares lessons learned from rebuilding after devastating fires, how communities can better prepare for future disasters, and why building materials must be evaluated through a long-term lens rather than short-term environmental metrics. He also explores the growing importance of embodied carbon, transparency in construction materials, and why the masonry industry has a unique opportunity to tell a stronger sustainability story.
In This Episode:
- How USGBC California is helping communities prepare for and recover from wildfires
- Lessons learned from rebuilding efforts after major California fire disasters
- Why resilience should be a central focus of modern building design
- The role masonry plays in durability, wildfire resistance, and long-term sustainability
- Common misconceptions about embodied carbon and environmental product declarations (EPDs)
- Why life-cycle thinking matters when evaluating building materials
- How the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics are driving conversations around low-carbon construction
- The importance of transparency, innovation, and data in the future of the building industry
- What the masonry industry can do to better communicate its sustainability advantages
Connect with Ben:
Website: https://usgbc-ca.org/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benstapleton
Learn more about the Northwest Masonry Institute: https://masonryinstitute.com/in-the-mix
What is In The Mix by Northwest Masonry Institute?
In the Mix is a podcast dedicated to the people, projects, and innovations shaping the masonry industry—block by block, brick by brick.
Hosted by Adam Hutchinson, Executive Director and professional engineer, this show brings together architects, engineers, contractors, and industry leaders to explore how masonry drives resilient, sustainable, and high-performance building design.
Each episode breaks down real-world applications of masonry construction, from structural integrity and fire resistance to long-term durability and environmental impact. You’ll hear behind-the-scenes insights, industry challenges, and practical conversations that matter to those designing, building, and specifying with masonry.
If you’re passionate about stronger buildings, smarter construction, and advancing masonry in modern design—this is your place to get in the mix.
Join us in supporting the Masonry Industry mission: https://masonryinstitute.com/in-the-mix