When people walk into a modern office, school, or public building, they rarely think about the energy flowing through its systems, the materials behind its walls, or the environmental impact created during construction. Yet those decisions affect operating costs, occupant health, and carbon emissions for decades. Behind many of these decisions are sustainability experts who help project teams build smarter and perform better. Verdical Group is one of the companies helping make that happen.
Founded in 2012, Verdical Group is a California-based sustainability consulting firm that works with organizations to improve building performance through green building certifications, energy analysis, commissioning, decarbonization strategies, and environmental consulting. As sustainability becomes a greater priority across the construction and real estate industries, the company continues to support projects that seek measurable environmental and operational outcomes.
Building a Company Around Measurable Sustainability
Verdical Group was founded by Drew Shula with the goal of helping organizations integrate sustainability into building projects through practical and measurable strategies. The company began as a specialized consulting practice and has expanded its services over the years to support clients throughout the building lifecycle.
Today, Verdical Group provides sustainability consulting services that include LEED certification management, energy modeling, commissioning, lifecycle assessment, ESG consulting, carbon reduction planning, daylight analysis, and building performance evaluations. The company works with developers, architects, engineers, educational institutions, healthcare organizations, corporations, and public-sector clients across the United States.
Rather than focusing solely on certification outcomes, Verdical’s work often centers on helping project teams understand how sustainability decisions influence energy consumption, building performance, operational efficiency, and environmental impact over time.
Meeting the Growing Demand for Sustainable Buildings
The demand for sustainable buildings has increased significantly over the past decade. Building owners face growing pressure to improve energy efficiency, reduce emissions, meet environmental regulations, and create healthier indoor environments. At the same time, investors, tenants, and communities increasingly expect organizations to demonstrate environmental responsibility. These factors have made sustainability an important consideration during planning, design, construction, and building operations.
Verdical Group supports organizations as they navigate these challenges. Through technical analysis and sustainability planning, the company helps clients evaluate building performance, identify opportunities for improvement, and pursue environmental goals that align with project requirements. The company’s work reflects broader industry efforts to reduce environmental impact while maintaining building functionality and long-term value.
Supporting Projects Through Green Building Certifications
One of Verdical Group’s primary areas of expertise is green building certification consulting. The company has extensive experience supporting projects pursuing Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification. LEED is one of the most widely recognized green building rating systems and provides a framework for improving environmental performance through sustainable design, construction, and operations.
Verdical works with project teams throughout the certification process. Its role often includes documentation management, sustainability strategy development, performance analysis, and coordination among stakeholders pursuing certification goals. In addition to LEED, the company supports projects pursuing other sustainability frameworks and performance standards that promote resource efficiency, environmental responsibility, and improved building performance.
As sustainability standards continue to evolve, organizations increasingly seek guidance from consultants who understand both technical requirements and project implementation. Verdical’s services help project teams navigate these processes while maintaining focus on overall project objectives.
Projects That Demonstrate Sustainable Building Practices
Verdical Group has contributed to projects across educational, commercial, residential, institutional, and civic sectors. Several projects associated with the company’s consulting work have received recognition for sustainable design and environmental performance. Among them are Malibu High School, the Perlita Passive House project, Lake Forest projects, and 120 San Pedro.
The company’s involvement in these projects has included sustainability consulting, certification support, energy analysis, and building performance strategies. Through collaboration with architects, contractors, engineers, and owners, Verdical helps project teams evaluate solutions that support sustainability goals. Project work often involves examining energy use, building materials, indoor environmental quality, and long-term operational performance. These evaluations help project teams make informed decisions during design and construction.
The recognition received by several of these projects reflects the growing importance of sustainability within modern building development.
Industry Recognition and Achievements
Verdical Group has received recognition from organizations focused on business growth, sustainability, and environmental leadership. The company has been recognized on the Inc. 5000 list of America’s fastest-growing private companies. This recognition highlights the company’s growth during the reporting periods evaluated by Inc.
Verdical has also received recognition through the Real Leaders Impact Awards program, which honors businesses that demonstrate positive social and environmental impact alongside business performance. In addition, the company was selected as a finalist in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Dream Big Awards, a national recognition program for small businesses.
Projects associated with Verdical’s consulting work have also received awards from organizations connected to the green building community, including recognition through California green building programs and sustainability-focused industry initiatives. These recognitions reflect the company’s participation in projects and initiatives that have received acknowledgment from industry organizations and professional groups.
Demonstrating Sustainability Through Company Operations
Verdical Group applies sustainability principles not only through client projects but also through company initiatives. The company publishes annual impact reports that document environmental and social performance while outlining goals and progress. These reports provide transparency regarding company activities and sustainability commitments.
Verdical is also a Certified B Corporation, a designation awarded to companies that meet verified standards related to social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. The company operates as a California Benefit Corporation and participates in the 1% for the Planet movement, which supports environmental organizations through corporate giving.
Verdical has publicly reported efforts to offset its historical carbon footprint and has shared information regarding its carbon-positive initiatives. These actions align with the company’s broader focus on environmental responsibility and measurable sustainability outcomes.
Drew Shula’s Leadership and Contribution
Founder and CEO Drew Shula has played a central role in shaping Verdical Group’s direction and growth since establishing the company in 2012. Shula earned a five-year Bachelor of Architecture degree from the University of Notre Dame and completed a supplementary major in Philosophy. His educational background provided a foundation in design, critical thinking, and building performance that later influenced his work in sustainability consulting.
According to company information, Verdical Group began in a Pasadena garage before growing into a national sustainability consulting firm serving projects across multiple sectors. Throughout his career, Shula has received several professional recognitions for his contributions to sustainable building practices. The U.S. Green Building Council named him a LEED Fellow, one of the highest distinctions within the LEED community.
He also received the Living Future Hero Award, which recognizes leadership and contributions within the sustainability movement. In addition, Building Design + Construction named him to its 40 Under 40 list, recognizing professionals making significant contributions to the architecture, engineering, and construction industries.
Beyond consulting work, Shula founded the Net Zero Conference, an annual event focused on climate action, decarbonization, sustainability, and the future of the built environment. The conference brings together industry professionals, policymakers, business leaders, and sustainability experts to discuss solutions and emerging trends. Under his leadership, Verdical Group expanded its service offerings and continued working on projects throughout the United States that focus on sustainability and building performance.
Looking Toward the Future
The construction industry continues to evolve as organizations seek ways to reduce emissions, improve resource efficiency, and meet sustainability goals. Building performance, decarbonization, energy efficiency, and environmental accountability are becoming increasingly important considerations for project owners and developers. These priorities are influencing how buildings are planned, designed, constructed, and operated.
Verdical Group’s services align with these industry developments. Through certification consulting, energy analysis, commissioning, ESG advisory services, and sustainability planning, the company supports organizations working to improve environmental performance and operational efficiency.
As sustainability requirements continue to expand across the built environment, consulting firms that provide technical expertise and performance-focused guidance will remain important contributors to project development and implementation.
Since its founding in 2012, Verdical Group has focused on helping organizations incorporate sustainability into building projects through measurable and practical strategies. The company works across multiple sectors, providing services that include certification consulting, energy modeling, commissioning, environmental analysis, and decarbonization planning. Its recognition through industry awards, sustainability initiatives, and project achievements reflects years of participation in the evolving green building sector.
Under the leadership of founder and CEO Drew Shula, Verdical Group continues to support projects that seek improved environmental performance, resource efficiency, and long-term building value. As sustainable development becomes an increasingly important priority throughout the construction industry, the company’s work remains connected to the broader effort to create higher-performing and more environmentally responsible buildings.
