A Charleston native and graduate of the architecture program at Clemson University, Joel McKellar, LEED AP BD+C has been a researcher at LS3P ASSOCIATES LTD. since 2005. While his research interests at LS3P are broad, McKellar quickly realized the need for substantial education in sustainable design and construction practices. Since earning his LEED accreditation in 2006 he has served as founding chairman of the Lowcountry Branch of the US Green Building Council and has taught multiple LEED training courses both within LS3P and for USGBC South Carolina. In his capacity as a LEED coordinator at LS3P, he has overseen the completion of five LEED certified projects totaling over 800,000 sf of floor area. In 2008 he founded the website RealLifeLEED.com which is devoted to providing free, practical resources to practicing LEED professionals. His work on Real Life LEED is syndicated by publications such as Architectural Record and Greensource and reaches over 5,000 unique visitors monthly.