The longtime founder of the U.S. Green Building Council is stepping down.

Rick Fedrizzi, who co-founded the group and has acted as its CEO since 2003, announced that he will resign as chief executive officer at the end of next year.

“As one of the founders of USGBC, I never could have imagined the sweeping global impact the organization would have, the wide-ranging work that could be accomplished, the dramatic change in our industry that we would lead, the scale of the innovation we would spark or the number of lives we would touch,” Fedrizzi said. “It’s been a humbling and gratifying experience.”

Since 2009, Fedrizzi has also worked as chief of the new Green Building Certification Institute, now known as Green Business Certification Inc. The GBCI is an independent certification service for the USGBC’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design rating system and other groups.

“I am looking forward to working with the board to assure a successful transition for the new CEO come 2017,” Fedrizzi said. “The organization’s executive team is seasoned and capable, assuring that USGBC’s work will continue to be executed at a high level and that USGBC’s reputation as a leading voice in the sustainability movement will continue uninterrupted. The emerging leaders across the organization are running sophisticated global business units of their own.  Coupled with our exceptional volunteers, it’s clear that the organization is positioned for a bright and prosperous future.”