Career Journey Spotlight: Embracing Challenges, Building Success

For John Leitner, career growth has never been about following a predetermined path. Instead, it has been shaped by curiosity, a willingness to take on new challenges, and a commitment to solving complex problems. Today, as Senior Vice President supporting New York business development, John brings over 30 years of experience, leadership, and industry knowledge to clients and colleagues alike.  

Building a Foundation in Engineering and Leadership

John began his professional journey as a mechanical engineer after graduating from Villanova University. Early in his career, he worked for an engineering firm in Pennsylvania before transitioning to the aerospace industry, where he spent approximately ten years developing his technical and leadership skills. During that time, he advanced from Sales Engineer to Director, taking on significant responsibilities at a remarkably young age.  

While aerospace provided valuable experience, John was searching for an opportunity to lead an organization. That opportunity came when he joined an environmental consulting firm, shifting his career from engineering into the environmental sector. The move allowed him to combine his technical background with his passion for business leadership. Along the way, he also earned his MBA, further strengthening his business acumen. 

Embracing New Challenges

Reflecting on his transition into environmental consulting, John points to the opportunity to lead, strengthen, and improve a business as a defining motivator. 

Joining a small environmental firm presented a very different challenge from working at a large aerospace company. John focused on understanding the business, identifying areas for improvement, and helping the organization grow. That experience helped shape his entrepreneurial vision, and he ultimately left the firm to launch Environmental Building Solutions (EBS). 

As EBS grew, John expanded both the company's capabilities and his own expertise, developing specialized knowledge in Phase I, II, and III Environmental Site Assessments, contamination investigations, indoor environmental quality, microbiological surveys, LEED compliance, and asbestos and lead-based paint inspections and management planning. He also became actively involved in industry organizations, including the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) and the International Facility Management Association (IFMA) of Greater New York, building strong relationships throughout the industry while helping position the company for long-term success. 

What began as a small operation continued to expand and evolve, eventually merging with CodeGreen. With John's leadership, the combined organization grew into a successful company, carrying forward its environmental consulting foundation while broadening the services and expertise available to clients. 

Today, John continues to play a key role in CodeGreen's growth strategy. By strengthening relationships with clients and channel partners, expanding awareness of the firm's capabilities, and helping connect clients with experts across multiple disciplines, he is helping drive the next phase of growth in New York City and beyond. His work focuses on delivering practical solutions while ensuring clients have access to the full range of services needed to support compliance, environmental performance, and the evolving demands of the built environment. 

A Leadership Philosophy Built on Commitment

When asked what prepared him for leadership, John points to a simple philosophy: volunteer for responsibility and never step away from a challenge. 

Throughout his career, he consistently raised his hand for difficult assignments, often taking ownership of projects and responsibilities that others might avoid. Whether that meant working extended hours to meet critical deadlines or helping clients navigate complex situations, John developed a reputation for finding solutions and delivering results. He believes that dedication to clients and a willingness to step up when needed have played an important role in his professional success. 

Today, one of the most rewarding aspects of his role is mentoring the next generation of professionals. Sharing knowledge, helping others grow, and seeing colleagues develop confidence in their abilities continues to be a driving force in his leadership approach. 

Michael Borello, Executive Vice President for US Operations and close colleague of John's reflect on the impact John has had on clients, colleagues, and the New York City real estate community:

"John has always been a trusted advisor, leader, business associate and friend. His grace under-pressure style of leadership has provided guidance to clients for the last 40 years.  He's been a selfless advocate for the NYC real estate community and a staunch advocate for building owners and managers throughout his career. Personally, he has been a guiding light and exemplary business partner who has provided me with a model blueprint to follow throughout my career." 

Navigating One of New York's Greatest Challenges

Among the many experiences that have shaped John's career, his work following the events of September 11, 2001, stands out as both his greatest professional challenge and one of his proudest accomplishments. 

Immediately after the tragedy, John was involved in environmental sampling and assessment efforts throughout lower Manhattan, completing work in over 50 buildings. Over the years that followed, he worked on numerous projects related to post 9/11 recovery, including leading the environmental investigation and cleanup coordination for 90 Church Street. The project required identifying contamination issues, developing scopes of work, and overseeing remediation efforts to help return the building to occupancy.  

The experience reinforced many of the qualities that continue to define John’s approach today: perseverance, accountability, and a commitment to helping clients navigate challenging situations.  

Driving Growth Through Collaboration

Since CodeGreen became part of the broader Pinchin, John has seen meaningful growth and new opportunities for collaboration. He notes that the organization has become increasingly integrated, bringing together experts across multiple disciplines to provide comprehensive solutions for clients. 

For John, one of the most exciting aspects of this evolution is the ability to connect clients with a wider range of expertise. After spending much of his career focused on environmental consulting, he now works closely with specialists across building envelope, code consulting, energy performance and sustainability, and other service areas. This collaborative approach gives clients access to broader support while preserving the responsiveness and trusted relationships that have always been central to John’s work. 

Advice for Future Leaders

For professionals looking to advance their careers, John offers two key pieces of advice: be patient enough to listen and be willing to take on additional responsibility. Throughout his career, he learned by listening to experienced professionals and absorbing insights from people with different expertise and perspectives. He credits much of his growth to taking the time to learn from others rather than assuming he already had the answers. 

John also believes that career development often comes from volunteering for new challenges. Whether it meant taking on extra projects, accepting greater responsibility, or stepping outside his comfort zone, he consistently looked for opportunities to gain experience and broaden his skill set. He encourages students, early-career professionals, and those considering a career change to embrace opportunities that help them learn and grow. 

Looking Ahead

John Leitner's career is a testament to the impact of listening, learning, and stepping forward when opportunities arise. From his early days in engineering to building and growing a successful environmental consulting business, he has consistently embraced challenges and invested in the development of those around him. Whether advising clients, mentoring young professionals, or supporting his colleagues at CodeGreen, John remains dedicated to helping others succeed while continuing to learn and grow himself.