Calgary’s Mike Cole of Sterling Homes honoured as finalist in national Maverick Awards
Now in its second year, Built Green Canada’s Maverick Awards reward and profile leadership in sustainable building, across three exclusive categories—these saw entries from British Columbia through to Ontario. The most popular award was once again for Ambassador Maverick, which recognizes those on the ground, promoting and encouraging sustainable building. This year, one of the finalists was Mike Cole, Director of Operations at Sterling Homes Calgary.
Mike Cole has been with Sterling over 24 years and has proven himself a visionary leader and staunch advocate for sustainable building. As the company's ambassador for Built Green third-party certification, Mike has been instrumental in driving green initiatives, not only within Sterling Homes and throughout the Calgary region, but also across Qualico in Western Canada—helping set new benchmarks for industry, while inspiring peers.
Under his guidance, Sterling Calgary adopted the Built Green standard for all homes and is now on an ambitious journey toward achieving the BUILT GREEN® Gold certification. Mike's dedication to sustainability is further evident through his pivotal role in advancing net zero home initiatives, having successfully led the completion of two net zero homes in the past three years. His innovative approach and commitment to energy-efficient design were also key factors in Sterling Homes winning the BILD Alberta Energy Efficiency Award for the Pierce show home in Vermilion Hill in the fall of 2024.
In addition, Mike has contributed significantly to the Drake Landing Solar Project as a board member, further underlining his commitment to sustainable energy solutions. His ongoing involvement in technical committees for both BILD Alberta and Qualico underscores his expertise and passion for building practices that are not only environmentally responsible but also technologically advanced.
“I’m driven by the real results I see when we build sustainably,” says Mike Cole. “For me, it’s about doing things the right way—making sure our homes are solid, energy-efficient, and built to last. I see sustainable building as a way to be an innovator at Sterling Homes while staying true to our values of quality and customer care.”
Mike has been inspired by hands-on folks in our industry who put their money where their mouth is—and by the success of their work through the Built Green program. He says that working on projects where you can feel the difference—like their net zero homes and award-winning Pierce show home—keeps him going. Built Green gives them a rock-solid way to back up their work. It’s not just a label; it’s a mark of trust that shows their customers they’re getting the best value out there. Though Mike has been a driving force, he acknowledges this work is part of the team’s journey—built on hard work, innovation and real care for their community.
At the end of the day, Mike says he’s here to show that sustainable building is practical, cost-effective and a win-win for everyone. Built Green has become a big part of Sterling’s message because it’s proven that sustainable practices can really work in the real world. He feels it sets them apart in a crowded market and gives them extra leverage when talking to customers and partners.
Mike keeps his message simple: building sustainably means better homes and better value for customers. He knows it hits home when folks tell him they finally get it and see how energy efficiency really saves them money over time. To get the word out, Sterling has kicked off a series on TikTok and Instagram posts called "Cole's Notes." In these short clips, their marketing team and Mike break down the technical stuff into everyday language that anyone can understand.
The effect has been significant. More customers understand the benefits of energy efficiency and see sustainable building as a smart investment in quality and long-term savings. Internally, it’s pushing Sterling to raise their standards and aim for higher goals, like BUILT GREEN® Gold.
In Mike’s opinion, the next step for industry progress is education and collaboration. He feels industry need to show, through real-world examples and clear benefits, that sustainable building isn’t just a trend—it’s the future. By simplifying the technical aspects, as they do with "Cole's Notes," and partnering with influencers, trade schools and home shows, builders can break down those barriers. Ultimately, sharing successes and making sustainability accessible will pave the way for broader industry adoption.
Sterling Homes has over 70 years of experience, building a legacy of quality and trust in the Calgary market, where they’ve constructed over 1,500 homes. They’re a Qualico company, which is one of the largest privately owned real estate companies operating in Western Canada and the United States. Mike’s leadership, technical acumen and relentless pursuit of sustainable building practices has helped drive their organization towards a greener future.
The Maverick Awards are another step forward in Built Green Canada's mission to progress sustainability practices and recognize leadership; this year, four winners have been announced in conjunction with title co-sponsors, Jayman BUILT and SkyFire Energy. For this Ambassador Award, sponsored by the Sustainable Forestry Initiative, the Mavericks recognized Jim Zsiros of J. Zsiros Contracting for exemplifying the power of hands-on ambassadorship—he’s created a ripple effect that’s elevated green building standards, particularly Built Green, across the region. Meanwhile, s2e Technologies won the Innovation Award for their London-based project, EVE Park, which is aiming for a net zero residential development rethinking suburban living: addressing high performance buildings and smart parking. While the Transformational Award had a tie this year. One of its winners is Best Builders for their Phoenix House in Delta, a remarkable rebuild setting a new benchmark for low-carbon renovations, while addressing resilience and holistic sustainability. The other winner is Spring Creek Mountain Village in Canmore, which has transformed from a mobile home park into an impressive multi-phase community largely fueled by geo-exchange, which embraces social, environmental and economic sustainability.