“Very soon, I saw opportunities to combine my education, with respect to human biology and earth sciences, with my interest in design and construction—it wasn’t called ‘sustainable development’ then. It was, to me, a natural fit between what’s right for the health of people and for the planet.”
Massaro moved to Napa in 1995 and, in 1999, formed Healthy Buildings USA, focused 100 percent on green and healthy buildings. Today the two companies, Healthy Buildings Management Group, Inc and Healthy Buildings Construction Group, Inc., focus on creating “high performance buildings for a sustainable world.”
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
First, adopting my son, Matthew. Nineteen years later, and it’s still the best thing I’ve ever done. Second, creating Healthy Buildings and then attracting the great people to it that I get to work with every day.
Would you describe yourself as more of a thinker or a feeler?
I tend to think a situation through about six dimensions—perhaps that’s too much.
What’s your favorite place to be? Why?
I’m most relaxed when on the water, be it lake, river or ocean.
Do you have any regrets right now?
Anyone who takes risks has regrets. Sometimes you regret you took the risk, and other times, you regret that you didn’t. Anyone who has no regrets has a very flat life.
What are the top three qualities that draw you to someone new?
Personality, passion about something and a focused purpose.
If you couldn’t fail, what would you do?
I don’t really think about failure, no matter what I do. I think about the resources I need to succeed. Without the resources, I can’t make the leap.
What’s frustrated you in the recent past?
Green public policy has moved too slow. Global warming is happening too fast, and policy must catch up.
What movies have you watched over and over again?
The “Godfather” movies. There’s great business advice hidden therein.
What subject didn’t you pay attention to in school that you now wish you had?
Business and finance. It wasn’t my major, but it should have been. I went back to community college after graduate school to take those classes.
What was the best compliment you ever received?
Someone once said to me, in anger, ”You see the glass as half full and you absolutely know it’s going to be full!” It was meant to be a criticism, but I took it as a compliment. However, over the years, I’ve learned that optimism is only an advantage if coupled with good planning, management and execution.
What’s the one thing you’d really like to learn how to do?
Swim well. Considering how much time I spend boating, you’d think I’d become a better swimmer.
What’s something you’ve done that surprised even you?
I snowmobiled through Northern Idaho, Canada and Montana in one long, dark, 12-degrees-below-zero night. It was a surreal experience.
What would people be surprised to know about you?
I grew up very poor and lived in public housing, which is one reason affordable housing for all is so important to me.
What’s the hobby that takes up most of your time outside of work?
For 25 years, it’s been martial arts training. I’ve slowed down a lot, but I still enjoy how it clears the mind and tunes the body.
Describe one of your funniest life moments.
In 1989, our company was contracted to build a full-size house that would be pulled down the hill in “Lethal Weapon 2.” Our whole company was invited to the shoot, but shortly before it happened, the entire crew broke for supper. I was sitting alone when Mel Gibson came over and spoke with me about what we did and how we built the house. What made it funny was that the rest of the crew (about 100 people) couldn’t figure out who I was or why Gibson was so interested in me. I later I came to find out the crew decided I must be a big-time producer. From that time forward, I was treated very, very well. I laughed for weeks.
