A major data center industry organization focused on promoting energy efficiency measures in mission critical facilities has altered is focus toward sustainable IT and has appointed a new leader.

Mark Monroe, an IT industry veteran and one of The Green Grid's founding directors, will replace Larry Vertal as the organization's executive director. Vertal has been in the role since 2009.

The Green Grid said it was expanding its focus and deliverables to address growing trends toward sustainability and resource efficiency of IT.

Monroe said The Green Grid's expanded focus gave opportunities to more organizations to contribute to the group's growing body of work related to efficiency of IT. "We welcome and encourage active participation and collaboration from interested members and affiliates across the global technology, sustainability and government landscape."

In addition to his 30 years in the IT industry, Monroe has been active in the sustainability arena. His most recent role at Sun Microsystems (now owned by Oracle) was director of sustainable computing.

Monroe is also on the board of directors for the Center for ReSource Conservation in Boulder, Colorado. He is a founding sponsor of the University of Colorado's Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute.