Mary Katherine and Marc Receive Sustainability Champions Award
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Sustainable North Carolina Recognizes Five Individuals as “Sustainability Champions”
Raleigh, NC – October 28, 2008 – Sustainable North Carolina (SNC) has announced that it is honoring five individuals for outstanding achievements in promoting social responsibility and environmental stewardship in business.
While this is the 7th annual Sustainable North Carolina Awards program, this is the first year that the Sustainability Champion award for individuals has been given.
“Whenever we hear about the achievements of an organization with respect to sustainability, there is usually an individual behind the scenes who is the driving force for getting people on board to make these changes,” said Katy Ansardi, president of SNC. “We felt it was time to recognize some of the people who are taking a leadership role in creating a better future for our state.”
Dennis Quaintance
As CEO and CDO (Chief Design Officer) for Quaintance-Weaver Restaurants and Hotels in Greensboro, Dennis Quaintance has guided the company to the completion of a groundbreaking , internationally recognized project that exemplifies the ambitious set of core values the company holds. His entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to inclusion and sustainability have inspired many people. Dennis is passionate about making North Carolina the leader in our country to promote and demonstrate sustainable capitalism to ensure a healthy future for the planet and for generations to come.
Richard Deming
Rich Deming has demonstrated extraordinary leadership, innovation and significant results in not one, but multiple organizations in the Charlotte area. He has streamlined the implementation of green building practices and solar energy through his construction company, Aedifico, driven the completion of the first B100 biofuel pump in the region, and created and marketed a line of innovative plant-based products to replace petroleum-based products through his company Fat City Formulae, while also teaching a biofuels course and assisting with efforts to create sustainable low-income housing and temporary shelters for the homeless.
Marc Dreyfors and Mary Katherine Williams
Marc Dreyfors and Mary Katherine Williams have founded multiple local and international organizations over the past 15 years that provide economic development opportunities and social benefits while addressing environmental issues. Their Green Oil Campus, located in an at-risk Durham neighborhood, incorporates many aspects of sustainability and looks at it through a systems approach. Marc and Mary Katherine go well beyond this simple presence and actively engage the community through hosting events and workshops, making space available for use, and hiring people from the neighborhood.
Courtney Lorenz
As Environmental Manager for Skanska USA Building in Durham, Courtney Lorenz is leading the environmental charge for the company locally and across the U.S. Through education sessions, application on jobsites, and incentives to encourage environmentally responsible choices, Courtney helps to connect the dots for Skanska employees and clients, while providing real-world solutions. Courtney works to make important changes locally that through her national influence can not only push improvements nationwide, but also showcase North Carolina as a source of innovation.
The honorees will be presented with their awards at a gala dinner banquet and ceremony emceed by Chris William, host of Carolina Business review, on Monday, November 10th, at the Raleigh Convention Center. The keynote address will be delivered by noted author and management strategist, Peter Senge.
Attendees will have an opportunity to meet the Champion award recipients, as well as finalists for the other awards, at a reception prior to the ceremony. In addition, the NC Sustainable Business Council (NCSBC), a member-led initiative of SNC, will hold its semi-annual forum earlier in the day in conjunction with the awards program. Business executives and experts will discuss the real-world challenges and lessons learned from implementing sustainable practices.
Major sponsors for the 2008 Sustainable North Carolina Awards are Cisco, Cherokee Investment Partners, PBS&J, SAS, Burt’s Bees, and EarthCREW. Other sponsors include Lenovo, Duke Energy, NC GreenPower, Biltmore, Kilpatrick Stockton, The Redwoods Group Foundation, NC State Energy Office and Pepco Energy Services.
For more information about the Sustainable North Carolina Awards, NCSBC Forum, and Sustainable Solutions Expo visit www.sustainnc.org/awards.
About Sustainable North Carolina
Sustainable North Carolina (SNC) is a non-profit organization that works as a catalyst for a sustainable economy through professional education, networking, implementation assistance and recognition. SNC is spearheading the NC Sustainable Business Council (NCSBC) to provide business leadership for an environmentally, socially and economically sustainable future. NCSBC is a member-directed organization that provides a forum for business people to network, collaborate, access information and resources, and create awareness.
About Sustainable North Carolina Awards
Sustainable North Carolina initiated its awards program in 2002 to honor organizations leading the way in creating solutions for a sustainable future. Since then, the SNC Awards has grown into a high profile event that attracts hundreds of business, government, non-profit and academic leaders from across the Southeast.