Messer Collaboration To Expand Green Build Boot Camp To Dayton


Released on: April 19, 2012, 1:26 am
Author:
Industry: Small Business

CINCINNATI, OHIO, -- /EPR NETWORK/ -- “Sustainability is becoming a necessity in gaining a competitive advantage,” says Icy L. Williams, president of ACF Enterprises LLC. Messer Construction Co. and ACF are expanding the "Green Build Boot Camp" to Dayton following the successful graduation of 69 Cincinnati participants in 2011. Messer in Dayton, Ohio is collaborating with the Dayton Minority Business Partnership, a program of the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce and LAND sds, a sustainability consultant company, to support the educational initiative in Montgomery County. The goal is to build sustainable companies to serve the region’s emerging green economy.

As part of the collaborative effort and commitment to inclusion, Messer and the Minority Business Partnership will host an informational event for contractors, as well as MBE, WBE, and SBE subcontractors to learn more about the certificate program and its competitive advantages for inclusion in green building. The intent is to increase sustainability-based thinking, perspectives and behaviors that are integrated into everyday operating procedures and the culture of the company, with an outcome of a complete transformation to sustainable operations in the construction and construction-related industries.

“Through the Green Build Boot Camp workshops, we are ensuring that our inclusion program represents businesses of all kinds and sizes. It’s a way to support the development and utilization of small businesses, and especially businesses owned by minorities, women and veterans,” says Allen Begley, Messer’s Vice President and leader of the Dayton region.

At the core of the initiative is a unique supplier development program designed to give businesses in construction and construction-related trades a basic understanding of sustainability concepts, the emerging green economy and the green built environment. The technology-based program, designed by the International Sustainability Institute of Applied Sciences, has three levels of proprietary training that move a participating business along a Sustainability Continuum© of continuous improvements.

Messer began its sponsorship of the Green Build Boot Camp program at the corporate office in Cincinnati, by hosting the first level of basic sustainability training at its headquarters on Fishwick Drive in the Bond Hill community. The workshops, conducted by the International Sustainability Institute of Applied Sciences, included a “show and tell” virtual tour of Messer’s green headquarters, which was recently awarded LEED Silver EB Certification for an existing building. Participants learned first-hand how transitioning to sustainable operations can build value and competitive advantage into the enterprise.

Dr. Tyra Oldham, president & CEO of LAND sds, one of the first Green Build Boot Camp graduates to incorporate sustainability into an action plan, is leveraging the training as a business strategy in her consulting practice.

“I took additional courses with the International Sustainability Institute of Applied Sciences to become a Certified Sustainability Consultant, increasing my credentials and expertise to help suppliers, contractors and sub-contractors to expand green practices the industry,” says Dr. Oldham. She will work with the Minority Business Partnership and program of the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce and Messer as a resource to businesses interested in going beyond the basic training.

Messer will host its second graduation ceremony for Green Build Boot Camp participants in Dayton sometime this summer. Meanwhile, businesses can start the process of sustainable development by registering at www.greenlinksupplier.com.

About the International Sustainability Institute of Applied Sciences
The International Sustainability Institute of Applied Sciences (ISIAS) is the educational business unit of ACF Enterprises, LLC, a woman-owned enterprise with a unique sustainability practice. The company focuses on knowledge exchange of sustainable concepts, principles and best practices . Consistent with its mission, the ISIAS offers state-of-the-art certificate training and green business certification to build a 21st century workforce. ACF have designed the Green Build Boot Camp and the SEMS™ Certification program, which includes a supplier sustainability environmental scorecard that sets the standard for what it means to be a sustainable business. For more information contact Icy L. Williams, President & CEO.

About the Chamber
The Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce brings together over 3,000 businesses and organizations in southwestern Ohio. The Chamber strives to improve the region’s business climate and overall standard of living through public policy advocacy, economic development initiatives, and a variety of information, and original service and training resources for its members. Recognized as the U.S. “Chamber of the Year” in 1998 and nationally awarded with “5-Star Accreditation” from the United States Chamber of Commerce in 2005, 2010 respectfully. The Dayton Chamber is widely recognized for its effective organizational procedures, innovative programs, and outstanding contribution to positive change in the region. Information about the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce is available at www.daytonchamber.org or 937-226-1444.

Green Build Boot Camp training sponsored by Messer is expanding to Dayton to promote inclusion in the construction industry.

Messer Consturction Co., ACF Enterprises and the Dayton Minority Business Partnership will host an informational event on May 18th for prime contractors, MBE, WBE, and SBE subcontractors on green building training program.

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Contact Details: Icy L. Williams, President
ACF Enterprises LLC/ International Sustainability Institute
Of Applied Sciences
513/242-1066 or 513/335-1978
icywilliams@isias-acf.com
www.isias-acf.com www.greenlinksuppliers.com

Sonya Walton, Senior Economic Inclusion Manager
Messer Construction Co.
swalton@messer.com
513-242-1541

Dr. Tyra Oldham, President & CEO
LAND sds
tyraoldham@landsds.com