CINCINNATI, OHIO, April 19, 2012, 1:26 am -- /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