LAS VEGAS—Further advancing its commitment to corporate social responsibility, MGM Resorts International announced the appointments of two proven leaders in the field of environmental sustainability. Chris Magee has been promoted to Vice President of Sustainable Facilities, while Yalmaz Siddiqui joined MGM Resorts as Vice President of Corporate Sustainability. “Implementing efficient, sustainable and morally responsible practices across our operations is a top priority for MGM Resorts,” said Cindy Ortega, Senior Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer for MGM Resorts International. “Not only is it the right thing to do, but it is also a competitive differentiator. For these reasons, it is...

Name: Niki Zoli Title: Director, Social Responsibility & Community Engagement Company: Marriott International, Inc. Years with company: Nine Primary responsibilities: “My focus is on our natural capital projects and youth engagement programming, working with our communications team, and sustainability reporting.” Company’s most significant sustainability-related accomplishment: “I would say it is really about our efforts to provide opportunities in general—on the natural capital front and for youth. Our effort to preserve the Amazon rainforest was significant.” Company’s most significant sustainability-related challenge moving forward: “Climate change. The situation is more urgent now than ever. We set our environmental goals in 2008. Soon we will be announcing our...

YOUNTVILLE, CALIF.—Bardessono Hotel & Spa, the luxurious, LEED Platinum certified wine country retreat in the heart of Napa Valley, announced Jennifer Mayo as the new Spa and Shop Director of the award-winning spa. With over a decade of valuable industry experience, Mayo will contribute her management skills and creative expertise to oversee all operational aspects of the spa and boutique shop. Letting nature guide the nourishment of both body and spirit, the acclaimed Spa at Bardessono creates an environment that celebrates natural beauty. The seasonally-driven spa menu features rotating treatments and essential oils that target the needs of the...

LAS VEGAS—The Sustainable Green Printing Partnership (SGP) announced that Vice President of Sustainability for Las Vegas Sands Corp. Katarina Tesarova will serve as the keynote speaker for its upcoming 2016 Printing Industry Sustainability Conference, which will be held at the Renaissance Las Vegas Hotel on September 13. As Vice President of Sustainability, Tesarova has developed and implemented a comprehensive sustainability strategy designed to measurably reduce Las Vegas Sands’ impact on the environment. The organization’s award-winning sustainability program lends expertise, manpower, and knowledge to environmental efforts worldwide, which makes Tesarova an ideal fit to speak to an exclusive conference of printers...

Name: John Roberts Title: Director of Elephants & Conservation Activities Organization: Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas & Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation Years with organization: 13 Primary responsibilities: Most of Roberts’ responsibility is split several ways—managing the Foundation, working directly with the hotels to help them through their Green Growth 2050 sustainability certification, and working with the Minor International Sustainability Team on local and global policies to ensure what they do in Anantara is aligned with the vision of the board. Organization’s most significant sustainability-related accomplishment: Roberts says, “I think our greatest sustainability related accomplishment (which also has welfare implications, by the way) so...

NORWALK, CONN.—Russ Rogg, President and CEO of Metroflor Corp., along with Harlan Stone, Halstead and Group CEO, announced the appointment of Rochelle Routman, LEED AP, O+M, as the first Chief Sustainability Officer for Metroflor and Halstead International. Routman will oversee product development, customer service and regulatory aspects in a collaborative fashion to define the greatest potential for environmental leadership. She will be based at the company’s Calhoun, Ga. campus. Rochelle brings over 30 years’ experience as a sustainability and environmental professional. At Lockheed Martin Aeronautical Systems, where she served as Pollution Prevention and Environmental Safety Coordinator in the 1990s, she...

Name: Wes Shirley Title: Director of Engineering Hotel: Grand Hyatt Atlanta in Buckhead Years with hotel: Six Primary responsibilities: “It’s my responsibility to make sure every single guest that stays in our hotel has a flawless and enjoyable stay. I do that by making sure that my employees are happy, well trained and completely engaging with our guests. It’s my responsibility to the owners to ensure that their building is well maintained. At all times it should look and run like a new hotel. It’s also my duty to spend their money wisely, always looking for new, inventive ways to lower their costs...

Name: Scott Lipscomb Title: Environmental Coordinator Company: McMenamins Years with McMenamins: Almost 24 years Primary responsibilities: “Diverting waste out of the landfills at our 56 locations (including our 10 hotel properties), educating employees and setting up recycle/compost programs at locations.” Company’s biggest accomplishment in the area of sustainability so far: “Waste diversion, saving historic properties and reinvigorating communities.” Company’s biggest challenge in the area of sustainability moving forward: “Better energy management, using LED lights, using alternative energy sources, reducing our carbon footprint.” PORTLAND, ORE.—Scott Lipscomb is always trash talking. It is his job, literally, as Environmental Coordinator at McMenamins in Portland, Ore. If there is something...

BRIDGETOWN, BARBADOS—The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) has appointed Dominican native Amanda Charles as Sustainable Tourism Specialist. Charles will coordinate and implement the CTO’s sustainable tourism program aimed at enhancing the development, growth, quality, competitiveness and sustainability of Caribbean tourism. Charles is a tourism professional with several years of experience, having worked most recently as the adviser to the Directorate of Sustainable Tourism at the Association of Caribbean States (ACS) in Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago, a position she held for five years. While there Charles coordinated the directorate’s sustainable tourism program and managed the financial, technical and logistical aspects of...

Name: Tom Rhodes Title: NC (North Carolina) GreenTravel Initiative Program Manager Organization: North Carolina Division of Environmental Assistance and Customer Service (NC DEACS) Years with NC GreenTravel Initiative: Almost five years Primary responsibilities: “I manage our website, write updates for Visit North Carolina newsletters, review applications for the NC GreenTravel program, visit businesses to present the program and talk about how to become a green destination. I coach applicants and provide technical assistance with our waste reduction partners.” Program’s biggest accomplishment so far: “We are at 176 businesses in the NC GreenTravel Initiative, 64 of which are lodging establishments.” Program’s biggest challenge moving forward: “When...