LAS VEGAS—Corporate Responsibility (CR) Magazine, a preeminent publication which recognizes America’'s most socially responsible chief executives, has named Jim Murren, Chairman & CEO of MGM Resorts International, a 2013 Responsible CEO of the Year Award winner. The annual awards are presented to CEOs across industries that clearly exceed standards in the areas of employee relations, environmental impact, human rights, philanthropy, and corporate responsibility practices.“In a business landscape where transparency, sincerity and social impact are an ever important business goal, we are pleased to shine a spotlight on a group of individuals and their organizations which exude a commitment to...

Name: Michael SuomiTitle: Founder of Futuregreen Hospitality Forum Years with Futuregreen Hospitality Forum: TwoResponsibilities with Futuregreen Hospitality Forum: Primary organizer of annual event—a one-day, intensive session focusing on one common goal: envisioning the future of sustainable hospitality. Futuregreen provides a platform bringing together designers, brands, owners, and manufacturers with the mission of leading the hospitality industry to positively impact the environment and society.   NEW YORK—Having heard enough “Green 101” and tired of attending green conferences at non-sustainable venues where he would get a “swag bag of junk made in China,” Michael Suomi hatched the idea of an intensive one-day...

AVON, COLO.—With more than 15 years of hospitality experience, Burrell helped open The Westin Riverfront in 2008 as the director of operations, a position that he held for more than four years and where he oversaw the sustainable luxury efforts that helped the resort become Colorado’s first Silver LEED certified hotel. Burrell most recently served as the general manager of Virginia’s historic Mountain Lake Lodge, which completed an extensive multi-million dollar renovation under his leadership. He also previously held management positions at the Brown Palace Hotel & Spa in Denver, the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Tampa and...

BANGKOK—Internationally acclaimed sustainable tourism expert Costas Christ is to join Six Senses as sustainability ambassador, it was announced by Six Senses’ president, Bernhard Bohnenberger.Highly respected as a global pioneer of eco-tourism, Costas helped to officially define the term as a founding member and former chairman of the International Ecotourism Society. NBC Today Show’s travel editor said, “For the past 30 years, Costas Christ has been at the leading edge of the green travel movement, since way before it was ever called ‘green’ or even a movement.”The announcement of Costas’ role follows the recent appointment of Amber Marie Beard as...

Name: Abby GuldenTitle: Sustainability Coordinator Organization: Orange County Convention CenterYears at Orange County Convention Center: OnePrimary responsibilities: “My primary responsibilities are three-prong: managing in-house facility-based sustainability initiatives; managing client relations as it pertains to sustainability; and pursuing external relationships—with organizations such as the Green Meeting Industry Council and Green Destination Orlando, for example.” Organization’s most significant sustainability-related accomplishment so far: “I think the most significant has been the continued efforts of incorporating sustainability into the employee and business culture. Also, the hiring of a sustainability coordinator.”Organization’s most significant sustainability-related challenge: “Maintaining momentum and consistency with all of our sustainability-related...

BANGKOK—Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas has named Amber Marie Beard Vice President Sustainability. Beard has had a fascinating career in locales around the world, which began in Boston, where she worked for Lend Lease, one of the world’s largest property developers.Relocating to Hong Kong, Amber joined China Resources, which is one of China’s largest government owned organizations, working on the city’s first existing building sustainable redevelopment project that was targeting LEED Gold certification. A move to Singapore saw her as head of sustainability with Sustainability Ltd., an investment finance company managing niche real estate opportunities in China, Japan and...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Mark S. Andrew, CMP, CHA, regional vice president and general manager, Fairmont Washington, D.C., Georgetown has been appointed chairman for the Green Meeting Industry Council Sustainable Meetings Foundation (GMIF) along with its 2013-2014 Board of Trustees for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2014.In his role as chairman, Andrew plans to move the Foundation’s 2013-2014 capital campaign forward via new initiatives. One such initiative includes the assemblage of a cookbook entitled “Unspoiled”—a compilation of recipes produced by chefs and others on food waste solutions for kitchens and supply chains. Proceeds from the sale of Unspoiled will go directly...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Brian T. Mullis, who founded global nonprofit Sustainable Travel International in 2002 and continues to serve as its CEO, was recently appointed to the United States National Travel and Tourism Advisory Board. The official announcement was made by U.S. Deputy Secretary of Commerce Rebecca Blank.The Board, established in 2003, serves as the advisory body to the Secretary of Commerce on matters relating to the travel and tourism industry in the United States. Its members represent a broad cross-section of the industry, including transportation services, financial services, and hotels and restaurants, as well as a mix of small and...

Name: Eric DominguezTitle: Corporate Director Engineering, Utilities & Environmental Affairs Organization: Caesars EntertainmentYears at Caesars Entertainment: EightPrimary responsibilities: Implementing energy efficiency and conservation projects across more than 50 million square feet of hotel, casino, restaurant and entertainment space; procuring natural gas and electricity in deregulated markets; managing enterprise utility spend exceeding $180 million a year, including budgeting and efficiency improvements; and ensuring environmental compliance associated with the Clean Air and Water Acts.Organization’s most significant sustainability-related accomplishment so far, as it relates to energy conservation: “In the last year and a half we changed out 65,000 halogen MR16 lamps and...

BOULDER, COLO.—A kid’s voice can go a long way. Just ask Milo Cress, an 11-year-old from Boulder, Colo. Two years ago, Milo noticed that restaurants were automatically giving straws to customers—straws that ended up in the trash and ultimately the landfill. That did not sit right with him. The environmentalist that he is—he developed a solar-powered popcorn machine when he was six—Milo decided something needed to be done. With the help of his family he founded the Be Straw Free Campaign, an effort to encourage foodservice businesses to either eliminate straws altogether or at least transition to an “offer...