Name: Kathy McGuireTitle: Manager, Sustainable DevelopmentOrganization: PGA National Resort & SpaYears with Organization: Eight years Primary responsibilities: “I set the goals for our sustainability efforts each year. I itemize the things I believe are achievable.” Organization’s most significant sustainability-related accomplishment so far: “Minimizing waste has been our greatest achievement.” Organization’s most significant sustainability-related challenge: “Energy use. This building was built in 1981. We have replaced just about everything you can replace.” PALM BEACH GARDENS, FLA.—In recognition of her success in leading multiple sustainability efforts at the PGA National Resort & Spa—she helped save the property $350,000 in the last...

MEADOWLANDS, N.J.—Thirty-year hotel veteran Steven S. Kaiser has joined the 427-room Hilton Meadowlands as general manager. The hotel, which converted to the Hilton brand from the Sheraton Meadowlands on October 31, 2013, is located at Two Meadowlands Plaza in East Rutherford and features a 1.1-megawatt solar photovoltaic installation on its carport. The solar panels are expected to generate 20 percent of the property’s energy.  “Steve has worked for top-rated hotels on both coasts, the last 20 years on the East Coast, including multiple properties in New Jersey,” said Joseph Bojanowski, president of PM Hospitality Strategies (PMHS), operators of the...

Name: Lindsay ArellTitle: Sustainable Programs Manager Organization: Colorado Convention CenterPrimary responsibilities: “I focus on the sustainability of our operations. I help to make sure recycling and composting are in place and that we are following energy efficiency policies. I work closely with clients to help them pull off sustainability goals. I network within the industry overall to let peers know what we are doing. We are in the middle of our LEED recertification. I am helping to mentor that process.”Organization’s most significant sustainability-related accomplishment so far: “The Center’s most significant accomplishment is putting in a position for a sustainability...

Name: Mandy MartinTitle: Global Sustainability Manager Organization: Las Vegas Sands Corp.Years with Las Vegas Sands Corp.: Just shy of two years. Primary responsibilities: Mandy leads Las Vegas Sands’ global sustainability efforts in the United States, Macau and Singapore. “Overall I run the Sands ECO360° program worldwide,” she says. “I am the ‘go to’ person for communications, public relations and community engagement. I also do reporting for the Carbon Disclosure Project, worked on our 2011 Environmental Report, and work on other similar reports.” Organization’s most significant sustainability-related accomplishment so far: “It changes every single year,” she says. “This year we...

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...