Name: Christopher Hartzell Title: General Manager Hotel: Element Lexington (Mass.) Years with Starwood Hotels & Resorts: Almost seven years. Primary responsibilities: “Overseeing the daily operations of the hotel. Making sure our financials and guest satisfaction are top notch. Making sure people are aware of the type of property we have. Listening to our customers. Finding new products that are good for the environment.” Hotel’s most significant environmental accomplishment so far: “Earning LEED Gold certification.” Our hotel’s biggest environmental challenge: “Identifying additional opportunities to reduce costs, waste and save energy and water.” What I like most about what I do: “I love the people...

QUEBEC CITY—At the annual Québec City Chamber of Commerce awards gala held recently at the Centre des Congrès de Québec, Château Mont-Sainte-Anne received the Fidéides Grand Prize in the Sustainable Development category, recognizing the establishment’s work to continuously improve its policies and processes in assuring the highest standards in environmentally responsible hotel management. When the Roy family acquired Château Mont-Sainte-Anne in 2005, they committed to managing and developing the hotel resort on the outskirts of Québec City with the best environmental and responsible business practices. Château Mont-Sainte-Anne was the first independent hotel in Quebec to obtain the 4 Green Keys...

AUSTIN, TEXAS—The Sustainable Furnishings Council (SFC) announced that Jeff Hiller has been promoted to the position of president of the organization. SFC was founded by Gerry Cooklin in October 2006 as a nonprofit coalition of suppliers, manufacturers, retailers and designers. It was the first of its kind in the industry, and gained the early support of prominent board members including one of the two co-founders of the U.S. Green Building Council, ranking staff of the World Wildlife Fund and Rainforest Alliance, and prominent organizations from all points in the supply chain including Four Hands, Room & Board, and World...

TORONTO—Demonstrating their commitment to leadership in environmental sustainability, the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (MTCC) has hired Tonya Lagrasta for the role of sustainability coordinator. Tonya will focus on minimizing the MTCC’s operational footprint by enhancing the several environmental and social initiatives currently in place, expanding the MTCC’s roster of green meeting services—including the increasingly popular Zero Waste events—and further infusing sustainable approaches into everyday operations. “Hiring a sustainability coordinator reaffirms that our commitment to green practices goes beyond token initiatives,” says Vince Quattrociocchi, vice president of operations. “Every aspect of our operations will benefit from Tonya’s integrated approach, which comes...

Name: Stephen Tagliatela Title: Co-owner, Saybrook Point Inn and Spa, Old Saybrook, Conn. Years as co-owner: Since 1980 My primary responsibilities: “I oversee the general manager and establish the overall goals for the property.” Property’s most significant environmental accomplishment so far: “Keeping our energy costs down.” The inn was the first full-service lodging establishment in Connecticut to earn the Energy Star from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Energy. Our biggest environmental challenge: “Reducing the volume of food waste that ends up in our dumpsters.” What makes going green worthwhile: “It is good for the customers. It is...

Name: Joel Southall Title: Director of Environmental Health & Safety Company: Xanterra Parks and Resorts, Death Valley National Park Years with company: 1.5 years My primary responsibilities: “I manage the environmental initiatives here and oversee worker health and safety as well.” Organization’s most significant environmental accomplishment so far: “Our solar installation which includes 5,740 panels and generates one megawatt of electricity.” Our biggest environmental challenge: “Trying to reduce our waste generation. It is a challenge because we are so remote here in our Death Valley location. It is a challenge in terms of hauling waste away and getting supplies here.” What I like...

STATE COLLEGE, PA.—Developers of The P Hotel and Spa, in conjunction with Hospitality Asset Management Co., announced that Megan Morath has accepted the position of assistant general manager of the new condominium-hotel, slated to open in 2010. The P Hotel and Spa is slated to be the first luxury condominium hotel in State College and will be among the first environmentally superior LEED certified hotels in the country. “Megan represents the start of our process to build a management team of excellence at The P,” said Benjamin Heim, CEO of Tricore Group, LLC. “She brings extensive experience in the...

PITTSBURGH—Paul Tormey, regional vice president, Northeastern U.S. and Bermuda for Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, has announced the appointment of Leonard S. Czarnecki to general manager of Fairmont Pittsburgh. Czarnecki brings more than 18 years of experience, at some of the world’s most notable properties, to this position. As general manager, he will manage the grand opening and operation of Fairmont Pittsburgh. “Fairmont Pittsburgh is an exciting project, and I am delighted to be its first general manager,” Czarnecki said. “Pittsburgh is a vibrant community, and we are looking forward to bringing Fairmont’s luxury service to the city and to becoming a...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Green Building Council announced the appointment of Rebecca Flora to the position of senior vice president, Education and Research, replacing Peter Templeton, who was named president of the Green Building Certification Institute in mid-November. The appointment is effective January 15, 2009. “Rebecca’s leadership as executive director of the Green Building Alliance in Pittsburgh makes her uniquely qualified to lead USGBC’s far-reaching education program and expanding research initiatives,” said Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO and founding chair, USGBC. “Under her guidance Pittsburgh rightfully has become a national leader in green building market transformation.” “I’m thrilled to join the incredible team...

KOTA KINABALU, MALAYSIA—Gayana Eco Resort, Borneo Malaysia announces the appointment of Michael Maguire as executive chef. Michael joins the team from New Zealand where he has successfully led a number of luxury boutique resort properties’ culinary teams. Michael brings a wealth of international experience with him, having worked in London at the Drones Restaurant under Marco Pierre White and AXIS at One Aldwych Hotel along with serving as the private chef to the Duke and Duchess of Bedford. His most recent position was executive chef at Clearwater Resort in New Zealand where he helped the restaurant to win gold at...