Name: Dan Ruben Title: Executive Director Organization: Boston Green Tourism My primary responsibilities: “To help Greater Boston hotels and convention centers determine their environmental goals, improve their environmental performance and increase the number of green-certified facilities in the Boston area." What keeps me motivated each day: “There are many hoteliers in our organization who are passionate about greening their facilities, and who build excitement by initiating new programs and sharing them with their peers. I’m also motivated when I can bring ideas to the group, like combined heat and power or green cleaning products, and see hotels pursue them.” Organization’s most significant environmental accomplishment...

COSTALEGRE, JALISCO, MEXICO—Boca de Iguanas, the newest eco-resort project along Mexico’s pristine Costalegre, has named Lorena Vargas sustainability manager responsible for eco-friendly programs that reflect the project’s commitment to the environment. Vargas is a recent graduate from the University of Guadalajara with a degree in environmental biotechnology, and has ecological sustainability in her blood. Her father, José Roberto Vargas, set up the first organic production farm in Rancho Petacal, Jalisco 18 years ago. Part of Vargas’ work includes introducing unique touches of nature to the hotel rooms, restaurant, and homes, establishing the on-site composing program, overseeing the cultivation of...

Name: Brigitta Witt Title: Vice President, Environmental Affairs Company: Hyatt Hotels & Resorts My primary responsibilities: “I oversee Hyatt’s environmental programs across the entire company. I work with our offices around the world in helping to develop a sustainability strategy. I am also responsible for providing our 90,000 employees with the tools and information they need to make environmental responsibility a part of their everyday jobs.” What keeps me motivated each day: “I am motivated by having an opportunity to do something I am fundamentally passionate about.” Company’s most significant environmental accomplishment so far: “Having so many employees who are so engaged and motivated...

Name: Greg Brosius Title: President Company: Stafford Hospitality My primary responsibility: “To provide the forward vision and the structure for the company to grow.” What keeps me motivated each day: “I work for an exciting company. We are basically developers at heart. We are finding new things to do every day that are fiscally and environmentally beneficial.” Company’s most significant environmental accomplishment so far: “Last year our company reduced its energy consumption by 25 percent.” Our biggest environmental challenge: “Keeping staff trained so they don’t lose focus.” What advice I would give to another hotel company president considering taking a company in this direction: “I would...

Name: Jenn Holderied Title: Owner Property: The Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort, Lake Placid, N.Y. My primary responsibilities: “In addition to being owner, I am director of marketing and public relations.” What keeps me motivated each day: “I really enjoy meeting new people. Lake Placid is an international town and I get to meet people from all over the world. I also get to work with my family every day. Our staff is like a giant extended family.” Property’s most significant environmental accomplishment so far: “Obtaining a Four Green Leaves Rating from Audubon International. The rating encompasses all the efforts we have put...

DENVER—Xanterra Parks & Resorts has appointed Beth Pratt environmental affairs director in Yellowstone National Park. Pratt is responsible for continuing and strengthening the concessioner’s environmental initiatives in the park including energy, water and waste management, pollution prevention, sustainable cuisine, sustainable design and more. Xanterra operates lodging, restaurants, gift shops and activities in the park. Pratt joined Xanterra after more than eight years as vice president and chief financial officer for the Yosemite Association in Yosemite National Park, where she developed educational programs that promoted environmental stewardship. During her career in environmental management, she has designed and instituted waste minimization and...

Name: Jesse Suglia Title: Corporate Director of Hotel Sales Company: Kimpton Hotels & Restaurant Group LLC Began working for Kimpton: July 2007 Primary responsibilities: “I oversee the national sales team and room revenue performance. I am responsible for monitoring and capitalizing on industry trends and identifying areas of opportunity to ensure Kimpton’s maximization of revenue and market share for the brand as a whole, as well as individual hotels. I also help to make sure that Kimpton has the least amount of impact on the environment as possible.” What I enjoy most about my work: “I like working for a company like Kimpton where...

Name: Michelle White Title: Director, Environmental Affairs Company: Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, Toronto Number of years with company: Three My primary responsibilities: “Overseeing the operation of Fairmont’s Green Partnership program and ensuring that its standards are consistently applied at all of our hotels.” What I enjoy most about my job: “Working with the members of our hotels’ green teams and corporate partners such as the World Heritage Alliance.” My company’s biggest environmental challenge: “The fact that we are expanding so rapidly and finding ourselves in countries where the environmental infrastructure is not the same. For example, a lot of communities don’t have what is needed...

Name: Tedd Saunders. Title & Company: President, Boston-based EcoLogical Solutions Inc. and co-owner of a number of hotels including The Lenox Hotel and Comfort Inn & Suites Boston/Airport. Primary responsibilities: “I focus most of my time on environmental initiatives within hospitality and in the environmental field. I am helping to expand the environmental programs at the Lenox Hotel and Comfort Inn & Suites Boston/Airport. What keeps me motivated: “The urgency and scope of the climate change issue keeps me humming along. Our world has massive issues to deal with in regard to energy consumption. We are trying to do our part to...

Name: Dennis Quaintance.Title: CEO & CDO (chief design officer).Company: Quaintance-Weaver Restaurants and Hotels, Greensboro, N.C.Hotel Properties: The Proximity Hotel and O.Henry Hotel, both in Greensboro.My primary responsibilities: “I am the leader of our company and have the obligation to cause followers to behave in a way that is consistent with our values—to be of service to the community.”What keeps me motivated: “My job is to cause delight. I am humbled that people choose to follow me and honor me with a night’s sleep.”Our biggest environmental challenge: “Justifying sustainable practices. Being able to pragmatically justify everything we do. LEED is...