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...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI) recently announced that Peter Templeton will assume the new role of president of GBCI. In his leadership role at the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), Templeton was vital to the early development of the LEED green building certification system, the launch of the LEED Accredited Professional (LEEP AP) program, the expansion of USGBC’s educational programming, and the successful spin-off of GBCI earlier this year. “Peter’s long history of exceptional leadership within the green building movement makes him the ideal president of GBCI,” said Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO and founding chair, USGBC. “Peter has...

Name: David Mahood Title: Vice President of Sustainability Organization: NEWH (Network of Executive Women in Hospitality) Length of involvement: Four years. His primary responsibilities: In this volunteer position with NEWH, David sits on the organization’s Executive Committee with 11 other industry leaders and helps to develop NEWH’s green initiatives. What he enjoys most about this position: “Working with a group of talented industry leaders who are committed to bringing change to our industry.” MINNETONKA, MINN.—As Vice President of Sustainability for NEWH, David Mahood helps to carry out the organization’s sustainability hospitality mission which reads as follows: “Leading the hospitality industry to educate and promote...

PHOENIX—Best Western International announced that staff interior designer Ciji Hoffman has earned the honor of being the first Leadership in Energy and Environment Design (LEED) accredited professional (AP) for the World’s Largest Hotel Chain. Hoffman’s accreditation allows her to guide the hotel chain’s green building, sustainability and environmental impact initiatives for hotel construction and renovation. “We’re proud to have a LEED accredited professional on staff who can help our members build and renovate hotels with the environment in mind,” said Rich Bennett, Best Western’s vice president of supply and design. “We have multiple Best Western properties that are interested in...

PORTLAND, ORE.—Sage Hospitality recently announced the appointment of Frederick Kleisner II as general manager of the Nines, a Starwood Luxury Collection Hotel in Portland, Ore. A fifth-generation hotelier with 17 years experience at the upper end of the industry, Kleisner will steward the new $137 million property in the landmark Meier & Frank Building. “The Nines will benefit from Fred’s strong management background at a number of distinctive hotel properties across the U.S.,” said Walter Isenberg, president and CEO of Sage Hospitality, the Denver-based company that developed and is managing the hotel. “We are delighted to welcome Fred to our...

PHILADELPHIA—Francine Cohen, a one-time corporate art consultant with a passion for protecting the environment, has launched the Philagreen Hospitality Association (PGHA) to help Philadelphia area hoteliers and restaurateurs run greener and more profitable organizations. Cohen is executive director of the association that was launched earlier this year. Her kickoff meeting in June attracted approximately 30 attendees, with 10 hotels represented. A meeting also was held in September. The next meeting will he held November 17. PGHA is run separate from the Greater Philadelphia Hotel Assn. “I have been an eco-conscious citizen for decades,” Cohen says. “I have always been interested...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) announced that Wade Davis will be a featured keynote speaker at the upcoming Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism Conference 2008 (ESTC 2008), to be held in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, from October 27 to 29. A National Geographic Explorer, an ethnographer, writer, photographer, and filmmaker, Davis is an inspirational story teller with vast knowledge of Indigenous societies and cultures, myth and religion, and the global biodiversity crisis—to name just a few of the numerous fields of research that have taken him across the globe. In 2004, he was made an Honorary Member of the Explorers...

Name: Diana Beltran Title: Environmental Development Manager Organization: Grand Hyatt New York Years with hotel: “I just celebrated my one-year anniversary in August.” My primary responsibilities: “Every day I concentrate on different projects—in areas ranging from housekeeping to waste management. The biggest thing I am working on now is sustainable purchasing.” What keeps her motivated each day: “What keeps me motivated is making a difference here. I don’t consider this a job. It is more like a hobby.” Organization’s most significant environmental accomplishment so far: “The project that paid the biggest dividend so far was our lighting retrofit. We installed more than 5,000 compact fluorescent...

PARSIPPANY, N.J.—Wyndham Worldwide, one of the world’s largest hospitality companies, has appointed Faith Taylor as vice president, Sustainability and Innovation. Based in Parsippany, N.J., Taylor is responsible for leading the strategic vision and direction of Wyndham Worldwide’s environmental policy and programs while overseeing all key conservation and preservation initiatives across the businesses including Wyndham Hotel Group, Group RCI and Wyndham Vacation Ownership. Taylor also oversees the Wyndham Worldwide Green Council as well as the rollout of Blue Harmony, a turn-key spa and fitness program that incorporates a green strategy to promote environmental awareness. Additionally, she will manage the...