Name: Wes Shirley Title: Director of Engineering Hotel: Grand Hyatt Atlanta in Buckhead Years with hotel: Six Primary responsibilities: “It’s my responsibility to make sure every single guest that stays in our hotel has a flawless and enjoyable stay. I do that by making sure that my employees are happy, well trained and completely engaging with our guests. It’s my responsibility to the owners to ensure that their building is well maintained. At all times it should look and run like a new hotel. It’s also my duty to spend their money wisely, always looking for new, inventive ways to lower their costs...

NEW YORK—The Light Human Hotel, a new eco-friendly brand and concept created by two France-based entrepreneurs—Jean-Pierre Bandeira, CEO of Light Human Hotel and Julien Veyron, Architect and CEO of atelier arcau—will make its first appearance in the United States later this year in Miami. That 80-room hotel on Collins Ave. will be the first of now eight Light Human Hotel properties to open. Additional hotels are planned in the next few years for Miami, San Antonio, Los Angeles, New York, Sao Paulo, Antibes, Rio de Janeiro and London.Bandeira says Light Human Hotels will go beyond LEED in regard to...

ODESSA, FLA.—Hasek Communications, the Odessa, Fla.-based publisher of Green Lodging News, has added Hartdean Ltd. to its Green Product & Service Directory in the “Linens & Towels” category. The company’s EcoKnit Terry Towels are luxury hospitality cotton towels with two to three time’s longer lifespan and provide energy and water savings which recover the cost of the product. EcoKnit Towels are snag free, dry up to 40 percent quicker than standard terry towels, reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions, and use 15 percent less water with every laundering cycle. EcoKnit Towels also require less detergent. E-mail enquiries@hartdean.com, or go...

MINNEAPOLIS—Landscape and Irrigation magazine has announced the winners of the “Twenty for 2016” new product awards. Judged by the Green Media editorial team based on innovation, marketability and application, the awards highlight 20 standout products for the commercial landscape and irrigation markets. The IrriGreen Genius Irrigation System is the only irrigation system selected for the award.“The IrriGreen Genius Irrigation System represents the most fundamental change in turf irrigation technology in more than four decades,” said Gary Klinefelter, Founder and President, IrriGreen, Inc. “IrriGreen incorporates advanced, digital technology that saves installation labor for contractors and saves water for property owners.”“The...

SANTA FE SPRINGS, CALIF.—Cinaton introduces its hands-free K2002 Pull-out Kitchen Faucet. With five strategically placed infrared sensors and 13 functions, the faucet offers a full range of touch-free operations. With no handles or buttons, the faucet makes food prep and cleanup easy and helps create a more sanitary cooking environment. Control the water temperature and flow, even pause, or disable for cleaning the sink area—all without touching the faucet. Three user-defined settings are available for personalized convenience, while maximum temperature settings prevent an accidental scalding.Designed with practicality in mind it features a dual function pull-out spray head and a...

ODESSA, FLA.—Hasek Communications, the Odessa, Fla.-based publisher of Green Lodging News, and Greenview, a leader in advancing hotel sustainability, welcome Aquawing Ozone Laundry Systems as a Green Lodging Survey sponsor. Aquawing is a global leader in ozone laundry technology with more systems using the Aquawing process installed and operating than all other manufacturers combined (8,000+). Aquawing offers as much as 90 percent savings on hot water, up to 40 percent total water savings, and is clinically validated to kill superbugs like MRSA & C. diff. Aquawing is the only system properly clinically validated. Aquawing’s patented variable ozone system automatically...

DES PLAINES, ILL.—Geberit announces an updated version of their 2x4 in-wall tank and carrier system for wall-hung toilets. The new 2x4 system, model 111.798.00.1, replaces the previous version and offers several installer-friendly improvements. The new system caters to design preferences with a full range of actuator plates and remote controls and is a flexible choice for buildings with high floor constructions.Geberit re-engineered the Sigma concealed tank for this new system to fit within a standard frame. The 2x4 system now fits the same dimensions as the 2x6 system, making it easy for the installer to prep the walls for...

MORROW, GA.—TOTO, the largest plumbing manufacturer in the world with $5.1 billion in annual sales, announced that its high-efficiency EcoPower Flush Valves and Commercial Flushometer Toilets are the plumbing industry’s first to earn the EPA’s WaterSense Label.“It is imperative that WaterSense certification extend to the commercial side of the industry with products that offer the same level of performance while saving water by using no more than 1.28 gallons per flush,” said Bill Strang, President of Operations and eCommerce for TOTO USA. “Restrooms are a major source of water consumption in all commercial and institutional buildings, accounting for approximately...

OAKLAND, CALIF.—MACH Energy, a leading provider of energy and water management software services and solutions, revealed the results of one of the largest national surveys to date of hotel and lodging professionals on energy and water management efforts. The poll reached out to over 5,000 industry professionals, and the responses exposed significant opportunities to expand energy and water efficiency awareness as well as adoption of energy and water management best practices. Meanwhile hotel and lodging professionals seek to improve overall guest experience and the bottom line.Of primary concern to MACH Energy in conducting the survey was to specifically gauge...

MANCHESTER, VT.—Nestled in the midst of mountains, clean air and small town quaintness, sits a new hotel that not only offers its guests luxury and relaxing comfort, but minimizes its use of energy and water resources. Manchester, Vermont is home to the new Taconic Hotel, which opened its doors in December 2015. This 80,000-square-foot, four-story hotel boasts 87 guestrooms, three cottages, restaurant, library, boutique, fitness center, pools and meeting rooms. According to Energy Star, the average American hotel spends $2,196 on energy, each year, per available room. Reducing energy waste reduces that average cost. This is good for a hotel’s...