For Brent James, an accredited professional in the U.S. Green
Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program, and
executive vice president of Johnson Air Products in Portland, Ore., one of the
most exciting prospects of the HARDI conference in Maui is the opportunity for
the Sustainable Building Committee to offer “a sample of Hawaiian
sustainability in our presentations this year.”
Speaker Jennifer Chirico, executive director of the Sustainable
Living Institute of Maui will share her Hawaiian view of air quality, green
building, transportation, sustainable waste management, and renewable energy on
Maui.
According to James, who chairs the committee that meets at 9:45
a.m. Monday, “We also will be sharing current code updates and how these issues
affect our business practices and ability to serve our customers, an open
discussion on current trends in the solar industry, and we will spotlight a
manufacturer’s efforts to ‘walk the talk’ and green his own business.
“Since sustainability and energy conservation is such a hot topic
today, these issues are key drivers in our businesses, from the training of
salespeople and distribution of specific green products, to determining what
and how much of these products we stock in our warehouses,” he said.
James is excited about this year’s conference. When he attends
HARDI functions, “I feel like I’m walking in the land of giants; here is an
opportunity to share, discuss, and learn best business practices from the best,
most knowledgeable and experienced people in the business.
“Each year I return to my business with a renewed sense of
appreciation for my HARDI friends and peers who have taught me so much, and
those who encouraged me to push myself to higher levels in my professionalism
and leadership,” he said.
Mark Smith of Ductmate Industries Inc. is co-vice chairman of the
committee.
“The HARDI conference has a long track record of pulling together
the executive-level decision makers from both the manufacturing and wholesale segments
of our industry,” Smith said. “I would anticipate that this will be especially true
of the conference in Maui. I would also anticipate that the Maui conference will
provide added opportunities to interact with the attendees in a more casual and
open setting.”
The goals for the committee are to let members know about sustainable
building practices and the opportunities they provide to HARDI members.
“The Sustainable Building Committee will use its time at the Maui
conference to educate the membership on the evolving sustainable building codes,
as well as to provide information on opportunities in the solar industry and a case
study on developing a sustainable, focused organization.”
According to Smith, the organization “provides a forum to discuss
the most pressing subjects affecting our industry, with dedicated executives from
organizations throughout our industry.”
Published:October 2011
