Via: bizjournals.com

Ten leaders in sustainability are in the spotlight as the Phoenix Business Journal debuts its Green Pioneers program.
These are people who struck out on the green path looking for sustainability before it became even remotely popular, said Patrick O’Grady, who edited a special supplement featuring the Journal’s first group of “pioneers.”

The 10 individuals cover a spectrum of industries. Development plays a big role, as does education, manufacturing and business leadership. The Journal’s goal was to find people who are practicing and preaching sustainability from different industries and see how they became interested in going green and have them share their ideas with other businesspeople. The group was scheduled to participate in a networking event and panel discussion Feb. 5 at Phoenix Civic Plaza.
“We realized early in the process that this inaugural section would only scratch the surface of what Phoenix has to offer in the way of sustainability.” O’Grady said. “But the idea was to get the conversation started.”
This year’s Green Pioneers are:
Philip Beere, owner, Green Street Development.
Damon Brasch, owner and chef, Green.
Diane Brossart, president, Valley Forward.
Mick Dalrymple, co-founder, AKA Green.
Mara DeFilippis, founder and CEO, Phoenix Green Chamber of Commerce
Kimber Lanning, director, Local First Arizona.
George Maracas, chief operating officer, Solar Power Laboratory and professor, department of electrical engineering, Arizona State University.
Charlie Popeck, president, green ideas - Environmental Building Consultants.
Laura Roberts, CEO, Pantheon Chemical.
Vernon Swaback, managing partner, Swaback Partners.
The Green Pioneers supplement is part of the Phoenix Business Journal’s Feb. 6 print edition. For more on the print edition, [email protected].