When it comes to impending change, I find myself teetering between resistance and being an advocate until I learn as much as possible about the effect a specific change will have on the world. Well, at the very least my world.
In this issue, you’ll discover advocates, optimists and agents of change. Their passions and discoveries have an impact on the sustainability of our city, state, country and the world.
Before delving into their stories, though, I’d like to point out a quiet change that has taken place here at the Las Vegas Business Press. As we began pulling together the nominations and making selections for the annual Green Awards, editor Norman Bell was at the helm. With great sadness, we recently accepted his resignation so he could fulfill another dream of his. Off he went to California.
It didn’t take long for us to find our new editor, Lyn Collier. We didn’t have far to look to find this talented journalist and editor. She got her start as a reporter for the Business Press many years ago. Her most recent accomplishments have been editing the weekly real estate sections for the Review-Journal. Over the past two years, if you have enjoyed Real Estate Millions, you have seen firsthand Collier’s ability to identify and deliver a high-profile industry feature section filled with relevant content.
You’ve seen her mark on the past couple of issues of the Business Press and you’ll see ongoing improvements under her guidance. She has the energy, enthusiasm and ideas for delivering an even better business publication than you have seen over the years. It is just as important for us to learn from you the content and features you’d prefer us not to change. We at the Business Press, have always been receptive to your opinions. Look for a reader survey coming your way in the next month or so.
The Green change-makers you’ll read about in this issue were introduced by Collier at our ninth annual Green Awards breakfast on Aug. 5 at Springs Preserve.
One of the original and ongoing champions for this annual event is Tracy Skenandore. When the Green Awards event was conceived, Skenandore worked for one of the local pioneers in construction recycling, Rob Dorinson. Dorinson was the founder of Evergreen Recycling and hired Skenandore to lead communications for his company. Due to a long-term and ultimately fatal illness, Dorinson sold Evergreen Recycling to Republic Services. Skenandore has proven herself as one of the valley’s most knowledgeable professionals in recycling. Republic Services named her area director of public relations and field communications for its mountain region.
Through all the industry changes over the past nine years, the annual Green Awards remains a priority for the Las Vegas Business Press. Award programs like this that spotlight individuals and companies who may never receive public recognition for these accomplishments are made possible by generous sponsors and industry champions like Skenandore and Republic Services.
We’ll continue shining that light through our social media pages. You can help us tell the community and the world about these well-deserving companies by sharing their stories on your own social media pages. You’ll find the Las Vegas Business Press page on Facebook and our @BusinessPressLV handle on Twitter.
The honorees you’ll read about in this issue likely encountered and will continue to encounter resistance along their path to a greener future for all of us. Our belief is that continued positive change will come as a result of shining a bright light on the people and companies that toil every day for the betterment of our planet.
Debbie Donaldson is the publisher of the Las Vegas Business Press. You can reach her at ddonaldson@businesspress.vegas or by calling 702-383-4617.