GreenLane Selects Board of Directors

GreenLane, Lane County’s sustainable business network, announces the establishment of its Board of Directors.

GreenLane is a membership organization comprised of triple-bottom-line businesses, farms, government organizations, nonprofits and social entrepreneurs, who are committed to building a more socially, environmentally, and financially sustainable local economy. The development of this membership organization has been rapid.

At the end of 2007, Isbel Ingham of NextStep Recycling, Daniel Swantek of Green Solutions Printing and Allen Perkins of Catalyst Technology Group sat down over coffee and began developing the foundation of GreenLane Sustainable Business Network. “We knew this community needed an organization structured to assist individuals and organization in their sustainable pursuits,” says Perkins. “Our goal was to form a nonprofit that would serve as a combination think tank and action group to bring together the multitude of people in Lane County who were working in some way to make Lane County businesses and nonprofits sustainable.”

Swantek agrees, “Green Lane creates a space for businesses to connect more directly about sustainability and provides education for those seeking a better way to do things. Sustainability is a path, not a destination.”

As Development Director of NextStep Recycling, Ingham had been tasked with creating a business membership group to collaborate with NextStep on education and outreach. “In my discussions with businesses in our community, it became clear we needed a place for businesses to come together to receive support about what sustainable practices would work for their business, to learn from one another about becoming increasingly green, and be able to sit in the company of other business people who are concerned about the planet and want to translate that concern into results.”

From the beginning, it was imperative to the founders that GreenLane would be non-exclusive—that is, everyone would be welcome, no matter what level of sustainability any particular business has achieved, ensuring the Network would be open and inviting to all businesses and individuals who are trying to become more responsible stewards. Perkins states, “We wanted to provide education, resources, networking, and marketing for sustainability. With the newly elected working board and over 80 GreenLane members, I personally feel like the proud parent of a child who is now achieving its own success and making it own way in life.”

One GreenLane member, SOLARC Architecture and Engineering Inc., was recently named 12th Best Green Company in Oregon by Oregon Business Magazine. “The recognition from Oregon Business has inspired us to figure out more ways to improve our sustainable practices”, says Jodi Sommers, Marketing and Communications Director for SOLARC Architecture and Engineering (SOLARC).   SOLARC would like to see more Eugene firms make the 100 Best Green Companies list next year. “Our hope is that through GreenLane, all member firms can share ideas about how to improve all of our sustainable practices,” says Sommers.

In 2009, Eugene was voted America’s #1 green city by National Geographic’s Green Guide. This is because, as Mayor Piercy says, “our city is a powerhouse of green industry, is focused on sustainable business development, and is enviable for our parks and open spaces, relatively clean environment, and livability.” GreenLane’s direction is to bring together all Lane County businesses and individuals who are working towards a sustainable community.

GreenLane Board of Directors:

• Leslie Scott, Oregon Truffle Festival, Co-Chair
• Katie Wilson-Hamaker, Arcimoto, Co-Chair
• Matt Purvis, Northwest Community Credit Union, Recording Officer
• Kristena Cox, Windermere Real Estate, Membership Officer
• George Rode, Euro-Asian Automotive and Autohaus, Treasurer
• Daniel Swantek, Green Solutions Printing
• Allen Perkins, Catalyst IT Group
• Isbel Ingham, NextStep Recycling
• Adele Wilson-Hamaker, Me and Her Designs
• Steve Cole, retired, Forrest Paints
• Brenda Black, Down to Earth Distributors
• Denny Schwartz, Aloha Brothers Construction
• Lorraine Kerwood, NextStep Recycling

GreenLane members are encouraged to join the Board of Directors’ committees:

• Finance Committee
• Communications Committee
• Elections Committee
• Government Relations/Policy Committee
• Events Committee 6. Network/Outreach Committee
• Education/Program Development

The next GreenLane networking meeting is scheduled for:

Date: July 21, 2009, Networking, Marketing, and Community Building

Meeting Time: 12-1:30 PM

Place: Mallard Banquet Hall/Wild Duck Catering - 725 W 1st Eugene

Cost: Optional $10

Lunch catered by Wild Duck Catering

All members of GreenLane are welcome to attend these events and to bring guests. Guests are invited to attend twice before being required to become members.