Speakers

The story is now legend; the "spear in the chest" epiphany Ray Anderson experienced when he first read Paul Hawken’s, "The Ecology of Commerce" seeking inspiration for a speech to an Interface task force on the company’s environmental vision. Fifteen years and a sea change later, Interface, Inc., is approximately half way to it’s target of "Mission Zero™ " the journey no one would have imagined for the company, or the petroleum-intensive industry of carpet manufacturing, which has been forever changed by Ray’s vision. His Georgia-based company, Interface, Inc., was recently ranked number one in The Sustainability Survey, a survey of global sustainability thought leaders conducted by GlobeScan (make this link to http://www.globescan.com). The once captain of industry has eschewed his luxury car for a Prius, built an off-the-grid home, authored a 1998 book describing his epiphany, "Mid-Course Correction," and has a new book, released on September 15, 2009, chronicling his journey, "Confessions of a Radical Industrialist". He has become an unlikely screen hero in the 2004 Canadian documentary, "The Corporation." He was named one of TIME International’s "Heroes of the Environment" in 2007. He’s a sought after speaker and advisor on all issues eco, including a stint as co-chairman of the President’s Council on Sustainable Development and as an architect of the Presidential Climate Action Plan, a 100 day action plan on climate that was presented to the Obama Administration.

As Director of Technical Services, Mark serves a key role in educating InterfaceFLOR clients on the company’s product attributes, as well as construction and maintenance issues for Interface’s modular products. Mark has more than 20 years of experience at Interface, having worked in a number of areas, including manufacturing, industrial engineering, product development, technical support, systems improvement, and product maintenance. Mark typically addresses customers on product maintenance and technical issues.

Claude is the Senior Vice President and General Manager for InterfaceFLOR in Canada and Latin America, overseeing all sales, administrative, and manufacturing operations. Claude’s 21-year career with Interface includes roles in both manufacturing and sales. Claude’s mix of manufacturing, sales, and marketing knowledge gives him a unique perspective for integrating sustainability throughout the InterfaceFLOR corporate culture. He brings his passion for environmentally sound practices not only to manufacturing technology and practices, but also to sales strategies and marketing concepts that reflect the company’s Mission Zero. In December, 2007, Mr. Fabio Barbosa, President of Gupo Santander, the largest and most influential bank in all of Brazil, invited Claude to become a member of their Sustainability Consultative Board. In July, 2009, Claude joined the National Business Advisory Council of the David Suzuki Foundation. The David Suzuki Foundation's mission is: "To protect the diversity of nature and our quality of life, now and for the future". In February, 2010, Claude was nominated and approved to join The Natural Step Canada Board of Directors. The objective of TNS is to "help communities and businesses take meaningful steps toward sustainability".

A veteran of brand marketing and communications, Steve Arbaugh serves as Vice President of Brand Alignment & Experience for the Americas division of Interface, Inc. As Vice President, he works with the InterfaceFLOR (commercial), FLOR (consumer), and Bentley Prince Street brands to integrate and leverage brand assets across all mediums, overseeing branding and communications, both externally and internally. Steve explains to audiences that the key to successful brands lies in the ability to engage key stakeholders by not only helping them understand key brand attributes but also the creation of memorable brand experiences.

Appointed in July 2001 as President and Chief Executive Officer of Interface, Inc., Dan is committed to ensuring that each Interface business unit is a high-performing asset that provides a positive and meaningful environment for its employees and strives toward sustainability in all dimensions - people, product, place, process and profits. Drawing upon his financial background, Dan is credited with leading Interface’s financial turnaround from 2001 - reducing the company’s overall debt, increasing profitability, focusing on the company’s core modular business, and increasing Interface’s global market share.

Judy Pike is a dedicated individual who brings passion and determination to Bentley Prince Street’s movement towards sustainable commerce. As Director of Sustainability and Supply Management, Judy is responsible for sustainability initiatives and all supply chain management functions, including the company’s Greening the Supply Chain program. Since 1996, Judy has been the driving force behind the company’s sustainability initiatives, which have received awards and praise from the State of California.

In his current role as Vice President for Sustainability Strategy and Diversity, George develops and implements the strategic diversity management initiative for Interface Americas. George is dedicated to utilizing business strategies that afford Interface’s diverse suppliers access to procurement opportunities. As part of his strategy, George has introduced Diversity Connect™, a supplier diversity program for Interface, Inc.

Dr. Daniel Price is Director of Microbiology and Preservatives Development for InterfaceFLOR’s Research and Development division. Daniel’s area of responsibility is the research, technical development, quality control, and application of the Intersept® preservative technology into interior finishing products for the medical, education, corporate/retail, and transportation markets. Daniel addresses interior environmental quality issues with designers and architects who have projects in healthcare and education, as well as infection control personnel and nurses who have a stake in flooring decisions.

As Chief Innovations Officer for InterfaceFLOR, John oversees all manufacturing operations and processes for InterfaceFLOR, as well as for the overall R&D efforts for the company. John joined Interface in 1997 and has held a number of key positions in manufacturing and technology and development, including operational responsibilities. This experience gives him a unique knowledge foundation and perspective for addressing a variety of audiences. He is passionate about looking at products and processes from an entire life cycle impact on the environment.

As Manager of Sustainable Strategy, Lindsay is responsible for translating Interface’s leadership in sustainability into the marketplace. Much of her time is spent educating Interface's clients, sales force, and employees about the sustainability of its products and practices.  Having worked in the field of sustainability for more than 10 years, Lindsay is passionate about educating people both inside and outside of Interface on sustainability or “green” issues.

As Vice President of Supply Chain for Interface, Tim is responsible for leading Interface's global supply chain improvement initiatives focused on: (1) improving overall working capital performance, (2) reducing total costs, and (3) advancing sustainability within the supply base. Tim is also responsible for leading Interface's Resource Efficient Transportation Team and managing Interface's global real estate portfolio.

As President of FLOR, Greg oversees all operations for Interface’s fast-growing modular carpet business for the consumer, which was launched in 2003. He is directly responsible for defining FLOR’s vision, developing its business plan, and directing sales and operations. Drawing on more than 25 years of expertise in floor covering sales, management, and product development, Greg leads a relatively new business model for Interface, having launched FLOR in 2003. The new direct-to-consumer marketing model has resulted in innovative marketing methods and tools to reach the growing consumer market segment for Interface.

As Vice President Sales Logistics, Scott is responsible for sales training and several sales team support activities. He also provides sales and marketing leadership for the company’s government end-use market segment. In his role, he actively engages with internal and external customers to provide information to sell the company’s products and services. Scott has approximately 28 years of experience in sales, customer service, product management, marketing, and product pricing positions.

As Vice President of Information Services and Business Development for Interface, Inc., Jeff has overall responsibility for the company's information technologies and the business process teams that work with the Americas divisions. Jeff’s unique background in technology and manufacturing position him well to help audiences across a variety of industries, as well as the academic sector understand how to leverage technology to maximize production and efficiency and to reach employees located in numerous locations around the world.

Chip DeGrace has a wealth of experience in senior marketing positions at Interface companies, as well as in interior design. In his current role as Senior Vice President of Creative, Chip directs the creative engine for FLOR, including product design, branding, and the company's advertising, marketing, and catalog strategies, aligning each with FLOR’s overall business strategy. DeGrace also has experience as a commercial interior designer at Chicago-based firms ISD & The Environments Group.

As Vice President, Nick leads a national and global account team for InterfaceFLOR’s corporate market segment, which serves to execute customers’ global requirements in all regions of the world. Nick and his team of regional vice presidents work with all InterfaceFLOR business units to develop multi-national agreements in the corporate market segment, leveraging established local relationships whenever possible. Nick joined Interface in 2003 and has 27 years of total experience in the industry, including manufacturing, sales, and senior leadership positions.

As Director of Business Development for InterfaceRAISE, Nancy is responsible for developing custom sustainability-consulting solutions for clients, managing relationships with InterfaceRAISE’s clients, and contributing to the delivery of consulting engagements. With over 11 years of experience in management consulting, Nancy previously consulted with Fortune 500 clients across a broad range of industries. Nancy is passionate about helping clients understand the key principles of sustainability, as well as helping them identify their own sustainability goals and the path to reach those goals.

As the Sustainability Manager at Bentley Prince Street and a LEED Accredited Professional, Kim is passionate about managing the company’s programs on internal waste elimination (QUEST), end-of-life reclamation (ReEntry), and climate neutral products (Cool Carpet). Additionally, she is responsible for producing internal and external sustainability reports, including the annual greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory, organizing community projects, and communicating Bentley Prince Street’s sustainability programs both internally and externally.

As Senior Vice President of Sales for InterfaceFLOR, Pieter oversees sales operations and account representatives in eight regions of the United States. Pieter has served in a number of leadership marketing and sales positions with Interface since 1987. Pieter speaks to a number of customer groups, trade associations, and corporate teams each year on sales strategies and managing and servicing global accounts, including leveraging purchasing power and product offerings around the world. He also talks about Interface’s strengths-based culture as it relates to recruitment and training of a world-class sales force.

As Director of Customer Relations for InterfaceFLOR, David oversees customer service for operations that touch over 100 countries around the world. In this capacity, he has spearheaded the implementation of numerous operational and technological advancements that have led to increased levels of employee and customer satisfaction, increased capacity, and elimination of waste. He is passionate about providing exceptional customer service and attracting and developing the next generation of talent, who share a commitment to excellence in business and devotion and drive towards sustainability.

In the increasingly complicated realm of climate change and carbon and renewable energy, Erin Meezan is Interface, Inc.’s resident expert, helping to direct and navigate the company’s energy and carbon policies while staying abreast of the latest research and trends. As Vice President of Sustainability for Interface, Erin provides technical assistance and policy support to the company’s global business units to manage the company’s aggressive energy and climate goals. She helps the company address its global warming impacts at all levels, including in operations and management, with employees and customers, and in policy forums.

Melissa is responsible for maximizing business opportunities for InterfaceFLOR by strategically leveraging Interface’s leadership in sustainable development. She works closely with technical, marketing, and sales to develop strategies, programs, and tools for account executives, which enable them to educate their customers about sustainability. She also researches and addresses trends and opportunities in the green product market and is passionate about encouraging sustainable practices, both in the workplace and at home.

Anthony P. Minite has been President of Bentley Prince Street, Inc. since January 2002 and has the full responsibility of managing all aspects of the company’s operations. Anthony leads a team of over 600 associates worldwide who provide environmentally friendly, high quality, well designed broadloom and tile products, as well as excellent customer service that focuses on solutions for customers. He and the Bentley Prince Street team are a highly engaged team in a strengths-based culture approach, in which every associate has an opportunity to identify and maximize top strengths.

As President and Chief Executive Officer of Interface Americas, John has overall responsibility for Interface’s business units in the Americas, including Bentley Prince Street, FLOR, and InterfaceFLOR in the United States, Canada, and Latin America. Since joining Interface as Vice President of Sales for InterfaceFLOR in 1994, John has held a number of senior leadership roles in sales and management. As part of Interface’s sustainability journey, John has put in place programs and metrics to help Interface companies achieve their sustainability mission and goals in three parts – financial, environmental and social.

As Managing Director of InterfaceRAISE, Jim leads this important corporate consulting resource for Interface, Inc., which was created to educate others seeking to implement the necessary steps for becoming sustainable. For over a decade, Jim has been pursuing the objective of equipping others through education and knowledge to make sustainability understandable and accessible in the marketplace. Now leading the newly formed venture InterfaceRAISE, Jim is formalizing the knowledge he has gleaned to bring the tools for technical and cultural transformation to other companies who seek to follow Interface's lead to become more sustainable.

As Vice President of Strategic Alliances for Interface Americas, Eric is leading Interface’s efforts to maintain strong relationships with critical suppliers, as well as seek strategic potential suppliers both within and outside of our industry. In 2007, Eric took over a new and important business for Interface called ReEntry 2.0, Interface’s closed-loop process that recycles all types of carpet yarn and carpet backing and remakes them into beautiful products. As part of this process, Eric works closely with Interface’s vendors (such as Universal Fibers) to understand and fulfill their strategic business needs and to see how their services may be aligned into this new business model.

As Director of Market Research and Educational Learning for InterfaceFLOR, Amy's responsibilities include researching and analyzing industry data and trends for the company’s sales force and senior management. In addition, her public speaking role falls under Interface’s Social Sustainability mission, which allows Amy to give back to communities and organizations by sharing her invaluable market research.

Nadine Gudz is Manager of Sustainable Strategy for InterfaceFLOR Canada, the world’s leading manufacturer of modular carpet. In her role, Nadine is responsible for strategically leveraging and expanding InterfaceFLOR’s environment and sustainability leadership position in order to help increase visibility of the company’s Mission Zero™ vision through communication, education and training.