Episode 94 – Michele McGeoy Discusses Solar Richmond
April 24, 2013
In Episode 94 of The Wendel Forum (originally aired on March 30, 2013, on 960 KNEW AM radio), show moderator Bill Acevedo, chair of Wendel Rosen’s sustainable business practice group, welcomes Michele McGeoy, founder and executive director of Solar Richmond, which offers free solar training, staffing services leading to temporary and permanent employment, and green business ownership opportunities for low income and under-employed residents of Richmond, CA.
Michele McGeoy of Solar Richmond
McGeoy spent the beginning of her career running several software companies and later founded a non-profit that sought to tackle the digital divide. Eventually, she “burned out” on the computer industry and transitioned to the solar field. A longtime Richmond, CA resident, she wanted the city to be part of the green economy. Solar, she thought, was the antidote to pollution, and jobs were the antidote to violence. Solar Richmond’s mission is to “catalyze transformative change,” which includes providing training and job opportunities related to solar, including installation, service and back office jobs, for 18-24 year olds.
Partnering with Berkeley City College, Solar Richmond has placed more than 140 young people in green collar jobs in which they acquire skills transferable to many industries and careers. Recently, Solar Richmond became a worker-owned cooperative, in which graduates of the program become part owners in the company. McGeoy hopes to have 10 worker-owners by end of next year and continue to add new employee-owners every year.
Solar Richmond logo
Solar Richmond works on both residential and commercial solar projects and recently completed a power purchase agreement with a Walnut Creek church. The City of Richmond also hired Solar Richmond for six of its buildings, including community centers, fire stations and libraries.
Would you consider hiring Solar Richmond for your solar project?
Post Links:
Listen to the interview with McGeoy: Episode 94 of The Wendel Forum (27:20 mins; mp3)
960 KNEW AM Radio website: http://www.960KNEW.com
Solar Richmond’s Website: http://www.solarrichmond.org
Bill Acevedo’s online profile: http://www.wendel.com/wacevedo
Episode 92 – Ditto Sustainable Brands Reinvents the Hanger
March 22, 2013
In Episode 92 of The Wendel Forum (originally aired on March 16, 2013, on 960 KNEW AM radio), show moderator Dick Lyons, co-founder of Wendel Rosen’s sustainable business practice group, welcomes Gary Barker, founder and CEO of two companies. GreenHeart Global conceives, designs, develops and produces sustainable products for clients such as The Gap, LL Bean, Adidas, O’Neill and more. Ditto Sustainable Brand Solutions designs, manufactures and sells a line of sustainable hangers (to replace plastic and metal hangers) that are used in more than 5,000 stores world-wide.
Gary Barker, founder of Ditto Sustainable Brand Solutions
Greenheart’s flagship design is its Ditto Hangers, which launched in 2007 after several years of R&D. As many as 15 billion plastic retail hangers are made every year with 85 percent of them winding up in landfill. Wire dry cleaning hangers had not experienced any design innovation for 60 years. The Ditto Hanger, in contrast, is made of 100 percent compressed, recycled paper and other recyclable materials such as starch-based adhesive and soy-based inks. Made using certified manufacturers and certified non-toxic materials, a Ditto Hanger can hold more than 20 pounds and has won several international design awards. Consumers can purchase them themselves at the Container Store, on Amazon and through www.dittohangers.com, among other places.
In developing, manufacturing and selling Ditto Hangers, Barker learned a lot about design, materials, sourcing, manufacturing, shipping and warehousing logistics, marketing, PR, branding, logos and displays. That knowledge is applied to Ditto Sustainable Brand Solutions clients, including Disney, Levi’s and Addidas. Launching a sustainable product “takes a lot of determination,” says Barker, who describes himself as a “bulldog” when it comes to his products.
Would you consider swapping out your hangers for Ditto Hangers?
Post Links:
Listen to the interview with Gary Barker: Episode 92 of The Wendel Forum (27:41 mins; mp3)
GreenHeart Global’s Web Page: http://www.greenheartglobal.com/home/
Ditto Sustainable Brand Solutions’ Web Page: http://dittobrandsolutions.com/home/
960 KNEW AM Radio Website: http://www.960KNEW.com
Dick Lyons’s online profile: http://www.wendel.com/rlyons
In Episode 91 of The Wendel Forum (originally aired on March 9, 2013, on 960 KNEW AM radio), show moderator Dick Lyons, co-founder of Wendel Rosen’s sustainable business practice group, welcomes Michael Funk. Funk is a pioneer of the natural foods industry; founder and chairman of United Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI) and co-founder of Non-GMO project of California (a non-profit organization that educates consumers and builds sources of non-GMO products).
Michael Funk, founder and chairman of UNFI
Genetic engineering began in the late 1980’s. While the practice can be beneficial, Funk suggests applying the precautionary principle by which new technologies are proven safe before their widespread circulation. Existing GMO research is largely funded by the biotech industry, which, Funk says, is not independent. Therefore, he’d favor a moratorium on GMOs in foods until further research has been done about its health and environmental impacts. Already, there’s an epidemic of “super weeds” that are resistant to herbicides. As a result, super weeds are, ironically, requiring more and different chemicals to grow foods.
In the meantime, Funk advocates labeling foods with GMOs. Currently, there’s no federal or state oversight on labeling, a practice that can be tricky because although it’s easy to identify a genetically modified ear of corn, tracking down the origin of micro ingredients such as corn starch or corn syrup in another product is challenging. The Non-GMO Project has developed a consumer shopping app that verifies GMO status of more than 9,000 products.
Nearly 50 countries – including the EU, Russia and China – already have mandatory GMO labeling. In the US, intense lobbying by the biotech industry (outspending labeling advocates 10 to 1) has prevented labeling laws. Studies show that once GMOs are noted on a food label, consumers chose not to buy it.
What do you think about GMO labeling?
Post Links:
Listen to the interview with Funk: Episode 91 of The Wendel Forum (27:50 mins; mp3)
United Natural Foods Web Page: https://www.unfi.com/Pages/default.aspx
Non-GMO Project: http://www.nongmoproject.org
960 KNEW AM Radio Website: http://www.960KNEW.com
Dick Lyons online profile: http://www.wendel.com/rlyons
In Episode 89 of The Wendel Forum (originally aired on January 19, 2013, on 960 KNEW AM radio), show moderator Bill Acevedo, chair of Wendel Rosen’s sustainable business practice group, welcomes Karen Engel, executive director of the East Bay Economic Development Alliance (the “EDA”), a public-private partnership serving the San Francisco East Bay, including Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. The EDA strives to establish the East Bay as a world-recognized destination to grow businesses, attract capital and create quality jobs.
Karen Engel, Executive Director of East Bay EDA
The EDA has been pursuing its mission for the past 22 years. It serves as a platform for community, government, academic and business leaders to examine and improve the region’s economy so that local businesses can grow and thrive. To that end, each year the EDA creates strategic priorities that respond to and proactively address issues in the region, which is home to 2.5 million people and many micro-economies.
The clean tech sector, in particular, is a critical part of the East Bay’s economic future. In fact, the East Bay has the second largest clean tech sector in the country, following only Silicon Valley, and is home to cutting-edge research into biofuels, alternative energy storage and battery technology. Similarly, with UC Berkeley and its attendant national laboratories, the East Bay boasts more life sciences square footage than even San Francisco’s Mission Bay.
Addressing workforce strategies, the EDA is building educational systems and integrated courses in local high schools, community colleges and universities that support the East Bay companies and business sectors. Similarly, addressing infrastructure and transportation, the EDA is working to promote transit-oriented development so that new projects are centered around the region’s transportation nodes.
On January 31, the EDA will host its first ever East Bay Innovation Awards at the Fox Theater in Oakland, where it will bestow awards to the most cutting-edge of 85 nominated companies.
What draws you and your spending dollars to the East Bay?
Post Links:
Listen to the interview with Engel: Episode 89 of The Wendel Forum (27:46 mins; mp3)
East Bay EDA Website: http://www.eastbayeda.org
Innovation Awards event info: http://www.eastbayeda.org/iawards/innovation_home.html
960 KNEW AM Radio website: http://www.960KNEW.com
Bill Acevedo’s online profile: http://www.wendel.com/wacevedo
In Episode 88 of The Wendel Forum (originally aired on January 12, 2013, on 960 KNEW AM radio), show moderator Bill Acevedo, chair of Wendel Rosen’s sustainable business practice group, welcomes John Knox, executive director of Earth Island Institute, a non-profit, public- interest membership organization that supports people working to protect the planet.
John Knox of Earth Island Institute visits The Wendel Forum
Celebrating its 30th anniversary, Earth Island Institute can be viewed as an umbrella or incubator organization that assists local and global non-profits creating improvements to the environment, explains Knox. The Institute gives project directors autonomy in executing their work and also offers groups the streamlined benefit of one board, one annual report and one yearly audit. In its three decades, Earth Island Institute has supported 135 projects, including Food Shift (dedicated to curbing waste and building a more sustainable food system) and the Plastic Pollution Coalition (a global alliance of individuals, businesses and organizations focused on ending plastic pollution and its toxic impacts).
Beyond serving as a fiscal sponsor for environmentally-focused organizations, Earth Island Institute also educates the greater public through its quarterly Earth Island Journal, which features investigative journalism and thought-provoking essays about the environment. The Institute also hosts public programs at the Goldman Theater in its David Brower Center (a green building in downtown Berkeley named for the organization’s founder), and bestows Brower Youth Awards to North Americans ages 13 to 22 who have shown outstanding leadership on a project or campaign with a positive environmental and social impact.
What organizations do you know that work towards protecting the planet?
Post Links:
Listen to the interview with Knox: Episode 88 of The Wendel Forum (27:50 mins; mp3)
Earth Island Institute’s website: http://www.earthisland.org
Food Shift website: http://www.foodshift.net/
Plastic Pollution Coalition website: http://plasticpollutioncoalition.org/
960 KNEW AM Radio website: http://www.960KNEW.com
Bill Acevedo’s online profile: http://www.wendel.com/wacevedo
Episode 87 – East Bay Green Corridor Advances the Green Energy Economy
December 20, 2012
In Episode 87 of The Wendel Forum (originally aired on December 15, 2012, on 960 KNEW AM radio), show moderator Dick Lyons, co-founder of Wendel Rosen’s sustainable business practice group, welcomes Carla Din, director of East Bay Green Corridor, a nine-city partnership devoted to assisting green businesses, and Dr. Monika Weiss and Wolfgang Weiss, CSO and CEO/CTO, respectively, of ergSol, an Oakland solar thermal company.
Carla Din, director of East Bay Green Corridor, in studio
East Bay Green Corridor was founded in 2007 to advance a green energy economy in nine East Bay Area cities, including Oakland, Berkeley and Emeryville. The organization develops policy and also markets and promotes clean energy start-ups with the goal of keeping those businesses in the East Bay. Unlike traditional accelerators, which focus on start-ups’ business plans and capital, East Bay Green Corridor introduces companies to its vast network of local supply chains, customers and resources, including several academic institutions and programs (such as the Cleantech to Market program at UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business). Already, it has worked with Alphabet Energy, which captures waste heat, Imprint Energy, which pioneers zinc-based rechargeable batteries, and Lucid Design Group, a cleantech software company.
Dr. Monika Weiss and Wolfgang Weiss of ergSol
Din met Monika Weiss at a conference and since then East Bay Green Corridor has been facilitating relationships for ergSol, a developer and manufacturer of high temperature solar thermal systems based in Oakland. Since the Weisses moved to the US 12 years ago, they’ve seen an increase in activity and interest in renewable energy. With ergSol, a solar thermal system that can also be used for cooling as well as heating, they hope to bring US solar use up to the level of Europe.
How has relationship-building assisted your business?
Post Links:
Listen to the interview with Din and the ergSol executives: Episode 87 of The Wendel Forum (27:44 mins; mp3)
960 KNEW AM Radio website: http://www.960KNEW.com
East Bay Green Corridor Website: http://www.ebgreencorridor.org
ergSol Website: http://ergsol.com
Dick Lyons’s online profile: http://www.wendel.com/rlyons
Episode 86 – Interview with Plum Organics CEO & Founder Neil Grimmer
December 13, 2012
In Episode 86 of The Wendel Forum (originally aired on December 8, 2012, on 960 KNEW AM radio), show moderator Bill Acevedo, chair of Wendel Rosen’s sustainable business practice group, welcomes Neil Grimmer, CEO and founder of Plum Organics, a line of healthy, organic foods for babies, toddlers and children.
Neil Grimmer, Founder of Plum Organics
Plum Organics was founded six years ago by a small group of parents who sought to raise healthy-well rounded eaters. The company has grown rapidly – it started with six products and now has 130, including cereals, snacks and training meals.
The baby food market is a competitive space, with heavy weights like Gerber, Beach Nut and Earth’s Best, which have been in business for decades. Plum Organics differentiated itself by focusing on high design and great packaging, and targeting modern parents who share the values of sustainability and health. Plum pioneered the spouted pouch, and the company’s R&D group is continually looking for new materials for sustainable packaging. Progressive pediatrician Alan Green is the company’s health advisor and a contributor to its website.
A certified B Corp, Plum Organics sought investors that not only had cash, but also understood the culture of Plum Organics and were similarly passionate about the mission of improving the health of kids and the planet.
Have you tried Plum Organics products?
Post Links:
Listen to the interview with Grimmer: Episode 86 of The Wendel Forum (27:47 mins; mp3)
Plum Organics Website: http://www.plumorganics.com
960 KNEW AM Radio website: http://www.960KNEW.com
Bill Acevedo’s online profile: http://www.wendel.com/wacevedo
Episode 81 – Reel Green Media is Greening the Entertainment Industry
November 1, 2012
In Episode 81 of The Wendel Forum (originally aired on October 20, 2012, on 960 KNEW AM radio), show moderator Bill Acevedo, chair of Wendel Rosen’s sustainable business practice group, welcomes Lauren Selman, founder of Reel Green Media, an environmental consulting and production company dedicated to greening the entertainment industry both on and off screen.
Lauren Selman of Reel Green Media
Reel Green Media started as a student project when Selman was at UC Berkeley. The company’s first movie project was Benjamin Bratt’s La Mission, which was filmed in San Francisco. Selman initially zeroed in on composting and recycling movie set waste. For example, the 80-person La Mission crew was going through as many as 500 disposable water bottles a day. Selman substituted water jugs. She then analyzed the energy used, including studying generators, transportation, hotel accommodations and caterers. In addition, she consulted on whether the products that appeared on screen were environmentally friendly and promoting a green lifestyle. In addition to movies, Reel Green Media now works on live events, such as the Golden Globes, the Emmys and the Oscars.
Selman also set out to reimagine beauty pageants, competing for the Miss Malibu title in a completely sustainable way with, for example, an all-organic dress and makeup. She won the pageant’s Miss Congeniality title and the People’s Choice Award and influenced the way other contestants approached sustainability.
Bill and Selman discuss how greening the entertainment industry requires re-thinking basic concepts. For example, it’s not always easy to quickly get things – such as compostable plates – to remote areas where movies often film. But studios are getting more on board with sustainable practices and both production structures and executives’ awareness is developing. That, Selman says, will have ripple effect to entertainment industry vendors.
Are you more likely to see a movie that used sustainable practices in filming?
Post Links:
Listen to the interview with Selman: Episode 81 of The Wendel Forum (27:41 mins; mp3)
Reel Green Media: http://www.reelgreenmedia.com
960 KNEW AM Radio website: http://www.960KNEW.com
Bill Acevedo’s online profile: http://www.wendel.com/wacevedo
In Episode 80 of The Wendel Forum (originally aired on October 13, 2012, on 960 KNEW AM radio), show moderator Dick Lyons, co-founder of Wendel Rosen’s sustainable business practice group, welcomes Elliot Kallen, founder and CEO of Prosperity Financial, a San Ramon, Calif.-based money market fund with $200 million under management.
Elliot Kallen, CEO of Prosperity Financial, visits The Wendel Forum
Years ago, socially responsible investing meant simply avoiding investing in so-called sin products such as tobacco or the defense industry. Increasingly, though, socially responsible investing means more. While it can mean investing in green companies, the issue is somewhat muddy. For example, is it socially responsible to invest in a solar module product if the parts were made in China and the manufacturing process included toxic chemicals that ended up in the water supply?
Not surprisingly, therefore, everyone has a different opinion of what it means to be socially conscious. Generally, though, it means thinking about doing the right thing and considering every facet – from environmental issues to a company’s shareholder governance and charitable activities to the private activities (such as aiding the Nazis) of a company’s founder.
In addition, there are different approaches to socially responsible investing. For example, an investor can proactively support companies that are doing good things for society or devote a portion of a portfolio to green companies. Alternatively, an investor can simply seek the highest possible return on investments but then commit to donating 10 percent of those earnings to a socially responsible cause. Kallen recommends finding an advisor who will listen to your goals.
What does socially responsible investing mean to you?
Post Links:
Listen to the interview with Elliot Kallen: Episode 80 of The Wendel Forum (26:55 mins; mp3)
Prosperity Financial Website: http://www.prosperityfg.com
960 KNEW AM Radio website: http://www.960KNEW.com
Dick Lyons’s online profile:http://www.wendel.com/rylons
In Episode 78 of The Wendel Forum (originally aired on September 29, 2012, on 960 KNEW AM radio), show moderator Dick Lyons, co-founder of Wendel Rosen’s sustainable business practice group, welcomes Scott Potter, managing partner of San Francisco Equity Partners, a private equity firm that specializes in consumer products growth companies.
Scott Potter, San Francisco Equity Partners, in The Wendel Forum studio
Potter’s firm partners with companies that have demonstrated a proven demand for their products. So while there’s no consumer adoption risk, the companies are usually facing operational and scale challenges to reach the next level. Typically, they are $5-10 million companies poised to scale their businesses, often to north of $100 million.
Identifying these optimal risk-reward companies is more science than art. San Francisco Equity Partners is particularly focused on its companies’ channel strategy. That is, a given beauty product can’t successfully be sold at both Sephora and Wal-Mart. Channels include food (Safeway), drug (Walgreens), mass (Wal-Mart), club (Costco), prestige (specialty retailers and department stores) and direct-to-consumer (online and direct-response TV). Determining the right channel for products is often a company’s key to success.
A growing channel is the so-called natural channel, as epitomized by Whole Foods, which is separate from the traditional grocery channel. But Potter’s firm specializes in natural products that are targeted for the mass channel. Companies targeting this channel should not ask consumers to pay more for an inferior product “just to save the fish,” Potter says. Rather, the product’s value proposition has to work in and of itself outside of sustainability and natural missions. The prime example is Method products.
When San Francisco Equity Partners first invested in Method, it was producing just hand and cleaning products. It has evolved to include bathroom and specialty products and even successfully launched into the competitive laundry space. Early on, Method knew it would never have the marketing budget of Proctor & Gamble. So it chose to overinvest in packaging, focusing on the point of sale: when product is on the shelf. Method’s in-house design team devised a distinctive look, including the bottle molds, and focused on the aesthetic and the user-experience (such as the one-hand laundry detergent dispensing system). With the “design baked into the products,” Method aspired to be like Apple.
At what kind of store are you most likely to purchase natural products?
Post Links:
Listen to the interview with Scott Potter: Episode 78 of The Wendel Forum (27:48 mins; mp3)
San Francisco Equity Partners Website: http://www.sfequitypartners.com
Method Products Website: http://methodhome.com
960 KNEW AM Radio website: http://www.960KNEW.com
Dick Lyons’s online profile: http://www.wendel.com/rylons
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