Rogers Homebuilder Takes Top Honors in Second ‘Greenest Office’ Initiative

For the second year in a row, the Northwest Arkansas Business Journal accepted nominations from area companies, searching for those who practice sustainability as both matters of corporate thrift and virtue.

“A green office is one that takes into account employee behavior and innovation as well as energy efficiency and conservation,” the online nomination form read. “It’s about people, policy and practices; not just windows and walls.”

Stitt Energy Systems Inc. of Rogers swept the categories, placing as the overall Greenest Office in Northwest Arkansas for 2009. Stitt was chosen not only because its renovated offices reused many materials already on the site and because it may end up being the first platinum-rated LEED project in Northwest Arkansas, but also because its business model for the last 31 years has been to help others conserve energy. From site selection to construction and finish out, the Stitt team embodies all of the ideals of the “sustainable” concept, and they put that thinking and heartfelt dedication into building more efficient homes for their clients.

Companies of all sizes across a diverse mix of industries submitted information about their operations.

Three judges rated each company on its use of natural resources and land, materials and conservation, employee behavior, and innovation.

The top five companies were placed in appropriate categories (a company that occupies a building it commissioned, a company that is a tenant, a company with fewer than 50 employees, a company with more than 50 employees and an overall greenest office). Profiles of the category winners are included in this edition, followed by profiles of the judges.

As the second iteration of the Greenest Office, the decision was made to rely on three judges instead of five. The editors of the Business Journal decided an ideal panel would contain a previous judge, a previous GO honoree and someone new, but who works closely with environmental or sustainable initiatives. This year’s judges were Tim Snell with The Nature Conservancy who was a judge in 2008; architect Jim Key, whose company was honored in the 2008 Greenest Office; and Rand Waddoups, a director of sustainability for Wal-Mart Stores Inc.

All three gentlemen selflessly contributed their time and expertise to make this project a success.

It’s our belief Northwest Arkansas can raise the sustainability bar not just for the “Natural State” but also for the nation, and possibly the world. It’s our hope this Greenest Office project will help open a dialogue between businesses, employees, customers and citizens.

CATEGORY WINNERS:
Northwest Arkansas’ Greenest Office: Stitt Energy Systems Inc., Rogers
Stitt Builds on Passion for Sustainability

Greenest Company with more than 50 Employees: WACO Title Co., Lowell
Title Co. Transitions to ‘Less-Paper’ Offices

Greenest Company with fewer than 50 Employees: Courtyard by Marriott, Fayetteville 
Socially Responsible Hotelier Rests Easy

Greenest Company Occupying Space it Commissioned: Tyson Foods Inc., Springdale
tttTyson Foods Prioritizes Sustainability Efforts

Greenest Company Occupying Space as a Tenant: Hanesbrands Inc., Bentonville
Hanesbrands Inc. Office LEEDs by Example

ttt2009 Greenest Office Judges Profiles

The List of the Top LEED Projects in Northwest Arkansas