Greenest Office Judges Announced

The Northwest Arkansas Business Journal is pleased to announce the judges for the 2012 Greenest Office & Sustainability awards.

The annual contest is designed to recognize and honor those businesses, entities and individuals making the most positive impact on both the environment and bottom lines. An awards ceremony will be held at the Waste Management Sustainability Center in Rogers on Oct. 11.

Nominations can be made through Sept. 17 by visiting www.arkansasbusiness.com/green_office.asp. This year’s judges are Michele Halsell, Mikel Lolley and Missi Walker.

Halsell is managing director at the University of Arkansas’ Applied Sustainability Center, which is part of the Sam M. Walton College of Business. After working in brand management for a multinational CPG firm, Halsell joined the UA in 1994. She held several positions before assuming her present role in 2007.

Currently, Halsell’s work at the ASC focuses on sustainability as a framework for enhancing economic prosperity. The center is developing sustainability metrics that cities can use to identify economic opportunities and to inform public policy so that cities can realize the economic, environmental and social benefits of sustainability

“At the level of cities and regions, sustainability can reduce costs and create new jobs,” Halsell said. “Sustainability can also help cities and regions achieve competitive advantage in attracting new investment.”

Lolley is executive director of Treadwell Institute, a nonprofit organization he founded. As such, Lolley is regarded within the state as an expert in public policy that encourages energy-efficiency and renewable-energy retrofits on existing buildings.

Lolley also acts on behalf of PACE, a bipartisan initiative that allows property owners to finance energy efficiency and renewable energy projects for their homes and commercial buildings without government subsidies. Lolley was named the Business Journal’s “Sustainability Champion” in 2011.

Walker is the owner of Missi Walker Interiors, and a LEED Accredited Professional. Walker also is a member of the U.S. Green Building Council.

Among Walker’s most notable recent projects are the Fayetteville Public Library Teen Area expansion and the renovation of Clubhaus Fitness in Fayetteville. Clubhaus Fitness won a Greenest Office award in 2010.