A TRIBUTE TO GREEN LEADERS
Green is good. Green is smart. And green is profitable. That was the mantra Thursday morning, led by Gov. Rick Snyder’s keynote speech, at the second annual Free Press Michigan Green Leaders awards breakfast at DTE Energy headquarters in Detroit. A full house of 450 cheered the reach of conservation in the state, with honorees ranging from iconic figures such as U.S. Rep John Dingell to Alex Kozlowski, a college student who recycles bottles and cans for charity. “Today’s honorees show that green and business go together,” Ford Motor Executive Chairman Bill Ford said as he introduced Snyder. • AWARDS BREAKFAST, EXPO LOOK TO A GREEN FUTURE . 8A
Ford Motor Executive Chairman Bill Ford, in front, applauds at the Green Leaders breakfast Thursday. At right are Gerry Anderson, CEO of DTE, which received an honorable mention, and U.S. Rep. John Dingell, the Dearborn Democrat who was one of the honorees.
Award winners, events lead to greener future
It was a celebration of all green-minded people, companies and ideas. More than 500 Michiganders attended Thursday’s Free Press Michigan Green Leaders awards breakfast and expo at DTE Energy’s Detroit headquarters. Sixteen companies, organizations and individuals received a Green Leaders award. Winners were chosen by a panel of independent judges. Delivering the keynote address, Gov. Rick Snyder challenged his audience to do even more to create a sustainable state. “You’re leaders in this field,” Snyder told the audience. “And leaders don’t want to stop. What other work can you do?” He called for “relentless positive action.” Introducing Snyder, Ford Motor Executive Chairman Bill Ford spoke of how far Michigan has come toward a greener consciousness. “I love the fact that we’re actually talking about green leadership in an old-line industrial area,” Ford, a 2010 Michigan Green Leader, told the audience. “A few years ago that wouldn’t have happened. People thought I was some sort of communist. Today’s honorees show that green and business go together.” Snyder urged, “Let’s find the common ground where we can do green things together.” Those gathered as honorees included U.S. Rep. John Dingell, a Dearborn Democrat, as well as representatives of companies including Steelcase, Detroit Diesel, LG Chem and other, smaller operations . They also included activist individuals and groups such as Ann Arbor’s Ecology Center, creating a mix of people all interested in conservation and a sustainable economy, even if they often have been on the opposite sides of issues. Addressing the winners, Snyder said, “What we need now to do is use you as role models.” After the 16 honorees received their awards, Dingell told the audience, “We do not own this land. We inherit it from those who follow us, and it’s our duty to return it in as good as shape as we got it, or hopefully better.” Free Press Editor and Publisher Paul Anger concluded the breakfast by riffing on a popular Chrysler commercial. He told the audience, “There is no other program like this that we’ve been able to find anywhere else in the country. ... To paraphrase: This is Detroit, and this is what we do.” In tandem with the sold-out awards breakfast, held for the second year, the Free Press also held its first free expo. It featured exhibits by a dozen companies and nonprofit organizations, including Meijer and Maggie’s Organics. Another was LaFontaine Cadillac Buick GMC, which earned an honorable mention in the green building category. Cristal Holston came to the expo to attend a seminar by the Greening of Detroit because she wanted to start a community garden in her neighborhood on Detroit’s west side. “If we do it as a community garden, anyone who wants something or needs something can come and get it,” she said. “I love gardening.” The expo also attracted people such as Lawrence Roberson, who attended a presentation by the Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association. Roberson said he plans to buy a hybrid car and is looking into ways to power his Southfield home using solar or wind energy. “I’m really excited about green technologies,” the money and financial manager said. “If we aren’t interested, we are stupid.” • CONTACT JOHN GALLAGHER: 313-222-5173 OR GALLAGHER99@FREEPRESS.COM
Pam Frucci of Grosse Ile checks out vegetable seeds from Meijer at the environmental expo that followed the Green Leaders tribute breakfast Thursday in Detroit.
Free Press columnist Tom Walsh congratulates Sister Gloria Rivera and Sister Paula Cathcart of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Motherhouse in Monroe.
Gov. Rick Snyder gives the breakfast’s keynote address.
Randy Essex of the Free Press presents former Gov. William Milliken’s award to his son, Bill Jr.
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