George Bandy, Jr., vice president of sustainability at Interface, will be the keynote speaker Cedar Valley College's Sustainability Conference on June 13.

June 4, 2014

Nationally recognized sustainability leader George Bandy, Jr. will bring his real-life experience changing corporate culture to North Texas as the keynote speaker at Cedar Valley College’s sustainability conference next week.

The conference themed “H3: A Responsible Pathway” will be held on June 13 at Cedar Valley College in Lancaster from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Bandy will speak at 9 am. 

Bandy is the the vice president of sustainability at Interface, the world’s largest manufacturer of carpet tiles. The Atlanta-based company was made famous when its founder Ray Anderson had an epiphany regarding sustainability in the 1990s and launched Mission Zero, a goal to eliminate any negative impact Interface has on the environment by 2020.

Maria Boccalandro, sustainability director at Cedar Valley College, said Bandy, who is also the chairman of the U.S. Green Building Council, promotes a message of inclusiveness that she hopes will inspire event-goers from all economic backgrounds.

“I met [Bandy] at the AASHE conference,” said Boccalandro. “I thought his message was very, very compelling: which is no matter where you are, there’s no excuse for not being more sustainable.”

In addition to Bandy, Earth Day Texas executive director Michael Cain will speak at noon.  

“He will show participants there’s a lot being done here and there’s a lot more to be done,” said Boccalandro. “It doesn’t matter whether you’re a mom or a CEO.”

The conference will feature three tracks for breakout sessions focusing on people, profit and planet, with nearly 40 speakers scheduled throughout the day. 

Additional speakers include Dan Lepinski, a solar design engineer from the North Texas Renewable Energy Group; Anna Clark of EarthPeople Media; Peter Payton, director of Groundwork Dallas; and Steven Bailey, founder of Urban Acres. 

Above, Earth Day Texas executive director Michael Cain, and, below, solar design engineer Dan Lepinski are both speakers at the Sustainbility Conference. Photo by Karl Thibodeaux.

While the Dallas County Community College holds its annual Sustainability Summit in April in Dallas, Boccalandro said this conference hosted by Cedar Valley College is tailored to attract event-goers in south Dallas County, including Duncanville, Cedar Hill, DeSoto, Lancaster and Seagoville. 

“We want to help the southern cities on their journey to sustainability,” said Boccalandro. “There’s a lot development in the area and we want it to be sustainable development.”

Clean jobs, clean resources and clean environment will be addressed. In addition, a focus on spiritual development with regards to sustainability has been added.

“We have a lot of churches in the south,” she said. “We want them to think about ‘How do you make your church sustainable?’ as well.”

The event is free and a light lunch will be served. Attendees can also earn Continuing Education and Professional Development credit at the event.

H3 : A Responsible Pathway Sustainability Conference 

When: Friday, June 13, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m

Where: Cedar Valley College Gymnasium (Building G), 3030 N Dallas Ave., Lancaster

Info: Dr. Maria Boccalandro, 972-860-5204 or mboccalandro@dcccd.edu

More information and complete schedule.


Julie Thibodeaux is the Managing Editor for Green Source DFW. Previously, she worked as an editor and writer at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Contact her at Julie@greensourcedfw.org.

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