Third Track: Institutionalizing Sustainability

Tom will speak about the process he utilizes to ensure a complete and recurring “organic” cycle in regards to implementing and facilitating energy management he calls (CCOC) Conscientious and Continuous Operational Changes. By implementing and facilitating a CCOC program and process, it will:

• Produce positive financial results
• Identify cost avoidance opportunities
• Lower overall operating and capital expenses
• Limit liability and exposure
• Improve occupant comfort
• Increase the assets value
• Form a behavioral engaging environment that is collaborative

Attendees will take away how to identify and analyze energy conservation and cost avoidance opportunities and to differentiate items as no-cost, low-cost, r-and-m, capital and/or cost avoidance. We will discuss how to develop and implement monthly operational calls and site visits as well as implement and monitor utility tracking and cost avoidance site specific spreadsheets.

About the Speaker:
Tom Tolan

 

Thomas T. Tolan is vice president of engineering for Tier Reit’s commercial property management division. In this role, he is responsible for managing both in-house and contract engineering teams and guiding policy with all aspects of energy management, sustainability, safety, regulatory compliance and capital planning. Mr. Tolan’s primary responsibility is the REIT I portfolio, consisting of Class A office buildings throughout the U.S. He also supports the company’s design, development, asset management and acquisition and disposition efforts.

This session will look at partnerships for sustainability at the local, national, and international level. This panel will contain members from private industries, public institutions, and academic researchers that engage in partnerships in support of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals.

About the Speaker:
Dr. Anne Egelston

 

Dr. Anne Egelston is the Director for the Center for Environmental Studies at Tarleton State University in Stephenville. Her research focuses on partnerships for sustainability, sustainable development indicators, and environmental markets. She spent 10 years in industry as a chemical engineer writing air permit applications, a site manager for a nested contractor, and national practice leader for carbon credits and strategies. She has served as a business observer to the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Texas A&M University and a Doctorate in Global Affairs from Rutgers University – Newark.

The Mayor committed the City of Dallas towards meeting the goals of the 2017 Paris Climate Accord, which entails zero emissions by the year 2050 (among other things). Several other studies identify significant climate related risks to our communities, infrastructure, and businesses. Understanding that the City has embarked on many related initiatives towards mitigating climate change and heat island impacts and implementing measures to help our community adapt to future climate conditions, staff began the Comprehensive Environmental & Climate Action Plan (CECAP) in January, 2019. Because climate change is more likely to impact children, elders, communities of color, and lower economic demographic groups, the City is using several equity tools to ensure that the resulting plan meets the needs of the community, and provides actionable, equitable goals. This presentation provides an update on the plan development process, and how an equity lens is being use to guide planning efforts.

About the Speaker:
Susan Alvarez

 

Ms. Alvarez is serving as the Assistant Director of the City of Dallas Office of Environmental Quality & Sustainability. She has a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, with a minor in geology from Rice University, and postgraduate work in water resources. She is a Registered Professional Engineer in Texas and 5 other western states, and is also certified as a Certified Floodplain Manager, and Master Naturalist in Texas. Ms. Alvarez brings over 35 years’ experience in broad practical experience in civil and environmental planning, engineering and management for municipal, tribal, state and federal governments. She is currently focused on the Comprehensive Environmental & Climate Action Plan, and the City’s environmental outreach efforts.

George Hunt spent more than 50 years as a community planner and landscape architect, working in impoverished and low-income areas. This helped him understand the dynamics of achieving self-sufficiency. He believes there are numerous ways to make communities self-sufficient and anyone can use his concepts. He explains how multiple-purpose buildings can be used to house a diversity of people, ways to launch a business within the community by collaborating and sharing with others, how to obtain a vocational work/study program offered on site and more. The book is also a reference manual on transition community design, creating a purpose, the meaning of happiness, sustainable agricultural practices, how to live without stuff and how to reduce anxiety and depression.

About the Speaker:
George Hunt

 

Hunt has been a practicing Landscape Architect and Community Planner for over 50 years. One of the projects was as principal in a planning firm for planning a Master Plan for Montego Bay, Jamaica. This received a practice award from the United Nations in community participation.