Andrew Watterson - City of Cleveland

The Nominator: Eric Wobser, City of Cleveland

How has the nominee implemented sustainable business practices in his or her business or organization?
Andrew has created from scratch a sustainability program for the City of Cleveland. Andrew`s numerous accomplishments include, but are not limited to, implementing an anti-idling policy for city vehicles, incorporating sustainability principles into capital projects, expanding the city`s recycling program and introducing other energy saving measures to city government. Andrew has also educated thousands of City employees on the value of sustainability. He has been so successful, that he recently was authorized to triple the size of his staff.

What is the triple bottom line benefit (people, planet, prosperity) of the nominee`s work?
People benefit from Andrew`s work through improved opportunities to recycle, increases awareness of sustainability and its importance, improved air quality, and more of their tax dollars being diverted from wasteful practices to better services. The planet benefits from Andrew`s work through improved air and water quality, enhanced recycling efforts, and a population better educated about the potential for sustainable principles to save our planet and improve our quality of life. Andrew`s work adds to the prosperity of every Clevelander, as his efforts to reduce wasteful energy practices at the City free up valuable tax dollars to improve the quality of life of Cleveland`s residents.

How has the nominee inspired you to implement sustainable business practices?
Andrew has inspired and directly influenced me in a number of ways, including, but not limited to, a push to introduce for the first time in the city`s capital budget a line item for the planting of trees to replenish the city`s urban forest, and also to include 3% in the budget of capital projects to include "green" practices.

How can someone else translate the success of the nominee? Is the work of the nominee an example or model that others can follow?
Absolutely. I have seen firsthand the inspiration that others see in Andrew. Countless individuals look to him for advice on how to implement their own sustainability agenda. Andrew has shown that even local government, traditionally an entity that has been slow to change, can be moved to action on sustainability through education and the commitment of a change agent such as himself. The fact that the City has committed additional resources to allow Andrew to hire a staff for the sustainability program is a testament to his success-others would be smart to follow his model.

How does the nominee actively participate in the sustainability community? How do they collaborate and share their knowledge with others?
Andrew is a frequent speaker on sustainability issues, both locally and nationally. He is active with E4S and other organizations that are working tirelessly to educate and collaborate on sustainability issues.