Champions of the Decade: Dan & Pat Conway - Great Lakes Brewing Company
Champions of the Decade Award
After reading the nomination by Linda Mayer Mack, we decided to give this special award to Dan and Pat Conway for all they have done to put sustainability to work that has created value for their business and the region for over a decade. This award is not only for what they have done (see the many sustainability projects they have implemented) but also for how they have worked with the community. They see possibilities, act on them and then share what they learn. Their values of family and community are shared with their employees, customers, vendors and the E4S Network. This sense of community supports all champions as they do the hard work of creating a more healthy and prosperous economy. Dan and Pat Conway are role models for all of us.
Nominator: Linda Mayer Mack, Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District
How has the nominee implemented sustainable business practices in his or her business or organization and what are the triple bottom line benefits (people, planet, prosperity) of the nominee's work?
The GLBC is an environmentally and socially conscious brewer of award-winning, all natural beer. They care that what goes intotheir beer resonates from a commitment to community, environmentand to engage in those economic, social and environmental practices that achieve a sustainable, yet profitable, business.
They believe the Triple Bottom Line is going to become increasingly important as people focus more on responsible purchasing. This commitment to sustainability is present in almost every aspect of their business including:
- Reducing, reusing and recycling
- Changing natural resource use from "Take, Make, Waste" to "Take,
- Make, Remake"
- Implementing efficient energy practices
- Investing in the community through non-profit organizations
- Supporting sustainable urban renewal projects
The three waves in the company logo not only reflect this Triple Bottom Line philosophy, they represent a concerted effort to the respectful use of beer's most valuable ingredient - water. Since beer is over 90% water, GLBC understands that quality water translates into a great beer drinking experience, so only the best water from the Great Lakes region is used.
How does the nominee actively participate in the sustainability community? How do they collaborate and share their knowledge with others?
-All of us have benefitted from the generosity of meeting space, E4S and the City of Cleveland's Sustainability Office are examples.
-Partnership with Hale Farm, the Pint Sized Farm has expanded and provides most of the produce used in the Brew Pub.
-Through a consortium of businesses have supported the development of the Ohio City Farm, largest farm in Cleveland's borders.
-Participated in the planning committee for the City of Cleveland kick-off Sustainability Summit
-Spent grains used in the brewing process are used by local farmers to raise livestock and poultry (featured on our menu) on a diet of brewery grains; Zoss the Swiss Baker uses the grains to produce our cracked barley beer bread and pretzels
-BURNING RIVER FEST
-BURNING RIVER FOUNDATION - Their non-profit organization whose purpose through grants, donations and community involvement is to provide extensive education and resources for:
- Ecological Conservation
- Environmental Protection
- Scientific Exploration
- Historic Preservation and
- Sustainable Future of our waterways.
How has the nominee inspired you to implement sustainable business practices? What is your relationship with the nominee: supervisor, employee, peer, father, friend or other.
In our organization we are formulating green initiative and building capacity within a large, industrial-type network of functions. I led a Green Team on several information gathering
tours and certainly GLBC was a highlight. However, GLBC regularly exposes our community to their sustainability practices and for many it is revealing how practical and cost saving these practices can be.
This is a tough question, it's a real give back opportunity they provide to us as partners. Through E4S Third Tuesday events our organization is able to reach the community regarding our own environmental commitment and contribution; the Conway's believe in the great work our organization does and provides for environmental sustainability. Through the Burning River Fest they are partners in getting the message out about the importance of clean water and need for continual advocacy to preserve, protect and enhance this invaluable resource. I nominated the West Creek Preservation Committee for support funding three years ago, they continue to receive support from the Burning River Foundation and have become one of the regions exemplary advocates for watershed stewardship.
How can someone else translate the success of the nominee? Is the work of the nominee an example or model that others can follow?
Pat and Dan lead by example and are generous in sharing their successes with the community. Many have and are continually learning from their initiatives....
