Ronn Richard - The Cleveland Foundation

The Nominators: Athan Barkoukis, Green Energy Ohio

How has the nominee implemented sustainable business practices in his business or organization?
Under the command of Ronn Richard, the Cleveland Foundation has identified economic development, including advanced energy, as one of five key areas to support in Northeast Ohio. The commitment to advanced energy is exemplified in many ways, including the Foundation’s mandate that capital grants only go to projects that adopt green building principles. In addition, the Foundation hired an authority on advanced energy whose goal is to promote economic development through advanced energy (Richard Stuebi, the BP Fellow for Energy and Environmental Advancement). Further, Ronn Richard’s leadership and support of advanced energy has assisted the following organizations in the pursuit of a new energy economy in 2006-2007:

1. The Cuyahoga County Commissioners to help fund a feasibility study around the installation of electricity-producing wind turbines in Lake Erie.
2. The Great Lakes Science Center for the planning, construction and installation of a wind turbine and a solar electric canopy around the front circle.
3. The Northeast Ohio Area-wide Coordinating Agency for the Electric Drive Technologies Benefits study.
4. WIRE-Net to hire a project manager to coordinate efforts to attract wind turbine manufacturers to the area.
5. The Environment Ohio Research and Policy Center and Ohio PIRG Education Fund to serve as secretariat of the Alternative Energy Collaborative Strategy Group.
6. Clean Fuels Ohio for the creation of an Ohio Transportation Energy Policy Framework.
7. Green Energy Ohio for the solar electric pavilion installation and education program at Jacobs Field as well as the Cleveland Goes Solar Initiative.

What is the triple bottom line benefit (people, planet, prosperity) of the nominee’s work?
Ronn Richard’s commitment to support advanced energy initiatives enhances energy literacy and awareness while promoting job creation. Further, a greater awareness and action by communities in Northeast Ohio, along with lobbying for a renewable energy portfolio serves to diversify Ohio’s sources of energy. This diversification will create jobs and aid in mitigating future environmental degradation, which is especially important in Cleveland where air pollution ranks high among US cities.

How has the nominee inspired you to implement sustainable business practices?
The Cleveland Foundation and Ronn Richard were instrumental in contributing to the success of SOLAR 2007, which brought national attention to Cleveland’s sustainability initiatives. Further, it allowed a partnership between Green Energy Ohio and the Cleveland Indians, and promulgated the installation of the first solar electric array on an American League Ballpark. These initiatives have provided extensive media coverage on advanced energy issues, and will play a vital role in educating Clevelanders on the benefits of clean energy.

How can someone else translate the success of the nominee? Is the work of the nominee an example or model that others can follow?
Community foundations are vital to the efforts of shifting the nation’s economy into a ‘new energy economy.’ These foundations support workforce development that is essential in creating ‘green collar jobs.’ The commitment by Ronn Richard and the Cleveland Foundation towards advanced energy should be used as a model for other community foundations nationwide.

How does the nominee actively participate in the sustainability community? How does he or she collaborate and share their knowledge with others?
Since becoming CEO of the Cleveland Foundation in 2003, Ronn Richard has been an active participant at events across Northeast Ohio. Richard’s ability to engage different sectors of the community contributes to his presence as a Champion of Sustainability in Cleveland.