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Jon Kaplan
Pearl Wind

The Nominator: Michael Stevens, The Solar System/General Solar LLC

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?
Jon and his team, including project manager Stephanie Spear of EcoWatch Ohio, have installed the first commercial wind turbine on a private business in Cleveland. The 120 kw Vestas wind turbine is re-cycled from California, re-built to better-than-new specs, and is the beta testing unit for a start-up sustainable wind energy company that will manufacture, re-build and install commercial wind turbine throughout the region.

How has the nominee inspired you to implement sustainable business practices?
Jon`s family business, Pearl Road Auto Wrecking, has been recycling auto parts, metals and related materials for more than 75 years. Under his leadership, the business has instituted sustainable energy practices, and complies with strict EPA rules concerning collection and recycling of hazardous materials.

How can someone else translate the success of the nominee? Is the work of the nominee an example or model that others can follow?
Jon has provided leadership in breaking new ground in erecting a landmark wind turbine in an extremely densely populated, industrialized area directly adjacent to I-480 at Brookpark Road, steadily breaking down barriers to this project which included zoning, building and utility variances or permits.

How does the nominee actively participate in the sustainability community? How do they collaborate and share their knowledge with others?
Jon`s wind project is only one example of new manufacturing opportunities that can help Cleveland recover from the tremendous loss of it`s manufacturing base. Cleveland has vast tracts of land and buildings available for new sustainable businesses, including the manufacture and rebuilding of wind turbines, towers and parts, urban greenhousing, and solar PV and hot-water panels.