Dr. Michael Crooke to Keynote the 19th Annual Sustainable Quality Awards Luncheon

SANTA MONICA, Calif. - April 17, 2014 - PRLog -- The Sustainable Quality Awards (SQA) is proud to announce that local innovator and business leader, Dr. Michael Crooke will present the keynote for the annual awards luncheon scheduled for Wednesday, April 30^th at Le Meridien Delfina Hotel in Santa Monica.

The SQA is a collaboration between the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce, the City of Santa Monica, and Sustainable Works to identify and recognize Santa Monica businesses that have successfully incorporated sustainable practices into their operations. The SQA is intended to educate and inspire local businesses to adopt sustainable practices and support Santa Monica as a sustainable community. Since the program launched in 1995 the SQA has recognized over 125 Santa Monica businesses. Again this year, the event’s LEED sponsors are Morley Builders and LAcarGuy.

The 19th Annual Awards Luncheon will feature a special keynote presentation by Dr. Michael Crooke, Sustainable Business Maverick and former CEO of Patagonia, Inc.  Dr. Crooke is also an Assistant Professor of Strategy, and Founding and lead Faculty of the Socially, Environmentally and Ethically Responsible (SEER) business certificate program at Pepperdine University. From 1999-2005, Dr. Crooke served as President and CEO of Patagonia, Inc., and Patagonia’s parent company, Lost Arrow Corporation. Dr. Crooke has also been recognized by Trust Across America as one of Top 100 Thought Leaders in Trustworthy Business Behavior. In April of 2012 the Ford Foundation named Dr. Crooke one of the “10 Innovators Changing Our World,” and profiled him as one of ten cutting-edge innovators who are shaping new sustainable businesses and influencing positive change around the world.

Rachelle Carson-Begley will introduce the 2014 Individual Stewardship Award and President and CEO of the Chamber, Laurel Rosen will present the award to Morley Builders President, Charlie Muttillo in memory of Mark Benjamin; Former CEO of Morley Builders, one of the largest construction and engineering firms in Southern California.

“This award is presented to an outstanding individual in recognition of their vision, creativity and commitment to advancing sustainable practices in the urban environment.” Says Laurel Rosen. “Not only was Morley a past SQA winner but Mark was a long-time supporter of the SQA’s.  Mark was a visionary who transformed his passion for the environment into action, incorporating long-lasting sustainable practices throughout the company and in the projects Morley built” Says Rosen.

Luncheon attendees will also enjoy a special networking hour with “Sustainable Bites” inspired by locally harvested fruits and vegetables from the Santa Monica Farmers Market. The bites will be prepared by celebrated Santa Monica chefs and past SQA winners from local favorites including Chef Ray Garcia of Fig at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel, Hannah An of Tiato & An Catering, Ebru Caplan of Bru’s Wiffle, Chef Nick Shipp of Upper West, and culinary students from The Art Institute of California/International Culinary School. Attendees can look forward to an assortment of creative bites including famous mini waffle pizzas and rice balls from Bru’s Wiffle. The networking hour will be followed by a delicious sustainable seafood luncheon served with desserts provided by Fred Deni of Back on the Beach/Back on Broadway Café.

Ticket Information

Pre-paid tickets are $50 for Chamber members and $60 for non-members. Tickets can also be purchased by visiting www.smsqa.com or reserve tickets by calling 310.393.9825.

Event sponsorship or exhibitor information is available on www.smchamber.com/sqa.

For more information on the Sustainable Quality Award program visit www.smsqa.com.

About the Sustainable Quality Awards

The Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce, the City of Santa Monica, and Sustainable Works have developed the Sustainable Quality Awards (SQA) to identify and recognize businesses in the Santa Monica area that are successfully incorporating sustainable practices into their operations.  The SQA is an annual event that promotes the efforts of local businesses that have made significant achievements in the areas of sustainable economic development, social responsibility, and stewardship of the natural environment.

For more information about the Sustainable Quality Awards, please visit: http://www.smsqa.com/  or view: http://bit.ly/1jnzB98

Press Contact:

Shannon Parry

Shannon.parry@smgov.net

310.458.2227

Susy Borlido

Susy.borlido@sustainableworks.org

310.434.3882