The Florida Chapter, U.S. Green Chamber of Commerce (USGCC) was formally established this last week in the city of Orlando. It is the very first Chapter of the U.S. Green Chamber of Commerce.
“This organization is just the first of many chapters to be established within the United States” says Michelle Thatcher, CEO of USGCC, “and has the right leadership to set the mark high for future chapters to follow”.
The organization was founded by Joseph Montisano, CEO of Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens, Chris Castro, Co-Founder of Citizen Energy and Co-Founder and Vice President of IDEAS for Us, Lauren Maxwell, Marketing Director of First Green Bank, Kristin Urban of U.S. Green Chamber, and Raymond Randall, Managing Principal with Waste Management’s Sustainability Services consulting group.
Chris Castro (pictured above), Founding Chair of the Florida Chapter, says that the “USGCC is the national leader in accelerating the triple-bottom line through the business community, and the Florida Chapter is honored and excited to join as an official chapter of USGCC to replicate it’s successes in Florida.” The Florida Chapter, according to Castro, “plans to become Florida’s premier green business organization representing the interests of businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions throughout the state, as well as assist Florida businesses to embrace innovation, widen the viability of solutions to address these challenges, and lead the charge on driving the green economy.”
With the Florida Chapter established, the Chapter system is already spreading, with a San Diego Chapter in the early stages of formation. “[It] makes perfect sense to have our Chapter(s) start in these areas as both are leaders within their respective communities as far as business sustainability”, states Thatcher.
The U.S. Green Chamber of Commerce has established a Chapter system through the efforts of the USGCC Chapter Steering Committee. As the Chapters support the mission and vision of the U.S. Green Chamber of Commerce, the USGCC will be providing benefits for the Chapters, while connecting them with other businesses and organizations with similar goals and objectives.
Thatcher states, “The purpose of Chapter system is to help businesses achieve the triple-bottom line on a smaller scale –city, regional, or state—which will in turn help the U.S. Green Chamber achieve its mission of transforming the way America does business.”
*** If you are interested in opening a chapter in your area, please contact info@usgreenchamber.com
