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News Story
Leadership Houston Alumni on Environment Day
October 4, 2009
By Michele Cowart
  • Class XXVIII's Environment Day was held at the Wildcat Golf Club, 12000 Almeda Rd., Houston, TX, on Thursday, October 1, 2009. Annually, this class day covers environmental initiatives, issues, and concerns in the Greater Houston Area. Mike Firenza, Inspector, Housing & Community Development Department, City of Houston, and Class XXIII chaired Environment Day this year (pictured at left).

    Sponsored by KBR, thanks to Richard Jennings, Senior Manager, Community Relations and Contributions, Class VII, Environment Day was engaging and eye-opening. Speakers ranged from the Port of Houston to Texas Environmental Justice Services. Many views were discussed amongst the class.

    Activities included, a Harvard Business School Case Study and carbon footprint assessment. The class member with the lowest carbon footprint, Ray Purser, Comcast, was awarded for having the least environmental impact. Way to go Ray!

    Wildcat Golf Club sponsored a delicious breakfast and lunch for the class. After lunch, the classcompeted in a Leadership Houston Golf Putting Challenge. Winners were Kirk Wiginton, Amegy Bank and Steve Greenly, CenterPoint Energy. Congratulations to our best putters.

    The afternoon's session included a Home Energy Efficiency workshop facilitated by Firenza. Great tips were shared to keep our homes cool or warm, respectively. Next, alumni representatives from CenterPoint Energy, Lisa Foronda, Class XXVI and City of Houston, Alvin Wright, Class XXI were joined by Living Earth during an Environmental Round Robin.

    The piece de resistance occurred when Class XXIII raised funds to cover the Class XXVIII's cost of 1 drink ticket at happy hour in the Vista Grill of Wildcat following the class.

    "One of the things that our class enjoyed," says Firenza, "was getting together after class and really getting to spend time with each other. We wanted this class (Class XXVIII) to have the same opportunity so they will make it a part of their class days."

    Class XXVIII will have Demographics and Diversity Day at Texas Southern University, Thursday, December 3, 2009. Class Day Chair, Sean Carter, Class XIX plans a day filled with exploration.
Any questions or comments, please contact us at: leaders@leadershiphouston.org.