Mark Hartman, MBA, LEED AP
Chief Sustainability Officer, City of Phoenix

Mark Hartman became intersted energy efficiency in the 1990s while working for a utility running conservation programs. However, he adds, “My interest deepened rather suddenly in 2003, when I was asked by a company vice-president to prepare a presentation on sustainability and I had never heard the term! I have since been immersed in the world of learning what William McDonough describes as ‘how to we love all the children, of all species, for all time.’”

Since recently coming into his role as CSO for the City of Phoenix, Hartman says, “My initial effort has been to identify gaps in the approach to sustainability and I am currently working with departments to bring forward a number of major recommendations to Council, including a plan to engage stakeholders in setting long term sustainability goals.”

Hartman is passionate about helping others understand that making Phoenix a sustainable city will not result in higher costs. He says, “While still valuing the importance of social justice and reducing harm to the environment, I find it exciting knowing that by bringing forward actions that reduce costs, Phoenix could still leapfrog other communities and make significant advances in sustainability.”

MaryBeth and Tim Scanlon
Co-owners, Pizza People Pub

Since MaryBeth Scanlon grew up in the restaurant business, she has an understanding of how wasteful the industry as a whole can be, particularly as restaurants have increased portion sizes to stay competitive. She says, “Unfortunately, the result has been more food in the trash. Recycling is not made easy for this industry, and we go through a tremendous amount of bottles and cardboard.”

To offset waste, MaryBeth and Tim have employed the services of locally owned Recycled City, which picks up all of Pizza People Pub’s food waste for composting. MaryBeth adds, “We are currently getting 200 gallons a week picked up and as we get busier it will be even more. We recycle our remaining trash, and we had Republic Services trade our big dumpster for a recycle bin. What we send to the landfill each week is very minimal. In addition, our to-go products are made from recycled material that can be recycled again.” With their efforts, she and Tim hope to influence other restaurant owners, saying, “If most restaurants made this shift, the impact would be tremendous!” Beyond the restaurant, the Scanlon’s practice sustainability at home by managing a low-maintenance desert-landscaped yard, purchasing eco-friendly products, such as detergents and recycling. MaryBeth says, “I am hoping to have the time to start a garden soon so then I will have use for composting my food at home rather than toting it to the restaurant.”

Leah Fregulia Roberts
Head of School/CEO, Arizona School for the Arts

Leah Fregulia Roberts has served as a founding faculty member since the Arizona School for the Arts opened in 1995. She fulfilled the role as school principal for nine years until taking on her current position in 2007. One of her biggest achievements is working with the students to help them “understand the importance of creating sustainable environments and that every action they take has an impact.”

The school’s youngest students are in charge of the weekly recycling program for the campus of more than 900 students, staff and faculty, and the seniors compost lunch items for the campus garden as part of the Environmental Science class. Fregulia Roberts adds, “Several years ago, the ASA National Honors Society officially adopted the swath of McDowell Road bordering campus through the ‘adopt-a-street’ program run by the City of Phoenix. We strive to teach sustainable habits that students can carry with them beyond the school walls.”

Fregulia Roberts adds, “Because I live and work in downtown Phoenix, I am an urban core person. I value the many sustainable transportation options in the downtown area, such as walkability, access to Metro Light Rail and nearby bike paths. In fact, these were important reasons for locating both Arizona School for the Arts and my home in the downtown area.”

Ginger Lopez
Co-Owner, Clean-Air Cab

Ginger and her husband Steve Lopez started their green business, Clear Air Cab, naturally… “I had just had our second child and every thought we had was on the future,” she says. The Lopez’ started the company with a 10-Pruis fleet and offset the little carbon they did emit by buying carbon credits.

Ginger adds, “Our garage is Green Shield certified (meaning we recycle our oil, solvents and oil filters), and I’m most proud of planting trees in our community that we can watch grow with our children. I also love being a Local First business member and taking it a step further by sourcing products and services we need for our business locally.”

In her personal life, Ginger enjoys saving containers to reuse them for projects or storage. She adds, “We are on an irrigated lot so our trees and grass are watered with reclaimed water. I have a not-so-green thumb so keeping my garden alive is still trial and error for me.”

Ginger hopes to inspire people to realize “the power they have to change their community just by purchasing from local and green companies.”

Read more articles about leadership at greenlivingaz.com/leadership