Florida Business Interiors (FBI), located in Historic Ybor City, Florida Business Interiors is the first and only furniture dealership in the state of Florida to be be registered for LEED certification. Besides providing office furniture, FBI also provides complete planning, design assistance, procurement, warehousing, delivery, installation and warranty services. Their design showroom incorporates energy efficient lighting, space planning that allows for maximum day lighting, views and thermal comfort, as well as modular walls, to name just a few of its green features.
Kevin Baker, President of FBI Tampa Bay remarks, “FBI and our clients face similar challenges. We wanted to show the community that we walk the walk of sustainability. Our showroom responds to the shift in how people work, learn and grow. It also gives us the opportunity to lead by example – to comprehensively demonstrate sustainability and adaptability. In a single space, we have created a living laboratory for ongoing research as well as an engaging experience for visitors and team members alike. FBI’s showroom delivers an intelligent and harmonious workspace solution to our entire organization: a place of work and inspiration that is healthy, stimulating, true to our spirit, and reflects the design language and beauty of the products we represent.”
The next business to receive the Green Business Designation is Bayside Engineering, a women-owned civil engineering and surveying firm, which serves public and private sector clients throughout Florida and North Carolina with traffic and transportation engineering, land development due diligence, water resource services, permitting, construction engineering and inspection, surveying and mapping, GIS and IT services.
Bayside Engineering's President, Kimberlee DeBosier, PE says of the importance of adopting green practices in their business, “This recognition reflects our and our clients’ commitment to sustainability and stewardship. We are proud of our leadership in raising awareness about the environmental and economic benefits of green practices.” Their Director of Human Resources and Facilities Management, Patrick Herman, also added that the company is increasing its efficiency of energy and water usage, as well as reusing and recycling products as often as possible.
Finally, The Children's Cancer Center is another recipient of this Green Designation. They are a a non-profit organization dedicated to providing children who have cancer or chronic blood disorders and their families with the educational, emotional and financial assistance necessary to cope with their life-threatening illnesses. When asked why it’s important to the Children’s Cancer Center to be green and environmentally friendly, Tyler Freriks, Director of Special Projects, feels that, “as an organization that works closely with children, we recognize that it is our social responsibility to take part in the preservation of our environment. Thanks to Timothy Frendo of 3BL Consulting, our Going Green Program called ‘Turning Over a New Leaf’ is a low to no cost program.”
To learn more about the Tampa Green Business Designation or to register your company, see their website: http://sustany.org/blog/?page_id=391
