Acknowledgments

In writing this book, I summoned perspectives and experiences that extend many years into the past, to the early days of my career. I drew upon a wealth of knowledge, insights, and wisdom imparted by an array of people who have helped me grow professionally and personally over the past two decades. The available space in this book and the limitations of my long-term memory prevent me from recognizing everyone who has had a positive (or at least important) influence on my development and the formation of the ideas articulated in this book. However, I would like to recognize some of the many people who have played an important role in helping me reach this point.

I have learned a great deal since I first came to work in Washington, D.C. back in the mid-1980s. I am indebted to many former colleagues, clients, and fellow travelers for the body of knowledge I have developed over that time span. Among many others, I would particularly like to acknowledge the contributions made by a number of people who were helpful to me in developing the facts, ideas, and concepts presented in this book.

For his many contributions to my thinking about organizational sustainability in all its dimensions over the past 15 years or so, and for his ongoing (and persistent) encouragement to take on the challenge of writing a book on this topic, I want to thank my good friend and frequent colleague Ira Feldman. I am especially pleased that he was willing to share some of his expertise and perspectives for the book, which are included in several of the chapters. I also would like to thank Larry Buc, who gave me my start in the environmental consulting business some 25 years ago. He also provided major and early opportunities for me to grow professionally and served as my first (and only true) mentor in the business. He has been very generous over the years in sharing his time, knowledge, and accumulated wisdom. Many of the successful projects on which we have collaborated over the years have helped me develop a level of understanding and insight that has enabled me to address the major topics in this book in the depth they deserve.

During the past five years or so, I have been fortunate to have worked with a number of talented people on projects that have brought to light new information and insights about the relationships between corporate environmental management and sustainability behavior, performance measurement and reporting, and financial community evaluation and investment decision making, among other topics. Involvement in these projects has allowed me to both contribute and further develop my capabilities while helping clients better understand and make sound decisions about their own operations and activities. I would like to specifically acknowledge and thank Shana Harbour and Bill Hanson of the U.S. EPA, Mike Fanning of the U.S. Postal Service, and Carol Singer Neuvelt of the National Association for Environmental Management. They provided me with opportunities to contribute to the important work being done within their respective organizations and gave me the creative space I needed to develop and deploy some unconventional yet, in the end, highly effective approaches for addressing challenging issues. Many of the facts and perspectives provided in this book originated in the work performed under the direction of these people.

I also would like to thank a small number of people who are among the many thousands who are doing the work of corporate sustainability on a daily basis or are engaged in evaluating its effects. Each was kind enough to share some personal insights reflecting his or her organization and/or experience in the field. They include Mark Bateman, Alan Knight, Tim Mohin, Sandy Nessing, Mike Pisarcik, and Marcella Thompson. I particularly appreciate the candid and insightful feedback provided by Ira Feldman and Larry Buc. They carefully reviewed draft chapters and were instrumental in helping me improve them. I also would like to thank Paul Bailey, Greg Foster, Jeff Goodman, and many others within my professional circle for their support in developing my idea for a book and helping it take shape.

Developing a written work of this length and depth is an involved process that includes many steps and much painstaking review and improvement. I would like to thank my editors, Jeanne Glasser Levine, Anne Goebel, and Gayle Johnson, as well as their colleagues at FT Press/Pearson for their interest in the book, helpful suggestions, and professionalism. The finished product has benefited substantially from their involvement.

Finally, I could not have pushed through a project of this size and complexity without the active support and encouragement of my friends and family, particularly that of my wife, Sheri, and daughter, Leeann. Their love and support have kept me going during many an extended workday.