Thanks, first, to David Parker, for suggesting this book project to me, and to Cindy Durand and Destiny Hadley for helping to herd it through the production process, all of Business Expert Press. Gratitude goes out to my colleagues and reviewers, who are too many to name, but particularly to Nettie Bartel, Beth Maxim, Brock Nicholas, Chuck Berke, Romi Goldsmith, Charlene Hamiwka, Pam Rowe, and Karen Bogart. Their warm encouragement and stronger shoulders (leaned on heavily and often), as well as their gracious and honest feedback, helped shape this work.
I would especially like to thank my contributing authors, Kim Hedberg and William Paddock, for all of their hard work and diligence.
Kim, a business consultant working with companies on sustainability issues, professional development, business plan writing, and financial analysis, helped with the chapter on the phases of commerce, a number of informative diagrams, and the initial editing process. With advanced degrees in both Hydrology and Business, a B.A. in economics, and her skills in teaching, environmental consulting, and business consulting, she has a sharp ear for an effective and persuasive approach.
William is the founder and managing director of WAP Sustainability Consulting, a Nashville based sustainability-consulting firm to Fortune 500 companies and leading manufacturers. His experience establishing, building, and leading sustainability at the enterprise level span more than a decade. William’s expertise in the nuts and bolts of sustainability metrics contributed to significant parts of the last three chapters.
The assistance and input of these deeply knowledgable contributing authors was invaluable. Appreciation goes to the International Society of Sustainability Professionals, who made possible a connection to be forged between Kim and me, and to Toby Thaler for his thoughtful referral of William.