Green Cleaning Awards: Meet the Jury

This year’s competition brought innovation and green expertise to the forefront, and the winners are an example for schools everywhere—large and small.

In this awards program, an expert jury of green-cleaning professionals chose eight education institutions whose green cleaning programs went above and beyond just using green products to protect health without harming the environment. The jury named one Grand Award winner, one Silver Award winner and two Honorable Mentions in the K-12/School Districts category; and one Grand Award winner, one Best New Program winner and two Honorable Mentions in the Higher Education category.

Judging criteria were based on the comprehensiveness and quality of the program, and how well each education institution followed the steps as outlined in the second edition of The Quick & Easy Guide to Green Cleaning in Schools.

The following pages show how much one education institution, district or campus can accomplish—and how it can improve in measurable ways.

This year's jury:

Stephen Ashkin, Founder and Executive Director, Green Cleaning Network • Bloomington, Ind.

Steve is a writer, speaker and advocate for green-cleaning issues. He is the author of Green Cleaning for Dummies, The Business of Green Cleaning and The Quick & Easy Guide to Green Cleaning in Schools. He also writes a monthly column for American School & University magazine. Steve was recognized as a 2006 Excellence Award Winner by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for his work protecting children from environmental threats. He has been a member of the U.S. Green Building Council since 1994 and serves on the core committee for LEED for Existing Buildings and the corresponding committee for LEED for Schools.

Mark Bishop, Vice President of Policy and Communications, Healthy Schools Campaign • Chicago

As vice president of policy and communications at Healthy Schools Campaign, Mark has been instrumental in developing the organization’s Green Clean Schools program, including The Quick & Easy Guide to Green Cleaning in Schools, the annual green cleaning webinar series, and ongoing outreach efforts. Mark played a key role in bringing the Green Clean Schools Act to Illinois, the second state in the nation to require green cleaning in schools, and continues to promote state-level green schools policy across the country. Prior to his work at HSC, Mark directed environmental programs for the American Lung Association of Eastern Missouri.

Patrick Pizzo, Director of Facilities and Operations, East Meadow Public Schools • East Meadow, N.Y.

Since 2008, Patrick has led a department of 117 people in supporting the goals of East Meadow district, where innovation and success are fostered through collaboration and open discourse. These strategies have resulted in a successful, recognized green cleaning program. Patrick works with teachers, parents, administrators and community groups to share the goals and objectives of the district to the benefit of the district’s students. Patrick holds an MBA from Long Island University and is pursuing his Doctorate in Educational Leadership. He also is an Instructor for the recently launched School Facilities Management Program at Hofstra University School of Continuing Education.

Gene Woodard, Director of Building Services Division, University of Washington • Seattle

Gene Woodard has been the Director of Custodial Services at the University of Washington for 27 years and is currently the Director of Building Services Division, which includes Custodial Services and Recycling and Solid Waste programs. He is a Registered Executive Housekeeper and member of the International Executive Housekeeping Association (IEHA) for which is he a Past President (2000-2002), the International Sanitary Suppliers Association (ISSA) and the Association of Physical Plant Administrators (APPA). Gene also serves on the Advisory Board of the Healthy Facilities Institute (HFI).