Meet the Jury: Green Cleaning Award for Schools & Universities

Schools and universities across the country can learn from this year’s winners of the eighth annual Green Cleaning Award for Schools & Universities competition.

In this awards program, an expert jury of green-cleaning professionals chose nine 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 First Place winner and two Honorable Mentions in the Higher Education category. One First Place winner and two Honorable Mentions were chosen in the K-12/School Districts 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.

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.

Olivia Claus, FMA

Manager, Office of Custodial Services, Howard County Public Schools • Howard County, Md.

Olivia has more than 20 years of experience in the facilities industry. Prior to coming to Howard County, she served as an Engineering Associate and a Senior Operations Supervisor in a neighboring school district managing multi-million-dollar projects; identifying and coordinating activities to facilitate repairs; enhancement of facilities; and overseeing and coordinating the building services, including custodial services staff for 64 schools in the district. She received a BA degree from the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC), and has a Facilities Management Administrator (FMA) designation from the Building Owners and Managers Institute International (BOMI).

Jodi Krause

Assistant Director Housekeeping, University of Wisconsin • Madison, Wisconsin

Jodi has worked in the custodial and maintenance field for more than 20 years. She’s been at the University of Wisconsin – Madison since 1999, where she currently oversees the night shift custodial crews, manages budgets and directs the university’s Products, Equipment & Testing Committee. Jodi has also been involved with her department’s sustainability programs for over 10 years. As a result of her vision and leadership, UW – Madison’s Division of Housing won the Green Cleaning Award for Schools and Universities’ Silver prize in 2013. As a UW – Madison graduate, Jodi is proud to give back to the university through her leadership of the custodial and maintenance departments.

Patrick Pizzo

Administrator for Operations, East Meadow Public Schools • East Meadow, N.Y.

Since 2008, Patrick has led a department of 117 people in supporting the goals of the East Meadow district, where innovation and success are fostered through collaboration and open discourse. These strategies have resulted in a successful green cleaning program. Patrick works with teachers, parents, administrators and the community to share the goals and objectives of the district to benefit 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 School Facilities Management Program at Hofstra University School of Continuing Education.

Allen Rudd

Director of Custodial Services, Temple University Health Sciences Center Campus • Philadelphia

In addition to his title, Allen functions as the district Sustainability Champion, and the district CIMS Champion. He has been in the business for more than 38 years. He has two certifications: CHESP (Certified Healthcare Environmental Services Professional) from the AHA (American Hospital Association) and ICE (Individual Certification Expert) from ISSA (International Sanitation and Supply Association). He has a degree in management from Saint Joseph’s University and was a sergeant in the United States Marine Corps. His biggest asset in the industry is training and development to get the best out of his team.

Keith Webb

Executive Director of Plant Services, Newport News Public Schools • Newport News, Virginia

Keith oversees construction, renovation and operations of Newport News Public Schools’ 72 buildings. A graduate of Virginia Tech, his first job was in the rapidly expanding Ferguson Enterprises, in their Facilities Dept. Moving on, he joined NNPS as Asst. Maintenance Supervisor, eventually rising to his current position. In 2011 his department earned the prestigious Facility Masters Award at the Platinum level from the National School Plant Managers Association in conjunction with the Virginia School Plant Managers Association. In 2012 Keith earned his Educational Facility Professional designation from APPA. In 2013 NNPS received the Green Cleaning Award for Schools and Universities’ Grand Award.