PHOENIX, AZ - Alliance Residential Company is committed to superior performance that does not sacrifice social responsibility, especially with regard to any action that impacts the environment. This commitment has led to the promotion of Kelly Vickers to the company’s newly created National Director of Sustainability position, in charge of Alliance’s Focus Green program and the company’s overall strategy for maximizing green initiatives across its more than 55,000 owned and managed units nationwide.
Vickers brings more than 13 years of experience in the property management industry, previously serving as a regional training director for Alliance in Northern California and the Pacific Northwest. Her long-time interests in green business, sustainability and social justice led her to pursue an MBA in sustainable enterprise at Dominican University of California — and, one year into her pursuit of this specialized degree, Alliance and Vickers began envisioning the creation of a new role that would allow the company to grow its Focus Green program and develop innovative ways to achieve its sustainable missions. Her permanent position was formalized soon after she graduated.
Preliminarily rolled out in 2009, the Focus Green program aims to reduce the consumption of energy and natural resources at all Alliance communities and offices while educating, promoting and supporting the participation of its associates, residents and clients in more sustainable lifestyles and business practices.
In order to accomplish these goals, spread awareness and formally launch the program, Alliance released the “7 Ways to Focus Green” campaign earlier this year. These seven initiatives — which include energy efficiency, water conservation, waste management and recycling, sustainable purchasing, environmental air quality, sustainable construction and redevelopment, and education and awareness — are being introduced at all Alliance-owned and -managed communities in a phased rollout throughout 2012 to ensure full adoption of the program. The “7 Ways to Focus Green” will help Alliance and its associates work towards achieving the overall sustainability goals of the program.
Alliance is also pursuing partnerships that further each initiative and the overall campaign, such as greening its purchasing habits through HD Supply’s IdeallyGreen program. The company analyzed all maintenance purchasing during the past year, identified sustainable alternatives and is now rolling out these “greener” product options. Alliance has similarly analyzed all office purchasing habits and has partnered with Give Something Back Office Supplies to green its supply purchasing process while identifying standard green products to incorporate into redevelopment and development projects.
In an effort to help divert carpet and other flooring from ending up in landfills, Alliance has teamed with Shaw’s Cradle2Cradle Certified Carpets, which recycles carpet into new carpet again and again — rather than down-cycling it into another product that may eventually end up in a landfill. Alliance communities across the board are working to consistently recycle their carpet and pad.
Vickers also developed the “Focus Green Best Practices Checklist” as a set of guidelines for the “7 Ways to Focus Green” campaign. This tool covers all seven categories in detail and helps associates fully engage with Alliance’s sustainability program.
Along with these primary initiatives, Alliance and Vickers have been working to implement recycling programs at all communities, source no-VOC paints, perform in-house energy audits, benchmark and monitor energy and water consumption, pursue more green certifications such as LEED and NAHB Green, create a Focus Green Task Force and expand the internal Focus Green training for all employees.
Company Information: Alliance Residential Company
Alliance Residential is a fully-integrated multifamily real estate operating company focused on the development, acquisition, construction and management of residential and mixed-use communities in the United States. Headquartered in Phoenix, Alliance has 17 regional offices divided among six regions throughout the U.S. Over the past 12 years, Alliance has become one of the largest private apartment owners and the 15th largest management company in the nation, boasting a $7.0+ billion portfolio and 55,000 units in 24 metropolitan markets. Alliance has a presence in 13 states (including Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Virginia and Washington) and is actively seeking management, development and acquisitions opportunities across the markets it serves. For more information, visit www.allresco.com.