FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 28, 2007
Contact: Kassia Travers
(417) 890-9500
Environmental Works Staff Gives Back To The Community
SPRINGFIELD, MO - Environmental Works, Inc. (EWI) management and employees give substantially of their time, talent and donations to help nonprofit, community, and professional organizations. Many employees take leadership roles on nonprofit boards and committees, such as the Southwest Missouri Humane Society, Habitat for Humanity, Sigma House, Greyhound Pets of America and many others. EWI is also a corporate sponsor of the James River Basin Partnership.
Robin Melton, EWI President and Owner, shares her time and talent by serving as a board member of the Southwest Missouri Humane Society, Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, Urban Neighborhoods Alliance and the Jordan Valley Innovation Center Inc. In addition, she is a member of the steering committee for the Watershed Center at Valley Water Mill.
“I think it is important for us to give back to the community. Out in the world today, there is some apathy about public issues and people feel like they can’t make a difference. I believe you can make a difference, but you have to be involved.” Melton said.
She also encourages her staff to get involved, even if it’s on company time. Melton, along with Michelle Williams, Rita Wiggin, and Kassia Travers have been engaged in the planning of the 1st annual “Fur Ball”, the signature fundraising gala to benefit the Southwest Missouri Humane Society. The event will be held early next year at The Tower Club. Habitat for Humanity is another organization which several EWI employees support. Williams is a board member for this organization and Wiggin volunteers her time.
Two EWI Principal Scientist/Division Managers who generously give back to the community with their organizational involvement are Suzan Gonder and Greg Bischof. Gonder currently serves as President of the Board of Directors for Sigma House and is a member of a number of professional organizations including the American Railway Development Association (ARDA) and the American Railway, Engineering and Maintenance of Way Association (AREMA). Gonder also recently participated as a speaker in the Discovery Center's EDGE Camp.
Bischof has been a county board member on the Springfield/Greene County Environmental Advisory Board (EAB) since 2004. He has been very active in the research and observation of key environmental issues in the area including the proposed ethanol plant and energy conservation topics relating to the new power plant. Bischof has played an instrumental role by providing technical support for the EAB over the last year.
In addition, other EWI employees are involved in a variety of community and professional organizations including:
- Boy Scouts of America
- Watershed Committee of the Ozarks
- Greater Ozarks Chapter of the Academy of Certified Hazardous Materials Managers
- Missouri Petroleum Storage Tank Insurance Fund (PSTIF) Advisory Board
- Various church related councils, ministries, and missions teams
###