Speakers

Appointed in July 2001 as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Interface, Inc., Dan is committed to ensuring that each Interface business unit is a high-performing asset that provides a positive and meaningful environment for its employees and strives toward sustainability in all dimensions - people, product, place, process and profits. Drawing upon his financial background, Dan is credited with leading Interface’s financial turnaround from 2001 - reducing the company’s overall debt, increasing profitability, focusing on the company’s core modular business, and increasing Interface’s global market share.

Claude is the Senior Vice President and General Manager for Interface in Canada and Latin America, overseeing all sales, administrative, and manufacturing operations. Claude’s 21-year career with Interface includes roles in both manufacturing and sales. Claude’s mix of manufacturing, sales, and marketing knowledge gives him a unique perspective for integrating sustainability throughout the Interface corporate culture. He brings his passion for environmentally sound practices not only to manufacturing technology and practices, but also to sales strategies and marketing concepts that reflect the company’s Mission Zero. In December, 2007, Mr. Fabio Barbosa, President of Gupo Santander, the largest and most influential bank in all of Brazil, invited Claude to become a member of their Sustainability Consultative Board. In July, 2009, Claude joined the National Business Advisory Council of the David Suzuki Foundation. The David Suzuki Foundation's mission is: "To protect the diversity of nature and our quality of life, now and for the future". In February, 2010, Claude was nominated and approved to join The Natural Step Canada Board of Directors. The objective of TNS is to "help communities and businesses take meaningful steps toward sustainability".

A veteran of brand marketing and communications, Steve Arbaugh serves as Vice President of Brand Alignment & Experience for the Americas division of Interface, Inc. As Vice President, he works with the Interface (commercial), FLOR (consumer), and Bentley Prince Street brands to integrate and leverage brand assets across all mediums, overseeing branding and communications, both externally and internally. Steve explains to audiences that the key to successful brands lies in the ability to engage key stakeholders by not only helping them understand key brand attributes but also the creation of memorable brand experiences.

George Bandy, Jr. currently serves as the Vice President of Sustainability at Interface, concentrating on global relationships. George is a member of Interface’s Americas Sustainability Council, focusing on advancing Mission Zero, Interface’s promise to eliminate any negative impact on the environment by 2020. In addition to his duties at Interface, George also serves on the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) Board of Directors as Chair-Elect.

As Chief Innovations Officer for Interface, John oversees all manufacturing operations and processes for Interface, as well as for the overall R&D efforts for the company. John joined Interface in 1997 and has held a number of key positions in manufacturing and technology and development, including operational responsibilities. This experience gives him a unique knowledge foundation and perspective for addressing a variety of audiences. He is passionate about looking at products and processes from an entire life cycle impact on the environment.

As Director of Strategic Sustainability, Lindsay is responsible for translating Interface’s leadership in sustainability into the marketplace. Much of her time is spent educating Interface's clients, sales force, and employees about the sustainability of its products and practices.  Having worked in the field of sustainability for more than 10 years, Lindsay is passionate about educating people both inside and outside of Interface on sustainability or “green” issues.

As Vice President of Supply Chain for Interface, Tim is responsible for leading Interface's global supply chain improvement initiatives focused on: (1) improving overall working capital performance, (2) reducing total costs, and (3) advancing sustainability within the supply base. Tim is also responsible for leading Interface's Resource Efficient Transportation Team and managing Interface's global real estate portfolio.

As Vice President of Information Services and Business Development for Interface, Inc., Jeff has overall responsibility for the company's information technologies and the business process teams that work with the Americas divisions. Jeff’s unique background in technology and manufacturing position him well to help audiences across a variety of industries, as well as the academic sector understand how to leverage technology to maximize production and efficiency and to reach employees located in numerous locations around the world.

Chip DeGrace has a wealth of experience in senior marketing positions at Interface companies, as well as in interior design. In his current role as Senior Vice President of Creative, Chip directs the creative engine for FLOR, including product design, branding, and the company's advertising, marketing, and catalog strategies, aligning each with FLOR’s overall business strategy. DeGrace also has experience as a commercial interior designer at Chicago-based firms ISD & The Environments Group.

As Senior Vice President of Sales for Interface, Pieter oversees sales operations and account representatives in eight regions of the United States. Pieter has served in a number of leadership marketing and sales positions with Interface since 1987. Pieter speaks to a number of customer groups, trade associations, and corporate teams each year on sales strategies and managing and servicing global accounts, including leveraging purchasing power and product offerings around the world. He also talks about Interface’s strengths-based culture as it relates to recruitment and training of a world-class sales force.

In the increasingly complicated realm of climate change and carbon and renewable energy, Erin Meezan is Interface, Inc.’s resident expert, helping to direct and navigate the company’s energy and carbon policies while staying abreast of the latest research and trends. As Vice President of Sustainability for Interface, Erin provides technical assistance and policy support to the company’s global business units to manage the company’s aggressive energy and climate goals. She helps the company address its global warming impacts at all levels, including in operations and management, with employees and customers, and in policy forums.

Melissa is responsible for maximizing business opportunities for Interface by strategically leveraging Interface’s leadership in sustainable development. She works closely with technical, marketing, and sales to develop strategies, programs, and tools for account executives, which enable them to educate their customers about sustainability. She also researches and addresses trends and opportunities in the green product market and is passionate about encouraging sustainable practices, both in the workplace and at home.

As President and Chief Executive Officer of Interface Americas, John has overall responsibility for Interface’s business units in the Americas, including InterfaceSERVICES, FLOR, and Interface in the United States, Canada, and Latin America. Since joining Interface as Vice President of Sales for Interface in 1994, John has held a number of senior leadership roles in sales and management. As part of Interface’s sustainability journey, John has put in place programs and metrics to help Interface companies achieve their sustainability mission and goals in three parts – financial, environmental and social.

As Vice President of Strategic Alliances for Interface Americas, Eric is leading Interface’s efforts to maintain strong relationships with critical suppliers, as well as seek strategic potential suppliers both within and outside of our industry. In 2007, Eric took over a new and important business for Interface called ReEntry 2.0, Interface’s closed-loop process that recycles all types of carpet yarn and carpet backing and remakes them into beautiful products. As part of this process, Eric works closely with Interface’s vendors (such as Universal Fibers) to understand and fulfill their strategic business needs and to see how their services may be aligned into this new business model.

As Vice President of Cultural Development and Learning for Interface, Amy's responsibilities include researching and analyzing industry data and trends for the company’s sales force and senior management. In addition, her public speaking role falls under Interface’s Social Sustainability mission, which allows Amy to give back to communities and organizations by sharing her invaluable market research.

As Director, Sustainability Strategy, Nadine is responsible for strategically leveraging and expanding Interface’s environment and sustainability leadership position in order to help increase visibility of the company’s Mission Zero™ vision through communication, education and community engagement.