Q & A about “Green” with Gail Doby, CVO & Co-founder of Design Success University, LLC

1. What does green mean?

Green is a term that relates to organizations and people who involved in efforts to protect the environment. If you've heard people talking about being "eco-friendly," or about "sustainable building, alternative energy, hybrid technology, or solar power, it's all a part of the "green" conversation."

2. On May 4, 2007 the town of Greensburg Kansas was destroyed by a two-mile wide tornado that ripped through the town of 1600. Why did the story of Greensburg touch you so deeply?

I feel inspired by the people of Greensburg, and their story. They lost everything but never felt like they were victims. Within a matter of 48 hours after the tornado devastated their town, they moved from focusing on what they no longer had to what they were going to do.

Mayor Dixson said it best, "We want this to be a message of hope to everyone. We feel that we have a higher calling - to inspire others." They truly inspired me.

3. Saying you want to be a "Green City" and being one, are very different. How did Greensburg walk their talk?

There were several things that the community did and continue to do. First, they made a decision to rebuild, and not just with standard construction, with sustainable construction.

The residents formed Greensburg Greentown, a grassroots, community-based nonprofit organization established to provide resources and support as Greensburg rebuilds.

Greensburg is serious about energy efficiency. It is the only city in the country that requires all city-owned buildings to meet the US Green Building Council's LEED Platinum standards. In addition, many of Greensburg's commercial and institutional buildings are following suit.

Greensburg's Master Plan includes other ambitious energy goals:

• New homes are to use 40 - 50% less energy than current code
• Renovated homes are to use 25% less energy than before
• Electricity is to come from renewable resources such as wind and solar
• Transportation system to minimize fossil fuel consumption through careful planning and alternative transportation options
• Greensburg is the first city in the US to use light-emitting diode (LED) lamps for 100% of its street lighting. This improved energy efficiency by 40% and reduced the cost of related energy and maintenance by an estimated 70%. As an added bonus, the new lamps reduce nighttime light pollution.

Even the largest employer in town, Mike Estes of BTI-Greensburg, which owns and operates the local John Deere Dealership and Service Shop, said he had "only minimal interest in green building" before the 2007 tornado. "But when you have a chance to build back from scratch, you look for a new and better way."

It makes me think that if they can do it, so can we." Our economy has devastated many architect's and interior designer's businesses. Why can't we use this inspiration to educate ourselves and then use this valuable information as a reason to call our clients, educate them and show them how we as professionals in the design industry can actually save them money and do something good for the environment at the same time? It might just lead to new projects, and that is what we all need to revitalize our businesses and the economy.

4. What can you tell us about what you've seen in Greensburg? What's exciting and particularly stays in your mind?

My husband and I went to the opening for the rebuilt John Deere dealership on the two year anniversary weekend of the tornado. The new facility is LEED Platinum, and even though the owners didn't know much about green before their old building was demolished, they are now a distributor for wind turbines. So this has actually turned into a new revenue source for them in addition to providing 10% of their businesses power needs.

Greensburg is about 40-50% done. What's interesting and exciting is how creative they're being in finishing the town. For instance, the school and the local movie theater are teaming up to share an auditorium.

They are creating a green showcase of 12 eco homes using the latest in green technology. Each of these homes will show visitors different green technologies, and will also be available for overnight stays.

There are more great stories, and for us, our hearts were warmed by the genuine and caring community members. They welcomed us and we look forward to reciprocating by raising money for their rebuilding process.

5. Did you have a connection to the Green Movement before you became involved with Greensburg?

I grew up with an environmentalist mother who was way ahead of her time. She was a chemist, an organic gardener, and because she had severe chemical sensitivities, she was very conscious of how we were impacted by our environment and vice versa. So I grew up like that, too. And it's the way I live both personally and professionally.

In terms of my interior design work, I've always been about recycling, re-using or donating. It's not even a conscious decision; it's just been a part of what I do.

And so when I heard about Greensburg, it hit me as someone who's been living a green life for a long time, as well as someone who was in the planning stages of a Green Summit for interior designers and architects.

I saw the connection as a natural one, one where we, as interior designers and architects could, help them. And they could show us how Green can move from an idea to a reality.

6. We're living in such tough economic times: homes in foreclosure, factories closing, people losing jobs, yet somehow the people of Greensburg went in the opposite direction and re-built their town. How? Where'd the money come from?

That's a great question. Some was from insurance and many donations were made to the city from companies, non-profits and other personal donations. They still have a lot to do, and they need more money.

It's a catch-22. They need businesses to come to Greensburg to rebuild the coffers. When businesses come, tax dollars go up, there are more jobs and housing is needed for the workers.

What would be amazing is to see them become the "Green Valley" like Silicon Valley for green manufacturers. They do need a commercial airport to support business growth, and that is in the works, too.

7. What's the Colorado connection? How did you, CU and others get involved?

Denver is a leading area for environmental causes. And then there's Boulder, too, with many environmental business headquartered in or around the area: Celestial Seasonings, and even some of the micro-breweries are green.

NREL, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, is also in Colorado. They were awarded "Outstanding Partner" at the 2009 Green Initiative Awards Ceremony on May 2.

Architecture students from CU decided to help "Green Greensburg" for the two year anniversary of the tornado.

During the last year, students from the Department of Architecture at the University of Colorado Denver met with the residents of Greensburg , Kansas to better understand the devastation of the EF5 tornado that hit Greensburg two years ago. They spent the next eight months researching the Kansas climate, community needs and the appropriate materials and building techniques for new 'green' housing designs.

Their proposals address severe climactic conditions through their architecture: collecting rainwater, controlling sun and blocking the winds. The housing proposals explore construction methods that include: Straw Bail, Advanced Framing, Agriboard (compressed straw panels), Structural Concrete Insulated Panels (SCIP), and Warmboard (thermally broken concrete).

Working with a team of students from the Department of Landscape Architecture, the Architecture students created houses that integrate concepts of urban farming and allow the site to become an extension of the structure - feeding the residents and giving back to the public domain.

The students were lead by Senior Instructor Rick Sommerfeld and Lecturer Rob Pyatt. The student proposals, including models, marketing material and construction drawings, were on display on May 2, 2009.

My husband read an article in Parade Magazine on April 19 and brought it to me to read. He knew that Erin and I were already working on our Green Design Summit and he thought I might want to read the story. Ironically, the day the tornado hit was also our "anniversary."

I couldn't stop thinking about how courageous and inspiring these people were to face the loss of 11 of their friends and family plus lose 95% of the entire town.

On April 22nd, I just had to call Mayor Dixson to find out how we could help. I've been involved in charitable activities for years, and this seemed like such a perfect fit. We could inspire our industry and give back at the same time. What could be better?

8. On May 4, 2007 the town of Greensburg Kansas was destroyed by a two-mile wide tornado that ripped through the town of 1600. Why did the story of Greensburg touch you so deeply?

I feel inspired by the people of Greensburg, and their story. They lost everything but never felt like they were victims. Within a matter of 48 hours after the tornado devastated their town, they moved from focusing on what they no longer had to what they were going to do.

Mayor Dixson said it best, "We want this to be a message of hope to everyone." And I know it is to me.

Erin's Story: Growing up in Eastern Colorado. Farming. Livestock. I learned about soil, plants...what's best for your pasture that will feed your livestock and yourself naturally. I always had a strong connection to the earth.

9. Tell us about the Green Summit you're planning.

Back in January we met a woman, Lisa Foster-an avid environmentalist, who was doing her part in making a greener world with her company, One Bag At a Time. We realized that we wanted to step up and do our part to make a greener world, and from that meeting with Lisa, we started to talk about doing a Green Summit. And since then it's become a mission for us.

With our telesummits/webcasts, we really believe we're doing something truly green. Here's why: there's no carbon footprint whatsoever. Our participants don't have to travel to get the education they need to become a greener business. It's done via their phones or computer, in their home or office. And even the products we offer when it's done are downloadable, so once again, no carbon footprint.

There are 10 interviews by me with world-class experts, New York Times best-selling authors, consultants, Interior Designers and Architects all supporting and encouraging green practices. This is a first-time event for our industry - to offer this level of speakers in one event.

10. Some people might think that you're involvement with Greensburg, Kansas is self-serving, to get publicity for your Green Summit. Is it?

I can understand why someone might think that. I feel strongly that Greensburg's message of hope is what we all need right now. There is something we can learn from Greensburg. It's about the message of overcoming a devastating event and turning that into, as Mayor Dixson called it, "lemon meringue pie." We can support Greensburg and our industry at the same time.

To me, I feel it's about hope and support of each other. We can make changes in our own practices and homes, then take the information we learn and teach others. We can make a global change as an industry.

That's why I asked Michael Port, New York Times best-selling author to speak about his new book, The Think Big Manifesto - Think you can't change your life (and the world)? Think again. He even mentions green design in his book. How amazing is that?

11. What can you, as an Interior Designer or Architect do for Greensburg?

It's a ripple effect. We can offer services to Greensburg. They have a museum that they want to rebuild and it is in the early stages of planning. Wouldn't it be great if our attendees worked on it?

We can also tell other architects and designers we work with including landscape designers and students, and any or all of them can volunteer to help.

We can ask corporations to donate materials. There are just so many things we can do. We can even help Greensburg raise money.

The Green Design Summit will be donating five percent of our proceeds to Greensburg not just for this event, but for at least three years. We've decided to make them the charity we support.

12. What did you learn from Greensburg and how do you use it in your own life?

I think it's all about personal responsibility. Thinking about what we do and how we do it, in our homes, in our offices and as we design for our clients. And it's about how to not give up, to go forward and rebuild.

Yes, the economy has been challenging for all of us, but what if you lost your business, your home, your friends and your family? What if life as you knew it was changed within a matter of hours? The choice is ours. We can be victims, or we can be leaders.

There's so much to learn from Greensburg...Architects, Landscape Designers, Interior Designers, Builders, Manufacturers...all of us can approach our businesses in a green way. We can make a real difference. Let's do it together.

Contact Alice Krueser at Alice@ArtandDesignMatters.com for Sponsorship Opportunities and Ticket Information for the GREEN DESIGN SUMMIT, or call 713.816.7400