Local companies acknowledged by the Scottsdale Convention & Visitors Bureau for their dedication to green initiatives

www.ScottsdaleGreenByDesign.com

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (Sept. 30, 2010) – The Scottsdale Convention & Visitors Bureau recognized three local companies for their dedication to sustainability initiatives when they announced the winners of their 3^rd Annual Green by Design Awards. Solar Breeze, FireSky Resort & Spa, and Green Choice Solar were recognized for exhibiting outstanding eco-friendly practices.

“The Scottsdale bureau is proud to recognize these companies who are dedicated to maintaining the vibrancy of our destination and our environment,” said Rachel Sacco, president and CEO at the Scottsdale bureau. “The winners of the Green by Design Awards are helping our community achieve greater sustainability, which is growing in importance to both residents and visitors.”

As part of the Scottsdale bureau’s green programming, the Green by Design Awards acknowledge participants in three categories: Green, Greener and Greenest. The Green category recognizes a business with newly created green projects, while the Greener designation is awarded for improvements on existing efforts. The Greenest category is designated for a company with both green initiatives and green services or products.

GREEN AWARD WINNER

Solar Breeze won in the Green category for creating an eco-friendly robotic pool cleaner. No hoses or cords are needed as the Solar Breeze pool skimmer only operates on direct sunlight. It saves energy, money and time while keeping the pool clean of dirt, debris, pollen and oils. Solar Breeze is the only green pool cleaner in the world that costs absolutely nothing to operate.

GREENER AWARD WINNER

The Greener award was given to Kimpton’s FireSky Resort & Spa for implementing EarthCare initiatives and earning the state’s first Green Seal certification. The resort demonstrated sustainable practices such as recycling paper, and collecting unused soaps and gently used bedding and sheets for donation to local shelters. They created a compost program that saves all food scraps to feed to pigs at a farm in Payson. In March alone, the hotel diverted 6,447 pounds of food from landfills. To qualify for the Green Seal certification, the FireSky Resort demonstrated practices of waste minimization, energy efficiency and environmentally sensitive purchasing.

GREENEST AWARD WINNER

Green Choice Solar was recognized with the Greenest award for designing, installing and maintaining solar systems that provide 100 percent of energy needs for businesses, school districts and residential properties. So far, their systems have offset 164,800 pounds of carbon dioxide, which is equivalent to 1,910 trees planted or 14 cars taken off the road. Green Choice Solar helps reduce energy costs by installing solar systems around the state.

In all categories, entrants had to demonstrate their effort to help preserve the environment or reduce their carbon footprint. This included, but was not limited to: waste reduction, energy efficiency, water conservation, green meetings, or a green product or service for consumers.

A total of 13 companies submitted for the Green by Design Awards, including: Desert Star Construction, Hotel Valley Ho, Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa at Gainey Ranch, Lefevers Viewpoint Group, McKesson Corporation, Privada, REEis AZ, Urban Southwest, W Scottsdale and the Westin Kierland Resort & Spa.

###

SCOTTSDALE CVB MEDIA CONTACT:

Rachel Pearson, ABC, Director of Corporate Communications

Scottsdale Convention & Visitors Bureau

Phone: 480-429-2259 Fax: 480-421-9733

E-mail: rpearson@scottsdalecvb.com

Visit us at www.scottsdalepressroom.com

KIMPTON’s FIRESKY RESORT & SPA MEDIA CONTACT:

Amanda Fier

Olson Communications, Inc.

Phone: 480-748-7087

E-mail: amanda@olsoncomm.com

www.fireskyresort.com

DALLAS (September 22, 2010) – Thermo Fluids, Inc., a renowned leader in the U.S. environmental services and oil recycling industry, appointed Jim Waisanen as regional manager of the South Central region. As regional manager, Waisanen will oversee all of Thermo Fluids’ operations in the region, including Texas, Kansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and eastern New Mexico.

Jim Waisanen brings more than 12 years of industry experience to Thermo Fluids.

Waisanen brings more than 12 years of industry experience to Thermo Fluids. His most recent position was vice president of operations at Safety-Kleen’s West Group, where one of his accomplishments included implementing a logistics improvement program resulting in millions of dollars in cost savings during 2010 for internal and external fleet transportation. His 26-year career has included high-level positions in Safety-Kleen and Philip Environmental Inc., both market-leading environmental companies.

“Jim is one of the best in the business. He’s an accomplished engineer, manager and executive, with proven experience in virtually every aspect of the environmental services industry — including by-product recovery, industrial services and chemical packaging,” said James Devlin, Thermo Fluids’ chief executive officer.

Waisanen holds a degree in chemical engineering from University of Michigan. He will be based in Thermo Fluids’ Dallas, Texas office.
About Thermo Fluids
Thermo Fluids Inc., a closely held portfolio company of CIVC Partners, is an environmental services company and the largest producer of commercial fuel oil from recovered used motor oil in the Western United States. Headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., the company collects and purchases used motor oil from a large number of companies across a diverse range of industries, such as quick-lube centers, auto dealerships, mining operations, and industrial companies. In addition to collecting used motor oil, the company provides a portfolio of environmental services as a “one-stop” solution to its customers. These other essential services include oily wastewater collection and processing, spent antifreeze collection and recycling, and used oil filter collection and disposal. Thermo Fluids reprocesses and recycles its collected used motor oil into a commercial fuel product that is sold as an alternative energy source to a variety of industrial customers. Thermo Fluids has 29 facilities serving the Western United States. For more information, visit www.thermofluids.com.
# # #

09.21.2010 – Artesana Rosewood Residences is nearing completion on the first phase of construction with 29 custom homes and the Rosewood San Miguel de Allende, an on-site 67-room resort, opening in early 2011. The $250 million community in the heart of historic downtown San Miguel de Allende is expected to be the last project of its type in San Miguel real estate, artistically blending the historic town’s past and present into its design and lifestyle.

“Construction is moving at a very rapid pace and we’re really beginning to see the dream of Artesana Rosewood come to life,” said Richard York, director of sales for Artesana Rosewood Residences. “We are thrilled to share this milestone with Artesana Rosewood buyers and our family of San Miguel residents.”

In October, Artesana Rosewood Residences is expected to finish construction on its first model, Casa Boceto. The four-bedroom, 5.5-bath villa features four stories of space, including a rooftop entertaining deck with breathtaking views of La Parroquia and the city of San Miguel de Allende. In addition to standard features like an epicurean kitchen, handcrafted artisan flooring, and secure underground parking, the Casa Boceto model includes optional amenities such as space for a media room, plunge pool, hot tub and a second kitchen.

At 8,251 square feet, Casa Boceto is the largest of six models and the smallest home, Casa del Pintor, measures 2,378 square feet with two bedrooms. All models include rooftop living space (a typical feature in San Miguel real estate), inspirational views of San Miguel, access to the resort, and concierge services.

About Artesana Rosewood Residences®
Artesana Rosewood Residences is a $250 million project in the heart of the historic downtown of San Miguel de Allende in Central Mexico. In addition to the residences, the Artesana Rosewood community also includes the 67-room, exclusive Rosewood San Miguel de Allende® resort where Artesana residents have access to a world-class spa and fitness center, 24-hour concierge services, an array of exquisite dining venues, and more. Artesana Rosewood Residences integrate the past and present of San Miguel de Allende into its design while still offering exclusive modern-day conveniences. Homes replicate the Spanish Colonial architecture found in San Miguel de Allende’s centro and the community reflects the timeless way of life in a town known for being an UNESCO World Heritage Site with centuries-old art and tradition. For more, visit www.artesanasanmiguel.com.

New officers combined have decades of industry experience, including more than 30 years at Sundt

TEMPE, Ariz. (Sept. 9, 2010) – Sundt Construction, Inc. promoted three of its employees to officer status at their August board of directors meeting: Jeff Fairman, vice president and business development manager; Ian McDowell, vice president and preconstruction manager; and Michelle Ashmore, corporate secretary.

“At Sundt, we recognize that our staff is our number one asset, and we count ourselves fortunate to have employees with so much talent and dedication,” said J. Doug Pruitt, president and CEO. “Jeff, Ian and Michelle have earned these promotions, and their success is the result of their hard work. We are proud to have them on our team.”

Jeff Fairman, with more than 30 years experience in related fields of economic growth and community development, was promoted to business development manager at Sundt Construction.

Fairman has been active in related fields of economic growth and community development for more than 30 years, with past experience that includes serving as the community and economic development representative for four Arizona governors. Recently, he was awarded the 2010 William Lampkin Award for Long Term Excellence in Economic Development presented by the Arizona Association for Economic Development. As business development manager at Sundt, Fairman is responsible for enhancing long-term relationships with clients and partners, as well as developing new clients and markets for Sundt.

McDowell – a member of the Sundt Construction team since 1995 – oversees the Southwest district’s 20 estimators and support personnel, handling the coordination of all preconstruction activities such as estimating, procurement, and contracting and subcontractor selection. He also serves as director of sustainable construction for Sundt, heading corporate sustainability efforts and helping to more than double the company’s LEED accredited professionals from 74 to 150 since October 2008. Sundt is currently the 15th largest builder of sustainable facilities nationally.

Ashmore has been an employee of Sundt Construction for nearly 16 years. As the corporate secretary, she is the main administrative support for two Sundt executives, and is responsible for coordinating their complex schedules and managing company documents, reports, presentations and general correspondence. Among her many credentials and affiliations, Ashmore is a Certified Professional Secretary, Certified Administrative Professional and a member of the Society of Corporate Secretaries and Governance Professionals.

About Sundt
Sundt Construction, Inc., is one of the country’s largest and most respected general contractors. The firm is headquartered in Tempe, and is currently ranked the 54th largest construction company in the United States by ENR, the industry’s principal trade magazine. Sundt is known nationally for its innovative approach to construction services. www.sundt.com

PRESCOTT, Ariz. (Sept. 16, 2010) – In an effort to enrich youth education in Yavapai County, The Highlands Center for Natural History will be hosting its “Wander in the Wild” banquet and silent auction on Sept. 26^th at Talking Rock Ranch, a 3,600-acre Prescott Arizona new homes community.

Talking Rock lies in a valley rich with history dating as far back as 620 A.D. Long before Westerners arrived to the ranch land, the tribes were tracking seasons, creating unique ways of telling time, and sharing cultural myths and legends. Their legacy is illustrated in the form of petroglyphs on the rocks at the Inscription Canyon site, which rests in a remote corner of Talking Rock Ranch. The “Wander in the Wild” event provides attendees the opportunity to visit this historical site that is normally closed-off to the public. The banquet and silent auction also helps to fund science-based field trips and other quality hands-on programs at the Highlands Center.

For generations, Native American tribes like descendents of the Yavapai-Prescott maintained thriving societies in the area surrounding Talking Rock. The Yavapai Chapter of the Arizona Archaeological Society has documented more than 1,300 petroglyphs at the Inscription Canyon site. Considered a significant archaeological find and sacred to the Yavapai-Prescott Indian Tribe, the site is what inspired developers Harvard Investments to name their project Talking Rock Ranch. Nancy Lee Hayden, Director of Culture Research for the Tribe, suggests that the petroglyphs are considered the records of the tribes that occupied the land over thousands of years, similar to a library.

Native American communities continued to flourish until the turn of the 20^th century when Thomas Cooper and his family moved west from Texas and began building a life on what became known as the Cooper Ranch. Cooper continued to build his land holdings until he retired in 1931 and his daughter, Learah, and her husband purchased the land. Passionate about the history of the land, Learah and her husband, Jack Morgan, acted as early preservationists. Their loyalty to the Native American culture continued for generations, and because of that we are able to learn about, and cherish, the historical land today.

###

About Talking Rock:

Located in a peaceful, rural setting, just minutes from Prescott, Talking Rock is a 3,600-acre private, new homes community with a casual western lifestyle and the amenities of an exclusive country club. The Jay Morrish-designed 7,350-yard championship golf course in Prescott intertwines through more than 1,000 acres of preserved open space, presenting residents with the spaciousness of Arizona’s high country. Talking Rock offers spacious custom homesites in Prescott, as well as Ranch Cottages, Ranch Homes and custom homes designed in an authentic ranch style and built by the area’s finest craftsmen. Talking Rock is a development of Harvard Investments, a Scottsdale, Ariz. based real estate development company respected for its high quality, residential projects throughout the Southwest. The Talking Rock golf course and Ranch Compound are professionally managed by OB Sports. More information on Talking Rock and Harvard Investments, Inc. can be reached at 877-922-4440 or www.talkingrockranch.com.

First in a series of tips covers golfing in the wind

David Buettner

PRESCOTT, Ariz. (Sept. 2, 2010) – Talking Rock is home to an 18-hole, 7,350-yard championship golf course in Prescott designed by famed golf course architect Jay Morrish. Its varied terrain encompasses washes, ponds and millions of piñon pines on 1,000 acres, giving lots of opportunity to encounter unpredictable conditions. Lucky for its members and guests, Talking Rock Golf Club’s team of Prescott golf professionals has seen it all and can help players navigate the seasonal wind that can impact even the lowest handicap. Here, Head Golf Professional David Buettner offers his top golf tips on “beating the wind:”

Playing in the Wind:

• Grab your driver! This will be an unexpectedly simple shot if you just commit yourself.
• Position the ball slightly back in your stance, choke up a little for additional control and make a swing with an even tempo.
• The ball will fly low because you are hitting it off of the ground and fade due to the low loft of the driver.
• Practice this some on the driving range first to gain confidence in your swing then give it a try on the course. You’ll be surprised at how easy it will be to hit in the wind.

David Buettner has been a golfer for most of his life, including being on the team at University of Nebraska where he graduated with a degree in business administration. Prior to joining Talking Rock, David worked as manager at several Nebraska golf clubs including Austad’s Golf Stores, Iron Eagle Golf Club, North Platte Country Club and Hi-Mark Golf Club. David has been with Talking Rock since it opened and is currently going through the PGA accreditation program. Aside from his welcoming personality, David’s claim-to-fame at Talking Rock is shooting the first hole-in-one on the 15^th hole.

# # #

About Talking Rock:

Located in a peaceful, rural setting, just minutes from Prescott, Talking Rock is a 3,600-acre private, new homes community with a casual western lifestyle and the amenities of an exclusive country club. The Jay Morrish-designed 7,350-yard championship golf course in Prescott intertwines through more than 1,000 acres of preserved open space, presenting residents with the spaciousness of Arizona’s high country. Talking Rock offers spacious Prescott Arizona real estate, as well as Ranch Cottages, Ranch Homes and custom homes designed in an authentic ranch style and built by the area’s finest craftsmen. Talking Rock is a development of Harvard Investments, a Scottsdale, Ariz. based real estate development company respected for its high quality, residential projects throughout the Southwest. The Talking Rock golf course and Ranch Compound are professionally managed by OB Sports. More information on Talking Rock and Harvard Investments, Inc. can be reached at 877-922-4440 or www.talkingrockranch.com.