Ei Connects

Ei plays a valuable industry role by introducing organizations and individuals who share synergies for powerful relationships and action. During the Ei Recycling Refinement Era, the following prominent Ei Connections were valuable contributions to ongoing industry events and working relationships:

The below listings chronicle additional powerful Ei Connections:

Save our Seabirds / Lifelines

Save our Seabirds

In May 2022, Ei Founder & CEO Holly Elmore introduced colleagues and friends Save Our Seabirds (SOS) CEO Aaron Virgin and Lifelines Founder Pam Callender.

Pam & Aaron

Funded by a Longboat Key Garden Club grant, Aaron contracted with Pam to design the transformation of an unsightly drainage ditch into a stormwater-demonstration garden. Native plants were selected for coastal properties and bird habitat. On February 28, 2023, Pam oversaw the installation of 360 plants (54 species) by volunteers and Aaron himself!

The RiA Magazine article, Ei Connections: Save our Seabirds | Lifelines, showcases the Ei Connection as well as the Lifelines drainage-ditch transformation; the Holly Elmore Images album, Save our Seabirds / Lifelines, provides a pictorial recap.

Ga Tech | Kennesaw State University | Hickory Grove Farm

Hickory Grove Farm | The Commons

On June 17, Ei orchestrated introductions for long-time comrade in sustainability Georgia Tech to Kennesaw State University (KSU) Hickory Grove Farm (HGF) and KSU Dining Services. Georgia Tech Director of Waste & Recycling Cindy Jackson was joined by Sustainability Coordinator Sarah Neville and Senior Sustainability Manager Malte Weiland. KSU Sustainability Manager Jennifer Wilson joined the farm tour and meeting and KSU Dining Service Culinary Director Brian Jones hosted the introductory meeting at The Commons campus-dining hall.

read more…

Ga Tech | Hickory Grove Farm

Hickory Grove Farm

On June 17, 2019 Ei hosted a Hickory Grove Farm (HGF) tour for Ga Tech sustainability associates led by Farm Manager Michael Blackwell. Georgia Tech Director of Waste & Recycling Cindy Jackson was joined by Sustainability Coordinator Sarah Neville and Senior Sustainability Manager Malte Weiland. Kennesaw State University (KSU) Sustainability Manager Jennifer Wilson joined the farm tour.

For Ei Founder Holly Elmore the tour was an opportunity to witness the farm’s evolution since KSU announced the closing of the Michael A. Leven School of Culinary Sustainability & Hospitality.

The RiA Magazine article, Success is not static: evolution is required to create and sustain regeneration, gives an overview of the empowering farm tour.

An Ei FB album, Ei Connects, section is a pictorial recap of the meeting and tour from an Ei-Connects perspective; a Holly Elmore Images FB album, KSU Hickory Grove Farm, section includes images from Holly’s pre-tour photo shoot as well as tour images.

Mercedes-Benz Stadium / Kellogg Garden Products

Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Ei Connects Success!

Back in January 2018, Ei Founder Holly Elmore introduced Mercedes-Benz Stadium GM Scott Jenkins and Kellogg Garden Products Director of Sustainability Kathryn Kellogg Johnson in post-U.S. Composting Council Conference meeting. It was delightful to witness KGP the soil of choice for the new MBS raised-bed gardens.

Pattie Baker / Georgia World Congress Center Authority

Georgia World Congress Center Authority

On May 9, 2019 Ei orchestrated sustainability tours of the Mercedes-Benz Stadium and Georgia World Congress Center Authority (GWCCA) for Pattie Baker, alias “Sustainable Pattie.” The tours were research for Pattie’s recently announced Sustainability-in-Action bicycle tours in partnership with Bicycle Tours of Atlanta.

As the group walked the GWCCA campus, Director of Sustainability Tim Trefzer shared the GWCCA’s long-term sustainability commitment. In February 2009 the GWCCA hosted the acclaimed Zero Waste Zones press conference. Thanks to Tim’s diligent efforts, the GWCCA is the world’s largest LEED-certified conference center. read more…

Pattie Baker / Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Atlanta, GA

On May 9, 2019 Ei orchestrated sustainability tours of the Mercedes-Benz Stadium (MBS) and Georgia World Congress Center Authority for Pattie Baker, alias “Sustainable Pattie.” The tours were research for Pattie’s recently announced Sustainability-in-Action bicycle tours in partnership with Bicycle Tours of Atlanta.

At the MBS, Operations Manager – Tours Dawn Brown hosted the impressive tour with General Manager Scott Jenkins joining the first half. After an education of the state-of-the-art design and construction that earned MBS LEED Platinum Certification, the tour focused on the waste-reduction practices in-place within back-of-the-house operations. The tour ended at the recently planted raised-bed gardens along the Northside Drive administration entrance.

The RiA Magazine article, Sustainability in ACTION garners a new life, at the speed of bike, gives an overview of the MBS tour. An Ei Connects FB album section includes a pictorial recap of the Sustainability in Action Bicycle Tours.

Scott Seydel | CompostNow | King of Crops

King of Crops Farm

On February 26, 2019, CompostNow Co-Founder David Paull hosted Ei Founding Chair Scott Seydel and Ei Founder Holly Elmore on a tour of their impressive windrow food-waste composting operations at the King of Crops Farm.

Scott and Holly use CompostNow’s residential food-waste collections services at their respective homes. It was nice to see the food waste’s destination.

It is impressive to witness “integrity in action” within CompostNow’s operations. To minimize contamination, CompostNow provides BPI Certified Compostable food & beverage packaging to customers.

Photos from the impressive farm and composting site tour are included in the Ei FB album, Ei Connects.

Ei Exploration of Fungi, Soil Health & World Hunger

Upstate South Carolina

On October 16, 2018, Ei hosted the first Ei Exploration. A group of diverse, passionate industry leaders traveled from California, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina to participate in the Ei Exploration of Fungi, Soil Health, and World Hunger in Upstate South Carolina. The empowering day was in partnership with Ei Strategic Ally Feed & Seed.

Ei Explorations bring industry leaders and experts together to strategize on solutions for challenges facing humanity and life on our planet.

The RiA Magazine article, An Exploration of Fungi, Soil Health, & World Hunger, chronicles the empowering event; the Ei FB album, An Exploration of Fungi, Soil Health & World Hunger, gives a pictorial recap.

POCACITO Town Hall Meeting

Southface, Atlanta, GA

A POCACITO delegation from Croatia and Munich, Germany visited Atlanta September 17 and 18 for two whirlwind days of meetings, tours, and vibrant dialogue.

Funded by the European Union, Ecologic Institute US (EIUS) orchestrates delegations of European industry leaders on visits to select U.S. cities. Delegates represent a diverse cross-section of government stewards, activists, entrepreneurs, and non-profit executives from the European Union. For a POCACITO visit, EIUS organizes a series of meetings, tours, workshops, lectures, and town hall meetings designed for interactive sharing of in-place circular-economy practices. read more…

Affairs to Remember Caterers | King of Crops Farm

King of Crops Farm

On June 26, 2018, Ei orchestrated a King of Crops farm & food waste composting tour for Travis Taylor & Kerry Washburn of Affairs to Remember Caterers. CompostNow Co-Founder David Paull hosted the tour; CN partners with King of Crops for commercial food-waste composting at the farm. … and Ei Founder Holly Elmore’s home food waste is delivered to the farm!

Photos from the impressive farm and composting site tour are included in the Ei FB album, Ei Connects.

ILSR | Piedmont Park Conservancy

Piedmont Park
Atlanta, GA

In mid-April, the Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR), an Ei Strategic Ally, traveled to Atlanta to develop best management practices for community composting via an EPA Region 4 grant.

Ei orchestrated two meetings with Piedmont Park Conservancy (PPC). On Mon April 23, PPC Board Member Ken Haldin hosted Brenda Platt & Linda Bilsens with the ILSR for a park tour along with an education on park history including recent enhancements and future plans. The following day park staff educated on past and current composting practices at the community garden. Ei Advisor G. Boyd Leake of Community Environmental Management joined the meetings and shared his expertise.

The Ei FB album, Ei Connects, includes a pictorial recap of the introductory tours.

KSU Hickory Grove Farm | The Conservation Fund

Hickory Grove Farm

On March 23, 2018, Ei Founder Holly Elmore hosted Stacy Funderburke of The Conservation Fund on a KSU Hickory Grove Farm introductory tour. Farm Manager Michael Blackwell hosted the tour and Leven School of Culinary Sustainability & Hospitality Director Christian Hardigree joined the group. The Ei FB album, Ei Connects, includes a pictorial recap of the introductory tour.

Kiss the Ground Atlanta Introductions

Atlanta, GA

Ei Strategic Ally Kiss The Ground Co-Founder Finian Makepeace arrived a day early for the 2018 U.S. Composting Council Conference hosted in Atlanta for an empowering series of Ei-hosted introductory meetings focused on regenerative-agriculture | landscaping practices.

The industrious day began at Georgia Tech with Hyacinth Ide, Landscaping Services Manager, where water retention was established as the day’s theme. Next on the agenda was a meeting with Sustainable Food Court Initiative (SFI) Chair Tim Trefzer, Georgia World Congress Center Authority (GWCCA) Director of Sustainability, and GWCCA Grounds-Maintenance Manager Steve Ware. Southern Farm & Garden Publisher Nancy Suttles traveled to the GWCCA for a meeting with Finian. read more…

Laura Turner Seydel | Kathy Kellogg Johnson

The EcoManor, Atlanta, GA

On August 22 Laura Turner Seydel hosted a Sustainable Soils luncheon at the EcoManor, her LEED Certified home. An impressive cross section of industry professional ranging from associates representing the USDA Forest Service, The Conservation Fund, U.S. Composting Council, Turner Foundation, Captain Planet Foundation, Park Pride, Emory University, Ei, Growing a GreenerWorld, and Kellogg Garden Organics attended the empowering luncheon.

The luncheon was in honor of industry icon Kathy Kellogg Johnson’s Atlanta visit. When Ei introduced Kathy and Laura in the spring, a lovely friendship blossomed.

Georgia World Congress Center | KSU Hickory Grove Farm

KSU Hickory Grove Farm

On July 31 Ei Founder Holly Elmore hosted the Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC ) team on an empowering KSU Hickory Grove Farm tour to learn about regenerative-agriculture practices. Since the June tour, GWCC Director of Sustainability Tim Trefzer worked with Levy Restaurants Executive Chef Matt Roach and GWCC Grounds Operation Manager Steve Ware to identify an on-campus mini-farm area. The intent is to use food produced in the employee dining facility.

Hickory Grove Farm Manager Michael Blackwall & KSU Professor Jorge Perez educated on regenerative agriculture practices along with crop choice advice; Steve shared his extensive horticulture expertise, especially pertaining to plant | tree identification on the farm’s old-growth forest areas.

The ZWA Blog article, The Power of Tours, features the July Hickory Grove Farm tour; farm-tour photos are included in the Holly Elmore Images FB album, KSU Leven School of Culinary Sustainability and Hospitality.

U.S. Green Building Council Atlanta Visit

Atlanta, GA

In late July 2017, Ei hosted U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) Global Zero Waste Director Stephanie Barger on a whirlwind Atlanta zero waste-focused visit. For three days, Stephanie met with Atlanta’s sustainability leadership to educate on the USGBC Zero Waste Certification and their commitment to building a Zero Waste Economy. 

The ZWA Blog article, Building a Zero Waste Economy, one city, one step at a time, gives the history of the strong relationship dating back to the U.S. Zero Waste Business Council time frame along with details on the whirlwind visit.

EPA | Georgia World Congress Center | Kennesaw State University

KSU Hickory Grove Farm

In early June 2017, Ei hosted a KSU Hickory Grove Farm tour for Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC) Director of Sustainability Tim Trefzer and Kim Charick with the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 4 (Southeast Region). Farm Operations Manager Michael Blackwell and Professor Jorge Perez gave a thorough farm tour, along with details on the land history. The tour is the foundation for a potential GWCC on-campus mini farm and a Southern Farm & Garden feature article.

The ZWA Blog article, The Power of Tours, features the June Hickory Grove Farm tour; farm tour photos are included in the Holly Elmore Images FB album, KSU Leven School of Culinary Sustainability and Hospitality.

EMF | ILSR

Atlanta | Washington D.C. | London

On March 28, 2017 the Ellen MacArthur Foundation (EMF) issued the Urban Biocycles scoping paper to a global audience. During the preliminary research phase, Ei Founder Holly Elmore educated EMF Project Manager Doug Walker on the U.S. organics-recycling landscape and facilitated a series of introductions. Ei Strategic Ally Brenda Platt, Institute for Local Self-Reliance co-director, was an introduction and most helpful with regards to community garden composting and soil rebuilding initiatives featured in the paper. Brenda and Holly, along with their respective organizations, were listed as Expert Input and Case Study Contributors in the paper.

The ZWA Blog article, A Circular Economy Approach for Urban Nutrient Cycles, announces the EMF scoping paper.

City of Atlanta Office of Sustainability | Affairs to Remember Caterers

Atlanta, GA

On March 8, 2017 Ei orchestrated a powerful meeting of Atlanta’s sustainability leadership hosted by Affairs to Remember Caterers. The overt meeting purpose was to introduce City of Atlanta Director of Sustainability John Rutherford Seydel to Affairs with an overview of their in-depth sustainability commitment.

In addition, Mercedes-Benz Stadium General Manager Scott Jenkins and Ray C. Anderson Foundation Executive Director John Lanier joined the lunch meeting. It was an inspiring lunch filled with empowering conversation and delicious cuisine.

read more…

Mercedes-Benz Stadium | Lambda Alpha International (LAI)

Atlanta, GA

At the invitation of Ei Founder Holly Elmore, Mercedes-Benz Stadium (MBS) General Manager Scott Jenkins gave an empowering Sustainability: an economic driver presentation at the February 15, 2017 LAI Atlanta Chapter luncheon meeting.

As Scott is a close Ei friend, a strong Ei entourage attended the LAI meeting to show their support: LAI member Wayne King (U.S. Composting Council
| ERTHProducts), Boyd Leake (City of Atlanta, Office of Sustainability), Jim Harrell (Renaissance Technology) and Tim Trefzer (Georgia World Congress
Center).

The IMPACT Blog article, Sustainability: an economic driver,
gives an overview of Scott’s empowering presentation. Scott’s PPT presentation is available on the LAI page for download. Photos from the empowering meeting are included in the Ei FB album, Ei Connects

GWCC | King of Crops Farm

King of Crops Farm

On February 6, 2017, Ei orchestrated a King of Crops Farm food-waste composting tour for Tim Trefzer, Georgia World Congress Center Director of Sustainability. Compostwheels (CW) Founder David Paull hosted the tour; CW partners with King of Crops for commercial food-waste composting at the farm. … and Ei Founder Holly Elmore’s home food waste is delivered to the farm!

The ZWA Blog article, The Power of Tours, features the King of Crops Farm tour. Photos from the impressive farm and composting site tour are included in the Ei FB album, Ei Connects.

EPA Region 4 | GWCC Levy Restaurants

Atlanta Federal Center

Due to Ei’s strong, longstanding relationship with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 4, Public Relations Specialist Davina Marraccini called Ei to recommend a chef for the Wednesday, April 20, 2016 Atlanta Federal Center Earth Day Farmer’s Market.

Thanks to Georgia World Congress Center Director of Sustainability Tim Trefzer’s quick action, Levy Restaurants Chef Juliet educated students and attendees at the well attended event. Levy Restaurants provides the foodservice for the GWCCA, including the GWCC, The Georgia Dome & Centennial Olympic Park. The Ei FB page Ei Connects post includes a photo of Chef Juliet in her element with the students.

It is an honor for Ei to serve as the conduit between our prominent industry friends.

Ei General Counsel | TAG Smart Energy Event

Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce

Ei General Council Greg Chafee, Energy & Corporate Securities Partner @ Thompson Hine, brought together an excellent program for the March 24, 2016 Technology Association of Georgia Smart Energy Advancing Sustainability in Sport Facilities.

Greg met Keynote Speaker Scott Jenkins, Mercedes-Benz Stadium GM, and Panelist Tim Trefzer, Georgia World Congress Center Sustainability Director, at Annual Ei Partner Meetings.

City of Atlanta Office of Sustainability | Affairs to Remember Caterers

Affairs to Remember Caterers

In June 2015, Ei orchestrated an introductory lunch meeting for the Affairs to Remember Caterers (ATR) Team and in-coming City of Atlanta Director of Sustainability Stephanie Benfield.

Stephanie was thrilled to meet the ATR Team and hear ATR Managing Director Patrick Cuccaro’s affirmation of support for her City sustainability policies, programs, and endeavors. The ZWA Blog article, … and the journey began with a delicious divorce from the landfill! includes the important introduction within the ATR sustainability story.

Atlanta Urban Agriculture Tours

On a crisp early spring day in April 2015, Ei orchestrated a tour of Atlanta’s robust urban agriculture (ag) for Fulton County and EPA Region 4. The overt tour purpose was to introduce Valerie Rawls, Fulton County senior policy advisor to Fulton County Board of Commissioners Chairman John Eaves, and Kim Charick, EPA physical scientist in the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Division, to the local farmers | non-profits operating farms.

On a deeper level, the tour educated Valerie, Kim and Holly on the urban agriculture systems in-place, their connectivity (or lack thereof), the far-reaching implications of urban farms beyond providing fresh, seasonal produce to impoverished neighborhoods, and the valuable role compost plays on the farms.

read more…

Green Streets Atlanta Film Screening

Atlanta, GA

Ei worked closely with Citizen Film for over a year facilitating introductions within the metro Atlanta community to those synergistic with Green Streets, a San Francisco-based social enterprise focused on recycling in housing projects. In January 2015, The Arthur Blank Family Foundation Film Series funded the Green Streets, a Citizen Film documentary, screening in Atlanta.

The ZWA blog article Green Streets comes to Atlanta! announces the screening. Ei was a screening co-presenter in recognition of the introductions and local guidance for the Atlanta visit. The ZWA blog article Green Streets: grass roots social enterprise gives a recap of the empowering visit and screening while the Ei FB album, Green Streets Comes to Atlanta, gives a pictorial overview.

Food & Beverage Packaging Value Chain

Washington D.C.

Each December 2011 through 2014, trade association and non-profit executives from the entire sustainable food & beverage-packaging value chain met in Washington D.C. for a day of vibrant dialogue and sharing.

For the final three years, Global Green’s D.C. office hosted the meeting. Ei orchestrated the meeting administration, moderated the meeting presentations and strategy session, and documented the powerful meeting dialogue in a ZWA Blog article. read more…

2014 U.S. Zero Waste Business Council Conference

Atlanta, GA

As a conference partner and media sponsor, Ei played a leading role in bringing the national conference to Atlanta along with orchestrating the local-flavor portion of the excellent program. Ei Founder Holly Elmore served as the connecting point for Ei Staff, Partners, Advisors and Strategic Allies to moderate and | or present on numerous panels and serve as plenary keynotes during the two-day conference.

The NZWBC Conference page substantiates Ei’s prominent role at the conference. In addition, the Ei FB album 2014 USZWBC Conference in Atlanta, gives a pictorial recap of the event.

EPA Food Recovery Challenge

Atlanta, GA | Charlotte, NC

With strong connections to foodservice industry leaders, Ei joined the EPA Food Recovery Challenge as an Endorser, committing to recruit Program Participants as well as additional endorsers. In Spring 2014, Ei founder Holly Elmore introduced Kim Charick with the EPA to the Southeast’s food-waste pioneers in a series of meetings.

The EPA Food Recovery Challenge page gives a program overview along with a list of FRC Participants | Endorsers who joined via Ei’s introduction. For a pictorial recap of the intro-meetings marathon, visit the Ei FB album, EPA Food Recovery Challenge.

Cork ReHarvest | Elizabeth Royte | Pattie Baker

California | Georgia | New York | Portugal

Strategic Ally Cork ReHarvest requested introductions to prominent journalists for their 2013 Portugal cork harvest-media tour. Ei media pals Elizabeth Royte and Pattie Baker, joined the late June cork-harvest tour via the Ei introduction. In preparation for the journey, Pattie published, Cork=Good, But Easier Said Than Done, on her popular FoodShed Planet – eclectic food-for-though for a changing world. Post adventure, the More Uses Than I Realized (and Now My Imagination Is Going Wild) FoodShed Planet article is a fantastic tour overview complete with pictures and videos.

In October 2012, Martha Stewart’s Whole Living featured Elizabeth’s Spoil Alert on Atlanta’s pioneering spirit in wasted-food reduction and rescue. The ZWA Blog post, Atlanta Wasted Food Heroes in National Spotlight, is an article overview plus commentary.

Georgia Institute of Technology | Georgia World Congress Center Authority

Georgia Institute of Technology

At Ei’s request, Ga Tech hosted fellow Zero Waste Zones Participant Ga World Congress Center Authority for a campus tour of their award-winning recycling program. The ZWA Blog post, ZWZ Participants Work Together, is an overview of the tour and the Ei FB album, 02-27-12 GA Tech Hosts GWCC, is the pictorial recap. Subsequent to the introduction, GA Tech and GWCC developed a close working relationship and separately thanked Ei for the introduction.

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