Self-description: Go-getter. Family-oriented.

Favorite quote: Do what you like; like what you do.

How she shows her green: Completing Marion County’s Master Recycler certification. Leading a green discussion at a family reunion. Developing a sustainability curriculum for her kids’ school.

Secret energy saver: Turning off the lights in the soda machines.

Home life: Happy chaos with a husband, two pre-teen boys, fish, two dogs and a frog.

The hotel’s customers appreciated its recycling program, but were asking for more. Management responded by establishing a green team and setting out to be a certified, sustainable hotel.

As part of its pledge for Portland General Electric’s 2008 Save More, Matter More^TM campaign to save energy, the Phoenix Grand Hotel converted all its lighting to energy-efficient fluorescent bulbs. With 193 rooms plus public areas, it was no small project.

Green is good business
“It’s not easy to go to the president and say, ‘I’d like $13,000 to switch out all our bulbs — even though they aren’t burned out.’” Reed says. “But PGE and Energy Trust of Oregon helped us make a strong business case.”

Earning its green stripes
Partly due to the lighting project, Phoenix Grand Hotel and its Bentley’s Grill restaurant became the first in their industry to achieve Marion County’s EarthWISE certification for environmentally friendly and sustainable businesses.

Among other practices, the hotel and restaurant:

• Operate only Energy Star® appliances
• Have an in-room towel and linen re-use program
• Use 100 percent recycled paper and earth-friendly cleaning solutions
• Promote recycling in guest rooms and public areas

These actions have not only won praise from the local community and guests, but also have boosted employee pride.

“I can’t say enough how blessed I am to work for a company that supports its employees’ values,” she says. “You can really see it among the staff; they’re proud to be here.”

The smart thing to do
More is planned. Reed has used her expertise to make the company’s newest hotel, at Bridgeport Village, green from the get-go. Conversations with guests indicate their sustainable profile has attracted new business.

“As someone who is passionate about the environment, I know it’s the right thing to do,” she says. “With my sales hat on, I know it’s also the smart thing to do.”