Champions Archive

Our Inaugural Year: 2008

 

Philip Johnson/Alan Ritchie Architects Philip Johnson/Alan Ritchie Architects (New York, NY), an architectural firm internationally renowned for its creativity and innovation, has been in business for more than 50 years and is our first Clean Air NY Champion. The firm offers employees a pre-tax transit benefit and is planning to hold some lunch-in days in summer 2008. In addition, they are exploring other avenues for spreading the word about Clean Air NY to their employees and clients. "Caring about New York's air quality means caring about the air we all breathe, and making the smallest changes in our daily routines can help us all breathe a lot "easier", explains Nasih Hasan, the firm's office manager. "This is our chance to give back to a great city, and we don't want to blow it, because great cities are hard to find."

 

ClearVision Optical ClearVision Optical (Hauppauge, NY) designs, produces, and distributes premium eyewear and sunwear products to eyecare professionals worldwide. In line with its mission to make a meaningful and positive impact on the lives of customers, employees, business associates, and its community, ClearVision is currently working with Long Island Transportation Management, Inc. to develop a preferred parking and a $25 gas card incentive program for employees that carpool at least 3 days per week. ClearVision also is planning a yoga/exercise class for employees during lunch hours, to encourage employees to remain in the building, instead of driving around at lunch time. ClearVision spokesperson Brenda Litzky says, "We are very interested in promoting a 'green' environment here at ClearVision. In addition to Clean Air NY, we plan on taking part in EARTH HOUR on March 29th and also EARTH DAY on April 22nd."

 

Consumers Union Consumers Union (Yonkers, NY), an expert nonprofit organization that works for a fair, just and safe marketplace for all consumers, reaches over seven million subscribers with its magazine, Consumer Reports and its subscription Web site, www.ConsumerReports.org. Consumers Union has recently started a guaranteed ride home program that provides employees who carpool, take transit or bike to work with up to three emergency rides home per year. In addition, it shuttles employees to local train and subway stations so they don't have to drive to work. Consumers Union spokesperson Dan Franklin says, "Our mission is to make a difference in the lives of consumers around the country, but that also means taking steps to improve the air quality in our local area."

 

Sunnyside Community Services Sunnyside Community Services (Long Island City, NY), a community-based, not-for-profit social service organization, provides programs for children, adults and seniors. SCS is working with CommuterLink to offer carpooling services for its employees during times of bad weather, transit problems or on Air Quality Action Days. It also recently set up a walking club which includes pedometer challenges, warm ups and cool downs with a yoga instructor, and salad-bowl lunches. "Sunnyside Community Services is proud of our partnership with Clean Air NY. As a major community-based organization, SCS is committed to providing a range of services that improve the lives of thousands of individuals in our immediate and extended community," spokesperson Melissa Vitale says. "Because clean, breathable air is so very important to everyone's health and quality of life at every age, SCS is eager to reduce air pollution whenever possible. As one of the major employers in our area, with a large and active field staff, we feel that the cumulative impact of each small and simple change adds up, so that everyone can 'breathe easy'."

 

Swiss Re Swiss Re (Armonk, NY), the world's leading and most diversified global reinsurer, offers financial expertise and services to clients throughout the world. In April 2007, Swiss Re's U.S. offices implemented a teleworking program that allows employees in certain jobs to work from home on a full-time basis. In addition, Swiss Re has several employee vanpools, numerous carpoolers, promotes public transit options and has been recognized as a Best Workplace for Commuters. Swiss Re also offers its employees a one-time, $3,300 subsidy toward the purchase of hybrid vehicles. They have invested more than $100,000 in more than 30 New York employees who have purchased hybrids so far. "We are continually searching for innovative ways to promote healthier air, healthier employees and healthier communities in New York," Vice President of Logistics Gary Abrams says. "An investment today will make the difference for air quality tomorrow."

 

Zorn's Zorn's (Bethpage, NY), a family-owned and operated restaurant and catering company, began in 1940 and was a pioneer in retail take-out food on Long Island. Zorn's has recently begun working with LITM to help their employees choose environmentally friendly commute options. They plan to promote these options to their employees through on–site commute fair events and "lunch and learn" sessions. Zorn's is planning a special gas card incentive for employees who start carpooling to work, and they recently began a Guaranteed Ride Home program for employees who carpool, vanpool or use mass transit to get to work. "There has been a lot of change since our grandfather began Zorn's in 1940, and we want to ensure that future generations enjoy the same basic health and environment as us," Monique Zorn explains.

 

CA, Inc. CA, Inc. (Islandia, NY) one of the world's largest IT Management Software Providers, has been headquartered in the New York metro area for over 30 years. CA is committed to fostering an environmentally "green" consciousness and promoting sound environmental stewardship. In North America, the recently announced "Flexible Workplace Program" helps conserve natural resources by enabling qualified employees to forgo commuting while working from home. In addition, CA has been a part of LITM's Commuter Choice Program since 1999 and participates in the Guaranteed Ride Home Program for employees who carpool or vanpool to work. "We feel strongly about offering our employees air quality friendly and healthy commute options," CA's VP of HR Programs, Joe Archila says. "It not only helps to improve our air quality, but it also helps our company attract and retain top talent while enhancing productivity."

 

Adecco Adecco (Melville, NY), one of the world's leaders in Human Resources services, is a global company with a U.S. headquarters office on Long Island. Adecco, a member of the Commuter Choice Program since 2002, has recently started the Guaranteed Ride Program. With this program, the employees who carpool or vanpool will no longer worry about being stranded at work in the event of a personal emergency or unanticipated overtime hours. Additionally, Adecco continues to work with LITM to promote another incentive program called NuRide, an online ridesharing program that rewards gift cards to folks that carpool to work or other places. Adecco is committed to creating a healthy environment for its employees, and offers an on-site gym facility and has implemented a smoke-free environment in and around the office. "We want our employees to have a healthy workplace," explains Rich Gartner, Adecco's Corporate Security. "We know that promoting carpooling and vanpooling to our employees will help us improve the region's air quality."

 

The New York Air National Guard The New York Air National Guard (NY ANG), with airbases from eastern Long Island to the Niagara Frontier, provides training to men and women to prepare for world and national emergencies, natural disasters, and civil disturbances. The NY Air National Guard is committed to providing a healthy environment for its employees to work in. The ANG has recently launched a new vanpool program for employees to commute to work together, along with an ongoing federal subsidy for transit and vanpool users. Additionally, the ANG works with MetroPool to promote NuRide to employees, an online ridesharing community that provides gift cards to folks that carpool to work or other places. Lt Col M. Johnson says, "The Air National Guard strives to improve the air quality and address fuel conservation by participating in the NuRide program. The air quality benefits as well as the fuel conservation helps everyone in the immediate and long term environmental and economic perspective. We are proud to be part of the 'Clean Air NY' program."

 

Brookhaven National Laboratory Brookhaven National Laboratory (Upton, NY) is recognized around the globe for research in physical, biomedical, and environmental sciences, as well as in energy technologies and national security. Brookhaven Lab is also Long Island’s first Clean Air NY Champion. The lab is currently working with Long Island Transportation Management to explore a shuttle service for employees who may prefer to take public transit to work. Additionally, Brookhaven Lab is considering several other innovative commute options for staff. “Participating in Clean Air NY is a great way to help reduce air pollution and its health effects in our area,” says the lab's representative, Jeff Williams. “Brookhaven Lab takes environmental health issues very seriously. We can’t afford not to act.”

 

IBM IBM is a globally integrated enterprise that targets the intersection of technology and effective business. Drawing upon the world’s leading systems, software, services and research capabilities, the company seeks to be a partner in its clients’ success by enabling their own capacity for distinctive innovation. IBM is focused on several areas related to energy and the environment, including energy efficient technology and services, carbon management, advanced water management, intelligent utility networks and intelligent transportation systems. The company offers employees a variety of alternative commuting options -- from carpools to reserved parking for van pool vehicles to subsidies for mass transit at many of its sites -- that reduce commute related environmental impact. IBM also spreads air quality tips to its employees through Clean Air NY. "Innovation in the 21st century is multidisciplinary and collaborative," says Edan Dionne, IBM Director of Corporate Environmental Affairs. "Just as collaboration leads to innovative business solutions, these new ways to work and think together can lead to new environmental solutions."

 

Westchester County Westchester County (Westchester, NY), a 450-square-mile county with a population of nearly 1 million residents, lies north of New York City. The county’s SMART COMMUTE program promotes transit and supports telecommuting and compressed work-week among its over 4,000 employees. It also works closely with MetroPool in offering innovative commuting solutions to its residents and corporate worksites alike. Westchester County offers a Greener Commuting program and free round-trip metrocards for new residents. In addition, the county distributes information about Clean Air NY and recommends steps its residents can take to help clean our air at its Earth Day Event, the Global Warming Summit, and through the County’s Global Warming Action Task Force. County Executive Andrew Spano says, “Westchester County has retained much of its rural character, while adopting the urban and suburban lifestyles dictated by its proximity to New York City. We have a commitment to our residents to preserve that character and keep our air clean while enabling the transportation necessary for today’s way of life.”

 

Journal News The Journal News (White Plains, NY) is a multimedia company serving the Lower Hudson Valley since 1850. Journal News recently began working with MetroPool to offer green transportation solutions for its employees. For example, Journal News promotes NuRide, an online ride-sharing program, to its workforce. The Journal News is planning to create preferred parking for carpoolers and is working to have couriers refuel in the morning, when there are fewer emissions from evaporation. Additionally, Journal News is promoting Clean Air NY to its employees and readers to spread the word about simple steps people can take to clean the air. Susan Cohen, Vice President of HR, says, "Every day, our loyal readers depend on The Journal News and all that we offer to give them the information they need to make the most of where they live and work.  Just as we want to help our readers make informed decisions, we want to make environmentally-conscious decisions and be known for being a good corporate citizen. We are proud to be a part of Clean Air NY."

 

The North Shore LIJ Health System The North Shore LIJ Health System is the Nation's third-largest, non-profit, secular healthcare system.  It encompasses 15 hospitals, 17 long-term-care facilities, 5 home care agencies, a medical research institute, a hospice care network and dozens of outpatient facilities. Working with LITM, North Shore LIJ has recently implemented a Guaranteed Ride Home Program so employees don’t have to worry about getting stuck at work if they are unable to take their carpool home. In addition, North Shore LIJ held several Commuter Fairs to inform and encourage employees to change their travel behaviors and is considering pre-tax benefit for employees who take public transportation to work. For its efforts, North Shore LIJ recently received a Regional Commuter Choice Innovator Award and the Nassau County Executive's Leadership Award. Joe Molloy, North Shore LIJ representative, says, “At the North Shore LIJ Health System, we have the opportunity to make a difference in someone's life every day. Being a part of Clean Air NY helps us make a difference to our patients, our staff, our community and our air. We are happy to contribute to this great effort.”

 

MetroPool MetroPool is the lower Hudson Valley's leading commuter solutions company, providing employers and commuters with free services to encourage use of transportation options and improve air quality. MetroPool promotes carpooling, vanpooling, walking/biking, bus/train/ferry travel, telecommuting, compressed work weeks and pre-tax commuter benefits. In addition to its extensive offerings of employee commuting options, it implemented a new commuter program this year allowing employees to telecommute specifically on Air Quality Action Days. "We offer employers a wealth of information and valuable services to help employees find the best way to travel to work," says President and CEO John Lyons. "Not only does it help people save money in a time with high gas prices, but it helps keep our air clean."

 

The Town of Oyster Bay The Town of Oyster Bay, on Long Island, (Oyster Bay, NY) provides various municipal, recreational, community and environmental services to its nearly 300,000 residents. The town has been working with LITM for the past year to help its employees choose commute options that are better for our air quality and our environment. For example, Oyster Bay promotes NuRide, an online ridesharing community, to employees and recently started a Guaranteed Ride Home program for employees who carpool, vanpool or use mass transit to get to work. The town has held several commuter fairs and NuRide “lunch and learn” events to promote these options. “The Town of Oyster Bay enjoys an outstanding quality of life that we cherish,” Town Supervisor John Venditto says. “Any steps we take to help to preserve and improve our air quality will only serve to enhance our overall quality of life.”

 

Little Flower Children and Family Services of New York Little Flower Children and Family Services of New York (New York, NY) delivers a multitude of services and programs to children, families and developmentally disabled adults in need throughout New York City and Long Island. Little Flower recently began working with CommuterLink to offer green transportation solutions to its employees. For example, Little Flower recently held two transportation days in which nearly 100 employees enrolled in a carpooling program. It also offers a pre-tax benefit for employees who take public transportation. Additionally, Little Flower provides information about Clean Air NY and steps people can take to clean the air to its constituents and new hires. "There is a call to clean the air in the New York metro region, and Little Flower Children and Family Services has a tradition of responding to societal needs," says Herbert W. Stupp, Little Flower CEO. "We value our partnership with Clean Air NY and take pride knowing that we are making a difference."

 

Wyeth Wyeth is one of the world's largest research-driven pharmaceutical and health care products companies. Its employees enjoy a variety of green commute options, including preferential parking spaces for its more than 70 carpoolers and vanpoolers and a dedicated GreenWheels Intranet site about public transportation and safe commuting, travel advisories and resources for cyclists and walkers. Information about Clean Air NY and alternative commute options are introduced to new employees upon hire. Wyeth in Pearl River also was a winner of the NuRide Earth Day Race to the Finish Challenge, which was a year-long race to eliminate five million miles of commuting. Eric Nelson, Senior Director of Environmental, Health and Safety, says, "Wyeth improves the lives of millions of people around the world every day with its outstanding products; it also hopes to improve lives by reducing energy consumption and emissions."

 

The Long Island Developmental Disabilities Service Office The Long Island Developmental Disabilities Service Office, or LIDDSO, (Commack, NY) provides a full range of services to families and individuals with Developmental Disabilities. LIDDSO is working with LITM to promote environmentally friendly commute options to its employees. LIDDSO participates in the NuRide online ride sharing program to help connect carpoolers. It also sponsors the Guaranteed Ride Home program so participants don't have to worry about getting stranded in the event of a personal emergency or overtime work hours. "We love our community and want to keep our air clean. Being a part of Clean Air NY is a great way to do that," explains spokesperson Lizette Marrero.