Early Excellence Project’s Post

Very honored to be featured in our Employee Spotlight for the month! https://lnkd.in/gaFp_4CZ Meet Kevin Suggs Inside Sales Manager | Tinley Park, IL | 15 (nearly 16!) years with Univar Solutions Get to know Kevin, Insides Sales Manager and Community Partnership Leader for the Black African American Leadership Network (BAALN). Kevin will celebrate 16 years with Univar Solutions on February 26 and has shared his proudest moments and tips for success. Q. What excites you about your job?   A. I enjoy leading and mentoring others. Assisting others in their Development & Growth Journey is rewarding and fulfilling. Q. What does being a member of the BAALN mean to you?      A. Being a part of the BAALN provides the opportunity to serve, to educate, and the ability to impact my local community. Most recently we coordinated volunteer events for MLK Day. And Black History Month is around the corner--kicking off with an event Feb. 1 @ 11 am EST, plus weekly themes, including Black Music History, History of Law, Black Chemist History and STEM. Q. Tell us more about the MLK Days of Service events.      A. The MLK Day of Service provides anyone the opportunity to serve and give back to their local community through an initiative that they are most passionate about. This year, we were able to organize volunteer events at seven sites and heard about many others volunteering in other ways. We hope to continue to grow these events at even more sites next year. Q. What achievement are you most proud of at Univar Solutions?      A. I am most proud of being selected as the Inside Sales Manager for Ingredients & Specialties Performance Materials, and organizing a successful “Socktober Drive” for the homeless, and MLK Day of Service across North America. Q. How do you like to start your day? A. I like to start my day with a cup of coffee, breakfast, and creating a plan for the day’s tasks. Q. Any favorite hobbies?    A. I enjoy reading, watching college football, and cooking. Q. What does it take to be successful in your role?   A. It is important to be flexible, the ability to adapt, analytical, strategic, and the desire to succeed. Q. Any hidden talents?   A. I enjoy singing, song writing, playing instruments and working out.

Started off yesterday with a great panel from Cincinnati Business Courier regarding the Future of Cincinnati. Lee Crume, Kimm Lauterbach, Darryl Haley with Sorta, and Michael Schuster of MSA. Fascinating dialogue about what has been accomplished, what is in the pipeline, what's to come or needs to come, and who we don't want to be as much as who we want to be as a region. Thanks Jamie Smith for bringing everyone together with an eye on the future of #Cincinnati #NKY and our entire region. Cool fact - Metro ridership is 110% since pre-pandemic. Talking about leading the way on innovation regarding connectivity, access, and collaboration for our communities. Kudos SORTA! And, as usual from my perspective - GO TEAM GO! #economicdevelopment

Nearly 16 months ago, I shared a wild idea and dream over coffee with Marc A. Newman that started “what if…(we in Chicago began managing The Philadelphia Center).” I’m big proponent of “first draft” thinking and this was most definitely a first draft thought. He saw value in it—we headed over to Lisa B. Lewis’ office to begin what became the professional adventure of a lifetime (aka Project Rocket Ship). This 16-month journey involved meetings on meetings; influencing and aligning; all the quant strategies and scenario planning; more aligning; calls, emails, texts at times and planes when Lisa and I had a few minutes connect—mountain tops, funerals, airplanes, islands—and fundraising. And we’re here!! Someone’s belief in your vision is one of the most humbling and inspiring gifts. Lisa, you’ve been unwavering and bullish on this idea from the beginning and every day since—thank you! You rallied your colleagues, gave me hope when I thought we should throw in the towel, and were just the most incredible brainstorming partner. I’m immensely grateful to you! Gratitude must be shared with easily the 30-40 people we worked with to make sure a program like TPC could embark upon this new chapter. My thanks to so many of you!! Critical place-based learning + practical application (urban experiential learning) with a robust toolbox of inquiry is the future of the liberal arts and an informed and engaged society. I’m grateful and energized to be doing this work and rebuilding a program in Philadelphia. We are doing our part. We are developing thinkers and doers who understand the realities of urban paradoxes, racial inequity, power, and discrimination. Our alumni are using their toolbox of inquiry and CQ and EQ to make the world a more just place.

2024 is coming in strong! Let's go! Backstory: We moved to Detroit in 2020 (for me it was a homecoming). However, what we were unprepared for were the city's air quality issues. Detroit is plagued by some of the most harmful and pervasive forms of air pollution, including particle pollution and ozone. This has resulted in high rates of asthma and other respiratory problems. The effect on me has been direct and personal. Within a year of living here, I began to suffer from heightened respiratory issues, such as increased congestion and sinus problems, and these have persisted. What we are doing about it: If you know me then you know I am a fierce advocate for Detroit. I sing the praises of this great city... and I'm also honest - and vocal and active - about where we need to do and be better. Air quality is one important area. We urgently need to increase green spaces and implement infrastructure that promotes cleaner air. Additionally, adopting pro-air quality policies and zoning regulations that safeguard and improve the health and well-being of both residents and visitors is crucial. That is why this year, as part of our neighborhood advocacy, we planted 130 trees in Hubbard Richard (with more to come) and also reached out to JustAir Solutions Darren Riley Sarah Craft to see what we could do to get better data through air quality monitoring. That initial conversation inspired a broader effort to launch an air quality pilot in Hubbard Richard, Corktown, and North Corktown where - in partnership with Michigan Central and others - we are taking a tri-neighborhood, system-level approach to improving our air quality. This begins by first getting accurate data (which JustAir will provide us through 6 air quality monitors, dispersed across the area) and leveraging that data to enhance awareness of air quality and propel solutions. Let's make Detroit the city with the best air quality in the world! On a higher level, this is an example for how you citizen: 1. Identify what you care about / what your community/neighborhood needs 2. Get involved in your community 3. Help identify and mobilize solutions for the thing you care about/what your community needs Reach out to me if you need a brainstorm/thought/idea partner on how to awaken and activate your citizen within.

"For the rest of your life, people are going to ask you when you meet them three questions. 'What's your name? Where are you from? Where'd you go to school?' When you say where you went to school, you should say it with great pride." This was one of nine principles for personal fulfillment and success that David Rubenstein laid out for Kogod's 2024 spring graduates. Check out the rest: https://kogod.biz/4bkYl0k

Jalen's journey is our journey - we are acutely aware of the disparities affecting underserved communities across America. At HEPH, we dedicate significant time and resources to bridging these gaps. Join us in our mission to create equitable educational opportunities for all. Do, don't dream. Be, don't hope. This is the key to the future. https://lnkd.in/gcD4VPtp

Capital investment. Jobs. Site selection. Industrial product. Embracing technology. Why do these things matter? They build community resilience, paving the foundation for our children's future. And, in order to have jobs for our children tomorrow, we need to continue to attract business today. Learn more about our role in economic development: https://lnkd.in/gr9A_ZKv #BusinessMovesHere #TeamUpstate #EconDev

Amidst life's tribulations, we found triumph in our unwavering pursuit of excellence. We never feared to explore the path that led us to award-winning heights, where each accolade stands as a testament to our resilience and commitment to perfection. With each project delivered, we defy the odds, overcoming challenges and crafting legacies that resonate through time. Experience the simple joy of resilience, as BVEPL celebrates the pursuit of greatness and the artistry of triumph. Visit www.bvepl.com to know more. #InfrastructureDevelopment #ExcellenceInConstruction #BVEPL #InfrastructureInnovation #InspiringProgress #EngineeringExcellence #ConstructionIndustry #InfrastructureProjects #BuildingTheFuture #UrbanDevelopment #ConnectivityMatters #TransformingCommunities #InfrastructureLeadership #ConstructionExcellence #InfrastructureInvestment #SustainableInfrastructure #EngineeringSolutions #InfrastructureManagement #BuildingWithPassion

TriVerity Collection Academy Update! Our early bird discount has been extended—register before April 30 for significant savings! Need more information before registering? Visit our website to learn more about our sessions, speakers and more! Visit our website here: https://bit.ly/3I85vHb. #TVTCollectionAcademy24 #ContinuedLearning #DelinquencyManagement

When Rolling Green Village staff and residents recognized a need for an improved sense of community, LCS Development Leaders Listened to bring that vision to life. Discover how LCS Development helped strategically redevelop common spaces to promote comfort, flexibility, and fun: https://nuvi.me/3168de #seniorliving #casestudy #seniorlivingdevelopment #redevelopment