10/1/2008

Sustainable Business Network of Washington (SB NOW) names John Friedman as Board Chair

Founding board member; brings over a decade of experience helping companies realize their corporate citizenship goals.

Washington, DC – October 1, 2008 – The Sustainable Business Network of Washington (SBNOW), the largest network of businesses committed to making the national capital region a better place to live, work, visit and do business, is pleased to announce John T. Friedman, senior director of public relations for Gaithersburg, Md-based Sodexo, Inc. as the new chair of the board of directors, succeeding Lee Boyle, Vice President of Cardinal Bank.

Friedman brings more than 20 years’ domestic and international corporate communications and public affairs experience; including more than ten years in the area of corporate responsibility. In addition to being responsible for managing the public relations activities for the Sodexo Foundation (www.helpstophunger.org), his background includes initiating, developing and implementing award-winning corporate responsibility and sustainability programs for organizations ranging from small start ups to multi-national companies. A frequent presenter and writer on corporate responsibility, Friedman authored ‘The New PR’ outlining how he has helped companies to develop, implement and communicate successful programs that meet their sustainability aspirations while supporting their business objectives at the same time.

“John combines a thorough knowledge and commitment to corporate responsibility with a business background,” said Pamela S. Skarda, executive director. “I can hardly think of a better person to serve as our board chair as SB NOW as we begin the roll out of our green business certification program.”

John Friedman holds a bachelors degree in Communications from Albany State University and has completed management training at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business. He and his family make their home in Annandale, Virginia.

SB NOW

The Sustainable Business Network of Washington (SB NOW) is a community of businesses, non-profits, and individuals dedicated to helping Washington, DC become a more sustainable place to live and work now and in the future - fully realizing its potential as a world-class capital city. SB NOW is a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.