02-16-11

New Belgium Brewing CEO to speak at Iowa State Feb. 22

AMES, Iowa -- The woman behind Fat Tire beer will discuss progressive business practices and environmental commitment during a talk at Iowa State University on Tuesday, Feb. 22. Kim Jordan, CEO and cofounder of New Belgium Brewing, will present "Business Innovation and the Environment" at 8 p.m. in the Memorial Union Sun Room. Her presentation is free and open to the public. It is part of the university's National Affairs Series on Innovation and the Live Green! Sustainability Series.

Jordan and her ex-husband Jeff Lebesch founded New Belgium Brewing Co., in the basement of their Fort Collins, Colo., home in 1991. Under her leadership, New Belgium has grown to be the United States' third largest craft brewer.

With Jordan at the helm, New Belgium has developed interwoven social sustainability programs, including employee ownership, open-book management and high-involvement culture. The company also is known for its all-encompassing sustainable approach to business. In its 2007 Sustainability Report, Jordan wrote, "At New Belgium, we strive to evaluate our performance with the Triple Bottom Line approach that measures the environmental, economic and social effects of our business." Not only does New Belgium produce electricity from solar and wind power, it also uses methane harvested from its process wastewater treatment plant. And, the company diverts more than 99 percent of brewery waste from the landfill.

Jordan is on the board of 1% for the Planet, a global movement of member companies that donate at least one percent of their annual net revenues to environmental organizations worldwide. She also serves on the Colorado Renewable Energy Authority. Before starting New Belgium, Jordan was a social worker.

Jordan's talk is cosponsored by National Affairs, Live Green Initiative and the Committee on Lectures, which is funded by the GSB. More information on ISU lectures is available at http://www.lectures.iastate.edu, or by calling 515-294-9935.

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