NH SBDC is so pleased that our own Andrea O’Brien, Director, Business Sustainability Program and Business Advisor, was recognized by the National Steering Committee (NSC) of Small Business Environmental Assistance Programs (SBEAP) & Small Business Ombudsmen (SBO) for leadership in improving environmental performance, pollution prevention, sustainability, and mentoring through collaboration with the NH Small Business Technical Assistance Program (SBTAP).
Sara Johnson, coordinator of the NH Department of Environmental Services SBTAP, nominated Andrea O’Brien for her collaboration on industry specific initiatives, creating compliance assistance, workshops, webinars, guidance documents and site visits to improve compliance and energy efficiency, and guiding businesses to create a sustainable business model. Sara stated in the nomination, “Andrea has focused her business advising on sustainability and more specifically on risk reduction with respect to environmental footprints and employee safety.” Together, they implemented industry initiatives to assist junk yards, marinas, printers, grocers, and coaters. In addition, Sara said that Andrea “engages small businesses with utility companies, grant programs, and energy tech providers to ensure small business can understand and implement energy improvements, saving them money while caring for the environment.”
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The SBEAP/SBO NSC Awards are the States’ premier awards program for recognizing outstanding environmental leadership among small businesses and small business assistance providers. These awards recognize small businesses, SBEAP/SBO programs and individuals, trade associations and other business assistance providers who have made significant contributions to protecting the environment. The awards program is sponsored by the SBEAP/SBO NSC in partnership with U.S. EPA Asbestos and Small Business Office.
About the Small Business Environmental Assistance Programs and Small Business Ombudsmen
The Small Business Environmental Assistance Programs (SBEAP) and Small Business Ombudsmen (SBO) were created under Section 507 of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990. For more than 25 years, the SBEAP/SBO have provided extensive, hands-on technical assistance to small businesses across the country to help them understand and comply with complex environmental regulations. The SBEAP/SBO website, https://nationalsbeap.org/, is a resource for program participants and small businesses.