NORTH BAY BUSINESS JOURNAL EVENT

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September 25, 2008, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Doubletree Hotel, Rohnert Park

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Napa Valley College, SRJC to hold green summit

ST. HELENA – Napa Valley and Santa Rosa junior colleges are hosting a green get-together for North Bay businesses.

The Future and Green Technology summit, the first of its kind, aims to educate the business community on how companies can develop resources and a skilled green-collar work force in the future.

“The event is already filled up, but we’re adding names to a waiting list,” said Stephanie Thompson, interim dean of occupational education and economic development for the SRJC.

To be held June 27 at the Napa Valley College Upper Valley Campus in St. Helena, the event will feature speakers from five major industries in the region: construction, hospitality and tourism, solar energy, manufacturing and viticulture.

Speaking are Bob Massaro of Healthy Buildings USA in Napa, Bill Bennett of Anheuser-Busch in Fairfield, Gopal Shanker of Recolte Energy in Calistoga, Stefan Muhle of the Orchard and Orchard Garden hotels and John Garn of ViewCraft and the Napa Valley Green Winery Program.

“We recognized that both colleges serve the same industries, and we both are interested in starting green-collar programs for students,” said Ms. Thompson.

The SRJC is interested in offering students certification in wastewater and freshwater technologies and training in solar design and installation, energy auditing, green landscaping, alternative fuels, wind technology and environmental conservation, she said.

Napa Valley College is interested in outreach to local businesses and had the funding for a conference, so the two colleges decided to make it a joint venture. If it’s successful among participants there may be another in the future, said Ms. Thompson.

For more information, or to get on the waiting list, contact Kathryn Knudelman of the New Level Group at 707-255-5555 or knudelman@newlevelgroup.com.

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