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Today: A Conversation with Haris Alibasic, Grand Rapids’ Office of Energy & Sustainability
Every Wednesday, TriplePundit founder Nick Aster will take 45 minutes or so to chat with an interesting leader in the sustainable business movement. These chats are broadcast on our Google+ channel and embedded via YouTube right here on 3p.
Haris Alibasic directs the City of Grand Rapids’ Office of Energy and Sustainability, and manages the state and federal legislative affairs for the City. For countless city governments, energy efficiency has become the cornerstone of their sustainability efforts. Through the careful development of an effective energy-focused sustainability master plan, the city of Grand Rapids, Michigan has become one of the greenest communities in the United States.
The process of embedding sustainability in all levels of the local government in Grand Rapids was a long one. Several elements contributed to the achievement of the City's sustainability efforts under Haris Alibasic's leadership, including: operational improvements using Lean principles; planning stages for renewable energy goals; community partnerships in pursuit of sustainability; empowering employees to champion targets; and measuring progress through reporting.
On Wednesday, December 11th, Nick Aster spoke with Haris about how Grand Rapids has become recognized as a sustainability leader amongst U.S. cities. If you missed the conversation, you can view it on our YouTube channel or directly below, here:
About Haris Alibasic
Haris directs the City of Grand Rapids’ Office of Energy and Sustainability. He has taught International Business, International Management, and Public Management courses at Davenport University. Haris also taught Metropolitan Administration and Politics, Policy Analysis at Grand Valley State University. He teaches courses and workshops in the Graduate Certificate in Sustainability program at Grand Valley State University.
Haris studied Economics at Sarajevo University in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and holds advanced degrees from Grand Valley State University. Haris is now a Ph.D. candidate in Public Policy and Administration at Walden University, and is a recipient of the Commitment to Social Change, and the Scholars of Change doctoral scholarships. Haris has presented on sustainability, energy, and economic development at the National League of Cities, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, and the International Association of Assessing Officers annual conferences, The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis conference, West Michigan Sustainable Business Forum, Oakland County Green Summit, Green Town Conference, Exploring Our Energy Future, EPA Green Power Partnership national webinar, Michigan Mayors Association summit, Austrian Chamber of Commerce Investment summit, Trieste Chamber of Commerce, and other seminars and conference.
Haris is an immediate past president of the Congress of North American Bosniaks (CNAB) and a member of the Bosnia and Herzegovina American Academy of Arts and Science. Haris is married to Katie, and they have three kids; Jakub, Lamija, and Imana.
Marissa is the Owner of Climate Social, LLC. She holds a bachelor's degree in communications from Mizzou and a master's in environmental studies from UPenn.
