Green Gala 2008
A Night of Awards, Tributes, and Fun
The 2008 Green Gala, OEC’s annual fall reception and awards ceremony, was bursting at the seams with nearly 350 guests enjoying the night’s festivities.
Following the OEC’s annual meeting, the lively reception was filled with a competitive silent auction, a raucous Grand Raffle, and a meaningful awards presentation.

The OEC honored Bob Teater with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his body of work for environmental-conservation in Ohio. Mr. Teater is one of the founders of the Ohio Environmental Council and is former Director of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
Other awards given included Public Service Awards to Senator Jon Husted, former Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives, and Joyce Beatty, former Minority Leader of the Ohio House of Representatives.
Keith Dimoff, the OEC’s Executive Director, unveiled, to rave reviews, the organization’s new logo and tagline: Unleashing the power of green! The OEC also introduced its new Green Jobs & Innovation initiative by recognizing several Ohio businesses, including First Solar in Perrysburg, NorthStar Café in Columbus, and Smart Papers Holding in Hamilton, for their green initiatives.
Congratulations to all of our Environmental Achievement Award winners and thank you for leading the green way!
Public Servant Awards
Senator Jon Husted, former Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives
Joyce Beatty, former Minority Leader of the Ohio House of Representatives
Lifetime Achievement Award
Robert Teater, OEC Co-founder, former Director of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Youth Award
Green Employment Corps of Oberlin
Watchdog Award
Kathy Hanratty, Great Lakes activist
Conservation Achievement Award
Greg Lipps, scientist, advocate for preservation of Hellbender habitat in Southeastern Ohio
Legal Achievement Award
Don Andrews, Bradley Barbin, Jane Ann Ellis, and Rev. Tony Minear; opposed Hemlock Falls pipeline timber cutting
Green Jobs & Innovation Awards
- Chrysler, Toledo, researching a new electric Jeep manufacturing line
- Elizabeth Lessner, Columbus, progressive green restaurateur
- First Solar, Perrysburg, leading solar manufacturer
- Integrate, Columbus, design firm generous with services to the nonprofit community
- NorthStar Café, Columbus, restaurant featuring local and organic foods
- Richard Stuebi, Cleveland, the Cleveland Foundation’s BP Fellow and clean energy expert
- Smart Papers Holdings, Hamilton, progressive distributor and manufacturer of paper (both recycled and FSC-certified)
- Whole Foods Market, statewide, leader in local and organic foods
|