Rife International, LLC was selected as an energy efficiency solutions contractor to the University of Maryland College Park (UMCP) and saved the university several thousand dollars in lighting costs annually.

The project included the removal and recycling of existing T-8 2×4 florescent light fixtures and installing new energy efficient T-5 2×2 florescent fixtures. The project also included modifying the dropped ceiling, ceiling grid, and ceiling tile where needed. The lighting upgrades saved UMCP’s Elkton Hall over $10,000 annually.

Ryan Reich of UMCP stated, “Rife delivered a quality product on time and under budget. They also provided excellent customer service and responded to our questions quickly. We look forward to working with them on additional energy efficiency projects.”

“We have a commitment to making educational institutions more energy efficient since this is where our future leaders can learn the value of being green. Our project at UMPC begins our process of making campuses around the United States and overseas more green” says CEO Kwabena Osei-Sarpong.

About University of Maryland College Park
The University of Maryland College Park (UMCP) is a public research university located in Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C. Founded in 1856, the University of Maryland is the flagship institution of the University System of Maryland.

About Rife International, LLC
Rife International, LLC’s ultimate mission is to provide energy efficiency and sustainable development solutions to our government, commercial, and international clients. For more information visit Rife International LLC at http://www.rifeintl.com.

Popularity: 2% [?]

Having done business in Brazil for the last 23 years I have had the privilege of making many wonderful Brazilian friends. I was again most fortunate to re-unite on a trip last year with a fellow named Wagner Alberti.

Wagner worked for me 20 years ago in Baltimore as an intern doing market research. Wagner went back to Brazil in 1991 and I went on to grow a Logistics Company to become the largest Forest Products Import facility in the USA.

So twenty years later Wagner, his wife Julianna and I are having a terrific lunch at a local Chiarascurria (Brazilain Steak House) in Sao Paulo. During lunch I decided to try my much rusted Portuguese and said ” Oi Wagner…esta vinho e muito bem!” (This wine is very good!) Wagner immediately lit up a huge Brazilian smile and said “Perfecto Mr Scott Menzies! This is going to be our future business venture together in the USA.

Wagner went on to explain the wines of Brazil are really fantastic and that it is time for the Brazilian Wine Industry to show and tell their story to the rest of the world. “It is time for Brazil” he said. “We will have the World Cup in 2014 and the Olympics in 2016.

It would be horrible for the USA and rest of the world to watch these events without a great Brazilian wine in hand to capture the flavor of our country.”

Fast forward one year later and we have A & M (Alberti/Menzies) Imports LLC. We have a long term agreement with the flagship wine producer of Brazil ….Vinicola Salton of Tuity in the State of Rio Grande do Sol.

Salton is the largest producer of high quality wines in Brazil. A very traditional fourth generation family of Italian immigrants who today control 42% share of the Brazilian sparkling wine market and they produce an incredible line of terrific wines.

We are working with Maryland Trade Ambassador Philip Kapneck and Maryland`s Robert L. Walker, Secretary for Business and Development, to help us set up offices in Maryland as our base of operations. We will use the Port of Baltimore which will be our home port and the epi-center of our distribution network generating cargo for the Port of Baltimore and creating jobs for the citizens of Maryland.

We will grow the Brazilian wines in the USA market based on their great quality and fantastic value. We have many restaurants and retailers very excited about having great quality Brazilian wines available for their customers to experience and enjoy.

It is a dream come true for me and I know for Wagner as well to be business partners representing Vinicola Salton of Brazil. We have our next generation of family now coming into the business and they will work with us along with the Salton team and family to develop the wines of Brazil in the USA.

For More Information:

www.smenzies@termcorp.com

Popularity: 7% [?]

During the past years when the recession was starting to take hold and change the American way of life and the American dream, there were those who worked harder and longer each day to help their fellow citizens, keep their heads above water. One of these individuals was Maryland Trade Ambassador Philip Kapneck who was able to contact and reconnect with business and industry he attracted to the USA over the past 30 years, that created jobs for individuals in Maryland.

Since the recession, Ambassador Kapneck called on the same companies he helped to set up their businesses in past years, and surfing the wave of goodwill, he was able to find jobs for people who lost theirs with other companies. While this was not one of his duties, he felt that it was essential to help those in need of work.

Ambassador Kapneck does not want any notoriety or press coverage about his work, but it seems that the press has a yearning to cover his unselfish work in helping others.

People like Ambassador Kapneck and their hard work are responsible for 2011’s third straight month in creating new employment over the 200,000 mark in the USA.

Through research we were able to supply a list of some positions that Ambassador Kapneck held and some he is still holding as follows:

• Delegate to the Maryland State Convention
• He was appointed by Governor Marvin Mandel to open Maryland’s first overseas office in Brussels, Belgium as the State’s Trade Ambassador. He assisted the Federal Government in “Invest in the USA”.
• He was appointed by Secretary of Business and Economic Development to represent the State of Maryland with international companies in Asia and the South Pacific.
• He was appointed by former New Zealand Prime Minister Rowlings as Special Advisor Ambassador/Maryland Trade Ambassador to assist companies in New Zealand and Australia doing business in the USA.
• He has been appointed by each administration to date, since his first appointment to Belgium over 30 years ago, and is still serving as Maryland Trade Ambassador.

Ambassador Kapneck’s ability to achieve the goals set before him, and always extending a helping hand, when it is possible to do so, has made him an icon in his own time, from his success in attracting business and industry to the creation of jobs.
To learn more about Hon Philip Kapneck: Trade Ambassador Kapneck Official Site: http://tradeambassadorkapneck.com.

If you would like to nominate someone to be featured in out next story, email them to newsroom@thesop.org.

By Judyth Piazza

Popularity: 13% [?]

“I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them.” Thomas Jefferson

Hardworking people that are working for the people try to cut cost anyway that they can to help decrease America`s budget deficit and create jobs for Americans. Trade Ambassador Philip Kapneck has helped to create jobs for more than 30 years and has attracted business and industry to Maryland while working many years, without remuneration.

Ambassador Kapneck was first appointed by Governor Marvin Mandel to open Maryland`s first overseas office in Brussels, Belgium as the State`s Trade Ambassador. Ambassador Kapneck has been appointed by each administration to date since his first appointment to Belgium. He assisted the Federal Government in “Invest in the USA”. Ambassador Kapneck works tirelessly for the people of Maryland, creating jobs by bringing companies to Maryland that are unique and useful, and that need a quality workforce.

Ambassador Kapneck has introduced many companies to Maryland by helping these companies get established in the State of Maryland. Once they are established he continues to assist them in contacting other business operations which in turn makes the new companies a valuable part of the state economy and in turn, this helps to reduce unemployment numbers.

Ambassador Philip Kapneck is the true meaning of the inaugural speech once given by President John F. Kennedy. “Ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country.”

A State Official said that Ambassador Kapneck is not looking for publicity or public recognition for his work; he just wants to help people.

To find out more about Trade Ambassador Philip Kapneck, visit http://tradeambassadorkapneck.com/.

Each week we will highlight people working for the people and making America stronger.

If you would like to nominate someone to be featured in out next story, email them to newsroom@thesop.org.

By Judyth Piazza

Popularity: 17% [?]

Big Brother is watching you, Gaithersburg – even from school buses.

Montgomery County Schools said they have added cameras to the left side of 96 buses to catch people flying past the warning lights.

They insist that the cameras won’t be used to give tickets, but they will get the license plate number of offenders and send them a letter notifying them of their negligence.

The cameras in question cost a total of $48,000, and the school board says no incident in particular led them to take such measures. However, people speeding around stopped buses is a common occurrence in the area and ostensibly, everywhere else.

The electric eyes will be used to  support proposed legislation to allow citations to be given for driving around a bus. The legislation crashed and burned last time it was proposed.

Popularity: 24% [?]

New Jersey’s cornucopia of fruits and vegetables overflows from the cafeteria to the classrooms of Lakewood School District, giving teachers a chance to fuel their students’ academic performance while teaching a quick lesson on eating right as Sodexo serves up local produce to all children in the classroom.

A $75,000 New Jersey’s Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program grant, secured by nutrition-provider Sodexo for Lakewood School District, will make fresh and local produce abundantly available in schools throughout the state.

The grant, administered by New Jersey’s Department of Agriculture for the third consecutive year, provides the Lakewood School District with fresh produce throughout the 2010-2011 school year and allows Sodexo to teach students about the importance of fruits and vegetables in their diet. Sodexo is using the grant to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables for more than 1,600 elementary school students at both Ella G. Clarke School and Spruce Street School in Lakewood.

Sodexo, a 20-year strategic partner with the Lakewood School District, fills bags with local fruits and vegetables twice each week throughout the entire school year. The Sodexo team works closely with teachers to deliver the fresh produce to students to eat and enjoy in their classroom. This system promotes fruit and vegetables consumption as part of a daily routine, in addition to the school lunch students get in the cafeteria.

Getting students to eat fruits and vegetables can be challenging but Sodexo engages them with fun, interactive and informative programs. For example, the A to Z Salad Bar expands student palates in a fun way by allowing them to try a fruit or vegetable from every letter of the alphabet. Another program, arranges for visits from local farmers and food producers to teach students about where their food comes from.

“We really enjoy participating in the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program and we are particularly proud that we are able to use both the grant money and our student well-being expertise to get more Lakewood students eating fruits and vegetables,” said Armida Caldwell, general manager for Sodexo. “This program is only successful if you get the kids to eat the food and we think our approach makes healthy eating and nutrition education fun and exciting.”

In addition to Lakewood, six Sodexo-served districts in New Jersey are also receiving 2010-2011 Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program funds including:

• Atlantic City School District – Atlantic City, N.J.
• East Orange School District – East Orange, N.J.
• Long Branch Public Schools – Long Branch, N.J.
• Phillipsburg School District – Phillipsburg, N.J.
• Plainfield Public Schools – Plainfield, N.J.
• West Orange Public Schools – West Orange, N.J.

Sodexo is observing National School Lunch Week, Oct. 11 to 15 by highlighting innovative programs in the 480 school districts it serves. Sodexo is committed to take measurable sustainable actions that ensure a brighter future in the areas of health and wellness, environmental stewardship and community development. Sodexo School Services focuses on nutrition, achievement, environment, community and activity to promote student well-being.

Popularity: 26% [?]