OtherOEN Members, Sam Pardue and Vanessa Keitges are Pivotal Leaders

Each year OEN is a community supporter of “Pivotal Leaders”-a program launched in 2010 by Pivotal Investments, LLC. This program recognizes and connects leaders in cleantech who are helping to build solid, job-providing businesses which utilize innovative clean technologies.

Sam Pardue of Indow Windows and Vanessa Keitges of Columbia Green Technologies joined the list of dynamic executives who are leading the way in this sector. Their names were peer-selected through an online process of nominations and voting.

Sam Pardue, founder of Indow Windows which manufactures and markets patented thermal window inserts that delivers double-pane window performance at a fraction of the cost. After starting his career at Intel as a marketing manager, Sam co-founded Lensbaby, a celebrated Portland-based manufacturer of award-winning special effects SLR camera lenses. In 2010, Sam ventured into the cleantech sector with Indow Windows and took the award for the best company in the energy efficiency space at the 2011 Cleantech Open. This is a venture capital competition held in Silicon Valley.

Vanessa Keitges is currently President and CEO of Columbia Green Technologies, a Portland-based eco-technology company whose eco-roofs help optimally manage storm water, energy use, air and water pollution. Keitges was recognized as one of the Portland Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” leaders. Her company, Columbia Green Technologies has the technology to turn bare concrete roof blocks into  better-looking, green spaces which can also play a role in mitigation of harmful effects of greenhouse gases.

The green roof industry will, in the future, play a critical role in  the sustainable building industry with a lower carbon footprint. Columbia Green Technologies is already being recognized as a successful venture making its mark in this space.

Congratulations to Sam and Vanessa!

Article written by OEN Volunteer, Aditi Vyas

Originally Posted: June 5, 2012