From left, Ron Keller of KeyBank is joined by H. Bruce Russell, Lee Arbegast of JCI/KeyBank and Francisco Acoba of awards co-sponsor Deloitte.

This is one financial services company that is seeing green in more ways than one.

KeyBank frequently is recognized for its corporate social responsibility efforts. It is one of the country's largest corporate philanthropists, an ENERGY STAR® partner, and is ranked 13th on DiversityInc's “Top 50 Companies for Diversity.”

Ronald B. Keller, Senior VP Corporate Real Estate, KeyBank was joined by strategic alliance partner Lee Arbegast, Customer Business Director at Johnson Controls Inc. (JCI). KeyBank Project Development Engineer John Schmid was also part of the LEED development team.

“KeyBank's most significant investment is in its people and in the communities it serves,” Keller emphasized.

This commitment to the “triple-bottom-line” - financial, environmental and social benefits - is reflected in KeyBank's corporate real estate practices. “A long-term, corporate-wide focus on environmentally conscious building design and operations in both its corporate and local offices is helping KeyBank increase return on investment, while keeping the environment clean and contributing to the well-being of employees and the community,” Keller said.

This approach aligns KeyBank's corporate real estate philosophy with its corporate business goals. In addition, it positions the firm as one that practices corporate social responsibility, a growing issue in the financial sector. “Most important, these practices employed are readily applicable to CoreNet Global members across the country and around the world,” he noted.

KeyBank worked with JCI to achieve LEED-EB “green” certification as the key central innovative action highlighted to the judges at Harvard. “Johnson Controls is a veteran of the LEED certification process, having acted as consultant or implementer of the sustainability efforts of hundreds of companies, including LEED certification of its own buildings,” observed Arbegast. “Johnson Controls and KeyBank engaged in a year-long process involving a dedicated seven-member team that met weekly to determine what innovative technical and operational strategies would help meet the rigorous LEED-EB certification requirements.”

Results are noteworthy.

• Financial: Through a projected energy reduction of 1,306,675 kWh, KeyBank is reducing cost streams associated with building operations by a minimum of $ 43,120 per year with no major retrofit work.
• Environmental: Reduced environmental impacts
• 2,744,018 pounds of Greenhouse Gases (CO2)
• 7,623 pounds of nitrogen oxides
• 278 pound of carbon dioxide
• 11,512 pounds of sulfur dioxide
• 34,733 milligrams of mercury
• The equivalent of the emissions of 130 cars removed from the road, or planting 379 acres of trees.
• Social: Healthier and more productive workspace, along with employees who know the company is committed to continuing to maintain and improve their building over time.

KeyBank's corporate real estate team continually strives to bring value to shareholders, employees, and clients, Keller told the panel of judges. “LEED-EB certification made economic sense since improvements were cost neutral - a simple payback of nine months. And, they have resulted in sustainable energy and operational savings. Along with the certification comes a sense of pride and security among employees, improving morale and productivity.”

Keller concluded, “The innovations KeyBank has employed are living proof that a sustainable approach is good for business. With record oil prices and high natural gas prices, companies are looking for ways to reduce energy costs and consumption, which, in turn, reduces harmful emissions. Green buildings are more profitable because they can reduce risk, make companies and organizations more efficient and productive and advance them technologically.”