Melissa Vernon

Director of Sustainable Strategy, InterfaceFLOR

Melissa is the Director of Sustainable Strategy for InterfaceFLOR. She is responsible for maximizing business opportunities for InterfaceFLOR by strategically leveraging Interface’s leadership in sustainable development. She works closely with technical, marketing, and sales to develop strategies, programs, and tools for account executives, which enable them to educate their customers about sustainability. She also researches and addresses trends and opportunities in the green product market. As a liaison between several InterfaceFLOR departments, she ensures that Interface customers receive a more holistic approach in creating commercial interior environments to meet the needs of client, community, and the environment. Melissa also oversees the company’s image, messaging, and presence at key environmental conferences.

Prior to her current position, Melissa spent her first two years at Interface Research in the Sustainable Operations group, where she created the corporate greenhouse gas emissions inventory, bought renewable energy credits, assisted with a landfill gas direct-use project, developed carbon dioxide offset projects, and supported the launch of “Cool” (climate neutral) products. Melissa also has experience as an intern with Ford Motor Company’s Global Purchasing Planning Strategy sustainability group. She has worked with the West Michigan Sustainable Business Forum, developing their ‘Sustainable Facilities’ website, and assisted the Ann Arbor Area Chamber of Commerce in the initial stages of creating a Sustainable Business Forum for Southeastern Michigan.

Melissa is passionate about sustainability and lives her life as an example of its true meaning. She lives simply, drives a hybrid vehicle, and has not bought a garbage bag in five years. She typically speaks to a variety of audiences in the corporate, academic, and government sectors on sustainable living and business. She is known for asking audiences, “Would you choose a green product that is made in a brown or polluting factory?” She provides insight on the importance of incorporating sustainability into every part of the manufacturing process and on the complexities of choosing truly “green” products in the marketplace. In addition, she often addresses LEED certification standards set by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC).

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