Landscape Forms Announces New Sustainability Leadership Position, Appoints Amy Syverson-Shaffer, ASLA, RLA, SITES AP
Kalamazoo,
MI – July 31, 2023 –
Landscape Forms, North America’s leading designer and manufacturer of
high-design site furniture, structure, LED lighting and accessories, is pleased
to announce the appointment of Amy Syverson-Shaffer, ASLA, RLA, SITES AP to the
company’s new role of Manager of Sustainability.
As
an industry leader with deep roots in sustainable practices, Landscape Forms
continues to advance its commitment to sustainability and environmental
stewardship with the creation of a new Manager of Sustainability position within
the company. Chosen for the role is Amy Syverson-Shaffer, who served previously
as the Landscape Forms Business Development Representative for Philadelphia,
PA. "I grew up in Southwest Michigan, have always had a deep connection to
nature, and developed a real bond with Landscape Forms when I was working in
landscape architecture,” says Syverson-Shaffer. "So, this new position
feels meant to be, like coming home."
"Our
company is rooted in sustainability and has been since day one,” describes
Michael Blum who currently oversees sustainability initiatives at Landscape
Forms in his role as Chief Strategy Officer and President of Studio 431.
"The creation of our Manager of Sustainability position marks a great new
chapter for us as we’re investing in the next phase of this commitment.
Bringing in a full-time sustainability leader is a signal of the strength of
this commitment and is a big point of pride for a lot of our team members.”
In
her new role, Syverson-Shaffer will be responsible for setting the vision and
strategy to implement the organization’s plan for a regenerative future across
every aspect of the company. "One of the major goals for Amy in this new
role will be to continue Landscape Forms’ leadership position in the landscape
architecture industry,” Blum continues. "We’re leaders in design, we’re
leaders in culture, we’re leaders in market share, and we want to bolster this
position by continuing to be leaders in sustainability—not just by being the
best, but by helping others in the industry come along, evolve and accomplish
their goals as well.”
Ms.
Syverson-Shaffer was selected for the position from more than 200 candidates,
with her wealth of sustainability-focused design and landscape architecture
experience and collaborative spirit cited as standout qualities. Prior to
joining Landscape Forms as a Business Development Representative in 2017, she
was a movement leader in designing for equity and community engagement at DAVID
RUBIN Land Collective and served as an adjunct professor in the Science of
Sustainable Design at Temple University in Philadelphia.
Looking
forward toward her new role and the future of sustainability practices within
the Landscape Forms portfolio of brands and beyond, Syverson-Shaffer says,
"I think we have a real opportunity right now to crystalize all of the
good that we’re doing into something even more powerful. It’s an inspiring time
to be getting involved in this work because there’s such a strong foundation in
Landscape Forms’ core sustainability values, and by applying my experience in
collaboration, working across disciplines and putting together teams with
different areas of expertise, we can really multiply our positive effects."
About Landscape Forms
Landscape
Forms
is the industry leader in integrated collections of high-design site furniture,
structures, accessories, and advanced LED lighting. Since its founding in 1969
Landscape Forms has earned a reputation for excellent design, high quality
products and exceptional service. Headquartered
in Kalamazoo, Michigan, the family of brands includes Loll Designs located in
Duluth, Minnesota; Summit Furniture in Monterey, California; and Kornegay
Design in Phoenix, Arizona. It has
sales representatives throughout North America, South America, the United
Kingdom, Australia, the United Arab Emirates and Asia. Landscape Forms
collaborates with renowned industrial designers and consultancies, landscape
architects, and architects to design and develop integrated collections of products
that address emerging needs and help create a sense of place. Additionally, the
company has formed global marketing partnerships with select companies that
share its commitment to design. Landscape Forms has an installed base of
products around the world. Clients include municipalities, transit centers,
corporate, college and health care campuses; and familiar brand leaders such as
Harvard University, Linked In, New York Central Park Conservancy, Bryant Park,
Google, Coca Cola, Oculus, U.S. Tennis Association (USTA), Nike, National
Museum of African American History (Washington, D.C.), Barclays Center, Adidas,
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Microsoft, and Uber. Landscape Forms
has been named one of the Best Workplaces in Manufacturing & Production for
2020, 2021, and 2022 by Fortune magazine, Michigan Manufacturer of the Year by
the Michigan Manufacturers Association, and by 269 Magazine as one of Southwest
Michigan’s Wonderful Workplaces.