{"id":2798,"date":"2017-02-27T22:43:57","date_gmt":"2017-02-28T06:43:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogschapman.wpenginepowered.com\/business\/2017\/02\/27\/environmental-powerhouse\/"},"modified":"2017-02-27T22:43:57","modified_gmt":"2017-02-28T06:43:57","slug":"environmental-powerhouse","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.chapman.edu\/business\/2017\/02\/27\/environmental-powerhouse\/","title":{"rendered":"Environmental Powerhouse"},"content":{"rendered":"

On a bright spring morning, Kelly Vlahakis-Hanks walked into a manufacturing facility\u00a0and assumed her most significant role to date. She didn\u2019t simply walk into the\u00a0Earth Friendly Products<\/a>\u00a0to\u00a0begin the workday like any other day. No, that was yesterday. On this day, in April 2014, Kelly walked into the building to begin her most challenging role yet:\u00a0successor and newly appointed leader of the family\u2019s global business<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Kelly embraced the role of CEO and president of Earth Friendly Products, the producer of ECOS\u2122 Laundry Detergent and over 200 environmentally friendly cleaners made with plant-based ingredients.<\/p>\n

Kelly\u2019s new position was due to her\u00a0father\u2019s sudden and unfortunate passing<\/a>\u00a0. Mr. Van Vlahakis, Kelly\u2019s father, founded the company in 1967 and served as president and CEO until he unexpectedly passed away in 2014. Mr. Vlahakis groomed Kelly for the company’s leadership since she joined the family business in 2003, and he\u00a0laid the foundation for the company\u2019s next wave of leadership.<\/p>\n

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Eric Hanks, ECOS key accounts manager and Kelly’s husband, arranges products at Chapman’s Agora Gift Shop. Earth Friendly Products and Follett are proud to announce that ECOS products are now available for purchase on campus.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A Strong Foundation<\/strong><\/p>\n

Kelly is the first to mention how\u00a0Chapman\u2019s Executive MBA (EMBA) program<\/a>\u00a0equipped her with the critical skills and experiences she needed to bridge the gap between the classroom and the corporate world. Her\u00a0career attests to the need for a direct correlation of applying academic concepts with a\u00a0real-world<\/span>
\nlaboratory: the Earth Friendly Products company.<\/p>\n

For Kelly, enrolling in\u00a0business travel courses and subsequently exploring China, Vietnam, Taiwan, and Brazil were pivotal academically, professionally and personally.<\/p>\n

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\u201cMy professors at Chapman all went above and beyond the classroom setting to really support me in my professional objectives. I\u2019m especially grateful to professors Tom Turk, Noel Murray, and the late Esmael Adibi, who all transformed my experience beyond the academics,\u201d<\/em> Kelly says.<\/p>\n

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Think Chapman First<\/strong><\/p>\n

While serving as president and CEO for the past three years, Kelly\u2019s personal commitment to\u00a0\u201cThink Chapman First\u201d <\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>has become\u00a0evident in\u00a0her company culture and leadership style.\u00a0In fact, Kelly exemplifies \u201cThink Chapman First\u201d by employing Chapman students, interns, and alumni.<\/p>\n

The mantra permeates the University as it is directly sewn into Chapman’s mission and brand and encourages all Panthers to consider Chapman their career connection for life.<\/p>\n

“Think Chapman First” infiltrates\u00a0the Chapman community on various levels and can be seen in\u00a0President Struppa’s State of the University address<\/a>; a student’s educational experience; faculty\u2019s vision; staff members\u2019 inspiration; employer partners\u2019 recruitment efforts; and alumni network\u2019s job titles.<\/p>\n

Environmental Powerhouse<\/strong><\/p>\n

Kelly received the\u00a0Orange County Business Journal<\/em>\u2019s\u00a02016 Women in Business award<\/a>, ultimately bringing the 2016 award recipient total\u00a0up to\u00a0three of the five selected women holding Chapman degrees.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe global business environment is extremely dynamic, and the learning opportunities Chapman provides are immensely valuable,\u201d Kelly says after reflecting on her time\u00a0in the graduate business program at the Argyros School.<\/p>\n

Kelly continues to stay connected to Chapman by…<\/p>\n