CSM Group Announces Employee of the Month for January 2012

Kalamazoo, Michigan - CSM Group is pleased to announce Derrick Quintanilla, IT Technician, as employee of the month for January 2012. Since joining CSM Group in January 2011, Derrick has become a fundamental part of the IT Department. He is described by his colleagues as always available to help with IT related issues, committed to finding solutions and following up to make sure everything is running smoothly.

“Derrick is an integral and important part of the IT Department.  He is always prompt, courteous and helpful when dealing with and solving user’s problems.  His dedication and commitment to CSM and all of his teammates is greatly appreciated.”

“I would like to nominate Derrick for Employee of the Month. Every time I approach him with an IT issue, he is very quick to respond. He makes sure to deal with issues while I am in the office, and my down time is minimal. Derrick is doing a great job.”

“My nomination for the employee of the month for January 2012 is Derrick Quintanilla.  Derrick is always helping me with computer related problems and does so with a smile on his face.  No matter if I ask for a small favor or something that will take him all day, he always says yes and puts my needs before his own.  If I ever run into a hiccup or can’t figure something out with software, Derrick is always the first one I ask because I know that he will give it his all to find the solution.  In my opinion, the best part about working with Derrick is his genuine care for others.  Upon completion of his fixes and solutions, he will check back in at a later time to make sure everything is running smoothly.  His hard work and availability made it hard for me to believe when I heard just a couple weeks ago that he is only a part time employee.  It seems as if whenever I need him he is always there and so I made the assumption that he worked here full time.”

 Linden Grove Middle School Awarded LEED Gold Certification, 2^nd Michigan based School to have the honor

Kalamazoo, Michigan – CSM Group is pleased to announce KPS Linden Grove Middle School in Kalamazoo, Michigan and completed in 2009, was recently awarded by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) as a LEED Gold Certified School. It is the second LEED Gold Certified School in the state of Michigan; the first was KPS Prairie Ridge Elementary School, also managed by CSM Group.

The LEED for Schools Rating System recognizes the unique, "green" nature of the design and construction of K-12 schools, and is designed to ensure that every student has equal access to learning.

CSM Group worked closely with KPS and Tower Pinkster to create a facility that reduces environmental impact by using sustainable design elements. Linden Grove Middle School achieved LEED Gold certification for energy use, lighting and water conservation. By using less energy and water, the Linden Grove Middle School saves money for businesses, taxpayers and reduces greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to a healthier environment for students, employees and the larger community. The building’s energy-saving features included:

• Abundant day lighting, allowing for fewer artificial lights and smaller HVAC systems;
• Special outdoor light fixtures designed to decrease light pollution;
• Dual flush toilets and low-flow fixtures;
• A reflective, white roof, in combination with roof vegetation.
• Retaining live wall

Additionally, this 143,000 square foot four-level walk-out school includes open classrooms, pod learning environments, grade levels on separate floors and a bridge entryway.