Ray’s long-term legacy, however, is much larger than his flagship companies. His commitment and openness were enduring benefits to the sustainability movement because when people of all interests and stripes were drawn to hear him, they came away knowing that this was a major power player who was the perfect sustainability champion. This because he had literally put his money and his corporate brand – with all of its attendant value – where his mouth was. 

Ray did so much more than walk the talk in the interests of his corporate mission, vision, and passion. He took the risks. He drew upon his experience as an entrepreneurial captain of industry to prepare himself for the possibility of failure. That he reaped a high degree of success in adopting the sustainability business model and promoting a greener good is an indispensable message that should become a standard approach throughout corporate America.

It is inaccurate to characterize Ray Anderson simply as a man who caught the express train of the green building movement before it left the station. That depiction is as disingenuous as characterizing the Yankees, Lakers and Patriots merely as good sports teams.

Even in death Ray Anderson is legendary, a corporate American icon. He was a canny businessman, an evangelist, an enlightened futurist, and a good soul. Everyone who crossed his path was fully cognizant of that reality. This is a man who already is sorely missed.

Lance A. Williams, Ph.D. is the former executive director of USGBC-LA. He is a LEED accredited professional who specializes in the relationship between culture and sustainability. He can be reached at popanoz@yahoo.com.