“Kristy Schloss is an exemplary engineer, environmentalist, and entrepreneur,” says Michelle Tortolani, president of SWE. “Her business success has fulfilled her company’s goal of preserving the global environment while increasing the quality of life abroad, especially in the areas of health, economic viability, and sustainable development.”
“As president of Schloss Engineered Equipment, she has succeeded in an environmental equipment business dominated by larger and predominantly foreign-owned corporate giants,” says Ralph R. Peterson, chairman and CEO, CH2MHill. “As the only woman-owned manufacturer in this industry, her success is a powerful role model for women—and an inspiration for men—in the engineering profession.”
Leveraging the services offered by the U. S. Department of Commerce and the Small Business Administration’s Export Assistance Center in conjunction with her collaborations with other federal and state agencies, Schloss has been able to realize a significant increase in international exports during her tenure at the helm of the company. Schloss says, “Our work enhances lives in so many different parts of the world. I am most proud of our efforts in building a sound environment in which communities can thrive. Trade and the environment are mutually beneficial in promoting economic growth and the well-being of people around the world.”
Schloss serves as chair of the boards of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, Denver Branch and the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Rocky Mountain District Export Council. She is also appointed to the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Environmental Technology Trade Advisory Committee. Schloss served as a member of the Colorado Public Health and Environment Committee transition team for governor-elect Bill Ritter. In addition, she is a trustee of the Midwest Research Institute and on boards for the University of Colorado at Boulder and the University of Denver.
Her many honors include the National Exporter of the Year by the Small Business Administration, the Governor’s Award for Excellence in Exporting, and the Distinguished Engineering Alumni Award by the University of Colorado at Boulder. She received SWE’s Distinguished New Engineer Award, and is a Fellow and life member of SWE.
Schloss received her B.S. degree in civil engineering from the University of Colorado at Boulder.
The SWE Entrepreneur Award honors a SWE member who starts and/or maintains her own engineering, scientific, or technology-based business. She is a role model for all who have risked financial security for the possibility of uncertain rewards. She is skilled in technical, business planning, administrative, and financial techniques and excels in business leadership.
The Entrepreneur Award will be presented on Oct. 26, 2007, at WE07, the Society of Women Engineers national conference. WE07 is being held at the Nashville Convention Center, Oct. 25-27, in Nashville, Tenn. The more than 4,000 attendees include professionals from every discipline of the engineering profession and engineering students and educators. The 2008 Conference is scheduled for Nov. 6-8, 2008, in Baltimore.
About SWE
The Society of Women Engineers (SWE), founded in 1950, is a not-for-profit educational and service organization. SWE is the driving force that establishes engineering as a highly desirable career aspiration for women. SWE empowers women to succeed and advance in those aspirations and receive the recognition and credit for their life-changing contributions and achievements as engineers and leaders. For more information about the Society please visit www.swe.org or call 312-596-5223.
