September 2015 Honoree
Nicole Savage
Nature’s Way Environmental, Owner and President/CEO
Nicole took over her father’s business after his untimely death in 2007. A biologist, he was the sole owner and founder of the company, and left no succession plan or insurance that could have helped in this difficult situation. She had not been involved in Nature’s Way Environmental previously but felt it was important to preserve what he had built for the industry, the community, and the company’s employees.
Although she doesn’t have a background in environmental studies or earth sciences – she has a BA in psychology and an MBA in business – Nicole’s proud to say, “That the amazing people here have made it possible for our company not only to still exist, but to be thriving once again.” She also has big plans for the future, “In five years, I would like to see us as a slightly bigger version of ourselves. Alternative energy is a natural transition for us, so we will be looking at what role we would best fill in that sector of our industry.”
Nature’s Way Environmental is a specialty construction company, performing environmental investigation, remediation and fuel system installation. Services include drilling/environmental investigation, geotechnical investigation, soil and groundwater remediation and fueling system installs/maintenance. Nicole adds, “Our business best serves the community simply through the services we provide – it gives me great pride knowing that we are eliminating potential human health hazards each and every day.” Nicole’s business philosophy? “In short, do it right and do it fairly.”
She is a member of the Women Presidents’ Organization, Vistage International, serves on the Board of Governors for the Construction Exchange of Buffalo and WNY and is a founding member of the Women in Construction Committee of ConEx/CFMA. Nicole is also an alumni of the University at Buffalo Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership program (CEL).