BENTON HARBOR, Mich., Dec. 9, 2010 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Whirlpool Corporation recently announced that Cyndi Smith and John Talman, account managers for the Southern States Contract Sales Division, have earned Certified Green Professional (CGP) designations from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). The CGP distinction recognizes Smith and Talman as building industry professionals with knowledge of the best strategies for incorporating green building principles into home building.

Smith, a nine-year member of the Whirlpool Corporation team, serves as the liaison between the Earthcraft green building certification programs and Whirlpool Corporation. In addition, Smith devotes her time and sustainable knowledge to a number of industry groups, including the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI), the National Kitchen & Bath Association and the Women of NARI Networking.

An eight-year Whirlpool Corporation employee and member of the Homebuilders Association of Greater Savannah, Talman understands that being a respected source for information is imperative to fostering long-term relationships with customers.

"A large number of the builders I routinely work with have shifted their efforts to green building," said Talman. "My recent certification provides me the knowledge necessary to effectively and intelligently communicate sustainable building processes and allows me to be a trusted resource to Whirlpool Corporation trade customers."

"Smith and Talman are outstanding examples of green building professionals, and we commend them for their recent efforts," said Terri Connett, senior contract marketing and design manager at Whirlpool Corporation. "Their new CGP designations provide Whirlpool Corporation customers with advanced, industry-recognized leadership in the latest green building strategies."  

The CGP curriculum incorporates training by leading building industry practitioners on a range of topics, including strategies for incorporating green building principles into homes using cost-effective methods of construction, and how green homes provide homeowners with lower maintenance and good indoor air quality. Smith and Talman are required to maintain the designation by completing 12 hours of continuing education every three years, a portion of which pertains to green building activities.

About Whirlpool Corporation

Celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2011, Whirlpool Corporation's influence on home and family life has shaped trends in the kitchen, laundry area and beyond. The company strives to exceed expectations with appliances that help building professionals create homes of distinction. Whirlpool Corporation's The Inside Advantage™ Program offers Powerful Brands, Innovative Products, Targeted Services and Market Insight to support building professionals.

Whirlpool Corporation is the world's leading manufacturer and marketer of major home appliances, with annual sales of approximately $17 billion in 2009, 67,000 employees, and 67 manufacturing and technology research centers around the world.  The company markets Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, Jenn-Air, Amana, Brastemp, Consul, Bauknecht and other major brand names to consumers in nearly every country around the world.

For more information on Whirlpool Corporation and its offerings for building professionals, please visit insideadvantage.com or call 1-800-952-2537.

SOURCE Whirlpool Corporation