John Abrams

John Abrams is cofounder and CEO of South Mountain Company, a 32-year-old, employee owned design and building company on Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts. He chairs the Island Affordable Housing Fund and is vice-chair of the Island Housing Trust, two nonprofits dedicated to solving the community's affordable housing crisis. John will be speaking on his sustainable design practices and how small business can fit into social responsibility.

For many years he has spoken and written about socially responsible business, affordable housing, and ecological building issues. South Mountain Company provides a wide range of services, including planning, development, architecture, and sustainable energy installation, andengages as many participants in their work as possible. This collaborative effort springs from a business model based on shared ownership, limited growth, highest quality craftsmanship and service, community involvement, and long term thinking.

John has two children and two grandchildren, and he lives with his wife Chris in a co-housing neighborhood that was designed and built by his company in West Tisbury, Massachusetts. Be sure to check out his new book, The Company We Keep.