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Boston Business Journal

A SmartSpace

January 23, 2009 - Clifford "Cliff" Cort is pioneering green development in a novel place - modular classrooms, or what he calls "smart space." He will tell you his passion is for creating a green, sustainable, modular world, but he fell into the business somewhat by chance. The company he runs with his brother Glenn, Triumph Modular, is a spinoff of his family's trucking business and is the only "real" place Cort has worked professionally. Triumph recently gained a bit of fame when a fire destroyed the James Hook "&" Co. and the owners needed to quickly replace the building. Cort donated a temporary building on the site.

Cort recently spoke with reporter Michelle Hillman.

What is green washing?

(It's) claiming you're green and are really not. It's a curse. A lot of people are guilty of green washing.

Definition of a good day?

On the biz side, a great day is when someone signs a contract for us to construct a building for them. At home, it's if my wife and kids are happy and healthy.

Toughest business decision?

A major decision was selling our over-the-road trailer rental divisions (last year). There were over 2,000 trailers. It was a major part of our revenue and profit. I haven't looked back and don't miss it.

Traits that give you a competitive edge?

My attention deficit disorder (he was diagnosed as an adult). My hyper-focusing, my risk-taking, my creativity. My willingness to try something.

Pet peeve?

When people say they don't have enough time.

Mentor?

My father was a self-made guy, a really a tough guy. I never really got along with him so our relationship at work was very strained. He was just a hard-working, very aggressive, resilient business guy.

Most influential book?

"Good to Great, Why Some Companies Make the Leap and Others Don't" by Jim Collins.

Three greatest passions?

I'm really a serious father and present father because my father was a serious workaholic and was never around much, so I think I overcompensate. I'm passionate about my family, the kids, travel. I think I'm getting pretty passionate about the green thing.

If you didn't go into the family business what would you have done?

If money wasn't a factor I would've been an artist. I wasn't prepared to be a starving artist. I wasn't into it that much, I guess.