Tag: 3BL

For more than 100 years, IBM’s founding principles have inspired efforts to promote equality, fairness and inclusion in the workplace and society. The company has lived the value of “respect for the individual” by championing employment practices that reward ability over identity and that make work more attainable for all.

In 1935, approximately twenty years after IBM was founded, it began hiring women into professional roles. Three decades before the US Equal Pay Act of 1963, IBM’s CEO, Thomas J. Watson Sr., stated, “Men and women will do the same kind of work for equal pay. They will have the same treatment, the same responsibilities, and the same opportunities for advancement.”

Through the years, many women have held leadership roles at IBM, including former CEO, Ginni Rometty. Women have played key roles in initiatives throughout the organization, including the rise of AI.

“Women are as capable as anybody else to contribute to the technical development of AI, and they also care deeply about the impact of AI on people and society. This combination is exactly what we need now, to design and build a future with purpose, where technology supports human values rather than the opposite. An increased presence of women in AI will also make it fairer and more inclusive. A multi-disciplinary approach to AI education is fundamental to help women understand that this is a great match for their talent and passion.” -Francesca Rossi, IBM Fellow, AI Ethics Global Leader, IBM Research

As IBM continued to research and develop AI, it became clear that along with the positive aspects of the technology, there were also potential issues that needed attention. “AI will have a transformative impact on everyday life, business and more. As with other technologies, there are ethical components that must be followed to build systems based on trust,” says Justina Nixon-Saintil, Chief Impact Officer and AI Ethics Board member at IBM. “In our historical experience at IBM, we know women play a fundamental role in shaping the future. That’s why two women IBMers led the way when we established our AI Ethics Board, and that’s why we are using our technology and expertise to empower more girls and women in ethical AI, among many other areas.”

Since 2019, the AI Ethics Board has been co-chaired by two leaders: Christina Montgomery (Vice President, Chief Privacy and Trust Officer) and Francesca Rossi (IBM Fellow, and AI Ethics Global Leader). Their unique backgrounds and views have helped the Board instill governance and a culture of ethical and responsible technology throughout IBM.

The AI Ethics Board is comprised of leaders from across the company, including many esteemed women leaders. Supporting the work of the AI Ethics Board and its members are its AI Ethics Focal Points. IBM is incredibly fortunate to have many women in leadership at this level as well.

Along with establishing policies and practices around AI ethics, the AI Ethics Board sponsors workstreams, which bring together experts from across the business to address key business challenges, questions and opportunities. These workstreams often include women as executive sponsors.

A team of female leaders from the AI Ethics Board and IBM’s AI Ethics Project Office drew on experts from across IBM to publish this point of view on foundation models. They also collaborated with IBM Research and watsonx.governance™, led by Heather Gentile, Director of watsonx.governance Product Management and AI Ethics Focal Point. Together, they developed the AI risk atlas, which helps readers better understand the risks of working with generative AI, foundation models and machine learning models.

“In this unprecedented new era of global AI innovation, women are leading the charge towards acknowledging that the importance of innovation is as much about its impact as it is about invention. This crucial work in confronting and mitigating the immediate and long-term risks that AI poses to our society is setting the standards for how we, as a global community, approach the integration of AI into our lives.” -Christina Montgomery, IBM Chief Privacy & Trust Officer

For six years in a row, IBM has been listed as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere. This recognition reflects IBM’s commitment to a strong governance structure and a culture of ethics, embodied in its AI Ethics Board and AI Ethics Focal Points. It also honors the strong women leading IBM forward.

Learn more about AI Ethics at IBM

Read more about women in technology at IBM

Read the IBV study on women forging the future of AI

Learn more about IBM creating an inclusive culture

In the wake of Covid-19’s unprecedented impact on global supply chains, Mondelēz International faced a daunting challenge: how to continue supplying snack foods to the Caribbean amidst shipping bans and a worldwide container shortage. The crisis, spurred by national lockdowns and halted manufacturing, left industries scrambling as 75% of the world’s supply-chain companies encountered transportation woes. The Caribbean, relying heavily on imports, saw grocery shelves and café offerings dwindle, threatening both local livelihoods and community well-being.

To overcome these challenges, Mondelēz pivoted to a nearshoring model dubbed “Project Near,” which enabled the company to source products directly from Mexico, Peru, and the U.K. to the Dominican Republic—a hub unaffected by shipping restrictions. DP World played a crucial role in helping the company navigate these challenges by facilitating a strategic partnership that enabled the nearshoring model.

As a global logistics giant, DP World provided an integrated ecosystem of services, infrastructure, and technologies specifically designed to facilitate global trade and logistics. This ecosystem was instrumental in creating a new distribution pathway for Mondelēz, enabling the company to maintain supply chain integrity and business continuity despite the broader disruptions caused by the pandemic. This strategic shift not only stabilized distribution, but also marked a significant turn towards more resilient and efficient supply chain practices.

With the support of DP World, the transition to nearshoring took a mere six and a half months from concept to execution. DP World’s integrated ecosystem provided a seamless network of services, ensuring Mondelēz could maintain supply-chain integrity despite the global disruptions. The choice of the Dominican Republic as a central hub was no coincidence; its strategic location and robust trade infrastructure made it an ideal conduit for Mondelēz’s distribution across the Caribbean.

This narrative isn’t just about overcoming a temporary crisis; it’s a testament to the broader advantages of nearshoring. The model has not only enhanced Mondelēz’s distribution efficiency but also opened avenues for expansion into new markets. Remarkably, it has also led to a reduction in CO2 emissions by as much as 120,000 kilograms annually, showcasing the potential for nearshoring to contribute to more sustainable trade practices.

But is nearshoring the future of international trade, especially in a world seeking to balance economic resilience with sustainability? While it offers a promising avenue, its viability and predominance will depend on a confluence of factors: the continuing emphasis on sustainability, advancements in logistics technology, and the economic dynamics of potential nearshore destinations.

To dive deeper into how Mondelēz International navigated the complexities of supply chain disruptions and embraced nearshoring as a pathway to resilience and sustainability, read the full article in the Wall Street Journal. It offers valuable insights into the strategic decisions that are shaping the future of global trade, emphasizing the importance of agility, sustainability, and collaboration in today’s interconnected world.

Learn more: RECONNECTING THE FOOD CHAIN IN THE CARIBBEAN

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MINNEAPOLIS, April 3, 2024 /3BL/ – Milk Specialties Global, a nutrition ingredients manufacturer, is the most recent food and beverage manufacturer to join Vanguard Renewables® Farm Powered Strategic Alliance (FPSA). The FPSA was launched in 2020 with founding members Unilever, Starbucks, Dairy Farmers of America, and Vanguard Renewables and has since grown to more than 20 national and regional food and beverage companies.

“Milk Specialties is the latest sustainably minded food and beverage manufacturer to join the Farm Powered Strategic Alliance,” stated Neil H. Smith, Chief Executive Officer at Vanguard Renewables. “We are thrilled to add them to our cohort of first movers in the food and beverage industry focused on sustainability, decarbonization of supply chains, and moving towards a more circular economy.”

The FPSA, a collaborative initiative focused on driving systemic change, is dedicated to promoting sustainable organic waste reduction and regenerative agriculture solutions. With the addition of Milk Specialties Global, the Alliance gains a valuable partner with extensive experience in sustainable manufacturing and is dedicated to supporting America’s farmers.

“Recognizing our responsibility towards customers, suppliers, employees, and competitors, we are committed to fostering collaboration and being a responsible corporate citizen,” stated David Lenzmeier, Chief Executive Officer at Milk Specialties Global. “Our company’s DNA is rooted in the ethos of doing more with less, constantly striving to minimize our environmental impact while maximizing production efficiency, and joining the Farm Powered Strategic Alliance is part of our focus on collaboration across all business verticals.”

The company’s success story began by utilizing whey by-product from dairy manufacturing and upcycling that into protein ingredients. Today, Milk Specialties’ range of high-quality ingredients, including whey and milk proteins, functional fats, and carbohydrates, are not only sold under the consumer labels of their partners but are also available through major retailers across the globe.

Vanguard Renewables partners with food and beverage manufacturers to recycle their inedible food waste via Farm Powered® anaerobic digestion, which converts organic waste into renewable natural gas (RNG). This RNG is then used to generate electricity, heat, and transportation fuel, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. By diverting food waste from landfills and transforming it into clean energy, Vanguard Renewables is making a significant impact on the environment while also creating economic opportunities for farmers and local communities.

In March, Vanguard Renewables celebrated a decade in clean energy innovation and organic materials solutions. The Company has grown from two facilities under management in 2014 to 32 sites across the United States, with new projects commencing construction consistently over the next four years. A highlight in its decade-long history was the formation of the Farm Powered Strategic Alliance which now boasts more than 20 national and regional companies across several verticals.

By joining the Farm Powered Strategic Alliance, Milk Specialties aims to further strengthen its commitment to sustainable practices. This strategic partnership will enable the company to collaborate with like-minded organizations and leverage collective expertise to drive positive change across industries.

Further, its inclusion in the FPSA aligns with their long-standing dedication to responsible business practices. By joining Vanguard’s Farm Powered movement, the company reaffirms its commitment to sustainability and sets an example for the industry. Through collaborative efforts, Milk Specialties and the other members of the Farm Powered Strategic Alliance are ensuring a greener and more sustainable future.

For more information about Vanguard Renewables and the Farm Powered Strategic Alliance, please visit https://bit.ly/FPSA23.

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Visit Vanguard’s Media Room:

https://www.vanguardrenewables.com/media-kit

Media Contact:

Billy Kepner

607-331-9806

bkepner@vanguardrenewables.com

About Vanguard Renewables:

Vanguard Renewables, based in Weston, Massachusetts, is a national leader in developing food and dairy waste-to-renewable energy projects. The Company owns and operates on-farm anaerobic digester facilities in the northeast and currently operates manure-only digesters in the south and west for Dominion Energy. Vanguard Renewables plans to expand nationwide to more than 150 anaerobic digestion facilities by 2026. Vanguard Renewables is committed to advancing decarbonization by reducing greenhouse gas emissions from farms and food waste, generating renewable energy, and supporting regenerative agriculture on partner farms via Farm Powered® anaerobic digestion. Vanguard Renewables is a portfolio company of funds managed by BlackRock. To learn more visit vanguardrenewables.com.

About Milk Specialties Global:

Milk Specialties Global is a manufacturer of nutritional ingredients for the health and wellness, performance nutrition and functional food industries, with 12 manufacturing facilities in WI, MN, NE, IL, ID and CA. The core of Milk Specialties’ business is in high protein ingredients (whey protein concentrates, isolates and hydrolysates, as well as milk protein concentrates, isolates and micellar casein), lactose and permeate as well as value added ingredients such as lactoferrin. Milk Specialties also have a significant presence within the pet and livestock feed industries. Additional information about Milk Specialties, including the benefits of its proprietary processing methods, can be found on www.milkspecialties.com.

20 local environmental partners receive shareholder-funded grants to help create cleaner communities

NEW ORLEANS, April 2, 2024 /3BL/ – Entergy is helping 20 local community partners protect the environment by contributing a combined total of approximately $1 million in shareholder-funded grants through the company’s Environmental Initiatives Fund.

“For 23 years, we have dedicated ourselves to partnering with our communities through this fund to identify and support essential projects that protect and enhance the environment,” said John Weiss, Entergy’s vice president of sustainability and environmental policy. “Our aim is not just to be good environmental stewards, but also to make a lasting impact on the communities we serve.”

Entergy’s Environmental Initiatives Fund identifies projects or programs that improve the environment by reducing emissions, protecting natural resources, and restoring wetlands and forests. The fund also educates Entergy’s customers, employees, communities and owners on the value of natural resources and other environmental improvements.

Recipients of the 2023 Environmental Initiatives Fund grants include:

Baton Rouge Green Association to plant and maintain more than 50 trees on Harding Boulevard in Baton Rouge, Louisiana ($160,000).
 City of Hot Springs to help build a paved trail along Hot Springs Creek for alternative transportation, an exercise path and recreational activities in Hot Springs, Arkansas ($96,000).
 Rebuilding Together New Orleans to provide energy efficient repairs to 10 homeowners facing financial challenges in New Orleans, Louisiana. Repairs include insulation, air sealing and HVAC system upgrades ($50,000).
 Houston Audubon Society to protect and improve coastal sanctuaries on Bolivar Peninsula, Texas, by making enhancements in three key areas: access to nature, infrastructure improvements and habitat restoration ($39,000).
 Keep Jackson Beautiful to support its Eco Ambassador Program dedicated to litter cleanup, litter prevention, education and outreach, and beautification of Jackson, Mississippi ($30,000).

View the complete list of the 2023 grant recipients here.

2024 applications now open

If you or someone you know has a project idea that promotes conservation, energy efficiency or delivers other environmental benefits, the 2024 Request for Proposals for funding consideration is now open. Submit your environmental project proposal using this application. All proposals must be received by midnight Central time, May 31.

Since 2001, Entergy shareholders have invested nearly $43 million in environmentally beneficial projects and programs through the Environmental Initiatives Fund. The fund also contributes to Entergy’s leadership role as an advocate for and contributor to solutions to our most critical environmental challenges.

Learn more about Entergy’s Environmental Initiatives Fund on our website.

About Entergy

Entergy (NYSE: ETR) is a Fortune 500 company that powers life for 3 million customers through our operating companies in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. We’re investing in the reliability and resilience of the energy system while helping our region transition to cleaner, more efficient energy solutions. With roots in our communities for more than 100 years, Entergy is a nationally recognized leader in sustainability and corporate citizenship. Since 2018, we have delivered more than $100 million in economic benefits each year to local communities through philanthropy, volunteerism and advocacy. Entergy is headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, and has approximately 12,000 employees. Learn more at entergy.com and follow @Entergy on social media. #WePowerLife

20 local environmental partners receive shareholder-funded grants to help create cleaner communities

NEW ORLEANS, April 2, 2024 /3BL/ – Entergy is helping 20 local community partners protect the environment by contributing a combined total of approximately $1 million in shareholder-funded grants through the company’s Environmental Initiatives Fund.

“For 23 years, we have dedicated ourselves to partnering with our communities through this fund to identify and support essential projects that protect and enhance the environment,” said John Weiss, Entergy’s vice president of sustainability and environmental policy. “Our aim is not just to be good environmental stewards, but also to make a lasting impact on the communities we serve.”

Entergy’s Environmental Initiatives Fund identifies projects or programs that improve the environment by reducing emissions, protecting natural resources, and restoring wetlands and forests. The fund also educates Entergy’s customers, employees, communities and owners on the value of natural resources and other environmental improvements.

Recipients of the 2023 Environmental Initiatives Fund grants include:

Baton Rouge Green Association to plant and maintain more than 50 trees on Harding Boulevard in Baton Rouge, Louisiana ($160,000).
 City of Hot Springs to help build a paved trail along Hot Springs Creek for alternative transportation, an exercise path and recreational activities in Hot Springs, Arkansas ($96,000).
 Rebuilding Together New Orleans to provide energy efficient repairs to 10 homeowners facing financial challenges in New Orleans, Louisiana. Repairs include insulation, air sealing and HVAC system upgrades ($50,000).
 Houston Audubon Society to protect and improve coastal sanctuaries on Bolivar Peninsula, Texas, by making enhancements in three key areas: access to nature, infrastructure improvements and habitat restoration ($39,000).
 Keep Jackson Beautiful to support its Eco Ambassador Program dedicated to litter cleanup, litter prevention, education and outreach, and beautification of Jackson, Mississippi ($30,000).

View the complete list of the 2023 grant recipients here.

2024 applications now open

If you or someone you know has a project idea that promotes conservation, energy efficiency or delivers other environmental benefits, the 2024 Request for Proposals for funding consideration is now open. Submit your environmental project proposal using this application. All proposals must be received by midnight Central time, May 31.

Since 2001, Entergy shareholders have invested nearly $43 million in environmentally beneficial projects and programs through the Environmental Initiatives Fund. The fund also contributes to Entergy’s leadership role as an advocate for and contributor to solutions to our most critical environmental challenges.

Learn more about Entergy’s Environmental Initiatives Fund on our website.

About Entergy

Entergy (NYSE: ETR) is a Fortune 500 company that powers life for 3 million customers through our operating companies in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. We’re investing in the reliability and resilience of the energy system while helping our region transition to cleaner, more efficient energy solutions. With roots in our communities for more than 100 years, Entergy is a nationally recognized leader in sustainability and corporate citizenship. Since 2018, we have delivered more than $100 million in economic benefits each year to local communities through philanthropy, volunteerism and advocacy. Entergy is headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, and has approximately 12,000 employees. Learn more at entergy.com and follow @Entergy on social media. #WePowerLife

Throughout 2024, CECP will be celebrating 25 years of purpose–this is a significant milestone, not only for CECP, but also for the entire corporate purpose movement. Over the past 25 years, CECP has continued to evolve as corporate purpose, corporate social responsibility, and sustainability ecosystems have transformed to meet the demands of a dynamically shifting business environment and along with it, the changing expectations of key stakeholders. With our companies, we share a goal of harnessing the power of purpose for the benefit of business, stakeholders, and society.

Rebecca Henderson, the John and Natty McArthur University Professor at Harvard University, defines corporate purpose as a “moral commitment to a pro-social goal beyond profit maximization.” Purpose sits at the intersection of what the world needs and what the company does best. It is the unique value the company creates for its many stakeholders.

Purpose-driven organizations generate higher employee trust and outperform on common financial performance and value creation measures. Perhaps it is not surprising, then, as companies celebrate milestones and anniversaries, corporate purpose often plays a leading role. Milestones provide companies with the opportunity to demonstrate what’s important to them and their stakeholders by shining a light on their strategies and progress surrounding purpose.

Below are examples of CECP-affiliated companies that are integrating their corporate purpose strategies across CECP’s Centers of Excellence into milestone celebrations.

Estée Lauder Companies recognized its 75 years in business in 2021. Fabrizio Freda, President and CEO, attributed the continued success of the company not only to its business strategy, but to the execution of the company’s core values. To honor its anniversary, Estée Lauder launched several initiatives to reflect the company’s commitment to citizenship, sustainability, diversity, and inclusion. “With our values and our purpose continuing to guide us, our future will be bright,” said Freda.In 2022, State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company celebrated its 100th anniversary. To commemorate this centennial milestone, State Farm dedicated $2 million to create safer, stronger, and more resilient communities. Aligned with State Farm’s purpose to help people and to protect what matters most, the “Century of Good” grants supported projects focused on community-specific environmental priorities, including air quality, addressing climate change, and conserving green spaces.Hasbro also celebrated its 100-year anniversary in 2023. Founded by the Hassenfeld brothers, Hasbro continues to be guided by the Hassenfelds’ belief in doing good things and making the world a better place. To celebrate 100 years, Alan Hassenfeld and the Hassenfeld Family Foundation donated $1 million to four charities benefiting children cand families. “On behalf of the Hasbro family, we want to extend our thanks once again to the Hassenfelds for instilling purpose at Hasbro and continuing to guide us in making a positive impact for children and families in our community,” said Kevin Colman, Senior Director of Global Philanthropy & Social Impact at Hasbro.

At CECP, we create customized advisory projects designed for a company’s specific needs to build, operationalize, communicate, and measure purpose strategies. Our research demonstrates that shared resilience built on purpose, empathy, integration, congruence, and trust leads to more resilient and profitable companies. These purpose-driven companies are those that will be celebrating milestones for years to come. Please reach out for more information at info@cecp.co.

Throughout 2024, CECP will be celebrating 25 years of purpose–this is a significant milestone, not only for CECP, but also for the entire corporate purpose movement. Over the past 25 years, CECP has continued to evolve as corporate purpose, corporate social responsibility, and sustainability ecosystems have transformed to meet the demands of a dynamically shifting business environment and along with it, the changing expectations of key stakeholders. With our companies, we share a goal of harnessing the power of purpose for the benefit of business, stakeholders, and society.

Rebecca Henderson, the John and Natty McArthur University Professor at Harvard University, defines corporate purpose as a “moral commitment to a pro-social goal beyond profit maximization.” Purpose sits at the intersection of what the world needs and what the company does best. It is the unique value the company creates for its many stakeholders.

Purpose-driven organizations generate higher employee trust and outperform on common financial performance and value creation measures. Perhaps it is not surprising, then, as companies celebrate milestones and anniversaries, corporate purpose often plays a leading role. Milestones provide companies with the opportunity to demonstrate what’s important to them and their stakeholders by shining a light on their strategies and progress surrounding purpose.

Below are examples of CECP-affiliated companies that are integrating their corporate purpose strategies across CECP’s Centers of Excellence into milestone celebrations.

Estée Lauder Companies recognized its 75 years in business in 2021. Fabrizio Freda, President and CEO, attributed the continued success of the company not only to its business strategy, but to the execution of the company’s core values. To honor its anniversary, Estée Lauder launched several initiatives to reflect the company’s commitment to citizenship, sustainability, diversity, and inclusion. “With our values and our purpose continuing to guide us, our future will be bright,” said Freda.In 2022, State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company celebrated its 100th anniversary. To commemorate this centennial milestone, State Farm dedicated $2 million to create safer, stronger, and more resilient communities. Aligned with State Farm’s purpose to help people and to protect what matters most, the “Century of Good” grants supported projects focused on community-specific environmental priorities, including air quality, addressing climate change, and conserving green spaces.Hasbro also celebrated its 100-year anniversary in 2023. Founded by the Hassenfeld brothers, Hasbro continues to be guided by the Hassenfelds’ belief in doing good things and making the world a better place. To celebrate 100 years, Alan Hassenfeld and the Hassenfeld Family Foundation donated $1 million to four charities benefiting children cand families. “On behalf of the Hasbro family, we want to extend our thanks once again to the Hassenfelds for instilling purpose at Hasbro and continuing to guide us in making a positive impact for children and families in our community,” said Kevin Colman, Senior Director of Global Philanthropy & Social Impact at Hasbro.

At CECP, we create customized advisory projects designed for a company’s specific needs to build, operationalize, communicate, and measure purpose strategies. Our research demonstrates that shared resilience built on purpose, empathy, integration, congruence, and trust leads to more resilient and profitable companies. These purpose-driven companies are those that will be celebrating milestones for years to come. Please reach out for more information at info@cecp.co.

CNH’s strategic alliance with Telecom Argentina continues the company’s objective of bolstering connectivity in digital agriculture. Together with Telecom’s other partners, CNH is bringing 4G network connectivity and digital services to 500,000 hectares of countryside in the province of Buenos Aires.

“The Pergamino and Rojas areas are some of the most important for agricultural production in Argentina. But these places were lacking in adequate network coverage, which meant that our customers could not achieve the highest levels of productivity that our equipment and services offer. We had to do something about it,” said Rafael Miotto, President, Latin America at CNH. “By partnering with Telecom Argentina, we are ensuring that farmers always have access to the precision technologies that enhance their work. These include remote sensing and monitoring, which can help automate operator tasks, and smart irrigation that conserves water usage.”

This agreement furthers CNH’s strategy to deliver customer-inspired innovations everywhere, no matter how remote the location. In Brazil, CNH has a longstanding collaboration with the global network provider TIM, which offers the widest mobile coverage in the country. The company also founded ConectarAGRO association, which is helping to bring connectivity to more than 14 million hectares, benefiting over one million people across 13 states. Gregory Riordan, Digital Director, Latin America at CNH is the current Vice-President of this association.

CNH and TIM also cooperate on the highly successful Fazenda Conectada (Connected Farm) – a fully-functioning Farm and Ag Tech lab that monitors connected machines and their yields in Água Boa, Mato Grosso. Launched in 2021, the aim of this long-term project is to demonstrate how connectivity increases productivity in the field, even in a region with historically high yields.

CNH has over 190 network provider partners in 144 countries that allow our customers to connect their products and benefit from full coverage wherever the company’s equipment is at work. This strategic partnership demonstrates CNH’s commitment not just to sustainable products and innovation, but to the local communities those products serve.

Every year, Covia recognizes the outstanding work and contributions of Team Members, project teams, and plants, through several awards and accolades. The Covia Excellence Awards are one way we celebrate our team’s efforts. We are proud to announce this year’s award winners and hope that you join us in celebrating their incredible work. The 2023 Covia Excellence Award winners are:

Prism Award – Vincent RodriguezCommercial Impact Award – Terry Gwinn & Haley DickersonSupport Impact Award – Amanda Meehan & Kristin LewisPlant of the Year – Ahuazotepec, MexicoLeaf Award Winner – Roff, OklahomaPresident’s Safety Award – Cleburne, TexasOperations Impact Award – Lampazos & Monterrey, MexicoVolunteer of the Year – Rocky Rivers

Prism Award

The Prism Award recognizes a Covia team member who exemplifies and promotes diversity and inclusion where we work, who we do business with, and where we live. Our 2023 award winner is Customer Service Manager, Vincent Rodriguez, from Huntersville, North Carolina.

Vincent was nominated for his exceptional contributions in cultivating an inclusive, friendly, and cohesive work environment within the Customer Service team. Under Vincent’s leadership, the Customer Service team has become a vibrant and dynamic group with diverse skillsets, experiences, and backgrounds.

Commercial Impact Award

The 2023 Commercial Impact Award winners are Terry Gwinn, Sales Manager, and Haley Dickerson, Senior Representative, Inside Sales. Their record-setting performance helped spur massive growth in projects and applications, improved sales margins, and opened new business opportunities for our Performance Materials business.

Support Impact Award

This award was presented to Amanda Meehan, Director of Communications, and Kristin Lewis, Manager of Community Relations from our Independence, Ohio, office for their outstanding work on the launch of Covia’s new intranet, The Quarry. This project has had a significant positive impact on Covia’s employees – giving them a unified space for internal communication. Since launch, we have seen the continuous growth and utilization of this vital collaborative tool, which serves as the primary source for company news, up-to-date documents, and resources.

Plant of the Year – Ahuazotepec, Mexico

The Plant of the Year award recognizes a Covia plant that goes above and beyond – showing excellence across a range of performance measures, including plant efficiency and effectiveness, safety, environmental leadership, and community involvement.

Covia’s 2023 Plant of the Year is Ahuazotepec, Mexico. The plant had exceptional safety performance, including zero lost time incidents and zero recordable incidents. On the environmental front, the Ahuazotepec team continued the level of effort that earned them the 2022 Leaf award for environmental excellence through a continued effort to develop community partnerships and a shared vision for a vibrant community – developing local leaders and supporting initiatives such as new communal rainwater harvesting systems and reforestation.

Leaf Award Winner – Roff, Oklahoma

Covia recognized the Roff, Oklahoma plant by presenting them the Leaf Award for Environmental Excellence. Roff Team Members were recognized for their exceptional teamwork and achievements in three key areas: Environmental Compliance, Environmental Projects, and Community Involvement.

An example of the team’s commitment is their continued participation in the Wildlife Habitat Certification (WHC) program. Their most recent certification renewal included removal of invasive eastern red cedar trees to make way for native species in the prairie habitat near the plant. Roff team members have also taken steps to relocate fish and turtles from a man-made pond to a larger habitat by constructing a channel with netting. In addition, the team manages 5.3 acres of pollinator gardens and tracks bird feeders, bird houses, and wood duck boxes on the property.

President’s Safety Award – Cleburne, Texas

Covia’s 2023 President’s Safety Award winner is the Cleburne, Texas, plant. The team there achieved the highest level of safety performance across several key categories, all of which help to ensure that our production goals are met in a safe and timely manner. Through the plant’s collective efforts, Team Members were able to achieve excellent results, including no LTIs or reportable incidents, 100% completion of specific safety activities, and a very commendable 91% score on a health and safety audit.

In addition to their exceptional safety performance, Cleburne also met all Quality Improvement Program (QIP) requirements and conducted a thorough process risk assessment in 2023. The Cleburne plant also showed their commitment to being a strong community partner and supporting local needs by sponsoring local schools and scholarship funds, donating more than 600 hours of volunteer time into their community, and hosting annual food drives.

Operations Impact Award – Lampazos & Monterrey, Mexico

Our 2023 Operations Impact Award winners are a team from the Lampazos and Monterrey, Mexico plants. The team worked together to develop a plan that considered all aspects of the Lampazos plant, looking at competitive issues to help them to improve the plant’s gross margin. The implementation of their plan resulted in positive financial results for the year. In conjunction, Team Members at Monterrey developed a long-term strategy that ensures the plant’s ongoing success.

Volunteer of the Year – Rocky Rivers

Supporting our local communities by donating our time and financial resources is a key component of our Clearly Covia Values and a cornerstone of the Covia Foundation. The Volunteer of the Year Award shines a spotlight on an individual whose consistent service is making a difference in their community. Rocky Rivers, Environmental, Health & Safety/Quality Coordinator at the Oregon plant in Illinois, has been recognized with the Volunteer of the Year Award for his remarkable number of volunteer hours in 2023 and his commitment to his community. Rocky volunteers with a number of organizations, including coaching a middle school basketball team and managing the Avalanche softball team, a year-round team. In addition, with Rocky’s guidance and support, Covia’s Oregon facility partnered with the Department of Natural Resources and the Illinois Conservation Foundation to host the Becoming an Outdoors-Woman program’s Bass Fishing Workshop.

Leading the Way

We are honored to celebrate such outstanding work and involvement from this year’s winners. They exemplify Covia’s values through every aspect of their lives – both at work and in their communities. We thank them for their hard work and encourage them to continue leading through example. Covia is a place where great things happen. If you’re looking for a rewarding career that empowers you to be your best, check out our Careers section. We have open positions for a wide range of specialties and experiences throughout our North American footprint.

At FedEx, we know how important it is for customers to receive visual confirmation of their delivery with Picture Proof of Delivery. In the same way, we believe it’s important to demonstrate our commitment to conservation with Picture Proof of Planting. That’s why Picture Proof of Planting is ideal, engaging FedEx team members to support conservation projects in their hometown, from tree plantings to beach clean-ups, in over 40 communities. The goal is to unite team members as we drive forward to become One FedEx and give back in support of conservation.

This past fall, over 300 FedEx team members participated in tree plantings around the world, including Delhi, Tijuana, Vancouver, London, and Austin. Tree plantings have long-lasting environmental impacts: they mitigate urban heat, support the physical and emotional health of residents, provide valuable greenspaces, and rebalance the ecosystem for wildlife.

In collaboration with One Tree Planted, Arbor Day Foundation, and National Fish & Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), FedEx will invest over $2 million toward sustainable communities.  From March until May of 2024, FedEx will support 40 urban conservation projects around the world.

Below are just a few of the many communities where FedEx was involved:

Montreal

Kicking-off the Picture Proof of Planting global campaign was the FedEx Montreal team at Paul-Jarry primary school and in the surrounding neighborhood. Led by GRAME, this project in the Lachine borough began by removing asphalt to transform the space between the school yard and the street by adding nature. Funding from FedEx through One Tree Planted made it possible to plant trees at the school and in the local community with maintenance for the next three years.

“These projects aim to transform spaces into … much more welcoming and diverse, but above all, these are projects optimize water management,” explains Guillaume Lussier, project manager for GRAME.

Seattle

At the Woodland Park Zoo, FedEx team members clean equipment for the Amphibian Monitoring Project, supporting their valuable efforts to preserve frogs, toads, newts, and salamanders! Each year, the zoo loans supplies (including waders, clip boards, and GPS units) to community volunteers to collect scientific data on amphibians in local conservation wetland areas the Pacific Northwest. The project was made possible through the NFWF Five Star program FedEx has supported for 15 years!

“The Woodland Park Zoo Staff was impressed with how hard the FedEx Volunteers worked and how much progress we made today,” shared Tom Stingily, a Field Sales Executive and volunteer coordinator for the Seattle event.

Medellin

Team members planted trees along the Rionegro River in the El Porvenie neighborhood just south of the Medellin International Airport. Collaborating with the Fundación Red de Árboles, along with One Tree Planted, FedEx helped plant native species, including Suribio, Quiebrabarrigo, and Guamo.

“We had an excellent tree planting day,” shared Mauricio Ortiz, Manager of Operations for FedEx in Medellin. “Despite the heavy rain and cold temperatures, the team of volunteers maintained great attitude and we planted 140 trees along the banks of the Rionegro River.”

The Rionegro river is an important water source for the entire region of Antioquia. The protection of water resources is at the heart of this project; however, the addition of over 2,000 trees when complete will also assist in urban heat island mitigation and the enhancement of community health and wellness.

Istanbul

FedEx team members from Istanbul organized their first FedEx Cares tree planting activity in the Sile district, on the shore of the Black Sea. Volunteers helped plant 41 maritime and cypress trees with the Arbor Day Foundation and Aegean Forest Foundation. Funding from FedEx will support another 7,000 sapling trees to be planted soon.

“Today we helped to make the Sile area a lot greener,” said Eser Sezek, VP of Ground Operations in Turkey & South East Europe. “It was a pleasure to be part of this amazing team, full of energy and passion, to plant these trees and … help build a more sustainable future for this area. Initiatives like this are essential to our culture at FedEx to give back to the communities we serve, and this reflects who we are and guides us to deliver great results!”

The 7,000 saplings will not only support the sustainability of the Sile-Sahilkoy area of Istanbul but will be providing socioeconomic development by employing local villagers – mostly women – to plant and maintain the trees for the next three years to ensure their survival.