Tag: 3BL

NORTHAMPTON, Mass., January 22, 2024 /3BL/ – In a significant move reflecting its growth and evolving vision, 3BL, a leader in sustainability and impact communications, today announced the appointment of Charlie Wilkie as its new chief executive officer, with Dave Armon transitioning to the role of executive vice chairman, effective immediately.

Charlie Wilkie, who joined 3BL as chief business officer in 2022, brings a 15-year international career in media, impact marketing, and communications. His leadership has been pivotal in 3BL’s recent milestones, including launching a new brand strategy and innovative new product offerings, revitalizing the TriplePundit editorial platform, and expanding the 3BL community. Wilkie’s expertise and forward-thinking approach have been instrumental in steering the company through transformative times.

Greg Schneider, co-founder and chairman of 3BL, noted: “With Charlie at the helm, we’re poised to continue our legacy of guiding top organizations in managing their brand and reputation, seizing immense opportunities ahead. His vision and track record align perfectly with our ambition to elevate our platform and services.”

Under Wilkie’s stewardship as chief business officer, 3BL has evolved from a content distribution and analytics platform into a leading sustainability and impact communications partner. The company’s digital media arm, TriplePundit, recently refocused its editorial strategy toward solutions journalism, emphasizing innovative and evidence-based approaches to vexing environmental and social challenges.

Before 3BL, Wilkie held roles including chief revenue officer at The Huffington Post, CEO of Upworthy and Good Worldwide, and senior vice president at The Guardian. “Charlie’s professional network and experiences from these high-profile roles uniquely position him to drive 3BL into an exciting new era. I have full confidence in his capabilities and vision, and he has my full support,” said Armon, who has been a cornerstone of 3BL’s success since joining in 2014, after serving as president of PR Newswire and Critical Mention. He will continue as executive vice chairman, supporting Wilkie, working with clients, and providing leadership at 3BL and industry events.

About 3BL 
Since 2009, 3BL has cultivated a specialized community across various stakeholders in the impact space. Our team helps clients engage these audiences with adaptable and scalable technology solutions. Our platform’s performance and client service are evidenced by more than 80 percent of organizations renewing their partnership with 3BL annually. Visit http://3bl.com

TriplePundit, at the forefront of reporting on people, planet and profit for nearly two decades, highlights changemakers who innovate and challenge the status quo. Our journalists provide thorough reporting and analysis, delving into the heart of social and environmental innovation in business. Visit http://triplepundit.com

CALGARY, Alberta, January 22, 2024 /3BL/ – Benevity Inc., the leading provider of global corporate purpose software, today announced the appointment of Ricardo Moreno to its executive leadership team as Chief Revenue Officer. In his role, Ricardo will lead the integration and alignment of all growth-related functions and teams at Benevity. Ricardo brings more than 25 years of experience in business, with worldwide leadership roles across partnerships, sales, marketing and overall go-to-market with high-performing, global brands.

“For Benevity to take its next steps toward achieving our Moonshot of enabling companies to catalyze a culture of goodness in the world, we need to be more than just the market leader; […] in Ricardo we have a passionate, big-picture leader capable of making our corporate impact platform, services and social outcomes more ubiquitous.”

– Kelly Schmitt, Benevity’s CEO

“For Benevity to take its next steps toward achieving our Moonshot of enabling companies to catalyze a culture of goodness in the world, we need to be more than just the market leader; we need to be ‘the way the world does good.’ That requires continued growth and scale, and in Ricardo we have a passionate, big-picture leader capable of making our corporate impact platform, services and social outcomes more ubiquitous,” said Kelly Schmitt, CEO of Benevity. “Ricardo also shares a huge passion for Benevity’s mission and values, and will be both a great ambassador of the Benevity culture and an excellent partner with our clients and prospects.”

Prior to joining Benevity, Ricardo was SVP of Worldwide Partnerships and CRO for Latin America at Diligent. Before Diligent he was VP, Worldwide Partners at Zendesk, where he led the build-up of the worldwide partner business, helping Zendesk grow to over $1 billion in revenue. He has also led multi-billion dollar businesses as GM and VP for Global Partner Sales at Intel and Cisco’s VP of the U.S. and LATAM Partner Organization. Ricardo currently serves as a board member of the American Red Cross, Cascades Region.

“Benevity’s mission strongly aligns with my personal values and priorities, and I am convinced it also aligns with what is important to our clients. Being in a position to help enterprise companies and their stakeholders drive both social impact and business impact is incredibly motivating.

– Ricardo Moreno, Benevity’s CEO

“Benevity’s mission strongly aligns with my personal values and priorities, and I am convinced it also aligns with what is important to our clients. Being in a position to help enterprise companies and their stakeholders drive both social impact and business impact is incredibly motivating,” said Moreno. “It is a privilege to join Kelly and the passionate Benevity team, to be part of the inspiring transformation Benevity is driving in this category, and to help shape how organizations create positive social change”.

To learn more about Benevity’s executive leadership team and its platform, visit benevity.com.

The American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) has selected products from CNH brands, Case IH and New Holland, as 2024 ASABE AE50 winners.

This recognition signifies the 13th time in the past six years New Holland has been acknowledged during the awards.

The products awarded include the T6.180 Methane Power tractor and the T7.300 Long Wheelbase with PLM Intelligence™ from New Holland. For Case IH, the Steiger 715 Quadtrac, 2024 Steiger 425-645 tractors, AFS Furrow Command for Precision Disk Drills and toolbar lift system for 2120 Early Riser rigid trailing split-row planter were all recognized as well.

The ASABE AE50 is a unique awards program, dedicated to honoring groundbreaking product advancements within the domains of agriculture, food and biological systems. The awards are presented by ASABE’s Resource magazine, aiming to acknowledge the 50 most pioneering products introduced to the market annually across these sectors. A panel of expert engineers meticulously selects the winners, using criteria that emphasize innovation, engineering advancement and market impact as the key criteria.

“Receiving these prestigious AE50 awards is a momentous milestone for New Holland because it represents the culmination of countless hours of research, innovation and hard work,” said Carlo Lambro, Brand President of New Holland. “The AE50 award is a symbol of our commitment to farmers and a promise to keep innovating. We are grateful for this recognition from ASABE and eager to continue pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in agriculture.”

Scott Harris, Global Brand President Case IH & Steyr, shared a similar pride in winning the awards, “Case IH has shown time and time again that through the evolution of technology paired with purposeful advancements in applications and iron, we can greatly improve the way farmers do their jobs,” said Scott, “The ASABE AE50 Awards are just another proof-point from Case IH that our actions speak louder than words. We’re here to serve farmers, and we are doing just that.”

The awards will be presented at the virtual ASABE Agricultural Equipment Technology Conference, February 11-14, 2024, in Louisville, Ky.

This victory highlights CNH’s continuous focus on technological innovation and dedication to make farming more efficient, effective, and sustainable across the globe.

GRI experienced another eventful year in 2023. One of the most significant happenings was the signing of a new collaboration agreement with EFRAG, the organization mandated by the European Commission to prepare the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS), on November 30th. This agreement solidified the commitment of both organizations to ongoing collaboration in this critical time for the evolving global corporate reporting landscape.

A notable outcome of this renewed cooperation is the introduction of the GRI-ESRS Interoperability Index. This free tool is designed to help entities understand the commonalities between the two sets of standards in regard to impacts. It functions as a high-level tool, focusing on relevant ESRS data points corresponding to the GRI Standards, and includes explanatory notes on key differences when transitioning from ESRS to GRI. GRI has also developed a free spreadsheet, Draft ESRS-GRI data point mapping tool, to assist GRI reporters who are in the process of preparing for the first application of the ESRS. The tool offers a granular overview. For each of the approximately 1,100 ESRS data points, it indicates the relevant GRI disclosures that will help companies fulfill each data point, enabling data collection and GAP analysis.

A detailed examination of these resources is included in GRI’s Unlocking the ESRS for GRI Reporters course, including guidance on how to integrate ESRS into current GRI reporting processes and practices. All these resources are essential in simplifying the complexities of sustainability reporting for the over 3,000 US and 1,300 Canadian organizations that are expected to be directly pulled into the CSRD double materiality disclosure requirements. Beyond those affected, additional North American organizations will be indirectly affected by their business partners and customers subject to the directive.

GRI: The glue between jurisdictions

The sustainability disclosure landscape is changing rapidly, with new disclosures being announced in various jurisdictions, many of which may or may not overlap. Under this scenario, multinational companies will face the challenge of meeting multijurisdictional requirements, each with its own nuances that regional regulators may prioritize but not necessarily align with global stakeholder expectations, including international norms and instruments, such as the OECD guidelines. Adhering to credible and global standards, such as GRI Standards, enables organizations to effectively meet various regulatory purposes. With the ESRS and GRI overlap, GRI can demonstrate that similar cases can be made for future regulations. Another important aspect is that the ESRS do not comprehensively address all sustainability topics and metrics, and the GRI Standards can be a source to fill those gaps. Take tax standards that are not included in ESRS as an example: stakeholder expectations won’t go away on tax transparency. Companies can continue to rely on the GRI Standards to provide the global baseline for sustainability and impact reporting.

Numerous new disclosures mandates remain unknown, but the direction of travel is clear: more transparency and accountability will be requested, and more rigor will be needed for adequate reporting. GRI continues to collaborate with other thought leaders, jurisdictions, and entities to bring together the latest best practices and a means for standardized reporting, aligning with the latest authoritative instruments and addressing stakeholder interests effectively.

CHARLESTON, W. Va., January 19, 2024 /3BL/ – During a press event at the West Virginia State Capitol today, West Virginia Governor Jim Justice, along with T-Mobile executive Edwige Robinson, highlighted the impact of a $200 million investment from T-Mobile (NASDAQ: TMUS) in the Mountain State.

The investment has had a striking impact on the citizens and businesses of West Virginia, a state that has often been left behind by technology’s march. For example, West Virginia, with mountainous terrain and low population density, has traditionally been ranked near the bottom of studies comparing the availability of high-speed broadband and mobile service across all 50 states.

Now, partly a result of T-Mobile investments, West Virginia is on an upward trajectory. One recent study showed a 66 percent increase in median download speeds in West Virginia from 2022 to 2023 alone!

“West Virginia’s journey towards improved connectivity is a testament to the power of collaboration,” said Governor Justice. “We’ve been working diligently with T-Mobile and other partners, to ensure that all corners of our state have access to the tools and resources they need to thrive in the digital age. The $200 million investment by T-Mobile is a game-changer, contributing to wider 5G coverage and faster internet speeds for West Virginians. We are incredibly grateful for their investment in our state; it’s a testament to the power of partnerships and our collective commitment to building a brighter future for all West Virginians.”

Through a merger with Sprint in 2020, T-Mobile has made a massive commitment to improve Internet connectivity and mobile service for rural and small-town America. In 2021, T-Mobile doubled down on its commitment to West Virginia when it finalized its acquisition of Shentel Wireless, one of the primary mobile service providers in West Virginia. Since then, the Un-carrier has invested an additional $200 million to upgrade 5G service via 377 new towers and upgrades to 121 existing towers.

The result:

100 percent of federal highways in West Virginia are serviced with T-Mobile 5G;90 percent of West Virginians now have T-Mobile 5G access, up 30 percent, or 500,000 people, in just two years;70 percent of West Virginians now have access to Ultra Capacity 5G which delivers median download speeds of 99.98 Mbps statewide, 41 percent faster than in 2021;Greatly expanded backup power sources to ensure redundancy in case of severe weather or other emergencies that may impact mobile service;T-Mobile is the fastest provider in the state of West Virginia, according to third-party experts at Ookla.

“Part of T-Mobile’s promise when we merged with Sprint was to build a more connected country leveraging 5G,” said Ulf Ewaldsson, President of Technology at T-Mobile. “Our work in West Virginia with Governor Justice is a testament to what’s possible when time, resources and teamwork are invested in the places previously underserved, and I am proud that T-Mobile is opening the door for people and businesses to be better connected than ever before.”

Home and Business Broadband

One of the ways T-Mobile is making an immediate impact with recent upgrades is by introducing high-speed broadband, often-times called fixed wireless service, as an alternative to traditional broadband providers like Xfinity and Frontier.

Competition is critical, especially in a state with such a unique topography. According to a recent study published by the West Virginia Broadband Enhancement Council, 90% of respondents have access to home internet but 60% reported high-speed internet access was unavailable at their homes.

Today, T-Mobile 5G High-Speed Internet is available to 400,000 homes across the state, providing an option for fast, reliable home internet that’s easy to set up and has no annual contracts or hidden fees. Plus, the Un-carrier simplifies business internet, enabling businesses to connect offices and locations nationwide.

“Together, T-Mobile and Governor Justice have ushered in a new era for West Virginian businesses,” added Callie Field, President, T-Mobile Business Group. “We’ve opened the doors for enterprises to elevate their capabilities, expand their offerings and connect with customers previously out of reach, thanks to the power of 5G. We’re proud to be at the forefront of opportunity for West Virgina.”

West Virginia residents can learn more and check eligibility at www.t-mobile.com/home-internet, and West Virginian businesses can learn more about T-Mobile Business Internet and solutions by visiting www.t-mobile.com/business-internet.

The following counties are also receiving immediate benefits through the introduction of 5G, for the first time ever in many cases:

BarbourBraxtonMarionMonroeNicholasSummersUpshurWebsterWyoming

T-Mobile is the leader in 5G, delivering the country’s largest, fastest and most awarded 5G network to T-Mobile customers and Metro by T-Mobile users. The Un-carrier’s 5G network covers more than 330 million people across two million square miles — more square miles than AT&T and Verizon combined. 300 million people nationwide are covered by T-Mobile’s super-fast Ultra Capacity 5G with over 2x more square miles of coverage than similar mid-band 5G offerings from the Un-carrier’s closest competitors.

Follow @TMobileNews on X, formerly known as Twitter, to stay up to date with the latest company news.

See 5G device, coverage, & access details at T-Mobile.com. Square mileage coverage values are based on outdoor coverage levels. Fastest in West Virginia Based on analysis by Ookla® of Speedtest Intelligence® data for the U.S., Q4 2023 Ookla trademarks used under license and reprinted with permission. Fast & Reliable Home Internet: Based on T-Mobile analysis of eligible customer speed data reflecting consistent broadband speeds. Delivered via 5G cellular network; speeds vary due to factors affecting cellular networks. See T-Mobile.com/OpenInternet for additional details.

About T-Mobile

T-Mobile US, Inc. (NASDAQ: TMUS) is America’s supercharged Un-carrier, delivering an advanced 4G LTE and transformative nationwide 5G network that will offer reliable connectivity for all. T-Mobile’s customers benefit from its unmatched combination of value and quality, unwavering obsession with offering them the best possible service experience and undisputable drive for disruption that creates competition and innovation in wireless and beyond. Based in Bellevue, Wash., T-Mobile provides services through its subsidiaries and operates its flagship brands, T-Mobile, Metro by T-Mobile and Sprint. For more information please visit: https://www.t-mobile.com.

Media Contacts

T-Mobile US, Inc. Media Relations

MediaRelations@t-mobile.com

Southwire is pleased to announce its membership in the Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA), a non-profit dedicated to advancing smart, clean energy solutions. As an established leader in the electrical industry, this collaboration reaffirms Southwire’s commitment to sustainability and innovation.

“We are thrilled to join SEPA and be a part of a community driving positive change in the industry,” said Norman Adkins, Southwire’s chief operating officer. “We are honored to work alongside this organization and our fellow members as we shape the future of smart energy solutions.”

SEPA’s vision is to develop a carbon-free energy system by 2050 in partnership with its industry-leading members. 
With more than 1,100 members, SEPA’s network includes solution providers, government agencies, utilities, academics and more. SEPA’s members hold a diverse wealth of knowledge in areas like electrification, grid modernization and clean energy.

Southwire’s established reputation and key role in the electrical industry places the company in the unique position to contribute to the SEPA’s vision while enhancing its own goals through member resources.

“This partnership aligns with Southwire’s broader vision to keep sustainability at the forefront of our work,” said Burt Fealing, Southwire’s executive vice president, general counsel and chief sustainability officer. “Our Carbon Zero goal – to achieve 100% carbon neutral energy for our operations by 2025 – is complemented by SEPA’s work toward carbon-free energy. We are excited for the opportunity to complete this valuable work together with other industry leaders and researchers to progress toward these goals.”

For more information about Southwire’s ongoing commitment to sustainability, visit the company’s Newsroom online at www.southwire.com/newsroom.

To meet these goals, government agencies have been challenged to investigate and implement innovative measures to cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions while also maintaining a competitive business environment for their local companies.

According to the US EPA, one of the largest contributors to GHG emissions in the U.S. is the transportation sector (29%). Magnifying this problem, it is projected that transportation demand will continue to grow as the global population increases over time.

To help mitigate increases in transportation emissions, several North American jurisdictions have turned to compliance market-based mechanisms interrupting the status quo for transportation fuels. These compliance instruments have several names including “Low Carbon Fuel Standards”, “Clean Fuel Standards” or “Clean Fuel Programs” (CFPs). All of these instruments follow the same general principle: incentivize the reduction of carbon embedded in fuels used for transportation over time.

Clean fuel market basics

All CFPs follow a simplified set of rules:

The regulating body of the respective jurisdiction sets a decarbonization goal for their transportation fuel mix (gasoline, diesel, electricity, CNG, LNG, hydrogen, bio-CNG/LNG, sustainable aviation fuel, biomass-based gasoline or diesel, and ethanol blended fuels) with annual declining targets for different fuel types. Fuel emissions are expressed as the total GHGs produced over a fuel’s lifecycle, from well-to-wheels, divided by the energy consumed in megajoules, (gCO2e/MJ). This is referred to as carbon intensity (CI). 
 Fuel producers selling to the jurisdiction must then meet or exceed the CI reductions required during the annual period. If a company does not meet these requirements, they must purchase CFP credits fulfilling a strict eligibility criteria to comply with the regulation. Conversely, if a producer exceeds the CI reduction benchmark, they start generating credits (Each clean fuel credit is equivalent to a reduction of one metric ton of GHG emissions). See below for a graphical representation of this relationship, using Washington’s CFP target set by their Department of Ecology (DoE) as an example. 
 Credits can then be sold to other market participants within their jurisdiction to help meet their compliance obligations, or banked for future use. These credits create an ongoing source of revenue for the participant, as long as they keep producing low CI fuels and selling into the market.

Washington State Carbon Intensity Standard

There are several ways for fuel suppliers to achieve compliance with CFPs and their declining CI targets, including:

Improving the efficiency of their fuel production processes.Producing and/or blending low-carbon biofuels into the fuel they sell.Purchasing credits generated by low-carbon fuel providers, including electric-vehicle charging providers.

CFP adoption is growing

In North America, there are currently five clean fuel market programs, with several being active for over a decade (California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard began in 2011 and British Columbia’s in 2013). At the beginning of 2023, two new markets emerged – the state of Washington and a national program launched in Canada. Interest in this type of compliance scheme is gaining popularity in other parts of North America as well. Several states including Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, and Vermont are investigating or have considered such markets for their own transportation decarbonization efforts. Since these programs are fuel-agnostic and allow healthy competition, while contributing to state emission goals, it’s not surprising that additional states are interested.

What does this mean for Program Credit Prices?

Program credit prices have historically been influenced by several forces, including market demand and ratcheting down of CI benchmarks, resulting in varying credit values over the years. Currently, credit prices in California, Oregon, British Columbia and Washington are being traded for $70, $97, $367 and $95, respectively (all in USD). Adding new markets will drive higher demand for low carbon fuels as these new markets will compete with existing demand. On top of that, the need for low carbon fuels will grow as each market is continually requiring greater reductions to CI. If adequate supply of low carbon fuels to support these markets cannot be maintained, it could inflate credit prices in either the existing markets, the new emerging markets, or both.

What does this mean for fuel producers?

With more locations joining this compliance scheme, low carbon fuel producers will have increased outlets for their products, allowing them to choose their target market or diversify their distribution to multiple markets. It should be noted that selling to various markets does come with additional complexities, as each market can have different compliance requirements and processes to maintain. Receiving help from a CFP expert, such as South Pole, can help alleviate such challenges.

New low-carbon fuel production facilities can also benefit from additional markets by helping to de-risk project development. New suppliers require a purchaser of their fuels to unlock credit generation potential and these added markets offer new opportunities to secure offtake agreements for their supply. This can help producers secure investment capital, which in turn, helps accelerate commercialization of their supply.

Geographically, CFPs are currently limited to the West Coast of the US or in Canada, making it challenging for liquid fuel producers in the Midwest and East Coast to join these markets without transporting their fuels over long distances. Not only does this increase the complexity of their fuel supply chains, but also affects the final carbon intensity score of the fuel – potentially reducing credit generation potential. Creating closer markets for them to join will increase supply chain efficiency, lower carbon intensity scores and allow for fuel diversity more broadly across North America.

Final Thoughts

CFPs offer a market based solution to transportation emissions. Given the success and popularity of these programs, we anticipate that additional states will adopt such regulations in the coming years, creating more opportunities for low carbon fuel producers to ramp up production and/or develop new supply. In addition, regulations such as the recently enacted Inflation Reduction Act can help bolster clean fuels in the US, providing production and investment tax credits to strengthen revenue generation potential and long term viability of these operations.

CHRIST CHURCH, Barbados, January 19, 2024 /3BL/ – Comfort Colors®, a leading lifestyle brand, is excited to share that its proprietary dyeing process, the recipe behind the beloved weathered hues for which Comfort Colors® has come to be known, has a new name and look – Pigment Pure™.

Built on years of research and development, Pigment Pure™ dyeing technology uses, on average, three times less water, consumes less energy and has a quicker processing time versus other traditional dyeing processes.1 In addition to a lower-impact dyeing process, Comfort Colors® uses 100% ring-spun U.S. cotton to make durable, long-lasting and comfortable t-shirts that are Made with Respect®.

“From soft fabrics to colorful dyes, Comfort Colors® is a brand that’s all about spreading good vibes and making you feel good, and we are doing that with Pigment Pure™, a unique process that helps us create colors inspired by nature using fewer resources2,” says Emma Budzisz, Vice-President of Marketing at Gildan Activewear SRL. “Thanks to this technology, our customers can take comfort in knowing that our clothes are always soft, and even softer towards the planet.”

Comfort Colors’® four-tiered booth at the Impressions Expo in Long Beach, California will dedicate a room to showcasing its 14 product styles produced using Pigment Pure™. Visitors will also have the chance to discover Comfort Colors’® Pink Room dedicated to the brand’s cozy feel, the Orange Room paying homage to the brand’s collegiate vibes and the Colored Room introducing Comfort Colors’® four new products hitting the market in 2024.
 
1. The data on the Pigment Pure™ process are based on approximate comparisons with conventional reactive dyeing.
2. Compared to a conventional reactive dyeing process.

Comfort Colors®

Comfort Colors® is a lifestyle brand, which, for over 45 years has been perfecting the art of making a brand-new shirt feel familiar. Blending nature-inspired hues with soft cotton, Comfort Colors® gives you the feeling of warmth, comfort and positivity. With Comfort Colors® offering over 80 different hues, and inclusive, relaxed fits, you are sure to find what you need.

Comfort Colors® is a brand owned by Gildan Activewear, a leading manufacturer of everyday basic apparel. The Company owns and operates vertically integrated, large-scale manufacturing facilities which are primarily located in Central America, the Caribbean, North America and Bangladesh. The Company operates with a strong commitment to industry-leading labor, environmental and governance practices throughout its supply chain in accordance with its comprehensive ESG program embedded in its long-term business strategy. More information about the Company and its ESG practices and initiatives can be found at  gildancorp.com.  

Southern Company

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va., January 19, 2024 /3BL/ – The Virginia Natural Gas Foundation has awarded a $60,000 grant to support the Children’s Health Investment Program (CHIP) of South Hampton Roads’ initiative to improve the health and well-being of children and families in southeastern Virginia. The grant will allow CHIP officials to begin construction of a community kitchen that will seek to address food insecurity, as well as provide educational programs centering on affordable, healthy meals and healthy cooking demonstrations that honor diverse culinary cuisines and traditions.

The facility, known as the Virginia Natural Gas Foundation Community Kitchen, will be located at The Sankofa Family Center.

In Hampton Roads, two of every five school-aged children live in poverty, which is one reason why the VNG Foundation decided to join CHIP’s effort to confront this important issue. Food insecurity, caused by a limited access to resources, contributes to chronic health conditions and malnutrition, especially in vulnerable populations such as children and the elderly. The VNG Foundation’s grant will help provide consistent access to adequate food options and long-term educational support for individuals in South Hampton Roads.

“The Virginia Natural Gas Foundation is honored to collaborate with the Children’s Health Investment Program of South Hampton Roads to expand its efforts to combat food insecurity,” said VNG President and CEO Robert Duvall, who sits on the board of the VNG Foundation. “Through programs like those planned for the VNG Foundation Community Kitchen that provide long-term solutions to everyday challenges, we hope to improve economic mobility within our community, leaving no one behind.”

“We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to continue our partnership with the Virginia Natural Gas Foundation,” said CHIP of South Hampton Roads President and CEO Trish O’Brien. “The Foundation’s generous contribution to establish a demonstration kitchen within The Sankofa Family Center will undoubtedly support CHIP’s vision that healthy communities begin with healthy children. Just as the kitchen is the ‘heart of the home,’ I am sure that this kitchen will become the heart of not only The Sankofa Family Center, but also the South Norfolk Community.”

Construction of the demonstration kitchen is scheduled to begin in 2024. Once operational, the Virginia Natural Gas Foundation Community Kitchen will be an important part of the South Hampton Roads landscape as it hosts neighborhood food distributions, raises public awareness about food insecurity and the essentials of healthy living and serves as a gathering place for parents and children in need. The Sankofa Family Center will also partner with Chef Teresa Licato, Healthy Chesapeake’s program manager, to host in-person and virtual events that will focus on culturally representative cuisine and adapting traditional dishes for a healthy diet.

The Virginia Natural Gas Foundation, a subsidiary of the Southern Company Gas Foundation, supports nonprofit organizations across southeastern Virginia. The Foundation’s mission is to advance social justice, encourage economic development, provide energy assistance, care for the environment and support the arts and education in the areas where Virginia Natural Gas employees live, work and serve. To learn more about the Virginia Natural Gas Foundation, visit virginianaturalgas.com.

About Virginia Natural Gas 
Virginia Natural Gas is one of four natural gas distribution companies of Southern Company Gas, a wholly owned subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO). Virginia Natural Gas provides natural gas service to nearly 300,000 customers in southeast Virginia. Named a Top Workplace in 2023, Virginia Natural Gas also has been recognized as one of the safest, most reliable and customer-focused natural gas service providers and is consistently ranked in the top quartile for customer satisfaction by J.D. Power and Associates. For more information, visit virginianaturalgas.com and connect with the company on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

About Southern Company Gas 
Southern Company Gas is a wholly owned subsidiary of Atlanta-based Southern Company (NYSE:SO), America’s premier energy company. Southern Company Gas serves approximately 4.2 million natural gas utility customers through its regulated distribution companies in four states and approximately 600,000 retail customers through its companies that market natural gas. Other nonutility businesses include investments in interstate pipelines and ownership and operation of natural gas storage facilities. For more information, visit southerncompanygas.com.

About CHIP

The Children’s Health Investment Program (CHIP of South Hampton Roads) provides a continuum of services to promote the health and well-being of low-income families in our community. The largest home visiting program in the region, CHIP’s service area covers nearly 4,000 square miles of the Commonwealth providing critical, holistic services to families with young children and/or expectant women with the goal of improving child/parental health, school readiness and family self-sufficiency. Additional programs provided by CHIP are designed to address emerging community needs. These programs include Sleeptight, a safe sleep education /crib distribution program to mitigate infant death due to unsafe sleep, Moms Matter, an individualized RN supervision to address maternal mortality in high risk women and The Sankofa Family Center creating a “no wrong door” approach for families to receive assistance and supportive services in our South Norfolk Community.

SOURCE Virginia Natural Gas

For further information: DeAllous Smith; 404-922-6886, x2willsm@southernco.com | www.virginianaturalgas.com/company/press-room

This week, Northern Trust partners celebrated Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s legacy by going out into the community and engaging in service. In Chicago, members of our Black Business Resource Council joined the Obama Foundation and their CEO Valerie Jarrett to support the Greater Chicago Food Depository. Combined, they packed 11,436 pounds of apples, which will go towards making 13,423 meals.

About Northern Trust
Northern Trust Corporation (Nasdaq: NTRS) is a leading provider of wealth management, asset servicing, asset management and banking to corporations, institutions, affluent families and individuals. Founded in Chicago in 1889, Northern Trust has offices in the United States in 19 states and Washington, D.C., and 20 international locations in Canada, Europe, the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific region. As of September 30, 2015, Northern Trust had assets under custody of US$6 trillion, and assets under management of US$887 billion. For more than 125 years, Northern Trust has earned distinction as an industry leader for exceptional service, financial expertise, integrity and innovation.