Tag: 3BL

Originally published in Principal Financial Group 2023 Sustainability Report

Principal® Foundation philanthropic philosophy

The road to financial security is not a universal path. It is a unique, personal journey.

Our approach 

Principal Foundation is committed to removing barriers, creating opportunities, and empowering more people to build financially secure futures. Principal Foundation is a duly recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit entity focused on providing philanthropic support to programs that build financial security in the communities where Principal Financial Group, Inc. (“Principal”) operates. While Principal Foundation receives funding from Principal, Principal Foundation is a distinct, independent, charitable entity.

Our grantmaking supports organizations whose work focuses on building people’s wherewithal to pursue financial security and expands access to the resources they need to reach their goals.

Specifically, our funding champions programs that address essential needs and promote financial enablement of individuals and small businesses.

Essential needs 

When individuals’ essential needs are met, they have a sense of security, allowing them to focus on education and skill development and participate in the workforce, all of which are pathways to financial security. Therefore, we fund programs that provide food, shelter, and disaster and crisis relief around the globe.

Financial enablement 

Grantmaking by Principal Foundation around financial enablement seeks to nurture a healthy ecosystem by funding programs that create and foster the conditions necessary for economic development. Our grants in this area fall into three categories: small business support, financial health and well-being research, and social and cultural connections.

Small businesses represent 99% of all companies nationwide that have paid employees, and they play a vital role in boosting local economies.1 As such, small businesses are a pathway to financial security for many. We fund organizations that help create a vibrant support network for small businesses, which provides the financial and technical assistance they need to thrive and keep their owners and employees on the financial security journey.

The more we understand the barriers individuals face on the road to financial security, the better we can identify ways to clear the path and accelerate progress. We continue to invest in research that explores financial health and identifies policies, practices, and products that the financial sector, employers, and policymakers could adopt to better serve groups facing financial insecurity around the world.

Research demonstrates that when communities are connected to the arts through social and cultural institutions, it creates fertile ground for economic and human development. Social and cultural institutions unify communities, boost local economies, spark innovation, and improve academic outcomes. That’s why we fund programs that expand access to social and cultural connections.

Principal® Foundation community investments

Our actions and performance in 2023

In 2023, Principal Foundation provided more than $18 million to our communities around the globe. The missions of these recipient organizations fall under at least one of our focus areas.

$18M total community investments in 2023

Stories of Impact2 

Nutrition security: WesleyLife Meals on Wheels 

WesleyLife Meals on Wheels received funding to aid with the expansion of a new campus for their programs. This project tripled the organization’s capacity to prepare and serve 3,000 nutritional meals per day to home-bound adults in central Iowa. The new facility includes the nation’s only hydroponic garden associated with a Meals on Wheels location. This program is more than just providing a hot meal: The new facilities have on-site multigenerational programming designed to help combat isolation among older adults.

Housing security: Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans 

Housing security is an important part of the journey to feeling financially secure, and this is especially important for veterans. Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans received a grant from Principal Foundation to address this very issue. Their vision is for every veteran in Minnesota to have access to services and support to avoid homelessness and achieve sustainable housing. In 2022, they provided $3.4 million in direct financial assistance, provided comprehensive services to over 1700 individuals and families, and in total 427 veterans became housed.

Disaster relief: Maui Economic Disaster Relief: Maui Economic Development Board 

A disaster can have detrimental impact on the journey to financial security. While hygiene products, food and water are quick to arrive in impacted areas, financial resources that fuel recovery often lag. Principal Foundation therefore concentrates our disaster relief on supporting long-term recovery efforts. For example, following the Maui wildfires, Principal Foundation provided funds to the Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB) to launch the Maui Business Recovery Fund, which distributed emergency funds to 95 small businesses to use as they saw fit to support their recovery efforts.

Small and midsized (SMB) business support: Washington Area Community Investment Fund Inc. (Wacif) 

Fostering the SMB ecosystem is a fundamental part of the mission of Principal Foundation. When entrepreneurs and SMBs thrive they create a stronger community. Wacif’s mission is to promote equity and economic opportunity in the underserved neighborhoods in the Washington, D.C. region. Wacif’s work has resulted in 5,216 jobs created or retained, 665 hours of technical assistance given, and over $24.8 million loans and grants distributed. Over $13.8 million in total capital was given specifically to support women of color entrepreneurs.

Barrier removal: United Way Worldwide Ride United Transportation Access 

One of the biggest barriers many people face on their way to financial security is accessing the transportation needed to complete education, receive health care, or to secure or maintain employment. United Way Worldwide received grant funding for their Ride United Transportation Access Program. During their 2022–2023 program year, they provided 154,827 rides, serving 35,183 unique clients across 2,345 cities.

Social and culture connections: Feel Your Best Self (FYBS) 

When a person’s mental health suffers, so does the ability to advance their financial security journey. We seek to address mental health in affirming, nonjudgmental ways through Principal Foundation grantmaking. One such example is collaborating with University of Connecticut’s Feel Your Best Self program, which provides tools for mental wellness to school-age children, families, and committees. FYBS had over 39,000 toolkits downloaded, more than 116,645 YouTube views, won five kids entertainment awards, a Kidscreen Award, and four Telly awards. Employees from Principal worldwide also participated in puppet-making and kit-building events to distribute to local youth.

To learn more, read the Principal Financial Group 2023 Sustainability Report.

1According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, 2024 small business employment statistics.

2Impact stories from 2022 grant recipients.

Principal Financial Group Foundation, Inc (“Principal® Foundation”) is a duly recognized 501(c)(3) entity focused on providing philanthropic support to programs that build financial security in the communities where Principal Financial Group, Inc. (“Principal’ operates. While Principal Foundation receives funding from Principal, Principal Foundation is a distinc independent, charitabl entity. Principal Foundation does not practice any form of investment advisory services and is not authorized to do so. © 2024 Principal Foundation.

Insurance products issued by Principal National Life Insurance Co (except in NY) and Principal Life Insurance Company®. Plan administrative services offered by Principal Life. Principal Funds, Inc. is distributed by Principal Funds Distributor, Inc. Securities offered through Principal Securities, Inc., member SIPC and/or independent broker/dealers. Referenced companies are members of the Principal Financial Group®, Des Moines, IA 50392.​

3783330-102024

SYDNEY, Australia, October 29, 2024 /3BL/ – Asia Pacific’s mining industry can accelerate the adoption of more sustainable water management practices to protect freshwater resources for the local community while ensuring a more resilient and reliable water future, says Black & Veatch, a global leader in critical human infrastructure solutions.

For example in Australia, national science agency CSIRO estimates that mining and other industries use about 20 percent of all water consumed in Australia.

“Proven and readily available water solutions, such as desalination and water recycling, can be designed and engineered to achieve greater energy efficiency, and reduce operational costs and carbon emissions for Asia Pacific’s mining sector, offsetting significant strategic risks,” said Mick Scrivens, vice president, director, Australia Pacific, Black & Veatch. “Partnering to implement these solutions will benefit the environment, local communities, mining companies and the industry overall.”

At the International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC) 2024, Black & Veatch is convening the conference’s only dedicated session on water management in the mining industry on 30 October.

Hosted by Scrivens and featuring industry leaders and Black & Veatch experts, the session will explore how more resilient sustainability results can be achieved by integrating water planning across all stages of the mine lifecycle. The session also will explore more targeted and affordable investments in appropriate technologies and solutions, and meaningful inclusion of critical stakeholders in the planning and design phases of projects.

Sessions that Black & Veatch leaders will be part of at IMARC 2024 include:

“Where’s the Water Coming From? The Importance of Infrastructure Planning and Delivery”Brady Hays, senior vice president and executive managing director, Fuels and Natural Resources will be interviewed by Corinne Cheeseman, chief executive officer, Australian Water Association“How to Sustainably Manage Water in Mining within Australia”Garrick Field, solutions director, Industrial Water and Mining will convene a panel featuring water leaders from BHP, Legacie, ICMM and the Government of Western Australia.“Getting Projects Out of the Ground and Off the Ground Faster”Jonathan Dunham, associate vice president and managing director, Mining and Metals, will participate in the panel discussion.

IMARC 2024 is taking place 29-31 October in Sydney.

Black & Veatch’s multi-disciplinary capabilities to deliver integrated water and energy solutions span the full project delivery chain and are proven by a track record of diverse projects delivered to utilities, governments and industry. In Australia, Black & Veatch has a strong track record of partnering with clients and communities to deliver quality services to water utilities, including award-winning projects such as the Bundamba Advanced Water Treatment Project that supported the nation’s response to the millennium drought.

# # # 

Contact Black & Veatch for more information.

About Black & Veatch 
Black & Veatch is a 100-percent employee-owned global engineering, procurement, consulting and construction company with a more than 100-year track record of innovation in sustainable infrastructure. Since 1915, we have helped our clients improve the lives of people around the world by addressing the resilience and reliability of our most important infrastructure assets. Follow us on www.bv.com and on LinkedIn, Facebook, X (Twitter) and Instagram.

Media Contact Information: 
EMILY CHIA | +65 6335 6623 | Chialp@bv.com 
24-HOUR MEDIA EMAIL | Media@bv.com

SYDNEY, Australia, October 29, 2024 /3BL/ – Asia Pacific’s mining industry can accelerate the adoption of more sustainable water management practices to protect freshwater resources for the local community while ensuring a more resilient and reliable water future, says Black & Veatch, a global leader in critical human infrastructure solutions.

For example in Australia, national science agency CSIRO estimates that mining and other industries use about 20 percent of all water consumed in Australia.

“Proven and readily available water solutions, such as desalination and water recycling, can be designed and engineered to achieve greater energy efficiency, and reduce operational costs and carbon emissions for Asia Pacific’s mining sector, offsetting significant strategic risks,” said Mick Scrivens, vice president, director, Australia Pacific, Black & Veatch. “Partnering to implement these solutions will benefit the environment, local communities, mining companies and the industry overall.”

At the International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC) 2024, Black & Veatch is convening the conference’s only dedicated session on water management in the mining industry on 30 October.

Hosted by Scrivens and featuring industry leaders and Black & Veatch experts, the session will explore how more resilient sustainability results can be achieved by integrating water planning across all stages of the mine lifecycle. The session also will explore more targeted and affordable investments in appropriate technologies and solutions, and meaningful inclusion of critical stakeholders in the planning and design phases of projects.

Sessions that Black & Veatch leaders will be part of at IMARC 2024 include:

“Where’s the Water Coming From? The Importance of Infrastructure Planning and Delivery”Brady Hays, senior vice president and executive managing director, Fuels and Natural Resources will be interviewed by Corinne Cheeseman, chief executive officer, Australian Water Association“How to Sustainably Manage Water in Mining within Australia”Garrick Field, solutions director, Industrial Water and Mining will convene a panel featuring water leaders from BHP, Legacie, ICMM and the Government of Western Australia.“Getting Projects Out of the Ground and Off the Ground Faster”Jonathan Dunham, associate vice president and managing director, Mining and Metals, will participate in the panel discussion.

IMARC 2024 is taking place 29-31 October in Sydney.

Black & Veatch’s multi-disciplinary capabilities to deliver integrated water and energy solutions span the full project delivery chain and are proven by a track record of diverse projects delivered to utilities, governments and industry. In Australia, Black & Veatch has a strong track record of partnering with clients and communities to deliver quality services to water utilities, including award-winning projects such as the Bundamba Advanced Water Treatment Project that supported the nation’s response to the millennium drought.

# # # 

Contact Black & Veatch for more information.

About Black & Veatch 
Black & Veatch is a 100-percent employee-owned global engineering, procurement, consulting and construction company with a more than 100-year track record of innovation in sustainable infrastructure. Since 1915, we have helped our clients improve the lives of people around the world by addressing the resilience and reliability of our most important infrastructure assets. Follow us on www.bv.com and on LinkedIn, Facebook, X (Twitter) and Instagram.

Media Contact Information: 
EMILY CHIA | +65 6335 6623 | Chialp@bv.com 
24-HOUR MEDIA EMAIL | Media@bv.com

Originally published by CNBC Make It on CNBC.com

And in September 2023, IBM announced plans to collaborate with universities to offer courses on generative AI and AI career readiness, with the goal of educating 2 million people worldwide about AI by the end of 2026. It will also expand the offerings on IBM SkillsBuild, which provides free courses across a variety of tech topics.

Continue reading here

Originally published by CNBC Make It on CNBC.com

And in September 2023, IBM announced plans to collaborate with universities to offer courses on generative AI and AI career readiness, with the goal of educating 2 million people worldwide about AI by the end of 2026. It will also expand the offerings on IBM SkillsBuild, which provides free courses across a variety of tech topics.

Continue reading here

WALNUT CREEK, Calif.,  October 29, 2024 /3BL/ – Del Monte Foods received the 2024 Corporate Hero Award by Alliance for a Healthier Generation during the America’s Healthiest Schools Leaders Summit in Little Rock, Arkansas. This recognition highlights Del Monte Foods’ mission of improving nutrition education and access for millions of children and families across the United States.

Greg Longstreet, President and CEO of Del Monte Foods, accepted the award, joining past honorees including Nike, Kohl’s, and Kaiser Permanente. The award acknowledges the company’s “Nourishing Families by Nourishing Schools” program, developed in partnership with Alliance for a Healthier Generation. This initiative is part of the company’s $5 million, ten-year commitment to support the physical, mental, and social-emotional well-being of youth and communities nationwide. To date, the program has reached over 7.6 million students and their families, exceeding the 7.5 million goal set in 2022.

“We are deeply honored to receive the Corporate Hero Award from Healthier Generation,” said Del Monte’s Longstreet. “At Del Monte Foods, we recognize that food insecurity significantly affects students’ well-being and academic performance. That’s why we are committed to promoting nutrition education and food access to help build a healthier future for children and families across the country.”

The America’s Healthiest Schools Leaders Summit brought together hundreds of educators representing the most highly-awarded among America’s Healthiest Schools, Healthier Generation’s annual program that recognizes schools for implementing best practices to support student, staff, and family health in nine topic areas. Del Monte Foods presented the “Improving Nutrition & Food Access” category, which recognizes schools that maximize meal participation and collaborate with community organizations to improve nutrition security.

“Recognition is a powerful tool for inspiring schools to prioritize whole child health,” said Kathy Higgins, CEO of Alliance for a Healthier Generation. “By celebrating the dedication of schools and partners like Del Monte Foods, we motivate others to take meaningful action in advancing the physical, mental and social-emotional well-being of students. This collective effort is essential to creating healthier environments where children can thrive.”

A total of 360 schools nationwide were honored in the Del Monte Foods presented “Improving Nutrition & Food Access” category for their commitment to student well-being, with a focus on enhancing meal programs and incorporating more fruits and vegetables into their cafeteria menus. Products like Del Monte® Fruit Cup® Snacks can play a crucial role in making fruits more readily available, providing students with the nourishment they need to excel both inside and outside the classroom.

Del Monte Foods’ commitment to creating a healthier future aligns with the company’s Growers of Good® mission to grow a healthier and more hopeful tomorrow by making nutritious foods more accessible to all. Through its ongoing partnership with Alliance for a Healthier Generation, Del Monte Foods aims to ensure that nutrition remains central to childhood development and well-being.

For more information about Del Monte Foods and its commitment to nourishing families and communities, please visit www.delmontefoods.com/our-story.

About Del Monte Foods  
For more than 138 years, Del Monte Foods has been driven by our mission to nourish families with earth’s goodness. As the original plant-based food company, we’re always innovating to make nutritious and delicious foods more accessible to consumers across our portfolio of beloved brands, including Del Monte®, Contadina®, College Inn®, Kitchen Basics®, JOYBA®, Take Root Organics™ and S&W®. We believe that everyone deserves great tasting food they can feel good about, which is why we grow and produce our products using sustainable and earth-friendly practices for a healthier tomorrow.

Del Monte Foods Corporation II Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of Del Monte Pacific Limited (Bloomberg: DELM SP, DELM PM) and is not affiliated with certain other Del Monte companies around the world, including Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc., Del Monte Canada, Del Monte Asia Pte. Ltd., Conagra/Productos Del Monte, or Del Monte Panamerican. For more information about Del Monte Foods and our products, please visit www.delmontefoods.com or www.delmonte.com.

Media Contacts: 
Sarah Thompson 
Edelman 
sarah.thompson@edelman.com 
916-982-9529

Related Links 
https://www.delmontefoods.com/

WALNUT CREEK, Calif.,  October 29, 2024 /3BL/ – Del Monte Foods received the 2024 Corporate Hero Award by Alliance for a Healthier Generation during the America’s Healthiest Schools Leaders Summit in Little Rock, Arkansas. This recognition highlights Del Monte Foods’ mission of improving nutrition education and access for millions of children and families across the United States.

Greg Longstreet, President and CEO of Del Monte Foods, accepted the award, joining past honorees including Nike, Kohl’s, and Kaiser Permanente. The award acknowledges the company’s “Nourishing Families by Nourishing Schools” program, developed in partnership with Alliance for a Healthier Generation. This initiative is part of the company’s $5 million, ten-year commitment to support the physical, mental, and social-emotional well-being of youth and communities nationwide. To date, the program has reached over 7.6 million students and their families, exceeding the 7.5 million goal set in 2022.

“We are deeply honored to receive the Corporate Hero Award from Healthier Generation,” said Del Monte’s Longstreet. “At Del Monte Foods, we recognize that food insecurity significantly affects students’ well-being and academic performance. That’s why we are committed to promoting nutrition education and food access to help build a healthier future for children and families across the country.”

The America’s Healthiest Schools Leaders Summit brought together hundreds of educators representing the most highly-awarded among America’s Healthiest Schools, Healthier Generation’s annual program that recognizes schools for implementing best practices to support student, staff, and family health in nine topic areas. Del Monte Foods presented the “Improving Nutrition & Food Access” category, which recognizes schools that maximize meal participation and collaborate with community organizations to improve nutrition security.

“Recognition is a powerful tool for inspiring schools to prioritize whole child health,” said Kathy Higgins, CEO of Alliance for a Healthier Generation. “By celebrating the dedication of schools and partners like Del Monte Foods, we motivate others to take meaningful action in advancing the physical, mental and social-emotional well-being of students. This collective effort is essential to creating healthier environments where children can thrive.”

A total of 360 schools nationwide were honored in the Del Monte Foods presented “Improving Nutrition & Food Access” category for their commitment to student well-being, with a focus on enhancing meal programs and incorporating more fruits and vegetables into their cafeteria menus. Products like Del Monte® Fruit Cup® Snacks can play a crucial role in making fruits more readily available, providing students with the nourishment they need to excel both inside and outside the classroom.

Del Monte Foods’ commitment to creating a healthier future aligns with the company’s Growers of Good® mission to grow a healthier and more hopeful tomorrow by making nutritious foods more accessible to all. Through its ongoing partnership with Alliance for a Healthier Generation, Del Monte Foods aims to ensure that nutrition remains central to childhood development and well-being.

For more information about Del Monte Foods and its commitment to nourishing families and communities, please visit www.delmontefoods.com/our-story.

About Del Monte Foods  
For more than 138 years, Del Monte Foods has been driven by our mission to nourish families with earth’s goodness. As the original plant-based food company, we’re always innovating to make nutritious and delicious foods more accessible to consumers across our portfolio of beloved brands, including Del Monte®, Contadina®, College Inn®, Kitchen Basics®, JOYBA®, Take Root Organics™ and S&W®. We believe that everyone deserves great tasting food they can feel good about, which is why we grow and produce our products using sustainable and earth-friendly practices for a healthier tomorrow.

Del Monte Foods Corporation II Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of Del Monte Pacific Limited (Bloomberg: DELM SP, DELM PM) and is not affiliated with certain other Del Monte companies around the world, including Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc., Del Monte Canada, Del Monte Asia Pte. Ltd., Conagra/Productos Del Monte, or Del Monte Panamerican. For more information about Del Monte Foods and our products, please visit www.delmontefoods.com or www.delmonte.com.

Media Contacts: 
Sarah Thompson 
Edelman 
sarah.thompson@edelman.com 
916-982-9529

Related Links 
https://www.delmontefoods.com/

When residents of rural Uganda’s Bundimulinga village wanted to walk to school, access healthcare, or provide for their family, they had to prepare for a trek through thick forests and deep valleys which isolates their small community.  

Every morning, Karabiyo had to cross rivers of varying depths to access and work on her own cocoa farm, all the while worrying if her granddaughters made it to school safely. And during rainy season, it was not uncommon for high flooding to make school, work, and healthcare inaccessible for days on end. 

Nonprofit Bridges to Prosperity considers this kind of rural isolation to be a root cause of poverty for villages like Bundimulinga. With a core belief that safe access is a basic human right, their goal is to build bridges that better the lives of those who live in disconnected communities.  

Turning toward technology for more efficient bridge planning and development, Bridges to Prosperity created their own AI models with supporting funds from the Cisco Foundation, as part of the One Billion Lives campaign. In working with a robust set of publicly available data, AI can more strategically plan and map out future rural infrastructures, and Bridges to Prosperity can focus their energy on creating safer passages for villages in need.  

Watch the BBC StoryWorks segment to hear from Karabiyo herself about how a single trail bridge changed her life. 

For more information about Cisco and their successful mission to impact one billion people, visit One Billion Lives.

To learn the specifics about Bridge to Prosperity’s groundbreaking “Fika Map” AI tool, explore their website.   

About Cisco 
Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) is the worldwide leader in technology that powers the internet. Cisco inspires new possibilities by reimagining your applications, securing your data, transforming your infrastructure, and empowering your teams for a global and inclusive future. Discover more on The Network and follow us on Twitter.

About Cisco’s Purpose 
Cisco’s purpose is to Power an Inclusive Future for All. From increasing access to skills needed to thrive in a digital economy to supporting the most vulnerable in times of crisis, we’re committed to using our technology for good. Cisco is also leveraging our scale and innovation to help ensure that our increasingly digital future is sustainable, inclusive, and resilient.

When residents of rural Uganda’s Bundimulinga village wanted to walk to school, access healthcare, or provide for their family, they had to prepare for a trek through thick forests and deep valleys which isolates their small community.  

Every morning, Karabiyo had to cross rivers of varying depths to access and work on her own cocoa farm, all the while worrying if her granddaughters made it to school safely. And during rainy season, it was not uncommon for high flooding to make school, work, and healthcare inaccessible for days on end. 

Nonprofit Bridges to Prosperity considers this kind of rural isolation to be a root cause of poverty for villages like Bundimulinga. With a core belief that safe access is a basic human right, their goal is to build bridges that better the lives of those who live in disconnected communities.  

Turning toward technology for more efficient bridge planning and development, Bridges to Prosperity created their own AI models with supporting funds from the Cisco Foundation, as part of the One Billion Lives campaign. In working with a robust set of publicly available data, AI can more strategically plan and map out future rural infrastructures, and Bridges to Prosperity can focus their energy on creating safer passages for villages in need.  

Watch the BBC StoryWorks segment to hear from Karabiyo herself about how a single trail bridge changed her life. 

For more information about Cisco and their successful mission to impact one billion people, visit One Billion Lives.

To learn the specifics about Bridge to Prosperity’s groundbreaking “Fika Map” AI tool, explore their website.   

About Cisco 
Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) is the worldwide leader in technology that powers the internet. Cisco inspires new possibilities by reimagining your applications, securing your data, transforming your infrastructure, and empowering your teams for a global and inclusive future. Discover more on The Network and follow us on Twitter.

About Cisco’s Purpose 
Cisco’s purpose is to Power an Inclusive Future for All. From increasing access to skills needed to thrive in a digital economy to supporting the most vulnerable in times of crisis, we’re committed to using our technology for good. Cisco is also leveraging our scale and innovation to help ensure that our increasingly digital future is sustainable, inclusive, and resilient.

Covia is more than just an industry-leading provider of innovative mineral solutions. We’re a trusted partner to our customers. Our success stems not only from our high-quality products and services, but from the genuine, decades-long relationships we are grateful to have with businesses across a variety of industries.

These relationships continue to grow, thanks to dedicated team members like Mark Styers, Covia’s Vice President of Specialty Materials. Read on to learn more about Mark, his journey with Covia, and the important role he and his team have played in fostering strong relationships with our incredible customers.

Team Highlight: Mark Styers

Mark started his career with Covia back in 2012, when he applied for a sales manager position to oversee Covia’s energy initiatives in Ohio and Pennsylvania. Mark was recruited by another Covia team member who thought he would be a great fit for the organization. This proved to be true, and Mark has been an invaluable member of our sales team for nearly 13 years.

In his current role, Mark leads the commercial team for Covia’s specialty business unit – which consists of coatings, polymers, exports, engineered stone, and our European operation in Denmark. His day-to-day work involves supporting Covia’s great customer base and managing his talented team. “Whether it’s through negotiation strategy, opportunities presented by a customer, traveling with my team to visit a customer, or supporting the team that manages Covia’s distribution network, there’s such a wide range of things to do,” Mark said. Mark also assists in overseeing forecasting for the business unit, helping Covia’s Product Development and Innovation team prioritize and develop projects, and driving new business.

Outside of work, Mark enjoys spending time with his family. “I really put a high priority on the people in my life,” Mark said. “The best part about Covia is the people. The best part about my family is obviously the people. I’m blessed to have such a wonderful family, but also a wonderful professional family. That’s a very rare thing.” At home, Mark spends quality time with his kids – attending their sporting events and even coaching their teams.

Building Genuine Connections

Building genuine connections goes beyond the sales process. To further support our customers, many of Covia’s team members attend their charity events and actively participate in their philanthropic initiatives – just like our customers do for our business through the Covia Foundation. “Our team loves to participate in our customer’s charity events,” Mark mentioned. “It really fortifies the genuine relationships that we have. Our customers are so important to us – not only from a business perspective. We truly care about what they care about. We want them to be successful.”

At the same time, several of Covia’s customers and distributors go above and beyond to support our charitable efforts. We are truly grateful for their ongoing support of the Covia Foundation’s initiatives in events such as the Bill Conway Founders Charity Golf Classic benefiting the United Way and the annual Stars, Stripes, and Links event in support of wounded veterans. Through our philanthropic work, we strive to be a positive force in our communities, and their support helps make that a reality. “Their support highlights how impactful mutual relationships are in taking our organizations to another level,” added Mark. “We spend good time doing good work together. That’s what makes a difference for Covia and our customers.”

The relationships that Covia has built with our customers over the years are due in no small part to our sales team and our plant team members. “I can’t compliment our commercial team enough for the relationships they have with our customer base,” Mark said. “We have some really deep relationships with customers, some spanning several decades, and in some cases our commercial team members have meaningful friendships with our customers. You can’t get a closer relationship than a friendship.”

The work our plants do is also critical to the success of the sales team. “We can’t succeed without the great performance of our plants,” Mark said. “They are truly world-class.” Not only are they essential in the development and production of our mineral products, many plant workers go above and beyond when called upon. “One thing we like to do for the American Coatings Show is to have plant team members join the sales team at the booth,” Mark said. “They come out and work alongside the sales team side-by-side. When our customers come up to the booth, they not only talk with the sales team but also can speak with the plant team they’re buying their product from. Our plant team members are such great people and are critical to Covia’s success and our customers’ success.”

Meaningful Relationships and Product Innovation

LUMINEXTM is a silica-based, ultrawhite filler that helps reduce the costs of finished products while achieving consistent, higher whiteness. LUMINEXTM is most commonly found in quartz countertops for kitchens. For Mark, the launch of LUMINEXTM was a significant moment in his career.

LUMINEXTM was being commissioned when Mark was promoted to his current role and now LUMINEXTM has been developed into the final product it is today. “It’s been interesting to see how it’s grown over the last couple years – evolving from an idea to a full-fledged service offering,” Mark said.

“Developing new products that make our customers successful is key to Covia being successful. And that’s really exciting,” Mark continued. “We’ve gotten great customer engagement from this project. We’ve also been able to hire a lot of talented people to make this project a reality – giving them a fulfilling career.”

Mark said, “Our customers get excited when we talk about new products that we are working on. They get genuinely excited and curious about how our products can help them, and we love learning about what they need. I’m very excited to see what comes next.”