Company Updates

Michael Dell Accepts Keep America Beautiful’s Vision for America Award

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The holidays are a great time to reflect. I reflect on the successes from the year, and what we can do better in the year to come. One of the achievements I’ve been incredibly proud of is the work our teams have done to push forward the 2020 Legacy of Good Plan we outlined last fall. We’re using more renewable energy in our facilities and recycling more e-waste into new Dell products than ever before. And our teams’ dedication to supporting local communities continues to exceed my expectations (and far outpace our 2020 goals!).

Yesterday, Keep America Beautiful recognized these accomplishments with the 2014 Vision for America Award.  Michael Dell accepted the national honor on behalf of our teams surrounded by our customers, suppliers and partners.

The luncheon also honored the work of top Dell team members and participants in Keep Austin Beautiful’s Green Teens program, a Dell Youth Learning partner.   

  • Susie Shockley (center below with Trisa Thompson, VP of Corporate Responsibility for Dell and David Lear, Executive Director of Sustainability)

Susie has been part of the Dell team since 1996. In 2008 she helped establish Planet, Dell’s first employee resource group dedicated to advancing sustainability initiatives at Dell and within the local community. In the last six years, Susie has dedicated approximately 600 hours of volunteer service and has helped Dell facilities save on utility costs, eliminate Styrofoam containers in the cafeteria and implement flexible work and rideshare programs.

Susie Shockley (center) with Trisa Thompson, VP of Corporate Responsibility for Dell and David Lear, Executive Director of Sustainability

  • Lucero Castaneda and Wendy Rodriguez (below with Michael Dell at Keep America Beautiful's "Vision for America" luncheon)

Lucero and Wendy have been stars of Keep Austin Beautiful’s “Green Teens” program, which engages middle and high school students in outdoor learning and exploration. Lucero helped replant Bastrop State Park after Texas wildfires burned 96% of park in 2011, and Wendy restored her school garden and taught other students about preservation using her Dell tablet.

 Michael Dell with Austin, Texas based Green Teens Lucero Castaneda and Wendy Rodriguez during Keep America Beautiful’s “Vision for America” luncheon at The Pierre Hotel in New York.

Individuals like Susie, Lucero and Wendy help contribute to Dell’s success and ensure a healthier safer environment for future generations. Congratulations and thank you to all our teams and partners!

As I look toward the year ahead, I look forward to continuing to apply our experiences to help our customers achieve better outcomes. We’re setting out to prove that the good that can come from our technology will be 10x what it takes to make and use it. By delivering solutions that make it easier for IT users globally to operate more sustainably, we’ll have a meaningful, lasting impact on society.

Follow @Dell4Good on Twitter to learn about Dell’s corporate responsibility efforts or join the discussion at #LegacyofGood.

About the Author: Trisa Thompson

Trisa Thompson is the Vice President of Corporate Responsibility at Dell, with responsibility for Dell's global giving and sustainability. Previously at Dell, Trisa served as Vice President, Legal, for the Global Operations, Marketing and Product Groups, and was a member of the Legal Team for 12 years. She was the founding co-chair of the Women's Networking Group, W.I.S.E., at Dell, and also serves on the PRIDE Executive Board. She is also a member of the Global Giving and Sustainability Councils. Trisa joined Dell in June 1998 from the Washington, D.C. office of Seyfarth, Shaw. Trisa was a partner with Seyfarth in its Government Procurement Law practice. She specialized in federal, state, and local procurement law and litigation. She joined Seyfarth directly out of law school in 1986.