AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Texan by Nature (TxN), a Texas-led conservation non-profit founded by former First Lady Laura Bush, today announced the honorees of the first-ever Texan by Nature 20 (TxN 20) - an official ranking of 20 companies with Texas operations that have made a demonstrative commitment to conservation.
With the launch of the TxN 20, Texan by Nature aims to recognize the best and most innovative work in conservation coming from Texas based business and operations. As part of the TxN 20, Texan by Nature will honor 20 companies across 10 industries in the Lone Star State whose ingenuity are forging new, beneficial paths in conservation.
As beautiful as it is big, Texas is home to some of the largest cities in the United States and the world’s 10th largest economy. A leader in multiple industries with 11 ecoregions, 8 mountain ranges, and over 150 conservation organizations, Texas is a diverse state with the opportunity to model the importance of bringing conservation and business together for the benefit of our people, prosperity, and natural resources.
“At Texan by Nature, our firm belief is that our long term prosperity and health is dependent upon our natural resources. In launching the TxN 20, we aim to spotlight innovation in conservation and inspire more substantial efforts to create a new model of conservation for Texans and our shared future,” said Joni Carswell, CEO & President of Texan by Nature. “It is an honor to showcase and celebrate the Texas-led innovation, commitment, and elevated practices spanning vast industries and our unique state.”
A catalyst for thought leadership, innovative partnerships and community-led solutions, Texan by Nature has been working with the Texas business community to implement Texas-led conservation practices, partnerships, and resources. Hosting a leadership roundtable series throughout the Lone Star State in 2018, business leaders in each major Texas city and across a spectrum of industries were brought together to engage in timely discussions around current conservation challenges and opportunities, including lack of education, awareness, collaboration, best practices and industry standards. In these sessions, business leaders voiced a desire to know more about the work being done across Texas, learn the best practices for their industries, and receive recognition for their efforts.
“Texas is a leader in business, and the TxN 20 shows that our state is also a leader in conservation. I am thrilled to recognize the best initiatives, and I encourage other companies to follow their example. Let’s keep Texas thriving for the next generation,” said former First Lady and Texan by Nature founder, Laura Bush.
The final Texan by Nature 20 honorees were selected based upon a stated dedication to conservation, demonstrated commitment to conservation via investment and volunteerism, measurement and reporting of spending and impact on conservation efforts, and employee engagement. Honorees were identified through submissions as well as researched via publicly available information on conservation and sustainability efforts. An esteemed, cross-industry selection committee made the final selection of 20 honorees for the Texan by Nature 20.
2019 TxN 20 HONOREES INCLUDE:
- American Campus Communities
- Apache
- Austin Convention Center
- Cactus Feeders
- CEMEX
- Cirrus Logic
- Comerica
- Darling Ingredients
- Dell
- DFW Airport
- Farmer Brothers
- Harvest Seasonal Kitchen
- H-E-B
- King Land & Water
- NRG Energy
- Parkland Health & Hospital System
- Phillips 66
- Southwest Airlines
- Texas Health Resources
- Union Pacific
The TxN 20 2019 Selection Committee members included:
- Neal Wilkins, President & CEO, East Foundation
- Darrel Ward, Sr. Vice President – Client Solutions, Dell
- Carlos Swonke, Environmental Affairs Director, TxDOT
- Renee Shippey, Outdoor Programs and Outreach Market Coordinator, REI
- Audrey Ponzio, Founder & CEO, APC Collective
- Martha Pincoffs, Founder, Waking Giants
- Liza Meyer, Sustainability Director, USAA
- Richard McDonald, Corporate Director of Environmental Affairs, H-E-B
- Adair Margo, First Lady of El Paso and Founder, Tom Lea Institute
- Devin Hotzel, Manager of Public Affairs and Stakeholder Engagement, Enbridge
- Regan Gammon, Board Member, Texan by Nature
- Michael Dorff, Communications and Public Affairs, Raytheon
- Matthew Crommett, Director, Lyda Hill Philanthropies & LH Capital
- Edward Craner, Senior Vice President of Strategy & Marketing, HOLT CAT
- Joe Crafton, Principal, Wingshooter Investments
- Elizabeth Cole, Practice Manager, McKinsey & Company
- Stoney Burke, Public Policy, Amazon Web Services
- Brett Burgess, Senior Vice President & Chief Product Officer, Sabre Travel Network
- Scott Brown, President, Texas Monthly
Activating new investments, amplifying and accelerating innovations, and connecting partners to the resources they need to succeed, Texan by Nature offers select programs to help engage Texans in stewardship of the state’s rich land and diverse communities including the Conservation Wrangler Program, TxN Certification, the Conservation Wrangler Summit and the TxN 20. For more information on TxN partnerships and programs, or to learn how to get involved, please visit www.TxN.org.
ABOUT TxN:
Texan by Nature (TxN) unites business and conservation leaders who believe Texas’ prosperity is dependent on the conservation of its natural resources. TxN amplifies projects and activates new investment in conservation which returns real benefits for people, prosperity, and natural resources. Texan by Nature achieves mission goals through the Texan by Nature Certification program, Conservation Wrangler program, Symposia Series, and the Texan by Nature 20. Get involved and learn more at www.texanbynature.org and follow on Facebook @TexanbyNature, Twitter @TexanbyNature, and Instagram @texanbynature.
