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 2nd annual Texan by Nature 20 (TxN 20) - an official ranking of companies with Texas operations that have made a demonstrative commitment to conservation.
The TxN 20 recognizes the best and most innovative work in conservation coming from Texas-based business and operations. As part of the TxN 20, Texan by Nature honors companies across 12 industries in the Lone Star State whose ingenuity are forging new, beneficial paths in conservation. With 168 million acres of land paired with global leadership across multiple industries, Texas is fortunate to have industry leaders who see the value in partnering with conservation initiatives and developing innovative, sustainable methods and processes within their business.
“At Texan by Nature, we accelerate conservation efforts that are beneficial to our natural resources, health, and economic prosperity,” said Joni Carswell, CEO & President of Texan by Nature. “It is an honor to showcase and celebrate conservation led by Texas-based businesses that pairs our wealth of natural and business resources.”
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. The TxN 20 provides not only recognition to honorees, but a catalogue of best practices and metrics to industry peers.
“Congratulations to this year’s TxN 20! These companies are leaders in their industry and they are innovators in conservation. I am thrilled to recognize their efforts, and I encourage other companies to follow their example. Together, we can keep Texas thriving for the next generation,” said former First Lady and Texan by Nature founder, Laura Bush.
The TxN 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 honorees for the 2020 TxN 20.
Texan by Nature partner and 2020 honoree Marathon Petroleum Corporation (MPC) was selected based on community investment, water conservation practices, employee volunteerism, habitat restoration, landfill diversion, and energy reduction measures. “It’s an honor to be recognized for our work in conservation and sustainability,” said Karen Beadle, MPC Vice President of Environment, Social & Governance and Stakeholder Engagement. “Core to our sustainability commitment is concrete action that empowers people, contributes to progress in our communities, and conserves the natural resources we all share. We’re grateful for the partnership with Texan by Nature and for their work in highlighting innovators who are elevating sustainability throughout Texas.”
2020 TxN 20 HONOREES INCLUDE:
- American Campus Communities
- CEMEX
- Cirrus Logic
- Citi
- City of San Antonio Office of Sustainability
- Dallas Area Rapid Transit
- Dell Technologies
- Dallas Fort Worth International Airport
- Farmer Brothers
- Harvest Seasonal Kitchen
- H-E-B
- Marathon Petroleum Corporation
- North Texas Municipal Water District
- Overland Partners Architects + Urban Design
- Plateau Land & Wildlife Management and Braun & Gresham, PLLC
- Sanderson Farms, Inc.
- Stantec
- Sysco
- Target
- Texas Health Resources
- Vistra
The TxN 20 2020 Selection Committee members included:
- Lucia Athens, LEED AP, Chief Sustainability Officer – City of Austin
- Andrejs Avots-Avotins, MD, Ph.D., The Elizabeth & Drayton McLane Jr. Chair in Health & Wellness, Vice President of Medical Affairs, and Provider Engagement & Community Affairs – Baylor Scott & White Health
- Tracee Bentley, President & CEO – Permian Strategic Partnership
- Garrett Boone, Co-Founder – The Container Store & Board Member – Trinity Park Conservancy
- Stoney Burke, Public Policy – Amazon Web Services
- Joe Crafton, Principal – Wingshooter Investments, LLC
- Edward Craner, Sr. Vice President – HOLT CAT
- Matthew Crommett, Director – Lyda Hill Philanthropies / LH Capital, Inc.
- Michael Dorff, Communications and Public Affairs – Raytheon
- Maria Dunn, Head of ESG, Sustainability & Policy – Phillips 66
- Kathryn Eastburn, Writer, Journalist, and Author – Self-Employed
- Matt Fajkus, Principal Architect – Matt Fajkus Architecture & Tenured Associate Professor – UT-Austin School of Architecture
- Smith Getterman, Director of Sustainability and Special Projects – Baylor University
- Robert Horton, Vice President, Environmental Affairs & Sustainability – Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport
- Brenda Mainwaring, Assistant Vice President of Public Affairs – Union Pacific Railroad
- Adair Margo, First Lady of El Paso – Tom Lea Institute
- Richard McDonald, Director, Environmental Quality & Sustainability – H-E-B
- James McGuire, Director, Environmental Quality & Sustainability – City of Dallas
- Jimmy Stead, Chief Consumer Banking and Technology Officer, Group Executive Vice President – Frost Bank
- Carlos Swonke, Director, Environmental Affairs Division – Texas Department of Transportation
- Darrel Ward, Sr Vice President, Client Product Group – Dell Technologies
- Neal Wilkins, President & CEO – East Foundation
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.TxN20.org.
ABOUT TxN:
Texan by Nature (TxN) brings conservation and business together to positively impact natural resources, prosperity, and health across Texas and beyond. TxN partners deeply with conservation groups and business, acting as an accelerator for conservation groups and a strategic partner for business. Their projects and programs (TxN Conservation Wrangler, TxN Certification, Symposia Series, and TxN 20) have impacted 7M+ people, 19.5M acres, and all of Texas' 254 counties over the last 2 years. Get involved and learn more at www.texanbynature.org and follow on Facebook @TexanbyNature, Twitter @TexanbyNature, and Instagram @texanbynature.
