IMPACT
FALL 2012
A Publication of The Dow Chemical Company’s Operations in Brazoria Count y
a house
becomes
a home
page 10
Made in
Freeport
A Helping
Hand
Experience
Nature Firsthand
Page 6
Page 8
Page 14
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IMPACT
FALL 2012
A Publication of The Dow Chemical Company’s Operations in Brazoria Count y
Table of Contents
Made in Freeport
Impacting Life Around the Globe.....................Page 6
A Helping Hand
DowGives Grants Target Community
Organizations..................................................Page 8
A House Becomes a Home
habitat for humanity makes dreams
become reality..............................................Page 10
Experience Nature Firsthand
gulf coast bird observatory showcases
wetlands habitat............................................Page 14
Also in this issue
letter from earl shipp................................................... page 4
meet our greatest assets.............................................page 16
Where do our employees live?...................................... page 5
picture this – summer events in texas.........................page 18
safety pays off – local groups benefit from
safety makes Cents program......................................page 12
Dollars for doers – dow rewards volunteerism...... page 20
Opportunity Knocks – Process Technology
Program is a Big Boost for Career Changers........page 15
On the cover:
Dow employees Abacuc Verdejo (left) and Robert Mora
work on a Habitat for Humanity build. Photo by
Corporate Volunteer Manager, Tess Holtzclaw.
It’s a wrap – london 2012 dow olympic
stadium ‘wrap’....................................................... page 22
Excitement is in the air this fall and we have a lot to be excited about here in
Texas!
We are proud to be the largest employer in Brazoria County with more than
8,000 employees and contractors. And we are growing, too. We recently
announced the addition of three new manufacturing plants that, combined with
the Dow-Mitsui Chlor-Alkali chlorine facility, are bringing more than 4,500
construction jobs and 325 new manufacturing jobs to the area.
Our people are not just working here. They live here too. About 87 percent of
Dow employees live in Brazoria County – 80 percent in local communities from
Angleton to the south.
In this issue of Impact, you’ll see that many of them also put their time and
talents to work in their communities, collaborating with non-profit organizations
and serving others in need. From our participation in a Habitat for Humanity
build (page 10) to our support of the Gulf Coast Bird Observatory (page 14).
We are proud and grateful to be part of this exciting, generous community and
look forward to continuing our collaboration with the community partners who
play such an important role in the success of the Brazosport area.
Earl Shipp
Vice President
Texas Operations
4 • IMPACT
FALL 2 0 12 • 5
Made in Freeport
Impacting Life Around the Globe
Dow has been “deep in the heart of Texas” since 1940 when
the Company made its first move outside Michigan, building the
Texas Operations site in Freeport. Today, Dow also calls Deer
Park, Houston, La Porte, Seadrift and Texas City home.
Since its origins in magnesium extraction, the Texas Operations
site has grown. And grown. In fact, it is the largest integrated
chemical manufacturing complex in the world.
More than 8,000 people work at Texas Operations, which has
more than 60 manufacturing units working together to produce
44 percent of Dow’s products sold in the U.S. and more than 20
percent of products sold globally. In addition to manufacturing
a long list of important chemicals, the site also houses some of
Dow’s most critical research and development facilities.
“Texas Operations produces billions of pounds of products
each year that enhance the quality of life for people around the
globe,” says Earl Shipp, vice president, Dow Texas Operations.
“Dow products serve virtually every consumer market, ranging
from food to building and construction to health and medicine to
transportation. The things we make are used to make consumer
products like construction materials, vehicle components,
electronics, pharmaceuticals, computers, furniture, paints, carpet,
food packages, cosmetics, chewing gum, cleaning products and
food. And that’s just for starters.”
We Make ‘Intermediates’
“Generally speaking, most of the chemical products we
manufacture are used by our customers – and some by Dow – to
make the finished products consumers will use,” says Earl. “These
are called ‘intermediates’ because they are ingredients used along
the way as a step in many more manufacturing processes.”
Here are just three examples of significant chemical intermediates
Texas Operations produces.
Chloroform
Discovered in the 1830s, chloroform is produced by various
seaweeds in nature. This colorless, dense, nonflammable liquid
with a sweet, mild smell was first used as an anesthetic by
physicians in the mid-1800s.
Chloroform is a chemical intermediate that is typically
manufactured by mixing and heating chlorine with methane or
chloromethane. Additional processing and chemical reactions
with chloroform will yield:
• Chlorodifluoromethane – used in refrigerants
• Tetrafluoroethylene – the main chemical feedstock for the
production of the fluoropolymer coatings used in non-stick
cookware, corrosion-resistant coatings and lubricants
Continuous monitoring and optimization of critical customer variables ensure Dow Polyethylene & Elastomers maintains market leadership.
6 • IMPACT
Polyethylene
In the simplest terms, polyethylene is a polymer – a
plastic – made from two raw materials (ethylene and a comonomer). But what seems “simple” gets very diverse in
the product lineup. In fact, Freeport’s Polyethylene 3 plant
(or “Poly 3”) makes more than 100 different polyethylene
products. Some of these products are made only in
Freeport – and at no other global Dow facility.
Poly 3 manufactures a wide range of materials – from
HDPE (high-density polyethylene), that you’ll recognize
with a “2” in the recycling symbol on many plastic jugs
and bottles – to the highest-tech INFUSE™ Olefin Block
Copolymers that go into consumer products such as highend yoga mats, elastic tabs on diapers and carpet tiles.
Other Dow brand names for Freeport’s polyethylene
products include:
• DOWLEX™ Polyethylene Resins
• ATTANE™ Ultra Low Density Polyethylene Resins
• ASPUN™ Fiber Grade Resins
• ENGAGE™ Polyolefin Elastomers, which can be used
to improve impact resistance in automotive plastics
• AFFINITY™ GA Polyolefin Plastomers, which are
adhesive materials that you’ll find holding packages
together all across the supermarket – from wine boxes,
to food and cereal boxes, to juice boxes and pouches
Other Poly 3 products are in molded bicycle grips, footwear
foams, toys, sports equipment handles, the new type of
wine bottle corks, and food packaging films (that can be
extremely high-tech, with upwards of 12 different layers,
each with a different purpose).
Polyglycols and Amines (PGA)
The PGA Plant in Freeport makes the main components
that go into GREAT STUFF™ Insulating Foam Sealants
from Dow Building Solutions. These popular products air
seal and insulate the home. That’s important stuff when
you look at all the gaps and cracks around window and
door frames, electrical outlets, plumbing lines, under siding
and in many other places – which can all add up to an
equivalent space the size of a standard window left open.
The six formulations of GREAT STUFF™ Sealants
include: Gaps & Cracks, Big Gap Filler, Window & Door,
Fireblock, Pond & Stone, and the new GREAT STUFF™
Pestblock. There is also a GREAT STUFF PRO™ series
perfect for the professionals because the products provide
greater product yield and minimize waste.
® ™
Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company (“Dow”) or an affiliated company of Dow
Top right: State of the art analytical techniques allow Dow
employee Fred Flores (shown here) the ability to review
final product before release to our valued customers.
Middle right: Highly trained lab personnel ensure product
quality at Dow’s Texas facilities.
Bottom right: Engineer David Gonzales and Process
Operator Lou Rangel discuss operations at the PGA
plant in Freeport.
FALL 2 0 12 • 7
A Helping Hand
DowGives Grants Target Community Organizations
A volunteer fire department. A health system. High school
volunteer camps.
These are just some of the types of organizations in Southern
Brazoria County that benefitted this year from the DowGives
Community Grants Program.
“In order for us to continue to grow and attract new talent to
Texas Operations, we need the communities in which we live and
operate to be successful,” says Earl Shipp, vice president Texas
Operations. “Dow hopes the additional funds we were able to
award for the 2012 Dow Gives Community Grants Program
will contribute to the long term success of our communities, and
make them even better places to live and work.”
“The grants are designed to fund projects in our area that will
have a tangible, long-lasting, positive impact in our community,”
says Gabriella Cone, community relations manager for Dow
Texas Operations.
Fifteen organizations were selected to receive grants ranging from
less than $1,000 up to $25,000, depending on need. The projects
were evaluated and selected by a committee of community
members and Dow employees.
Jones Creek VFD
After a motor vehicle accident, the equipment used to extricate
the occupants can mean the difference between life and death.
“In a wreck, a car very often can end up on its side,” says
Kenny McBride, the department’s fire chief. “(While removing
passengers from a vehicle) we don’t want that car moving around
for the patient’s benefit and we don’t want it moving around for
our benefit, too.”
So the department asked for funds to buy stabilization and
extrication equipment – items such as struts, straps and air bags
that prevent vehicles from shifting during rescue operations.
Kenny’s fire department serves a city of about 2,500 people. But
it covers roughly 15 miles of Highway 36, meaning thousands of
people from all over Brazoria County and beyond might someday
count on those firefighters. Last year, the department went on 165
runs, about 20 of which could have benefitted from stabilization
equipment if it had been available, Kenny says.
“We hope to never have to use these tools,” Kenny says.
“Unfortunately, I don’t think that’s going to happen.”
Brazosport Regional Heath System
At Brazosport Regional Heath System, many women benefit
from existing digital mammography equipment that helps prevent
major problems through early detection. But soon the equipment
8 • IMPACT
will be upgraded with three-dimensional imaging software, paid
for in part by a Community Grant to the Brazosport Health
Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the hospital system.
“It saves women’s lives,” Judith Pepper, executive director of
the Brazosport Health Foundation, says of the software. “It will
detect anything that shouldn’t be there, down to the size of a
grain of rice.”
Not only will the software upgrade save lives by spotting problems
earlier and allowing better treatment, it will prevent a lot of
unnecessary worry.
“When a woman goes in for a mammogram, oftentimes the
doctor will see something that just causes them to think, ‘We
might need to do a second mammogram,’” says Judith.“So the
woman goes home, then she gets a call saying she needs to come
back in, which is just terrifying.”
Many of those callbacks turn out to be unnecessary. Because of
its higher resolution, the new software will produce fewer such
false alarms.
Hospital officials hope to have the software in place early in 2013.
“Once it’s purchased, they’ll start using it right away,” Judith
says. “The radiologists have already been trained on it. They are
chomping at the bit to get that software.”
Cheri McBurnett and Mary Meyers co-chaired fundraisers
to purchase new three-dimensional software for Brazosport
Regional Heath System’s digital mammography equipment.
Faith in Action
At Faith in Action of Brazosport, they
might not save lives, but they sure make
lives better. The group organizes high
school and middle school students into
volunteer camps that perform home repair
and maintenance for elderly people who
are physically or financially unable to do
the work themselves. About 100 students,
grouped into four different camps, take part
each year.
“They install handrails, scrape and paint,
put up siding and do yard work and general
cleanup,” says Steve Corn, Faith in Action
of Brazosport executive director. “Some
jobs are bigger than others.”
The students’ favorite project is building a
ramp.
“We’ve had some clients who hadn’t been
out of their house for a year,” Steve says.
“It’s very rewarding to see the look on their
faces as they roll down a new ramp for the
first time.”
The Community Grant will allow Faith
in Action to buy tools that will be used for
years to come, Steve says.
“We’ll use them for every camp,” Steve says.
“It’s going to sustain us for a lot of camps.”
Above right: Faith in Action of Brazosport
volunteers complete a yard cleanup for
elderly homeowners.
Below right: A favorite project for most
Faith in Action of Brazosport volunteers is
building a ramp for a disabled homeowner.
Recipients of 2012 DowGives Community Grants
•Angleton Danbury Medical Center – purchase and implementation of a
Synergy HD Video Imaging System for its Surgery Center
•Brazoria County Alliance For Children, Inc. – remodeling a conference
room into four offices and soundproofing an interview room
•Brazosport Health Foundation – upgrades to Selenia Dimensions 2D
system with 3D breast imaging (tomosynthesis)
•Brazosport Medical Center – concrete and stripe side parking lot to
provide for a more stable and safe surface for patients
•City of Clute Volunteer Fire Department – light tower to be mounted
onto a Freightliner fire truck to assist while working on a scene at night
•City of West Columbia – upgrading existing playground equipment with
a modular/special needs unit that will engage special needs children
•Columbia Christian Senior Citizens Center – upgrading 30-year-old
cabinets, drawers and countertops to bring its kitchen up to health codes
•Faith in Action of Brazosport – building materials and tools in order to
build ramps and repair homes for its elderly/disabled clients
•Freeport Friends of the Library, Inc. – mobile laptop lab, career
guidance books and children’s books for Mrs. Claus Craft Day
•Gathering Place Interfaith Ministries – activity materials for Gatherings
and for two books to be given to caregivers
• Jones Creek Volunteer Fire Department – efficient equipment for vehicle
stabilization and extrication
•Live Oak Clinic of Brazosport – new medical equipment such as exam
tables, a medication cabinet, privacy screens and scales
•Sea Center of Texas – rain water cistern system and an interpretive
panel to educate students on water conservation
•Southwest SIDS Research Institute – expansion of current Learning
Center of Excellence to allow for on-site presentations, collaborative
educational endeavors and outreach
•SPCA of Brazoria County – cages for the newly opened spay/neuter
clinic in Freeport to provide a secure location for recovery after surgery
FALL 2 0 12 • 9
A House Becomes a Home
Habitat for Humanity Makes Dreams Become Reality
Rosyln Price’s new home is proof that many hands working
together can do amazing things.
“This is an experience that I can tell my grandchildren: that I
helped build the home I live in,” says Roslyn, a new Habitat for
Humanity homeowner in Angleton. “Without a doubt, I believe
that this is the biggest accomplishment I have ever experienced
and it is truly a blessing to be able to say I am a homeowner.”
Built in September and October, hers is the 84th new home
completed by Habitat for Humanity of Southern Brazoria
County (HFHSBC). This three-bedroom, two-bath, 1,150 squarefoot home was built by volunteers, including approximately 100
Dow employees and retirees, local high school students and
Roslyn, who put “sweat equity” into building her own house.
“All the volunteers were very nice and helpful. I enjoyed meeting
new people and learning how to build a house,” says Roslyn, a
single mother of two sons and a billing clerk for a local medical
center.
“I was raised in a home, and it is a joy to be able to say you have
a home that is yours,” she says. “I am fulfilling a dream for my
mom and myself.”
Dow’s Helping Hands
In addition to sponsoring Roslyn’s home build, Dow’s helping
hands reach farther.
“Dow has sponsored 10 Habitat builds since HFHSBC was
founded in 1991,” says Gabriella Cone, community relations
manager, Dow Texas Operations. “Through sponsorships,
product donations and volunteer support, Dow has made
significant contributions to our local affiliate. Hundreds of Dow
employees and retirees have volunteered their time on numerous
Habitat homes constructed each year – not just those sponsored
by Dow.”
HFHSBC understands the importance of volunteers because
it is an all-volunteer affiliate with no paid positions. “We could
At Habitat for Humanity builds there are jobs to fit every individual volunteer.
1 0 • IMPACT
not continue to grow our mission without dedicated volunteers,”
says Mary-Ellen Thomas, executive director, HFHSBC.
“Currently, our construction manager, repair corps manager,
treasurer (for 21 years), purchasing agent, volunteer coordinator
and site selection manager are all Dow retirees, as are many of
the site skill leaders.
“The Dow organization has always sought to build stronger
communities by promoting service and growth through its
corporate sponsorships. Dow also encourages its employees to
seek these volunteer opportunities,” says Mary-Ellen.
Since its founding in 1976, Habitat for Humanity International
has built more than 500,000 houses worldwide, providing
simple, decent and affordable housing for more than 2.5
million people. For more information about HFHSBC, visit
www.habitatsbc.org.
Dow volunteers love to “Help Build It”, donating thousands of
hours of time every year to helping others realize their dream of
owning a home.
Dow and Habitat for Humanity
In 2013, The Dow Chemical Company will be celebrating a 30-year
relationship with Habitat for Humanity.
“To date, Dow has supported the construction of more than 25,000 Habitat
homes in more than 20 countries. In 2012 alone, Dow will help sponsor
139 new homes around the world,” says Kristen Bovid, corporate citizenship
program manager for Dow.
Dow is the official supplier of STYROFOAM™ Brand Insulation for virtually all
Habitat homes in the world. In North America, GREAT STUFF PRO™ Insulating
Foam Sealants and WEATHERMATE™ Weather Barrier Solutions are also
donated for new construction and revitalization projects. The insulation and
air sealing products help deliver reductions in energy consumption and CO2
emissions for more sustainable and affordable homes.
Since the beginning, Dow has donated project funding and gift-in-kind
support such as construction materials that Dow manufactures. In fact,
Every year, thousands of Dow people volunteer around the world to build
and renovate homes for Habitat for Humanity.
® ™
Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company (“Dow”) or an affiliated company of Dow
FALL 2 0 12 • 11
Safety Pays Off
Local Groups Benefit From Safety Makes Cents Program
When Dow workers meet on-the-job safety objectives, everybody wins.
That’s especially true in light of the Safety Makes Cents program,
through which eight local charitable organizations received
$2,000 each because of their connection to Dow employees who
met their objectives in the second quarter of this year.
GMZ Education and Development Center
GMZ Education and Development Center, located in Brazoria,
TX provides programs and activities designed to address social
concerns, academics, employment and financial management
training for all ages and skill levels.
“Our most recent activity, Annual Dream Math & Science Camp,
touched over 150 regional students,” says Kevin Garrett of GMZ.
“We were able to award a laptop, provide educational instruction
to eager youths.”
Other GMZ programs include Medicare Part D enrollment;
job searches; nutrition, computer and Internet training; income
tax assistance; Community Development Block Grant rent and
utility applications; blood drives; seminars concerning crime, drug
use and peer pressure; SAT and ACT preparation and college
scholarship search support.
The Safety Makes Cents grant will help pay for computer
technology and software that will allow for even better training of
the people served by GMZ.
“We can distribute resources. We can do assistance,” says Anna
Pettus, GMZ’s president. “But if we don’t help the people in our
community learn the skills they need, we’re still going to have
problems 10 years from now.”
Clute Intermediate Cougar Band
A Safety Makes Cents grant will allow the Clute Intermediate
Cougar Band to buy new concert uniforms for use at the many
performances it puts on throughout the year at the school and
other areas in the city.
“Students perform differently when they perform in a tux or formal
gown,” says Daniel Fernandez, director of the band. “This will
elevate the overall appearance of the students’ performances.”
Above: Real-world computer skills are taught at the GMZ
Education and Development Center. A Dow Safety Makes Cents
grant will pay for upgrades to the organization’s computers
and software.
Below: Educational support is a big part of the programming at
the GMZ Education and Development Center.
12 • IMPACT
The benefits of that go beyond the students. “The biggest impact
is in the families that have students in the band program,”
Daniel says. “Parents beam with pride when they see their child
performing their best.”
The grant also helps to deepen the relationship between the
company and the Clute community.
“I am very appreciative of Dow,” Daniel says. “You can rest assured
that the money will have a huge impact on our community.”
Members of the Clute Intermediate Cougar Band prepare for a performance during a trip to Austin.
Halfway 4-H Club
Dozens of kids from all over
Brazoria County are involved
with the Halfway 4-H Club.
“We have kids from Freeport,
Lake Jackson, Brazoria, West
Columbia, Angleton…you
name it,” says Darla Helm, the
group’s manager.
The club’s big event each year is
the Brazoria County Fair, which
takes place in October. Club
members show heifers, lambs, sheep, swine and horses at the fair,
as well as projects such as textiles.
“We do everything,” says Darla, who gets help with the group
from assistants Staci Fitzgerald and Christi Jakubec. “4-H teaches
them responsibility in taking care of an animal and prepares
them for moving forward into the future as an adult.”
The Safety Makes Cents grant will be put into a college
scholarship fund for 4-H members, Darla says. Applicants must
be 4-H members and complete a 250-word essay about how 4-H
has impacted their lives.
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals of
Brazoria County (SPCA-BC)
Not only does the SPCA-BC run the Southern Brazoria County
Animal Shelter, it also offers educational programs, low-cost
spay/neuter procedures and the Ani-Meals Program for the
elderly and disabled who cannot easily get pet food and supplies.
“If we weren’t in existence, it would reflect on our community
in the form of pet overpopulation,” says Jack Brown, executive
director of the SPCA-BC.
One service that is especially helpful to residents of south Texas is
the implantation of a microchip under a pet’s skin.
“If we have to evacuate and you get separated from your pet in
Austin, Waco, Dallas, or wherever you evacuate to, the pet could
be lost as soon as it gets out of the sound of your voice,” Jack
says. “All animals entering a shelter across America are scanned
for a microchip, and the family can be reunited.”
The Safety Makes Cents grant will help SPCA-BC offer, for the
first time, free spay/neuter procedures for the pets of people who
perform 20 hours of community service in the Freeport area.
“What a wonderful way to spread the benefit of Dow workers
working safely to benefit the SPCA-BC and our communities,”
Jack says. “We’d like to thank everyone who participated in this
program and congratulate the employees for their achievement
on safety. Keep up the great work!”
FALL 2 0 12 • 13
Experience Nature Firsthand
Gulf Coast Bird Observatory Showcases Wetlands Habitat
Imagine a classroom dedicated to nature where the desks and
chairs are replaced with guided nature paths and hands-on
opportunities to interact with the environment. A classroom not
bound by four walls or confined to a computer, but a place bathed
in sunlight and teeming with all the wonders of nature.
In this classroom, students don’t simply read about migratory
birds, butterflies and the tiny organisms that live in the water, they
experience them. Best of all, this Outdoor Classroom already
exists at the Gulf Coast Bird Observatory.
“Between the observation tower and the dipping decks
(designated areas for people to skim the water for insects and
other creatures), people who visit the Outdoor Classroom will get
their hands dirty, exploring nature and watching the animals,”
says Cecilia Riley, executive director of the Gulf Coast Bird
Observatory. “No matter your age, this Outdoor Classroom will
reawaken your curiosity about nature.”
The Classroom showcases the importance of wetlands to birds
and other wildlife – including humans. Set on more than 34
acres in Lake Jackson, Texas, the Observatory formally dedicated
the Outdoor Classroom in June to recognize funders, including
Dow Texas Operations, who contributed to the project. It also
includes the Wetland Education Deck, Wetland & Forest Canopy
Right: The Gulf Coast Bird Observatory in Lake Jackson, Texas
dedicated its new Outdoor Classroom in June.
Below: Visitors to the Observatory can learn about nature
firsthand on self-guided trails.
14 • IMPACT
Observation Tower overlooking the 1.5-acre Heron’s Haunt
wetland and interpretive signage to provide detailed information
about the land and its inhabitants.
Visits to the Observatory have doubled since the opening of the
Outdoor Classroom. Cecilia anticipates it will also lead to greater
flexibility in planning nature-related events.
“With Dow’s generous contribution, we are able to better
educate visitors to the Observatory about all the nature around
us,” says Cecilia. “The Outdoor Classroom showcases the
importance of the wetlands, the creatures that live here and how
migratory birds use these bottomlands as a ‘rest area’.”
Opportunity Knocks
Process Technology Program Is a Big Boost for Career Changers
Back home in Indiana, Klint Rupley played college football and
earned a business degree. He came to Texas to be a teacher and a
coach. Then a whole new world opened up to him.
“I knew absolutely nothing about process technology,” Klint
says. “If I had known more about it when I’d gotten out of high
school, I might have gone in that direction.”
But it wasn’t too late. After three years as a teacher, Klint entered
the University of Plant Operations at Brazosport College. In
a unique partnership between the college and Dow, the U-Op
program – as students like to call it – offers an intense, 14-week
introduction to the skills and concepts needed to be a process
operator or process technician at Dow.
“It was great,” says Klint, now a process operator at Dow in
Freeport. “The teachers have a lot of experience in operations.
They did a great job of teaching us the basic concepts.”
Brazosport College is one of many colleges in the area that offer a
two-year degree in process technology, says Bruce Raiff, learning
leader for Dow Texas Operations. Students who earn that degree
usually go on to apply for jobs at Dow or other companies in need
of people.
The U-Op program is different from a traditional two-year
program in several ways, Bruce says. First, U-Op students who
have already been hired by Dow, either as permanent employees
or as co-op students, have the opportunity to move into a
permanent Dow position. And unlike traditional college students,
most U-Op students already have a two- or four-year degree in
something other than process technology.
“It’s an older group, a more experienced group in general,” Bruce
says of U-Op students. “They’ve been out there doing something,
but it wasn’t fulfilling or it wasn’t paying the bills. (U-Op) gives
them an opportunity to do more.”
Brazosport College’s University of Plant Operations program
offers Dow employees and co-ops a chance to learn valuable
skills needed in today’s workforce.
In addition to intense information on operational procedures,
U-Op also includes time in Dow production units and learning about
Dow-specific safety requirements. After passing U-Op, students
move on to the plants in which they will work permanently,
receiving further training that is specific to each. They complete
that training more quickly because of the U-Op program.
“It helped get me ready for the training I had at my plant,” Klint
says. “I finished two-and-a-half to three months early. I attribute
that to the (U-Op) program.”
Sometimes, Father Does Know Best
Jared Atkins grew up with a grandfather, father, two uncles, three aunts and two
cousins who worked for Dow. But he never felt pressured by his father to follow suit.
“He wanted me to choose my own way,” Jared says. “I think, deep down, he probably
wanted me to (work for Dow), but he’ll never admit it.”
Jared got an education degree and became a teacher. But after six years in the
classroom, and with his fourth child on the way, he’s now in the U-Op program and on
his way to being a process operator at Dow. Like many U-Op students, the ability to
earn higher wages with more stable working hours was a big motivator.
“I thought it was time for a career change,” Jared says.
With 37 years’ experience at Dow, Jared’s father has been able to give him some
advice.
“My dad told me, ‘Don’t take anything for granted. When you do something, make
sure you do it safely,’ “ Jared says. “I always wondered why he wanted me to wear
safety glasses when I mowed the grass. Now I can see why he taught me about safety
all my life.”
Now that he is embarking on a career with the company so many of his family
members worked for, Jared has one regret.
“I wish I had done this right out of college, or even while I was in college,” he says.
FALL 2 0 12 • 15
Meet Our
Greatest Assets
We have many hard-working, talented employees who make
Dow Texas Operations special. Meet a few here, as they share their
stories with us.
Tjokro Hermanto
Employee and community safety is
top priority for any industrial site. As
Dow’s Site Leveraged Health and
Safety Leader, Tjokro Hermanto
makes it personal. Now in his 18th
year with Dow, Tjokro spent 11
years in the Asia Pacific region and
five years in the Middle East region
before coming to Texas in 2010.
“Our vision is everybody at
Texas Operations, employees
and contractors, go home safe
every day,” says Tjokro.
One of the programs he believes is making a difference for both
site personnel and the community is the Safety Makes Cents
program, through which Dow celebrates safety achievements by
making a contribution to a local non-profit organization.
“Everyone at every level understands the importance of
safety,” Tjokro says. “Not just for us, personally, but also for our
communities.”
Nicole Knight
Chemists may get a reputation from
the movies as mad scientists, poring
over steaming beakers and liquids
cooking over Bunsen burners. But
senior chemist Nicole Knight uses
her powers for good at Dow.
“Part of my job is taking monomers
and turning them into polymers to
create safer materials that people
use every day,” says Nicole. “I use
chemistry to make things better for
our customers, our industry and our
environment.”
A relative newcomer to the Dow family, Nicole joined the
company about 18 months ago. Born in Champaign-Urbana,
Ill., she grew up in Virginia. She received her bachelor’s degree
16 • IMPACT
from Virginia Tech, her PhD from Michigan State University and
did her post-doctoral studies at the University of North Carolina
at Chapel Hill.
In her free time Nicole likes to travel and hike with her husband,
Troy, who is also a Dow employee.
Working with a team of scientists, chemists and engineers, Nicole
says, provides a sense of accomplishment, camaraderie and
innovation similar to the academic and research worlds.
“Every day has an ‘a-ha’ moment for me,” she says. “I’m learning
something new and pushing the boundaries every day to make
something that’s better and safer.”
Donovan Pitre
While the scientists and engineers
create new products, associate
accounting manager Donovan
Pitre’s job is just as critical. He
works behind the scenes to ensure
the books balance.
“How we manage Dow’s accounting
policies and monitor internal
controls are very important,” says
the nine-year Dow employee. “The
accountants definitely work as
partners with the businesses to ensure
that we provide accurate and timely financial results for Dow.”
Born and raised in Houston, Donovan received his bachelor’s
degree in Finance from Sam Houston State University. He started
his career with the company in 2003 as a financial analyst with
the Functional Controller’s group at Dow’s Headquarters in
Midland, Mich. After seven years in Michigan, Donovan came
back home to his native Texas in 2010 to support the Chlor-Alkali
Business and Dow-Mitsui Chlor-Alkali LLC joint venture.
When he’s not working, Donovan enjoys spending time with his
family in Houston as well as volunteering in the community.
“I participate in groups in Houston and Brazoria County,” says
Donovan. “No matter where you want to go in life, education
is the key to success. It’s good for the kids and better for the
community.”
Lisa LaBean
Alfred Garcia Jr.
Lisa LaBean, Light Hydrocarbons
8 production leader and Oyster
Creek Site director, started working
for Dow in 1991 in Pittsburg, Calif.
In her first position at the Dow
AgroSciences production plant,
she wore multiple hats including
run plant engineer, improvement
engineer, process control engineer
and EH&S delivery technician. She
learned a great deal and enjoyed the
variety.
Twenty years later, Lisa still appreciates the opportunity to
learn and contribute, especially in ways that support her coworkers’ efforts to continually improve safety and productivity.
“I enjoy the positive energy that is a central part of Dow’s
culture. When I meet Dow employees – no matter where they
are from – I feel a sense of optimism and a ‘can-do’ attitude,”
she says
“There’s no such thing as a typical day
for me,” says outside operator Alfred
Garcia Jr. “I work during the day; I
work at night. I’m always moving and
always responding to something.”
The Beaumont native joined Dow
in 2006 after earning his associate
degree from Lamar University. In
his role as outside operator, Alfred
is the eyes and ears of the company,
monitoring equipment and systems
to ensure everything is running smoothly.
“Maintaining a safe environment is not just important for our
employees and our customers,” Alfred says. “It’s important for
our community and our environment.”
When he’s not working, Alfred spends time with his family in
Beaumont. He relaxes by taking his son, Zachery, fishing.
“That’s why I do this job,” says Alfred. “I’m doing this to be able to
provide for my son the same way my dad provided for me when I
was growing up. Dow is a great company and allows me to do that.”
Dow in Texas:
A Key Element of Dow’s
Global Success
Everything is bigger in Texas and that includes The Dow Chemical Company.
Dow is the largest company in Texas with six manufacturing sites, a business
center and research and development facilities.
Dow’s presence in Texas began in 1940 with production in Freeport that
extracted magnesium from seawater and supported World War II needs. Over
the years that presence has grown through new construction and acquisitions
because the Lone Star State has offered Dow the necessary elements of
success – people, innovation, resources and a focus on the future.
•PEOPLE: Dow has a fundamental belief that together, science and humanity can solve anything. We use the term “Solutionists” to describe the way we hire,
the way we work together, the way we partner with others and the way we talk about and market Dow. Every day the 6,630 Dow employees and about 6,175
contractors in Texas are committed to safe production and the economic, social and environmental progress of the site.
•INNOVATION: Today Dow products serve virtually every consumer market ranging from food packaging to building and construction and from health and
medicine to transportation. These products are used for a variety of end uses – office supplies, automotives, pharmaceuticals, computers, furniture, paints,
carpet, bags, cosmetics, chewing gum, medical supplies, cleaning products, food packaging and much more.
It takes innovative thinking and action to efficiently and safely operate a company the size of Dow. To that end, in 2012 The Dow Chemical Company received
the prestigious National Green Cross for Safety medal, awarded annually by the National Safety Council to an organization that demonstrates a steadfast
commitment to improving safety and health in the workplace and beyond.
•RESOURCES: In 2010 Dow established its 2015 Sustainability Goals – a voluntary, publicly reported, 10-year commitment to use resources more efficiently,
provide value to customers and stakeholders, deliver solutions for customer needs, and enhance the quality of life of current and future generations. These goals
include local protection of human health and the environment, finding breakthroughs to world challenges and contributing to community success.
FALL 2 0 12 • 17
Picture This
1
2
3
5
4
Captions, clockwise from top-left: 1 & 2. Cindy Watson and Gabriella Cone present school supplies donated by Dow employees and
retirees to Dr. Karin Holacka, Superintendent of Brazosport ISD and Dr. Pat Montgomery, Superintendent of Angleton ISD. 3. Saje and
Sophia Winder visit the Dow Stadium booth at the Brazoria County Fair. 4. Travis Owsley visits with guests at Senior Citizens Day, an
annual event sponsored by Dow held during the Brazoria County Fair. 5. Dow was a lead sponsor at Representative Dennis Bonnen’s
40th Birthday Roast & Toast on August 25. The event raised $295,000 for the Brazosport College Foundation’s scholarship fund.
18 • IMPACT
Summer Events in Texas
Dow employees welcome Dow retirees and thank them for their school supply donations at the annual Retiree Reunion held on
August 17 at the Dow Academic Center.
FALL 2 0 12 • 19
Dollars for Doers
Dow Rewards Volunteerism
The iGive Dollars for Doers program recognizes, encourages and
supports active employee volunteers with $500 grants to qualified
charitable organizations. Employees “earn” the donation by
performing volunteer hours for a non-profit organization. Dollars
for Doers is part of the Company’s DowGives program.
Local River Thrives with a Little Help from Friends
The San Bernard River is a Texas
gem, according to Dow sales tax
manager Nancy Kanter who lives
along its banks. She says it is a
wonderful place for fishing, boating
and enjoying nature, so Nancy and
her neighbors organized Friends of
River San Bernard (F.O.R.) in 2006
to preserve and protect the river for
future generations. What started with
16 active neighbors has blossomed into
dozens of members with year-round
activities including river cleanups,
Nancy Kanter
conservation easements and annual
events attended by hundreds of people.
“It has been a tremendous success for this community (positioned
along the river) to rally together for the San Bernard River,”
Nancy says. “This shows how a small group of people can do big
things when they unite.”
Dow’s Dollars for Doers program helped F.O.R. continue its
annual cleanup efforts on the river. Additionally, F.O.R. launched
its River Rangers program, which brings science to life for area
fifth graders through its watershed education activities.
“With the Rangers, we teach kids how important a clean river is
to our environment,” Nancy says.
Friends of the River San Bernard hold multiple events each year,
including cleaning days, safety and environmental instructions,
boat parades and much more. New friends are always welcome.
Learn more and get involved at www.SanBernardRiver.com.
Dow Bats Cleanup for Sweeny Little League
With a population of fewer than 4,000, Sweeny, Texas is the sort
of small town where everyone seems to know everyone. One of
those gathering places is Bennett Outlar Baseball Park where
families spend their summers watching their kids play baseball
in the Sweeny Little League. Built in the 1960s, Bennett Outlar
Park needed massive upgrades – a challenge since the park is self
supported via league registration fees, lease fees and donations.
“Prior to 2006, the lights on one of our fields were not reliable,”
says Connie McAda, process automation solution development
Connie McAda, president of the Sweeney Little League and Dow employee, says Dow’s support over the years has given the
community a safe place for a favorite pasttime.
2 0 • IMPACT
Bruce Collins (second from left in straw hat) and his son, Spencer, enjoy a trip to the Lost Pines Scout Ranch in Bastrop, Texas.
manager with Dow and president of the Sweeny Little League.
“This is a big problem when we’ve got teams on the field and fans
in the stands and no working lights.”
That’s when Dow stepped up to the plate and hit a home run
for the park. Through a community grant in 2006, the company
made a major contribution to provide new lights at the major/
minor baseball field at the park. Additionally, through Dollars for
Doers and Safety Makes Cents awards, a new PA system has been
added along with other vital equipment and upgrades over the
past years.
“We are extremely grateful to Dow for the help,” Connie
says. “The entire community is grateful our kids have a safe
environment to play baseball. It was a dream come true.”
Dow Helps Danbury Put Out the Fires
Senior administrative
specialist Crissy
Mooney knows being
an all-volunteer fire
department isn’t easy.
Her husband Keith is
a seven-year veteran
of Danbury Volunteer
Fire Department and
EMS in Danbury, Texas.
Covering more than 350
square miles, Danbury
Volunteer Fire has 20
volunteer firefighters and
21 paid EMS staff and covers the largest service area in Texas.
“Ask anyone who’s a part of it and they’ll tell you they do it
because they love it and want to help our community,” says Crissy.
Brazoria County Emergency Services District 3 provides
50 percent of the department’s budget so Crissy organizes
fundraisers and social events and helps generate donations to
support the rest of the department’s funding needs.
The Danbury Volunteer Fire Department received help from
Dow, who is committed to safety in the community. Through a
Dollars for Doers grant, the Company provided equipment such
as air lifting bags and Res-Q-Jack rescue struts that can safely
remove a person who’s trapped under a car.
“Dow didn’t just help a fire department, they helped the
entire Danbury community,” Crissy says. “They can sleep at
night knowing the fire department is ready to respond to any
emergency.”
Boy Scouts Offer Life Lessons
The Boy Scouts of America’s motto famously says, “Be
prepared.”
The lessons of trust, loyalty and leadership were instilled in Bruce
Collins at a young age. Bruce is a reliability engineer with Dow
since 1996 and now volunteers with Boy Scout Troop 317 as a
committee chairman. A former scout himself, Bruce recalls the
lessons he learned.
“The boys learn a lot of practical skills that tie together and help
throughout life,” he says. “They learn to respect the outdoors
and the environment. They also learn different life skills such as
finances, cooking and first aid, and how to be a good citizen.”
It’s doubly satisfying for Bruce because his sons Dallin, 16,
and Spencer, 12, are currently in the Boy Scouts. He says it’s
gratifying to pass along the life lessons he learned at their age
from the Boy Scouts.
Bruce also enjoys the campouts, where the troop must abide
by a very strict rule: no electronic devices. “It gives them an
opportunity to be 100 percent separated from distractions and
have an opportunity for an uncluttered perspective,” Bruce says.
“It gives them a chance to use their imaginations, run through the
woods and explore.”
FALL 2 0 12 • 2 1
It’s a Wrap
London 2012 Dow Olympic Stadium ‘Wrap’
Dow helped the London Organizing Committee of the Olympic
Games (LOCOG) by providing the Wrap to help it become the
crown jewel of the London 2012 Olympic Games.
After public funding was withdrawn for the Wrap project in
early 2011, Dow was selected through a rigorous procurement
process to supply the materials and manpower to help complete
the Olympic Stadium as its architects had intended. The Wrap
helped the stadium become the visual centerpiece of the London
2012 Olympic Games. The Wrap also featured directional
signage and shield exposed elements of the stadium from sight.
The Look of the Wrap
Textile material
The Wrap panels are made of a lightweight polyester fabric with
a polyolefin elastomerbased coating. This material allows the
Wrap to meet LOCOG’s stringent sustainability requirements
while ensuring the appropriate fire protection and printability
needed for stadium/stage venues.
Wrap coating
The compound that coats the polyester fabric is based on the
latest generation Dow elastomers. The coating technology
contains highly efficient flame retardants and high performance
additive technologies (colorants, processing aids and stabilizers).
The Innovative Wrap Solution
• The Dow Elastomer technology, made it possible for the
first time to achieve a unique combination of durability,
flexibility and fire performance, while meeting also all the
other performance requirements like printability, mechanical
properties and abrasion resistance. To date these combinations
of requirements had only been achieved with established
solutions from the market (polyvinylchloride, fluoropolymers
and silicones) and not to our knowledge with a polyolefin based
product.
The Wrap textile is a new and innovative solution that is based on
the latest generation of Dow elastomers, making the solution one
that only Dow can provide.
• Trademarks of the Dow Elastomer product range: INFUSE™
OBC (olefin block copolymers), VERSIFY™ propylene-based
elastomers or Engage™ POE (Polyolefin Elastomer)
The Wrap is made up of 306 individual panels – each
approximately 25 meters high and 2.5 meters wide – stretching
from the concourse ground to the upper tier of the outer stadium.
The Wrap panels are made up of more than 50 solid colors that
bear the official “Colors of the Games,” a design created by
LOCOG exclusively for the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Printing
The Stadium Wrap panels were printed with UV-curable
inks, a product that meets the extremely high Nordic Ecolabel
environmental and climate requirements and limits emissions
during the printing process by eliminating volatile organic
compounds (VOC).
• Collaboration across supply chain: Dow brought the best
collaborators to the table, co- creating the textile Wrap solution
across the supply chain. Partners included Populous, stadium
architects; Cooley Group, manufacturing; Rainier, fabrication
and Shade Worldwide, installation.
Post-Games Uses for the Wrap
From the outset of this project, Dow was committed to
supporting LOCOG’s Sustainable Sourcing Code, and Dow
factored this into every aspect of the Wrap’s design, manufacture,
2 2 • IMPACT
installation and post-Games use. As a result, Dow
is committed to repurposing or recycling the
Wrap and is conducting a thorough evaluation
of post-Games use options with UK-based
Building Research Establishment (BRE) and
Axion Recycling with a goal of implementing the
most sustainable one that utilizes the innovative
technology solution of the Wrap.
• Dow is working with independent and impartial
organizations to screen and narrow the list of
options for the Wrap’s sustainable post-Games
uses.
• The nearly 110 metric tons of steel fixtures used
to hang the Wrap, responsible for 60 percent of
the wrap systems total carbon footprint will be
reused and recycled following the Games.
• Remainder of the Wrap will be recycled and
used for various applications.
Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company (“Dow”) or an
affiliated company of Dow
® ™
Right: A close-up look at the Olympic Stadium
wrap.
Below: The 2012 Olympic Stadium featured 306
individual panels stretching from the concourse
ground to to the upper tier.
FALL 2 0 12 • 2 3