This morning I saw an article that noted
Altria Group Inc. (MO) and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) are among the corporations keeping their membership
Then later in the day - this hit the New Times Editorial page
A snip for your enjoyment:
Embarrassed by Bad Laws
Published: April 16, 2012
The corporations abandoning ALEC aren’t explicitly citing the Stand Your Ground statutes as the reason for their decision. But many joined the group for narrower reasons, like fighting taxes on soda or snacks, and clearly have little interest in voter ID requirements or the N.R.A.’s vision of a society where anyone can fire a concealed weapon at the slightest hint of a threat.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, ALEC bemoaned the opposition it is facing and claimed it is only interested in job creation, government accountability and pro-business policies. It makes no mention of its role in pushing a law that police departments believe is increasing gun violence and deaths. That’s probably because big business is beginning realize the Stand Your Ground laws are indefensible.
So I thought it was time to take a look at the private sector board for the American legislative Exchange Council – been a long time since I wasted time on the ALEC website.
Here’s the list and here’s the info we know so far. (Unless otherwise linked - the information is from the article noted above - except for my person comments, of course.)
ALEC Profit Enterprise Board Officers
National Chairman
Mr. W. Preston Baldwin
Centerpoint360
First Vice Chairman
Mrs. Sandra Oliver
Bayer Corp.
Bayer AG (BAYN) is one of about 300 company-members of ALEC, said Bryan Iams, a spokesman for the Pittsburgh-based company, and his firm’s position “doesn’t always align with the various positions of all of its member companies. And that’s OK. As a company, we have our own positions and advocate for them in a very clear, transparent manner.”
Bayer’s ALEC membership is “one of numerous nonpartisan organizations that provide a forum to discuss public policies and legislation that affects business,” he added.
Second Vice Chairman
Mr. John Del Giorno
GlaxoSmithKline
Treasurer
Mr. David Powers
Reynolds American
Reynolds American spokeswoman Jane Seccombe said the company plans to continue to participate with the group. “We believe the organization provides a valuable forum for sharing of ideas and fostering better understanding of a broad range of both legislative and business issues,” she said in a statement.
Secretary
Ms. Maggie Sans
Wal-Mart Stores
Chairman Emeritus
Mr. Jerry Watson
ALEC Profit Enterprise Board Members
Ms. Sano Blocker
Energy Future Holdings
Mr. Don Bohn
Johnson & Johnson
Altria Group Inc. (MO) and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) are among the corporations keeping their membership
Bill Price, a spokesman for New Brunswick, New Jersey-based Johnson & Johnson, said the company participates with ALEC and other groups “on a broad range of issues and, while we express our views to organizations with which we work, we may not align with or support every public position each of these broad-based groups takes.
Mr. Jeffrey Bond
PhRMA
Matt Bennett, a spokesman for the Washington-based Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, said in an interview in Boston that the drug-makers “constantly evaluate our relationships to make sure they meet out mission.” He declined to say whether the partnership with ALEC was under review or would be ended.
Mr. William Carmichael
American Bail Coalition
Allegedly quit ALEC
We belong to many external groups, including ALEC, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that promotes growth and fiscal responsibility.
ALEC covers numerous issues but our involvement has been strictly limited to discussions about economic growth and development, transportation and tax policy. We did not participate in meetings or conversations related to other issues.
Our membership in ALEC expires this spring and for a number of reasons, including limited resources, we have made the decision not to renew.
Mr. Robert Jones
Pfizer Inc
THURSDAY, 4/5: “We don’t agree with every position that ALEC has, but then, we don’t agree with every position that a lot of organizations that we work with,” said Pfizer Inc. spokesman Peter O’Toole, noting Pfizer’s involvement with other groups like the Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Manufacturers.
“We participate because the legislators that are members of ALEC, they make decisions that affect our business on a daily basis, so we think it’s an important place to sit and listen, and to participate when we’re asked to participate about things that we know something about.”
SUNDAY, 4/15: Peter O’Toole, a spokesman for New York-based Pfizer Inc., declined to comment.
Allegedly quit ALEC
The Anglo-Dutch professional information service provider said on Thursday it resigned its board seat and dropped its membership of the American Legislative Council (ALEC).
"We made the decision after considering the broad range of criticism being leveled at ALEC," said a Reed Elsevier spokesman.
Mr. Kenneth Lane
DIAGEO
Mr. Bill Leahy
AT&T
Mr. Kelly Mader
Peabody Energy
Mr. Richard McArdle
UPS
Cara Ross, a spokeswoman for Atlanta-based United Parcel Service Inc. (UPS), said: “We’re still a current member” and would not elaborate.
Mr. Mike Morgan
Koch Companies Public Sector, LLC
“Yes, we plan to continue ourmembership in and support of ALEC,” said Philip Ellender of Koch Companies Public Sector, LLC
Mr. Daniel Smith
Altria Client Services
Altria Group Inc. (MO) and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) are among the corporations keeping their membership
“Our involvement is focused on issues related to our business,” said Bill Phelps, a spokesman for Richmond, Virginia-based Altria Group Inc. “As with all organizations with which we work, we regularly evaluate our support to ensure that the organization effectively addresses the issues of concerns to our business and our shareholders.”
Mr. Randy Smith
ExxonMobil Corporation
Mr. Russell Smoldon
Salt River Project
Mr. Roland Spies
State Farm Insurance Co.
Despite calls from Color of Change, the Center for Media and Democracy and other public interest groups to cut ties with the American Legislative Exchange Council, State Farm Insurance, the nation’s largest auto insurer and a major insurer of homes, has maintained both membership and leadership in the organization. Why would a Fortune #37 company that specializes in making a profit off of risk algorithms take the risk of alienating many of its own customers?
“(O)ur work with ALEC is limited to research projects for use by public officials considering matters that impact the affordability and accessibility of insurance,” a State Farm vice president wrote to Wisconsin insurance holder Samuel Hokin in response to concerns raised about ALEC last year. “Even when we disagree, we engage,” wrote corporate VP Louise Perrin.
∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞
Hmmmmmm…
Well – Who haven’t we heard from yet on the ALEC profit sector board?
If you would like to send your own personal message to the companies on the fence, here’s some info for you for a couple of them.
State Farm – Take action with them, because they decided to stay – See this Daily Kos diary.
Salt River Project - Arizonans could contact them and have an impact – but based on past experience, maybe not.
Contact them at ombuds@srpnet.com
ExxonMobil Corp We solicit feedback and identify information gaps, strengths, and weaknesses through a variety of mechanisms, including our Web site, interviews with employees, opinion leaders from nongovernmental organizations, academia, socially responsible or sustainable investment firms, industry analysts, and our External Citizenship Advisory Panel
Contact them at citizenship@exxonmobil.com
Peabody Energy - Contacting them would be a major waste of time –
AT&T - Sign the petition and Color of Change. Click HERE
DIAGEO – Strategic Brands :Our strategic brands are our primarygrowth drivers across our markets and so are the main focus for our business. BRAND: Crown Royal ;Johnnie Walker;;J&B; Windsor Premier; Buchanan's; Bushmills; Smirnoff; Ketel One vodka; Cîroc; Baileys; Captain Morgan; Jose Cuervo; Tanqueray.
Contact them at CorporateCitizenship@diageo.com
American Bail Coalition - Contacting them would be a major waste of time –
WalMart Stores - Contacting them would be a major waste of time –
JUST QUIT SHOPPING THERE!
GlaxoSmithKline
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has today published its Corporate Responsibility Report, in which the company reiterates its commitment to operate responsibly, openly and transparently and sets out advances made on this agenda during 2011. Corporate responsibility is central to GSK’s strategy to deliver sustainable financial performance whilst providing shared value to patients, consumers and governments.
Contact: Corporate Social Responsibility : Jennifer Armstrong Jennifer.L.Armstrong@gsk.com
Phone: +1 215-751-5664
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