SOMERS, N.Y- The Florida State Conference NAACP says every time it asks Jim Keown for help, he delivers. That’s why the organization is honoring Mr. Keown, southeast senior vice president and general manager of The Pepsi Bottling Group (NYSE:PBG), with its Corporate Award.
“We are extremely honored to give this award to Jim Keown,” said Adora Obi Nweze, President of the Florida State Conference NAACP. “Jim has always been there. He has never said no to any programmatic thrust we have attempted.”
Ms. Nweze said Mr. Keown has been on the ground floor of pulling together the organization’s Corporate Partner Board of Advisors (CPBA) – and has continued to serve as the backbone of that group. She said PBG’s consistent leadership in support of equal rights and quality of life for all earned the company this honor.
“PBG is a very good corporate neighbor,” Ms. Nweze said. “Not only here in Orlando, but across the nation.”
Born in St. Petersburg, Jim Keown is a native Floridian. He began his career with Pepsi as a route salesman in 1976 and has been running PBG’s Southeast Business Unit since 1998. He formed the company’s first Business Unit Diversity Advisory Board and Diverse Leaders Conference.
“We are proud of the progress we have made in diversity representation at all levels in our organization,” Mr. Keown said. “We are committed to ensuring PBG is a sought after organization for diversity where employees are recognized, valued and leveraged for their contributions.”
The Corporate Award will be presented at the Florida State Conference NAACP’s 32nd Annual Freedom Fund Awards at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort on Friday, June 17 at 7:30 p.m. This year’s theme is “NAACP Call for Action in Education: Infusing the Spirit of the Niagara Movement” and salutes the legacy of Florida’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
The Pepsi Bottling Group Foundation will present the FSC NAACP with a $10,000 contribution at the event. The money will go to support the organization’s youth education programs.
The Pepsi Bottling Group, Inc. (www.pbg.com) is the world’s largest manufacturer, seller and distributor of Pepsi-Cola beverages with operations in the U.S., Canada, Greece, Mexico, Russia, Spain and Turkey.
