Hometown Heroes

Across the communities where USA employees reside, the quality of life of an untold number of people is better for one simple reason.

USA people care.

Whether building a new home for an underprivileged family, walking to raise money for medical research, serving as a scout leader, or collecting cans for a food bank, USA employees are working to make their communities stronger almost every weekend and are making real differences in real lives.

In 2005, USA’s generosity reached new heights when the company and its employees, through various fundraising activities and donation campaigns, funneled more than $2 million – a significant increase over what had been donated in previous years – back to those in need.

USA employees dug deep into their pockets to help those devastated by the 2004 Florida hurricanes, the tsunami in Southeast Asia, and Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. When matched by company funds, those three relief campaigns alone provided more than $748,000 to disaster victims during a time when many employees had to cope with the impact of devastating storms in their own lives.

In addition to making monetary donations, employees also volunteered for more than 15,000 hours of community service last year.

“It has always been a priority at USA to ‘contribute to the enrichment of our communities,’” said USA President and Chief Executive Officer Mike McCulley, “but I am awestruck and humbled by the generosity and caring attitudes of our employees. Their commitment to the community shows what amazing people we have working for us.

“The heart of USA is its people, and the caring compassion and deep dedication of our folks is demonstrated through their work in the community. And they bring those same fine qualities with them to the job every day as well.”

With a workforce numbering 10,000, USA has the ability to make a significant impact in the community.

“True corporate citizenship is about contributing to the societal and economic well-being of a community,” said Jim Reinhartsen, President of the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership. “It’s about volunteering to help solve social problems and playing an active role in the economic development and growth of a community. It’s about doing your part to make your community a place where people want to live and work.

“A company’s commitment to be a good corporate citizen reflects that company’s values. That is what is so impressive about USA and its dedication to making a positive impact in the community.”

As communities change and evolve, needs also change. Thousands of service organizations are now in existence and compete for many of the same resources, making support from volunteers and businesses more and more critical.

“Businesses will have to step up to the plate and do more in the years to come,” said Jim Ross, Vice President of Development for Crosswinds Youth Services in Florida. Over the past several years, the company and its employees have partnered with Crosswinds, through a variety of means, to build a new shelter and provide expanded services for at-risk youth in Brevard County.

“Businesses have to look at community service as a priority,” Ross said. “I have never met anyone from USA who did not have an extraordinary concern for making the community better. They communicate with not only their words, but also their actions, that the community is a priority.

“I think USA is a model for the business community. Crosswinds Youth Services has developed such a close partnership with USA that we consider USA to be a family member. It means a great deal to the young people we serve to have an organization like United Space Alliance, which is key in keeping our nation number one in space, to be doing so much for them.”

Because of the company’s partnership with Crosswinds, USA was honored by Florida Governor Jeb Bush and the Juvenile Justice System with the Governor’s Regional Community Investment Award.

USA is frequently recognized as a company that takes its responsibility as a corporate citizen seriously.

In 2005, USA was honored as one of Houston’s 10 greatest companies by the Greater Houston Partnership, not only because of its role as a leading space operations company, but because of the thousands of volunteer hours employees give to the community each year.

In a letter to the company (published in the October/November 2005 edition of the USA Update), President George W. Bush recognized employee and corporate contributions to aid victims of last year’s hurricanes. In 2004, USA was awarded the Hurricane Hero Award from Florida Today for its efforts to protect the precious national assets at the Kennedy Space Center and to aid the community during that hurricane season.

“USA is a true community partner in every sense of the word,” Reinhartsen said. “Whatever the need, USA is the first to step up and offer to help. There is no doubt that our community is stronger because of USA.”

Multiple activities exist at USA to support the company’s commitment to the community and to those in need.

Volunteer councils are in place to support project leads as they organize the numerous volunteer events held throughout the year. These councils provide a forum for project leaders to share ideas and lessons learned, to build support, and to enhance the growth of service activities. Additionally, USA Leadership Association chapters use community events to help build the management skills of its members.

The USA Foundation, with the assistance of Charitable Contributions Councils in Alabama, Florida and Texas, makes more than $500,000 in donations to more than 200 local organizations each year. The USA Employee One Fund in Florida also makes donations on behalf of its employee members to worthwhile community organizations.

Both the One Fund and the USA Employee Fund, which was established last year in Texas, provide grants to employees who find themselves in financial straits due to unexpected circumstances.

“As we position the company to win new business in the future, there is a strong business case for encouraging community service and philanthropy,” McCulley said. “A business is only as strong as the community it calls home, because the quality of life in the community has a direct impact on employees. The return on our investment is a better tomorrow for our employees, our customers, our communities and the company.”

“It all boils down to character,” he said. “Our reputation as a company is an extension of the character of our employees, and there is nothing that demonstrates the character of our people more than the work they do to help those less fortunate. That character is what currently makes USA clearly a company of choice for our communities and what will make us a company of choice for future customers.”

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