San Diego Business Leaders Honored by Freedoms Foundation
(PRWEB) February 27, 2000
VALLEY FORGE, PA -- Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge will honor three prominent San Diego corporate leaders as recipients of its Next Millennium Award. The award honors strategic investment in the educational future of the recipient's community.
J. Robert Beyster, founder and chief executive officer of Science Applications International Corp., William Geppert, Vice President and General Manager of Cox Communications-San Diego, and John Hawkins, CEO of Cloud 9 Shuttle will receive the recognition as part of the 23rd annual Leavey Awards for Excellence in Private Enterprise Education.
Sally B. Thornton, La Jolla, a member of the board of directors of many distinguished organizations including the San Diego Museum of Art, will be the honorary chair for the event scheduled for March 31 at the US Grant Hotel in San Diego.
"Each of these individuals has displayed a commitment to the education of future generations and as entrepreneurs themselves they know firsthand the value and the role education plays within their communities," said Lt. General Robert E. Kelley, USAF (Ret), president of Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge.
The Next Millennium Award, Kelley said, identifies and recognizes business leaders who demonstrate the pioneering entrepreneurial spirit, a commitment to education, and a continuing dedication to the betterment of their communities.
"Receiving the Next Millennium Award from Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge is a great honor for me and for SAIC. The efforts of our educators to teach future generations about topics like free enterprise and citizenship rights and responsibilities are the lifeline to our continued economic success. To be honored along with the teachers receiving the Leavey Awards makes it even more special," said Beyster, who founded SAIC as a scientific consulting firm with a handful of employees in 1969.
Since then, the employee-owned company has grown to become an international high technology research and engineering corporation with more than 39,000 employees and revenues that top $4.7 billion. Beyster is the recipient of a lifetime achievement award from the University of California, San DiegoÂ’s CONNECT program for providing 25 years of outstanding service to the community. He is a member of the Scientific Advisory Group to the Director, Strategic Target Planning Staff of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and a member of the National Academy of Engineering. He also serves as Chairman of the board of the University of California at San Diego Foundation.
"I am honored to even be considered for the Next Millennium Award. Too often we lose focus on what is important to our growth as individuals and as a nation but it always comes back to education and the efforts of our teachers. I commend Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge and the Leavey family for offering inspiration to our educators and our students and I am proud to be a part of it," Geppert said.
Geppert, as vice president and general manager of Cox Communications San Diego, oversees the largest cable system in California, one that serves more than 500,000 customers. Under his leadership, the company formed Cox Kids Foundation, which recognizes outstanding education by awarding grants and scholarships to local schools and students. Cox Communications has provided free cable television and modems to 450 San Diego schools, and for 10 years has produced and broadcast the Emmy-winning "A Salute to Teachers."
Geppert currently serves as chair of the San Diego State University International Communications Council Smart Community Initiative for Schools, and chairman of the board for the California Cable Television Association. He is a first vice chair of the Greater San Diego Chamber of Commerce, and a board member of the San Diego Symphony, the San Diego International Sports Council, the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation and the Youth Education Town. He also serves as chairman of the CEO Roundtable.
"Receiving the Next Millennium Award from the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge is a tremendous honor for me but to share the recognition with individuals like Dr. Beyster and Mr. Geppert, as well as the Leavey Award winners, makes it extra special. Our future is secure with people like them working on our behalf," Hawkins said.
Hawkins, a Southern California native, helped lead a SupperShuttle franchise in San Diego out of trouble and into Cloud 9, which launched in late 1994. Today Cloud 9 is San Diego's largest airport ground transportation company with a diverse workforce of more than 400. It provides more than 75 percent of "shared-ride" transportation to and from Lindbergh Field. Cloud 9 Shuttle was recognized in 1995 as "San Diego's Most Enterprising Business" and named "Enterprise Award for Best Practices" in 1997 and 1998.
Hawkins currently is a member of the Board of the San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Greater San Diego Chamber of Commerce, the Better Business Bureau, the Holiday Bowl Committee, the Corporate Finance Council, the San Diego International Sports Council, the Port Tenants Association, the USS Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum, and Accessible San Diego.
Through its educational component -- America's School for Citizenship Education -- Freedoms Foundation sponsors diverse education and awards programs and derives support from nearly 4,000 volunteers in 29 local chapters as well as corporations, foundations, and civic organizations from across the nation.
Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge, with chapters in 17 states, is among the nationÂ’s premier organizations devoted to citizenship-based education and the promotion of responsible citizenship. Founded in 1949 by prominent American business leaders Freedoms Foundation continues to conduct national awards programs that recognize excellence in education and civic involvement. The FoundationÂ’s National Awards, Leavey Awards for Excellence in Private Enterprise Education, and Distinguished Awards programs have recognized more than 55,000 individuals and organizations since the FoundationÂ’s inception.
With headquarters on an historic 105-acre campus adjacent to Valley Forge National Historical Park, it conducts educational programs for elementary, intermediate and high school students that focus on the balance of rights and responsibilities associated with citizenship in 21st Century America. Freedoms Foundation also conducts graduate seminars and workshops for educators that study issues relating history to todayÂ’s problems, responsible citizenship, and the benefits of the free enterprise system. Graduate programs are fully accredited by many of the nationÂ’s major colleges and universities.
For more information on Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge, visit the web site at www. ffvf. org, or contact the Foundation at 1-800-896-5488.
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