The Keystone Policy Center honored national leaders and businesses at its 22nd Annual Leadership Awards Dinner on June 10 in Washington, D.C. for finding common ground and working collaboratively to confront challenges ranging from deforestation in South America to improving teacher quality to securing our energy future.
During the event, Doyle Beneby, President and CEO of CPS Energy, was recognized with the 2015 Leadership in Energy Award for his groundbreaking work collaborating with clean technology firms and other partners to create jobs, reduce carbon emissions and support energy-efficiency projects in Texas.
The Honorable Julián Castro presented Doyle Beneby with the Leadership in Energy Award. Photo courtesy of Keystone Center Twitter page.
“Doyle Beneby has fundamentally transformed CPS Energy,” said Clint Vince, Keystone Executive Committee member and Partner at DentonsUS LLP. “The partnerships he forged with clean technology firms, in particular, created thousands of good-paying jobs in San Antonio and beyond. His collaborative leadership has also led CPS Energy to employ more low-carbon and renewable energy sources. Doyle also has leveraged CPS Energy’s position to help Texas responsibly reduce its energy footprint. The Keystone Policy Center shares Doyle’s vision for innovation and collaboration and we are proud to honor him with the 2015 Leadership in Energy Award.”
Each year, the Center hosts approximately 400 leaders from industry, government and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and education communities to present awards to exemplary thought leaders and decision-makers for their leadership, outstanding problem-solving skills and efforts to seek collaborative solutions to the most challenging issues facing society.
Former San Antonio Mayor, Julian Castro, was among the dignitaries, including U.S. Senator Chris Coons of Connecticut, Kaya Henderson, Chancellor of D.C. Public Schools, and Shelby Coffey III, Vice Chairman of The Newseum, Castro presented the Leadership in Energy Award to Beneby.
Castro, who currently serves as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, opened by stating that he could not have thought of anyone better suited to be receiving the esteemed Leadership in Energy award. “During his time at CPS Energy, Doyle has gone above and beyond his call of duty as CEO. He has coupled his vision of generation diversification and innovation with community, and has created thousands of clean-technology jobs in San Antonio.”
Beneby credited his CPS Energy team and clean technology partners for the success he has enjoyed in San Antonio. “It was an honor to represent CPS Energy at the prestigious Keystone Center event, and to be acknowledged among true legends and national icons,” said Beneby. “As a CEO in an industry that is responsible for nearly 40 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in America, I believe I have an inherit obligation to focus on lowering the carbon intensity of our fleet, in an affordable way. If we can bring additional value to our local community in the process, then of course we would capitalize on the opportunity.”
Other honorees included:
- Leadership in Environment to Cargill, Greenpeace and McDonald’s for their leadership in significantly reducing deforestation and farming on cleared rainforest land over the past decade.
- Leadership in Government to Delaware Gov. Jack Markell for working across the aisle and with partners in the public, private and nonprofit sectors on education reform and other issues.
- Leadership in Education to Ariela Rozman, CEO of TNTP, for her work helping school districts across the nation support teacher quality and raise student achievement.
- Leadership in the Public Interest to Chuck Todd, moderator and host of NBC’s Meet the Press, for his work fostering public policy debates and encouraging transparency.
- Spirit of Keystone Award to U.S. Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz for his work across the political spectrum to build partnerships and promote a safer, more energy-secure world.
This year’s event was held at Washington DC’s The Newseum, a unique, visually stunning venue that serves as a forum for First Amendment studies, a forum for debate and dialog about important issues of the day, and a nonpartisan place to explore the principles on which America is built.
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