It’s hard to believe that there are less than 3 months left in 2017. We have accomplished so much but, as always, there is more work to be done. Many members in our family, in our states and territories, and in Mexico, have weathered unprecedented natural disasters just weeks apart. I want you to know that we as a company have their backs, just like they have ours. The road to recovery will be long, and we will be with them every step of the way.

Sincerely,

J. Michael Schweder
President — AT&T Mid-Atlantic

AT&T & employees tackle hunger, promote leadership, highlight women in STEM and more

At AT&T, our employees are involved in our communities in many ways, often giving their time, talent and expertise to programs across the Garden State.

In August, Joyce Henry, an AT&T engineer and president of AT&T’s The NETwork NY/NJ Black Integrated Communications Professionals — Employee Resource Group (ERG), was honored by the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey for her career accomplishments and community engagement. During the “Women who Empower 2017 Forum” event, Joyce joined two other women scientists who described their paths toward STEM careers and their professional experiences. Joyce talked to the audience about keeping their technical skills fresh via training; taking on challenges such as hackathons to develop and practice new skills; and giving back to the community via programs such as the AT&T Aspire Mentoring program, where AT&T employees mentor local high school students.

In September, around 200 volunteers from AT&T fanned out across America’s Grow-A-Row farm to harvest fresh produce that will be donated to food pantries across the Garden State. U.S. Congressman Leonard Lance stopped by to thank the volunteers for their efforts.

AT&T employees and members of the AT&T Pioneers teamed up with America’s Grow-A-Row (AGAR) for the event. AGAR is a non-profit organization whose mission is to positively impact as many lives as possible through a volunteer effort of planting, picking, rescuing, and delivering free fresh produce. AT&T volunteers helped mark 7 million pounds of produce being harvested and donated to foodbanks and other hunger-relief organizations by America’s Grow-A-Row since 2002.

“Hunger is a bigger problem than many people realize. That’s why we’re rolling up our sleeves to help harvest fresh vegetables that will be donated to local pantries,” said J. Michael Schweder, president, AT&T Mid Atlantic “Our employees are deeply involved in the communities where they live and work, doing what they can to help others in need.”

The event is part of “Hunger Action Month” – a nationwide initiative designed to mobilize the public to raise awareness and take action against hunger during the month of September.

Schweder added that since 2012, AT&T has contributed more than $12,000 – and employees have volunteered more than 870 hours - to America's Grow-A-Row.

“At AT&T, the core Corporate Social Responsibility values run deep and are clearly evident in both the physical support they provide our organization, in addition to the financial contributions made that allow us to further our mission,” said Chip Paillex, president and founder, America’s Grow-A-Row. “It’s this deep commitment to serving the community that defines the AT&T leadership and employees at all levels within their organization.”

In September, volunteers from AT&T participated in the AT&T-sponsored 7th Annual STOP For Nikhil Run/Walk in West Orange. The proceeds benefit the Nikhil Badlani Foundation.

AT&T employees focus on dangers of distracted driving at the STOP For Nikhil Run/Walk in West Orange. Pictured here (L to R): Sundar Ramalingam, Manu Thannickal & Juby Chacko.

State and local officials spoke about the importance of policies that will end distracted driving in the state. Event attendees were able to experience the consequences of distracted driving using AT&T’s It Can Wait virtual reality experience.

And, earlier this month, Jennifer Yates, represented AT&T at the inaugural New Jersey Tech Council Women in Tech Conference at Rutgers. Jennifer Yates is an Assistant Vice President of Inventive Science at AT&T Labs, heading the Networking and Service Quality Management Research organization. The panel discussion was moderated by AT&T’s Shelley Goldman, who also works in AT&T Labs in New Jersey.

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